Tuesday, October 14, 2008

EVS in Kalamata

Why EVS in Kalamata?

I would answer that the town really needs EVS volunteers in projects around. I would say that the local community really needs international volunteers among it. I would suppose that EVS volunteers will have good time around the town of Kalamata.

Let's not talk about the projects in this first thread...

Kalamata is a small town which offers many opportunities to EVS volunteers. Many opporunities in having fun. There is a huge beach and a beautifull mountain you can explore. The perfecture of Messinia, offers you various beautifull natural places to go and have low cost excursions. It is situated near archaeological/ historical monuments covering periods from ancient Greece to medieval times and 18th & 19th centuries' modern history.

Kalamata offers you opportunities for culture and sports... You can participate in photography club having free lessons, learn Greek dances, free performances around the town during the international dance festival, festival 0 (zero) with amateur -or not- movies, free concerts during summer, amateur theater club, entrance free 24h basketball & tenis fields in which you can go alone and find people to play with, go around by bicycle as it is a "flat" town etc. As long as you are interested in finding what you would like, there is a way to do it!

As all bars in Greece, also in Kalamata, drinks are quite expensive for EVS volunteers but the place has many other places for having fun. The old church situated at the old part of the town in which you can buy cheap beer and eat souvlaki from Jimi's souvlaki place, some student cafes whicha are cheaper than the other bars, the traditional Ellas cafe, squares near bars or not to lay down with friends getting some drinks from the kiosk (periptero) and of course the beach during summer is the best place for parties with friends! I am sure that you know or you will find more ways of having fun in this town.

What about people? The opinions differ in this subject. People of Kalamata are very friendly and helpfull but they need time first to get to know you, trust you and then be friend with you. It depends of the person and the way of approach. There are volunteers that really know the "half of the town" and others having few friends. Socialization in Greece usually happens during night along with a dring, during the cafeteria time, during sports or pleasant activities etc...

But the local society is a bit "closed"; they are not aware of the opportunities around the world and some of them never traveled abroad... That's why you are so important for our community. That's why we need EVS in Kalamata, we need fresh ideas, initiatives, differernt perspectives, interesting personalities...

Thank you all EVS crazy people for being in Kalamata, thank you EVS crazy people for coming to Kalamata in the future!!!

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