Here we go again!
Kalimera! At the beginning of March, a group of students from the John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin, along with dr Wojciech Wciseł, embarked on another beautiful journey to Greece for the project “Nature in Parentheses! Air, Water, and Land Intermissions!” as part of the Erasmus+ program. Where did we land? What did we do, and what did we learn? You’ll find out everything in this article!
Our journey started in Lublin, where we set off very early to the airport in Warsaw. From there, we boarded a plane and soon found ourselves in Athens!
After landing, we still had a trip to our hotel ahead of us. Upon arrival, we had some free time before dinner. Despite feeling a bit tired from the journey, we decided to take a walk to the very heart of Greece’s capital. We explored Monastiraki Square with its stunning view of the Acropolis, visited the Annunciation Cathedral, and admired Syntagma Square with a view of the Greek Parliament, where we even caught the changing of the guards. Believe it or not, it started to drizzle slightly and got a bit chilly, so we decided to head back to the hotel. From there, we went to our first dinner with the other project participants. The food was delicious and colorful, but after a day full of experiences, we needed to rest before the next day’s adventures.
The following day, we had the opportunity to get to know the other participants better. This was the day when everything truly began. The group leaders from Greece introduced us to the project’s origins, goals, and the activities planned for the coming days. During this part, we met participants from Greece, Spain, Romania, and Hungary. That day, we worked in mixed groups, getting to know each other and learning how to cooperate despite our different nationalities. Our tasks involved creatively presenting ways to prevent environmental disasters, save our planet, and promote the benefits of living in harmony with nature. Through these activities, we gained insight into ecological perspectives from different European countries and worked together to find solutions to everyday environmental challenges. This required a lot of engagement and focus, but the results were outstanding.
Then, it was time for outdoor learning – traveling to places significant to nature. In just a few days, we visited so many locations that it was hard to remember them all. One of our destinations was the Diomidous Botanical Garden in Athens, where we learned about different plant species. We saw various trees, flowers, shrubs, and even cacti and bamboo. As we walked, turtles occasionally crossed our path, but the most impressive part was the wild bird show. We listened to how different species feed, hunt, defend themselves, and simply live. We also visited Queen’s Tower, an estate established under the orders of Queen Amalia, who aimed to create a model farm for others to follow. There, we explored numerous plantations, including a vineyard – one of the first crops planted there, which still thrives today. The cultivation of this vineyard, like the other plantations on the property, is conducted organically. At this site, we not only learned how grapes are grown and how wine is made. In addition, we discovered more about the estate’s history and its owners.
Next to Queen’s Tower is Organization Earth, where we got to work! Our task was to chop vegetables, which were later used to prepare our lunch. While chopping, we learned about the growing conditions required for different vegetables and which parts we don’t eat that go into compost. While the meal was being prepared, we received a second task – dividing into small groups, responsible for harvesting ripe vegetables or preparing compost. After a delicious meal, we learned about ecological farming and how to cultivate plants without pesticides. One natural solution? Ladybugs! They eagerly feed on small pests like aphids.
Of course, no trip to Athens would be complete without a visit to the Acropolis. This place simply cannot be described in words – you have to see it with your own eyes and feel the history it holds. Naturally, there were some adventures along the way. We arrived close to closing time, and after exploring the entire Acropolis and taking photos, the guards suddenly started whistling and signaling for all tourists to leave. Trying to take a last-minute photo photo from every possible angle while rushing down from the Acropolis is something I will never forget! After visiting the Acropolis, we had some free time, which we spent walking to the Panathenaic Stadium and then strolling through Plaka, enjoying delicious gelato.
During our trip, there was also time to visit the Polish school in Athens, where dr Wojciech Wciseł, Alicja, Konrad, and Paweł went. They told young Poles about studying at KUL, the admission process for the Polish diaspora, and the „Summer with KUL” program!
At the Natural History Museum, we explored an interactive section where we could generate electricity in an eco-friendly way to power different parts of a model building and compare how much water we use in daily activities. In addition to viewing exhibits featuring animals, insects, rocks, and soils, we watched a short film about modern environmental disasters, such as wildfires and melting glaciers.
We also visited one of the largest fire stations, responsible for protecting Mount Parnitha. The firefighters not only told us about their work but also showed us photos and videos. The footage demonstrating how quickly wildfires can spread was truly breathtaking. After our visit, we headed to the mountain itself, which had been partially affected by fire. Mount Parnitha, the highest peak near Athens, was our next stop. The mountain stands at 1,413 meters above sea level. It may not be as high as Rysy in Poland, but driving up the winding roads in a coach made my heart race. The emotions were indescribable. On one hand, I was curious about the view outside the window; on the other, I felt a mix of fear and excitement. Of course, our driver was very experienced, but emotions still overcame reason! Once we reached the top, there was no doubt—it was worth it! I will never forget those breathtaking views.
We took a short break at a mountain shelter, where we enjoyed a meal and took countless scenic photos – it was truly beautiful. After this free time, we continued our journey. But where to? Weren’t we already at the top? Not quite! A short hike with guides awaited us. The trail led us through a forest, allowing us to fully connect with nature… although some of us may have taken that a bit too literally (greetings, Brother!). But of course, the hike wasn’t for nothing. After some time, we reached the very peak of Mount Parnitha, where we enjoyed even more stunning views with a warm cup of tea.
Our adventure in Athens was slowly coming to an end. The “Nature in Parentheses! Air, Water, and Land Intermissions!” project, as part of Erasmus+, was an undeniable success. On our final evening, there was no shortage of Greek feta, salad, and, of course, Zorba’s dance. During this trip, I met many amazing people, whom I hope to see again and work with on another project like this one.
Dr Wojciech, Alicja, Ania, brother Paweł and Konrad – thank you for this unforgettable adventure!
P.S. If you thought this was the end of our adventures… well, we still managed to make it to the sea!
