Volunteer in India

 Experiencing a different cultural reality

Anastasia left her job as a journalist for a while, to travel in spiritual India as a volunteer in a children teaching program. Having explored the Indian daily life, its bright and dark side, she came back with strong impressions and beautiful pictures, some of which she shares here. 

  Name:  Anastasia-Areti Gavrili

  Age:     24

  From:   Piraeus, Greece

  To:       Bangalore & Calcutta, India

  For:      Volunteer Program: 
            Street Children Teaching

      1. Your motivation to go in India as a volunteer.

   

“While working as a journalist over the past four years, I have written dozens of articles about poverty, human rights and all kind of social and economic problems that less-developed countries face. But my work was always done through a computer in a safe and comfortable office. 

I suddenly realized that I wanted to open my eyes and see the real world, discover a new culture and a different -and definitely more simple- way of life. I wanted to change my attitude in life, appreciate what was given to me and do something meaningful.”

2.     How long did you stay?

“I spent two months in India volunteering in two different programs. My visa was only valid for three months so I could not stay much longer. But there are volunteering programs that last over a year. And there is always need for help back there.”

3.     Where did you stay?

“During my first month I lived with a host family in a small house in Bangalore. I had to live as a true Indian… Sleep on the floor, eat with my hands and take a “bucket” shower, as I used to call it. When I moved to Kolkata I shared a room with other volunteers at a University facility, next to Mother Teresa's house. Being able to share and adapt is really important while in India.”

       4.The most impressive thing about India.

“The colors! India is like a huge colorful canvas. Every corner looks like a unique work of art.”

5. The hardest thing to get used to.

“The images of children sleeping on the streets, walking barefoot and playing on piles of garbage. Eating rice and spicy carries for every meal was a big challenge as well.”

6.     What was your job?

“My job was to help children from the streets return to the regular schooling system and stay away from exploitation.  I used to spend 6 to 8 hour a day with 4-12 years old children, teach them English through creative methods and keep them occupied with art activities. I also undertook some simple renovation work in the schools like painting and tree planting in order to make their environment more welcoming.”

    
  7. How was the communication with the children?

“Like an imagination game. The children did not speak English so we had to be creative and find new ways to teach them.”

8. Some of the activities you did with the children.

“English lessons, games, drawing etc. One of the best days in my life was March 27^th. It was the day we celebrated Holi Festival with the children and welcomed spring by throwing tones of color to each other.”

9.     The best memory of you as a “teacher”.

“One of my strongest moments there was my last day at school when some children wrote me beautiful goodbye notes.”

      10. The best way to spend the day in Kolkata, when not working.

“Get on a local bus and get off on Howrah Bridge. Follow the people carrying huge baskets full of flowers on their heads. At the East end of the bridge, the Mullik Ghat riverside you can see Kolkata's unbelievable lively and amazing Flower Market. When you manage to walk through the chaotic alleys find your way to Victoria Memorial monument. Walk in front of the Writers’ Building and end up at Mother Teresa's house. Don't forget to taste some delicious mangos! Enjoy!”

Flower Market

     



11. Is it really a different reality as they say?

“It feels like it is a different world. A spiritual and crazy place at the same time. You experience new tastes, sounds, religions…”

     12. Something that “we” think about India which is not true.

“Not all Indians are bad and dangerous. They might stare at you for hours and try to take pictures with you like you are the world’s biggest celebrity, but they are usually harmless”.

     13. The taste linked to India.

“Mango ice creams and freshly cut pineapples! I am not a big fun of curry…”

     14. People of India in 3 words.

“Religious. Curious. Calm.”

   

  15. What you will keep forever?

“My students' drawings, my love for India and Gandhi's quote: “Poverty is the worst form of violence”.

[Photos by Anastasia]

Studying Architecture in Torino

Una Greca in Italia

Maria was always sure about what she wants to do and never gave up chasing her dream. 

By the time she left Greece at her 18, she managed to find her balance 

between growing up and living alone.

. 

 Name:  Maria Stergiou

 Age:      25

 From:   Piraeus, Greece

 To:       Torino, Italia

 For:      Architecture           in: Politecnico di Torino

1. The progress of your relationship with Torino.

Torino

"When I came here, everything was new and strange. It was too difficult for me to understand people and their culture, not because they are different from us-not at all-, but I was feeling like "detached" from my beloved city at a very young age. 

It was too early. 

However, I was observing the city (without admitting to myself that it was beautiful) and I started finding things to do that where making me happy, such as going on my bike for hours in the parks and hanging out with my friends, discovering bars and places. I was trying to make my new life similar to my old one and many times I achieved it. 

Now, I don’t know if I want to leave Torino. I love it. But every person that I love is in Greece or somewhere in Europe. I don’t know if I have to follow and who I want to follow."

