Late nights in the middle of June….
Hello Argonautas! Apparently some people have been actually reading these blogs, which I honestly didn’t really expect, but is really funny. So June started in Germany, where I went to a concert and visited university cities to help me decide where to move in October- Plottwist: it didn’t work, I’m still lost. Anyway, I had an amazing time and since I was in the north already, I decided to take a flixbus to visit my friend Annika in Sweden again, this time without a Youth Exchange. I always love spending time with her and I stayed in her room in the shared apartment with the other ESC volunteers, so you can imagine the vibes haha.
After the week I was so happy to get back on the island again, since it has become paradise on earth the last month. Romina and Juliette really were right about the constant holiday atmosphere and all the shops suddenly opening. It is warm, the sea has the perfect temperature to swim everyday and the fruits and ice cream taste heavenly. Ah and by the way, we are living in a new apartment now, which is honestly amazing and even closer to the beaches!
We didn’t have time to dive into our island life again tho, since our mid-term evaluation meeting was approaching. So we went to Zadar and stayed there in a hostel with 18 other volunteers. I think we both actually enjoyed these days a lot, since the group was great and we had some interesting conversations and beautiful sunsets in Zadar. Of course we were also asked to reflect on our volunteering experience, but I have to admit that in this moment, even tho I’m always big on self-reflection, I am struggling to do an actual reflection of this year and I just want to experience everything right now, since time feels like it’s running. Anas PARTNER drove us back to Murter for Anas’ birthday, which we spent on an incredibly hot day of course by snorkeling and watching all of Anas’ fish friends that gathered to celebrate with her. After a last barbecue together, they left and I was alone with the house, and during these days I actually started feeling like home in the new appartment.
Despite all the beauty and crowded streets it can still get kinda lonely, so after Ana left for Spain I didn’t really see myself able to enjoy 9 days without her here, which is one of the reasons why I went on a short trip to Budapest with my little brother. I always wanted to visit Budapest, and from here the connection is really great, so if you’re a future volunteer reading this, I totally recommend taking a flixbus from Sibenik to this amazing city. Especially at night, the city is incredible and the thrift shops are out of this world. In the end, I stayed two more days alone, and was again proved that if you stay in hostels, you will never be alone if you don’t want to. It is comforting to have other solo travelers around you.
Now the summer edition of eco-wednesdays is starting, which is definitely a change in our working routine. But even though I had to do the first eco-wednesday of the summer by myself with the help of Nela, it was surprisingly fun and I was shocked by how beautiful the location of lantana is, since it was my first time there. The kids that join us are so cute and interested in the topics, it’s amazing.
I have to admit that it can be overwhelming going from a more chill period of volunteering to a busy (and hot (!!), but I won’t complain after the winter) one, but I’m so grateful to be doing these things in the sun, on the beach, in a chill environment and now, finally again with Anaaa who returned at the end of the month. Also, we are busy preparing our Zumba and Pilates classes that will start in July and planning our personal project of the “Miau Market”. Meanwhile riding our bikes everywhere, reading at the beach and swimming in the sunset- now, it is starting the peak summer season in this beautiful place and I want to make the most of it :))
Theresa, volunteer from Germany
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.
