Beatriz Salvado from Portugal (European Solidarity Corps volunteer)

Dancing is part of my routine in Portugal so of course as soon as I heard there was a class of Greek traditional dances in Dadia I had to try it. And I am so glad because it has increased my experience here in Greece in every possible way.I did not know what to expect when I went for the first class. I had no idea how the dances were, if I was going to be able to learn the steps and keep up with the rest of the group. There were not a lot of people so I felt more comfortable, and even though I could not understand what the teacher was saying I could understand more or less the steps. I have to say that the first words I memorized in Greek were the numbers because we were always repeating them to count the steps.

I was finally getting comfortable with the easy steps, I was able to dance without looking to my feet all the time or to someone else's when I was invited to a rehearsal in a town nearby. I said yes, but what I did not know was that it was a higher level of Greek dances; bigger group, faster movements, mixing complicating steps. All seemed amazing when I saw it from the outside, all coordinated, but once I tried it I got tired so fast and mixed all the steps in my head. But that was not a reason to give up, just to dance and practice even more. It was a challenge that I wanted to accept.

I remember that the first time I danced outside the lessons was on a tavern on Woman's Day. I did not know that they would dance in the middle of the restaurant as a break of their meal. It was really a surprise! This does not happen a lot in Portugal but it is a perfect idea to combine good food, good music and good dances that make people really happy. At first I was shy to join but then, a lady from the dance group invited me and insisted that I would join, so I lost all my insecurities and went. And I must say I had the best time ever!

I am glad that I had the opportunity to embrace the Greek culture in this way and be part of this big family that has given me wonderful experiences as if I was one of their own, going to parades with them and to dance performances wearing the traditional dance costume from this small village of Dadia that has so much to offer.

It allows me to connect with people that I don't know, to bond deeper with the ones I already know, express myself in an easier way than speaking Greek because dance itself it's a wonderful way to communicate without saying a word. I have laughed and learned a lot with all the people that I have met through dance, from the old ladies which have always something nice to say to me or give me a kind smile, to the kids that fill the room with energy and joy.

I already did an agreement with my dance fellows to teach them Portuguese traditional dances and I can't wait to share this with them and to feel even more at home.