2. In what way architecture changed your point of view?

 "It might sound silly, but architecture made me more sincere. With myself, with my relationship with the professors, with my parents, with my feelings. I was thinking: if I wanted to continue my studies in that unfamiliar city and spend my perents’ money, I had to decide if I really liked what I was doing. The only way to find it, was being sincere."

3. The hardest thing to get used to.

"The fact I didn’t have my family next to me, in every step I was doing. It was the first time I had to deal with everything on my own and I had to organize my life, my priorities and my desires. Discipline was too hard for me."

4. Your basic interest in the field.

"Architectural, eco-sustainable projects and restoration."

5. What would be your personal contribution in a better world through the art of architecture?

"Stop doing architecture! Or better, stop constructing. Architecture has not only to do with the concrete. Landscaping could be a more helpful way to make better this world. We need green, we need water, we need oxygen. We need our history and heritage. Restoration and renovation could be a solution."

6.International majorities in Torino.

 "Morrocans, Romanians, South-americans, Africans"

7. People of the city in 3 words.

" “Bon vivant”, competitive, superficial."

8. The song linked to your life there.

"“Love in Portofino”, Andrea Bocelli "

9. The taste.

"Fresh basilico and tomato."

10. The best thing to do alone in the city.

"Biking along the river, reaching the cliff and watching the whole city spreading in the horizon."

Workshop

11. What is special about the University.

"The large number of workshops that give us the opportunity to practice on programs and become better at the presentation of projects."

12. Your new (Italian) habbit.

  "The Coffee, of course! And the “aperitivo” "

13. Your furthest dream.

"Become an upstanding architect and go back to Greece with my future family and work there. In an island maybe. Wherever near the sea."

14. The greatest thing you learned during these years in Italy.

"Patience, helping (me and the others) and loving whatever I am doing."

15. Your personal definition of “home”.

"Home is not only the house I was raised in anymore, but wherever I feel comfortable and full of love. Wherever someone tells me “Here, I prepared something for you to eat”. Wherever we talk for a while before we go to sleep and wherever the sheets smell like soap. Wherever there is someone waiting for me."

Greek Dancer - Spanish Dance

Flamenco & studies in Madrid

From a young age, Giorgos had discovered his inclination to dance. Finally, this love found its complete expression in the Spanich capital. Changing country at his 18 following his dream-desire, he managed to become a professional Flamenco Dancer in Madrid. 

    Name:              Giorgos (George) Kirkilis

Artistic Name:      Jorge Atenas

    Age:                 25

    From:               Piraeus, Greece

    To:                   Madrid, Spain

    For:                  Flamenco & Business Administration Studies    (Complutense de Madrid University)

1.      Your initial motivation to leave Greece.

Complutense de Madrid

"The first discussion about Spain, in particular Madrid, was made a day of July 2006. I remember my father calling me, saying we have to talk about something that afternoon. He suggested I could go to Madrid for University studies but also for dance. I was surprised because the truth is that I had never thought of leaving that early. But finally, I did good. 
So that was the initial reason to get the decision with my parents to leave and start here what is now my professional life and what I want to work on."

2.      Why Madrid?

"Mainly because it's the capital so there were many options in terms of University and dance. Concerning Flamenco, most of us know that its 'center' is Andalusia and Sevilla. However, Madrid was the best option on the ground that there were many options for choosing professors and 'maestro' with whom I could start finilazing Flamenco which I dance 18 years now. 
In Madrd there was also my maestra, Inmaculada Ortega, whom I was lucky to meet in London in summer 2005, at a dance seminar, a year before leaving for abroad. She suggested and found for me male dancers and conductors to have classes with and simultaneously I was learning the language in the mornings. Later on, I met more conductors in the city, who still play important role in my career. Moreover, here I found my first job as a dancer in Ballet Flamenco de Madrid and then more doors opened in other dance groups like Compañia Flamenca José Moro, Compañia Aroma Flamenco, as well as other collaborations and jobs at 'Tablao' in Madrid."

3.  The progress of your relationship with Madrid.

Madrid

"The truth is that I was not that difficult for me to adapt to my new life. The hardest part was loneliness... not having someone to talk to, to have a coffee with and especially missing your people, family and friends. Imagine leaving at 18, experiencing a different reality than the one you are used to. Even now there are time that I feel alone, missing my beloved ones... However, I can say that here in Madrid, where I leave 7 years now, I am kind of "lonely" type, prefering spending a lot of time at home at the weekends that I dont work, watching movies, reading or inviting friends over. I don't mind not going out that often. 

So, my relationship with life in Spain evolved nicely and smoothly. Life here is quite different than in Greece. We differ in our everyday life and nightlife but not that much in the mindset, as Mediterranean people."

4.  What do you see from your window?

"There is a lot of light coming in and I can tell the weather. I can see a green park which is nice for walking or exercising. I live a bit out of Madrid in a residentail area. Therefore I can see other blocks, too."

5. The hardest thing to get used to in the new city?

"Something that I cannot understand, is how is it possible people leaving in houses in which there is no light entering. In Spain there are houses called "interior" that may have only a little window looking at the wall of the opposite building. Also, you don't see any balconies...

