EVS Mid-term Training in Izmir

As a couple of months ago we had on arrival training, on March it was the turn of mid term training which took place in the warm Izmir. It was a pleasure to see again all the EVS volunteers I met in Istanbul and update each other about our projects and future plans.

The mid term training is a bit shorter than on arrival one and basically cover topics such as how to evaluate your EVS experience, fill the youthpass, communication empathy and since you are closer to the end of EVS it also includes a personal action plan.

How I survived 6 months in Kayseri

Yes, finally I can say I did it! I almost stayed 6 months in Kayseri, which I think is a record for any young European. Seriously, almost everyone that you come across in Kayseri is complaining about the city: they said there is nothing to do, people are too conservative, life here is very boring. This is in part true, but a city is made by the society who lives in that place, it’s not only about buildings. You, people living in Kayseri, you are that ones that can make the difference and I know there are lots of youths who are doing something to improve the life here.

Soğanlı Valley, the less touristic area of Cappadocia

Cappadocia is the most well-known attraction in Turkey; although its beauty leaves without words, sometimes when visiting Göreme and the many pottery shops, you really feel like a tourist. I don’t like to be a tourist in general, it’s just a ready-made package for everybody and there is anymore the pleasure to discover a place by yourself.

On Arrival Training in İstanbul

As part of the duties (but also pleasures) of an EVS volunteer there are some training courses, in particular the pre-departure, the on-arrival and the mid-term trainings. At the end of January 2016, I had the possibility to take part to the on-arrival one which took place in the biggest city of Turkey, of course it’s Istanbul. Basically, all the volunteers who are doing a long term EVS in the country were invited by mail to join the training; I was surprised to get to know we are about 45 volunteers. I was very excited at the idea to meet others EVS volunteers living in Turkey and I was looking forward to having an interesting exchange of experiences.

Do you like Turkish foods?, EVS in KAYSERİ

Do you like Turkish foods?
Since I’m in Turkey, one of the most common questions that people ask me is: “do you like Turkish foods?”. Well, I have to say that it’s really a different foods from that one that I’m used to eat in Italy but I always accepted to try everything and then judge it. Now I’m going to tell about the food I tasted.
Let’s start from the best one! My favourite Turkish food is “Iskender”, a kind of doner kebab made of cut grilled lamb basted over pita bread with the adding tomato sauce, butter and yogurt. Still I don't understand why they put yogurt everywhere, but this is another question hahhahha. Anyway it's really delicious and full of calories!

The culture of Bazaar - Kapalı Çarṣı

If you live in Kayseri of course you know Kapalı çarṣı, the biggest bazaar in the city. You can find every kind of goods, from shoes to phones, clothes, jewellery and so on.

Who can guess how many shops are inside? Ok, I will tell you: there are exactly 910 shops. So many! To go inside you can use 18 doors, located on the perimeter, connected by 16 roads.
When I went inside I got the feeling to be welcomed, the shops are small and roads are narrow, not like in a mall. Tradespeople inside are relaxed (in Turkish tradespeople in bazar have a different name of other sellers, they are called Esnaf). It seems to go in a little community instead of a trade place.

Have you ever celebrated Halloween?

Last week I organised my first activity at IYACA Youth Center. It was the 30th of October, so Halloween was very close and I started to ask to my Turkish friends if they were going to celebrate Halloween and if it is common to dress up in Turkey. 

I was very surprised to know that Turkish people are not used to celebrate Halloween, or at least not as much as we are used to celebrate it in Europe. I had a look in many shops of Kayseri and, as a matter of the fact, almost nobody was selling Halloween’s stuff. 

Suddenly I thought it was a good choice to focus the topic of my weekly activity on Halloween. I’m very glad I introduced Halloween origins and traditions to my friends at IYACA because for most of them it was the first time to have such a celebration. 

Trip to Avanos and Ürgüp – CAPPADOCIA

It was just my second day in Turkey when I visited Cappadocia with some IYACA friends and for me almost everything was new and special, but this trip was really the best part!

While we were traveling there by car, (it’s just 60 km far away from the city of Kayseri and it takes almost an hour to get there), my Turkish friends explained to me the history of this unique place. I’m not going to bore you like a touristic guide, but you have to know that one of the first civilisation in Turkey was born there and at that time this area was full of forests.

Now, when I gazed outside the car window, the flowing landscape looks very dry but still fertile due to volcanic debris. Especially, Cappadocia is known for the production of wine and people who live in the conservative city of Kayseri (which is the nearest city to Cappadocia with airport) they usually go there if they want to drink alcohol and have some fun. It's interesting that they go outside the city to enjoy, isn't it?