Having studied political sciences, I am convinced that every act we do, is political, whether we are aware of it or not. So it is really ironic that I wanted to do a voluntary service to get as much distance as possible from anything political or close to it. During this year, I kind of lost my will to engage, to be an active and involved citizen. I felt very drained. All the more, was I looking forward to my volunteer service at Drasi. Learning some completely new things, get in touch with many amazing animals, some of which I’ve never seen before in my life and generally, to do something different.

Indeed, my time in Drasi was a wonderful adventure. The people, the work, the environment, everything, contributed to this being a time I will always remember fondly! Since I mostly did the outside shift, over time I could really get a routine to my day, something that was really missing from my life for a long time. While it is sometimes hard work, I really loved doing the outside shift. Especially being around storks and observing them, learning about them and laughing about how hilariously clumsy these animals are. I really related to them a lot! I also really loved the hedgehogs! The way they come to you, try to climb up your boots or gnaw at them always puts a smile on your face! But then there’s the other side of working here. The hard reality of being around injured or weak animals. A turtle with a shattered shell because it got hit by a car. Animals hurt by illegal hunting activities or weak animals because of loss of habitat. The impact of humanity on animals and their environment gets suddenly very clear. So I realised, that yes, being a volunteer in a wildlife rehabilitation centre is also political, and centres like Drasi will only gain importance as the world goes on. Nature, our environment needs us to take action, small or big, we owe it to this planet.

I am forever grateful for Drasi, for helping me find back my spirit and will to fight for a better world. But I also thank Drasi, for the work it does, each and every person here, for their
involvement and for never giving up!

Morgane Weidig

One of the advantages of being a volunteer in the rehabilitation center of Drasi, is that it's located in the delta the Axios-Loudias-Aliakmonas National Park created in 2009.

Sure Drasi is at the entrance of this park and still in the industriel zone, at the end of it at least, but take a bike (because it’s more ecologic) and go in the direction of the sea.

Then take the left road and on every side you have the wetland where you can admire a diversity of species regarding the season, like flamingo, cormoran, pelican etc.

If you’re a bit sportif in less than 30min you’ve reached the sea where you can observe a Kingfisher, the legend says that only the worthy ones can observe him (specially the persons with a MC1R gene mutation).

But if you like to take a risk, go through the devil pond, menacing to swallow your car otherwise you can come from Kalochori.

Sadly, on the way you can also observe a pretty indecent amount of garbage, a park sure, but also an illegale garbage place.

Funny fact or at least interesting,in the south of France there is the camargue, a park who share a lot of similarity, it’s also wetland, where of course a lot of species can be observed, where rice is cultivated and there is also there a race of horse, that in my inexperience eye seem very likable as the Axios horse.

The Axios Loudias Aliakmonas Park is an area of 38,800 hectares so this little tour is only a little part of it.

I don’t know where to start, maybe from my love for nature, discovery, sharing, just my love for life. This childhood dream of becoming adventurous now takes on its full meaning.. For a long time I looked inside. Some experiences such as a civic service in the environment, the resumption of my studies in the field of management and protection of nature and other personal experiences have awakened my passion for nature which, even if never forgotten, it was lost in the workings of an aboveground society.. Full of ideas, of desires bloomed in my head which led me, by the thread of destiny, to this formidable place that is Drasi.

Everything happened very quickly, POUF overnight I was on the plane from Brussels Charleroi to Thessaloniki. A feeling of fear and intense excitement ran through my body. I arrived at the airport of Thessaloniki.. I don’t understand anything in Greek, so I mumble in English to know what I have to do, then I am sent to be tested for covid with lots of people angry against these excessive measures (At least that’s what I interpreted, still not understanding Greek). Once that time is over, I get my suitcase and go to catch a bus, well you’ll understand, I’m struggling. Fortunately, I had been well informed about the procedure and the whole journey went very well, and was then accompanied to Drasi by a very nice volunteer.

Here I am at Drasi. In the days that followed, I discovered a formidable team, a facet of nature protection that I did not know, a landscape and an incredible wildlife. That’s great, I love it.

The sequel in the next episode.

I am a newcomer who arrived at the beginning of the month and I came by car from France. I travelled across seven different countries over 2500Km and it took me around 38 hours. It was the longest trip with my car and I don’t regret it !

France, the most expensive higways

Since I got my driving licence, I have driven a lot on the French roads. From Paris I went several time to the south east, to the south west, to the west, to the north… but it was the first time that I drove towards the east. I leaved my family and my home at 7am on Saturday. Even on Saturday there is a lot of people on the road around Paris ! Luckily there was no traffic jam. France has a reputation for having expensive highways and unfortunately it’s true. It cost me as much as a full tank of fuel !

Germany, the fuel madness

During this journey, Germany is the country where I drove the most between two boundaries. It’s also when I was there that the XV of France played and won against Scotland in the Six Nations Championship (rugby). I have to talk about it because these year we made the grand slam (no loss in 5 games), sorry ! I had to refuel my car, it costed like 2,1 euros per litre at the time (before the Ukrainian war) and that is a lot ! So I hadn’t refuel completely, though, enough to reach Hungary.

Austria, welcoming by… a strip club

But before reaching Hungary, I had to through Austria. The first thing I saw when I entered in the country was… a huge strip club ! It was strange but amusing. It was beside the market where I bought the ticket that you need to drive on the Austrian highways. It cost a dozen of bucks, it’s not really expensive especially when you know that it is valid for one week. I drove only during the night, it’s sad when some people told you that there is beautiful landscapes and you can’t see them !

Hungary, a beautiful capital

I had to bypass Budapest and so I could enjoy some views of one of the most beautiful city in Europe according to several people. The gas was cheaper than in Germany so I refuel completely my car and I when toward my first custom of my trip.

Serbia, the odd feeling

Before entering Serbian territory, I had preconceived ideas about the countries of the former Yugoslavia and the atmosphere after the border crossing did not help. I saw people walked on the highway, a lot of deserted villages and cop everywhere ! I had to drove through Belgrade, the capital. All the buildings there are grey and a lot are not finished yet. I don’t know how the people are and I don’t know much about this country but  I don't really want to go back there.

Northern Macedonia, blocked on the highway

I have to tell how I almost got stuck between two tolls ! The costs for the highway are really cheap in comparison of France, it’s like 1euro by toll. So it’s not much. However, we cannot pay by card. In Serbia I had to pay the fuel by cash because my card did not pass. This left me with 2 or 3 coins. Enough to go through 4 tolls. But there was a 5th toll. And I had no cash left. I search in my car except one place, in the bag I used when I went to Dublin months ago. I have put a lot of coins in to unload my wallet. I remember that at the last minute, when I was at the toll. I have to admit that I had a little scare !

Greece, the end of the journey!

When I crossed the last border, it was a real relief. I was a bit exhausted, but it wasn’t finished. I had less than 100Km left and no GPS… I still don’t know why, but at that time I did not have a mobile network. So I was with google map driving around Thessaloniki trying to find my way. When I remember that, it makes me smile contrary to that time.

The story ends well, I arrived at Drasi 3 weeks ago and since that time I enjoy myself, I learned a lot and the people are welcoming !