Jon Ander Legarda Echarri from Spain, (European Solidarity Corps volunteer)

When I learnt for the first time about the Society for the Protection of the Biodiversity of Thrace, I immediately knew I wanted to volunteer with them. The work that they do is very important, especially in such a special place where the biodiversity is so rich. I wanted to learn from their work and to do my bit to help in this project. When I was accepted for the volunteering, fear instantly flooded my body, "Who will I live and work with? Will they be nice? How is the village going to be?". Hundreds of questions invaded my mind.

Finally, I was lucky to have very nice housemates and co-workers. The workers of SPBT teach us with patience and comprehension. The village is lovely and it’s the people are wonderfull too. During the winter, the village looked like a ghost town. The winters in Dadia are very cold and people rejoice in the warmth of their home. There are still some activities we can participate in, like the Greek dances, aerobic (for the women) and the carnival of Tychero.

But in the summer, it’s a different story. The village is bursting with life. The day may be too hot to do anything, but during the evenings, everyone hangs out in the taverns of Dadia. The festivities known as "panigyria" take place, where people dance, eat, and drink together. Lots of activities take place in the nearby Soufli. If you don’t spray yourself with repellent, an army of mosquitoes bigger than any you have ever seen before, will suck the life out of you.

My experience in Dadia has been very nice. I learnt a lot about the protection of biodiversity and met beautiful people. I discovered my love for the traditional dances. However, not everything has been a bed of roses. The lack of socialization and things to do can be hard to manage. That’s why I would recommend to everyone coming to participate in the dances, where you can connect with the local culture and with your neighbors. But also participate in all the activities that may look interesting to you. Learning some Greek before your arrival is not mandatory, but will help your experience to be much more enjoyable.