Център Увереност

Международна среща – Афион -Турция 1-4 Ноември 2014г.

 Senior Citizens Empowerment for Active Aging

 

 

 

 

Борислава Танева - 32 г.

– доброволец, част от екипа по проекта 

 

 

 

 

My trip to Turkey was amazing and very relaxed. From the flight everything was great. Turkish airlines is a great company. I am very satisfied from the flight. We left Bulgaria not so early in the morning with flight to Istanbul and Ankara. When we arrived at Ankara we took shuttle to the “Guest house” hotel where our friends from Poland and England were waiting us. Unfortunately nobody could speak English and did not know where the address of that “Guest house” was. We took a taxi and the taxi driver was cycling around the address and finally we found it. I was very worried because Ankara is a huge city and we did not know the place. I saw our friends and was very happy.

Late in the evening we arrived in Ayfon. Afyon is a big city very modern and colorful. We put our luggage and decided to go out to find a place to have dinner. We did not know the place and asked some of the people who we met and again they couldn’t speak English and advised us for two totally different directions. It was very cold we were tired and finally one man showed us the main street with many restaurants. We stayed at one of them, the food was very delicious and we spent a great time.

In the morning the Turkish team arrived at the hotel and Romanian team as well. All together had breakfast and had a meeting in the restaurant. We discussed important questions about the trip in Bulgaria, the dates, for the European meeting in Braila, and how to create the tool kit. I was very excited to see all teams again together. Magda showed us video made in Poland for our trip, it was amazing. After that we went to the Ayfion’s Municipality Women club. For me was very interesting because in Ayfion most of the women do not work and they have their own club, where they can spend their free time. There they can drink tea, talk, learn Psychology, Koran and etc. Next place was the market place with very traditional homemade food and nuts. There were many people who were shopping.

In a few hours we visited Melvely Museum. A very old tradition house and Melvely Mosque. A strange and very historical place. Everybody has a translator so we could understand the main part of these historical moments. For me was very curious moment because the religion is totally different from ours. All that traditional things and rituals.

We need to relax a little bit and Berfu took us to the shopping Centre. Full of different shops, we bought some things for souvenirs. Also she asked us whether we want to go to the Turkish Hammam but Galin and I were very tired and preferred to stay in the Hotel. Poland team went and Romanian as well. Galin and I wanted to see the city and walked a little bit around the night center. Most of the shops were closed.

On the next day we went in a Dogs and cats shelter. Every time when I saw such a place I feel very sad because in that country as ours, Bulgaria, there are many strays dogs and cats. Most of them are living outside and the other got adopted.

Next stop was at Afyon’s Kocatepe University. A huge place where Berfu teaches students. We had lunch there very delicious food in a modern students restaurant. Great time with lovely and very friendly friends. After that we left Ayfon with English and Poland team and went to Ankara to spend one night.

Ankara is a huge city, everything was big and enormous with many people, shops and buildings. Unfortunately we had very little time to stay there approximately half day because we should go back to Bulgaria but we can feel the orient spirit and magic of the big city.

I am very happy to visit Turkey because everything is so different and exotic. Also you can meet very friendly people even that they cannot speak English, they are happy to help you. The food is lovely I really love Turkish food and especially deserts.

 

 Галин Горанов - 30г.

 

 – доброволец, част от екипа по проекта

 

 

Turkey – Afyon 1-4 November

 

My visit to Afyon-Turkey was really great and excited. The trip started on Saturday 1st of November with a flight from Sofia airport to Istanbul and then another flight to Ankara. Once we landed at Ankara Esenboga Airport we took a bus shuttle and travelled to the central part of the city. The groups from Poland and UK were already there and we all together get in a minibus and went straight to our destination – Afyonkarahisar. After 4-5 hours, around 8:30 PM in the evening, we finally arrived in Afyon and checked in the hotel. After that we all went out for a walk and dinner – our touch to the Turkish delicious food.

 

On the next day, Sunday 2nd of November, we woke up and had a breakfast in the hotel.

At 10:30 AM our official meeting started with all the groups from Turkey, Poland, UK, Romania and of course Bulgaria. I met many new people, all friendly and nice. During the meeting we discussed important things about the project and next activities which will take place in the beginning of 2015, the visit to Bulgaria and the Conference in Romania.

After we had a small lunch, we all went to our first place to visit – Afyon’s Women Club. This club made me a great impression. There were different rooms for different activities and courses, for example Sports, Language lessons, Swimming and SPA, Discussion room, Meeting saloon and more. We took photos and had the traditional Turkish coffee and tea.

Afterwards, we moved to the next object – “ Mevlevi Musem” and “Mevlevi mosque”.It is very famous and important historical and cultural monument. We learned many things for the traditional life and habits in the past. We took photos and got some souvenirs as well.

After that, we all decided to go to the local shopping center and had a walk.

After this long day with various of new and interesting things, we got back to the hotel and had a dinner.

 

On Monday, 3rd of November, we started our day with a breakfast at the hotel. Our host Berfu got everything ready and organized for another places to be visit during the day. We went by cars to the Afyon’s Shelter for dogs and cats. It was a big shelter with many dogs, separated nicely by age. We walked around, took some photos and left the shelter.

Our next stop was a place on the other end of the city – the local “Afyon’s Kocatepe University”. Our host Berfu is a professor and teaches at this University. We all had a special lunch, served at the University restaurant. The meal was again very delicious and tasty. Again with traditional Turkish food. I love it.

Next to the University we also visit the “Afyon’s Kocatepe University Children’s Nursery”. A modern, cozy and comfortable place for the small kids. We had a walk inside and checked the different rooms for games, fun, art, workshops and bedrooms.

After this, it was already 3:00 PM and we get back to the hotel. Borislava and I decided to join the group from Poland and UK to our way back to Ankara. We got our luggage packed and ready and we get in the minivan again.

We took photos in front at the hotel all together. We exchanged contacts, emails, facebook etc.

And we left Afyon after two really amazing and wonderful days.

 

We stayed in a hotel, near the center of Ankara, for the evening. We had a small walk and a dinner nearby.

 

On the next day, 4th of November, we got up early and walked around. Ankara is the capital of Turkey and there was a big difference in the city lifestyle in Afyon and Ankara. We walked around, took souvenirs and photos and get back to the hotel. We took our baggage and got the bus shuttle to the Ankara Airport. After a few hours and a flight via Istanbul, we arrived and landed in Sofia.

 

To summarize, the trip to Afyon was really exciting and useful. I met really nice and friendly new people. I learned interesting facts about the Turkish culture, traditional lifestyle and last but not least, I tried many delicious Turkish meals and desserts.

I know that I want and will come back to Turkey again.