Madrid, Center

Something else that I can not get used to is the "Botellón”. This means people gathering in the squqares and the street, drinking alcohol. It's not so much about the alcohol consumed in the streets, but the stink and stench from what remains since they do not clean up. Fortunately in Madrid they clean the streets at night on daily basis."

6.      Spanish people in 3 words.

"Friendly, vivid, fun... in other 3 words, almost-like-us"

7.  Your new daily habit?

"There is a lot having been added in my daily life. First of all I have my own house, therefore there is housework... Then, rehearsals, work... A time schedule starting from 9-morning to 9-night... When I perform I come back home at 1p.m."

8.  Dance in your life. The beginning and your progress.

Anton Martin Dance School

"Dance as a general concept, I believe that always existed in me. In my early years, I did not care of what I was dancing. Until I told my parents "I want to dance..." and then we started looking for schools. 

I started at my 7 in Piraeus from curiosity because in 1995 I did not know exactly what Flamenco is. I worked on this dance for 11 years until I came in Madrid. Here I understood a lot... The point of view is totally different. Here is not just a dance, it is ART. Intangible cultural heritage of humanity. 

Someone involved in Flamenco -professional or amateur-, experiences it as a way of life... 

Dance Schoool interior

In Madrid I started dance as a begginer even though in Greece I had reached a higher level... Trying the "medium" level was shockingly difficult! My maestra and friend, Inmaculada Ortega, introduced me to my first teacher, Cristian Almodovar, who literally took me by the hand and put me next to him on a daily basis...  4 hours per day for a year I had classes with him. I started changing the way I considered Flamenco. I seriously understood the essence of the dance. Later on I learned from more conductors...

Flamenco is a dance that you never stop learning. You always add something... 

However, I think that if I had not progressed as a dancer, professional and personality, I would not have reached the point where I am, having a satisfactory CV due to which I have chances for new jobs and contacts with other professionals."

9. Your greatest achievement as dancer.

"I believe that the greater achievement for a Flamenco dancer of other nationality than Spanish, is to gain the respect and recognition from the Spanish dancers and professionals. I think that I have achieved to be respected firstly as a personality and then as a dancer. This is the biggest satisfaction. The respect you get and you give."

10.  How does it make you feel returning in Greece for performances?

"I have been in Greece twice to perform my own choreographies in a small theater («Θέατρο Κάτω από την Γέφυρα») and two more times invited by a friend who owns a dance school (Dora Papadimitriou). 
I was quite nervous... Not about dancing but about how people would get motivated to go watch Flamenco with a Greek dancer coming from Spain, dancing in a small theater... whereas people go in big theaters for such performances. The result was very positive though. 
I hope to come back for another performance, soon. It's been 2 years... 
So, dancing in Greece will always make me nervous about how the Greek spectator will find the performance and the dancer. I believe that the Greek audience is generally quite demanding, due to its cultural background."

   11.  What does Flamenco mean for you?

"Flamenco for me is the expression of my feelings... depending on my psychological status I intend to dance in certain rhythms... Feeling though, are created also by  listening the lyrics of the song. So you get into creating a feeling and transmit it."

12. What feelings or ideas you desire to transmit through your choreographies?

"My feelings when I dance are "internalized" , especially in the heavier rhythms... I mean, I dance for me (not in a shelfish way)... and the spectator receives more the feelings of the dancer. In dances with happier rhythms the dancer tries to be more expressive, attempting to transmit this happiness to the audience. In general, I try to express the idea that Flamenco is an art that without having to do 'acrobatics', it transmits to the viewer all those feelings that one may feel in his daily life. It's not only a way of life nor just a dance. It is a way of expressing and imaging the inner world of the dancer."

13. Your furthest dream.

"I have not a specific dream. I have goals... 

I would like to open my own dance shool and transmit the art of Flamenco to Greece, like I learned it. Of course this does not mean that I will stop dancing..."

14. The music linked to your life in Madrid. 

"I think that one of the most touching songs for someone who has left his country and people is "Tzivaeri mou" (Τζιβαέρι μου)..."

15. What do you think about going back in Greece?

"I am thinking of going back to Greece quite soon. It's been almost 8 years in Madrid and I have started thinking differently. The "circle" here strarts to get norrower and it influences me. I was always thinking going back, keeping myself occupied with Flamenco. I may return sooner than I have been imagining." 

16. What you will keep forever from the Spanish experience. 

"Everything... from the time I stepped in Iberian territory, all of my life has been full of experiences. I will keep everything in terms of dance and professionalism. The people who helped me and guided me so that I can reach the level I am now... the places I have visited, the tablaos where I have danced...

Each one that helped me and trusted in me in his/her own way. And of course, the fact that I managed to create my own dance group and co-operate with recognized dancers.  Life experiences...

I keep everything. The good and the less good...."