Happy new year !.
The month of January gave way to new projects within Argonauta. Eco-Wednesdays and the winter program have started. The youth exchange is getting ready. A new year begins and with it the energy of renewal.
Eco-Wednesdays require a lot of preparation. It’s a delicate exercise to teach in English, but what’s more, when it comes to Croatian students who are too young to understand English, it complicates things. So Lucija is my translator during the sessions. This can sometimes make things less smooth, but it’s an interesting exercise and a great way to learn to let go. I don’t control everything, when I speak the children don’t understand me, and when they speak to me I don’t understand either. It gives rise to some funny moments, but at the end they always come out of the sessions delighted and they discover new concepts, learn new things, become aware of everyone’s role in protecting the environment (at least I hope so) . We discussed the impact of pollution on biodiversity, the problem of plastic in the ocean, the richness of wetlands and the carbon footprint. It really stimulates me to pass on this subject to children; if they are made aware from their early childhood, perhaps they will no longer accept what previous generations allowed to happen. This international exchange on the subject of protecting the planet is beautiful. It is an important symbol, the dialogue and exchange of different nations on the future of the earth.
The winter program created by Romi is great. We offer various workshops. They are free. Lots of children come, it’s a pleasure to offer them moments of joyful and dynamic non-formal learning. We feel useful. We also say that it should relieve some mothers for an hour, without affecting the family budget. It’s great, it’s alive, it makes us feel good.
We also discovered Bosnia-Herzegovina during a weekend full of surprises. In a rental car, we traveled for 3 days through these lands: Una park and its waterfalls, Jajce, Sarajevo, Mostar. I didn’t know much about this country. I think this is one of the trips that surprised me the most. Everything seduced us: the historical richness, with the numerous wars and conflicts which left a palpable sensitivity and solidarity among the inhabitants, the cohabitation of three ethnic groups Catholic, Muslim, Orthodox, the breathtaking mountainous landscapes, the kindness and the heat of people. We came back with swollen hearts, refreshed by so much discovery, love and warm welcome.
Life is always sweet in Murter. We tasted the sea again this month. It was frozen, obviously. But the sun gave us a few minutes of gentle warmth lying on the rocks in our swimsuits, in a heavenly environment in the middle of January, it had a taste of exoticism. I continue Thai boxing which gives me lots of strength and confidence. The coffee and beer at Reful are always good, and our pool skills are growing little by little. Petra visited us one weekend, we made a party in Tisno with a teacher from the school, we enjoyed the sun, it was super nice. I bought my tickets to return to France next month, I can’t wait to see my loved ones and meet my new niece who will be born shortly.
The island still offers us wonderful sunsets every evening that we observe in silence (sometimes), sitting in the sand. The rhythm of life is particular in winter here, we learn to live with our emotions, to support each other, to talk about our feelings and transmit love, we draw, we read, we listen to music while sunbathing. We learn a lot about ourselves. It’s peaceful and calm.
What changes is that activity on the island is intensifying, the summer season is preparing, work on the homes is well underway. For now it’s carnival, today the parade is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. By the way, we have to prepare our disguises, Romi is calling me! It promises to be a great day, discovering Murter with its streets full of people, it will be a change from the usual calm. Let’s go!
Juliette, from France
About the ESC : The European Solidarity Corps is a program of the European Union to strengthen solidarity in various areas: from helping the disadvantaged and providing humanitarian aid to engagement for health and the environment in the EU and beyond.
The program offers young people the opportunity to respond to the needs of the community, make a concrete contribution to society, and in the process gain invaluable experience and develop new skills. The program is also intended for organizations active in the field of solidarity that want to involve young people in their activities.
