ECO-WALKS: An Unforgettable Adventure in Serbia
Writer: Evangelia Chatziavgeri
It was a usual morning in Thessaloniki, Greece until I got a phone call by an IntermediaKT representative who informed me that I got accepted in the Eco-Walks project. Back then though, little did I know how lucky I was to have the opportunity to be part of such a program. To be honest, it was kind of a struggle to arrive in Belgrade from Greece, but the whole experience in Bajina Basta as it turned out was more than worth it.
From the first moments of the meeting with all the participants we were talking comfortably, getting to know each other. It’s surprising how easily you can find common ground with people from totally different cultures, backgrounds and habits. Another pleasant surprise was the hospitality of locals that wanted to make sure that every single one of us felt like home… And that’s exactly what happened the way I saw it.
The next day of our arrival in Bajina Basta, our adventure started. The first hiking was an amazing experience and the view on the top was stunning and totally rewarding (check by yourself). During our walks in Tara Mountains, we learned a lot about nature, the significance of physical activity outdoors and the way it improves mental and physical health. Our days in Serbia were full of hiking and exploring new places but also our personal limits.
One of the days that I will remember for a long time was the one we cleaned the lake, helping local people in their initiative to change the image of Perućac by collecting litter. I really felt that day that teamwork makes the dream work. It was admirable how much work we could do all together and the results we got were remarkable.
A highlight from the cultural evening when every country presented their own traditional delicacies and their cultural habits.
I couldn’t really have high expectations before the project as I didn’t know the endless good mood and energy of every participant but also locals who welcomed us, but this program definitely raised my expectations for possible future ones. We followed the plan made by the organisers, didn’t miss any activity but on the same time it was a week full of laughter and of course tasty Serbian food. We also had the chance to try rakija (a local spirit) made by a distillery nearby and for me… it was love at first sight!
So, if anyone is thinking about joining an Erasmus project, just go for it! You have nothing to lose and a lot to gain, you have my word.
That’s all folks!