New page….
April started with style from the first day: we were leaving for the Youth Exchange for 10 days in Šibenik. This was my first project like this, called Moving For Mental Health. 10 days surrounded by 45 young Europeans from Turkey, Greece, North Macedonia, Croatia, Spain and Portugal, it was going to be colorful. I went there calmly, with no more expectations than to discover what this new adventure would bring me. Again: it was very intense. Summer was invited, we spent 10 days in beautiful sunshine. It was an unforgettable experience: incredible and profound encounters, where we connected immediately, laughing and crying; exquisite food; happiness; dance; sharing… The collective spirit was one of kindness. The topic around mental health encouraged us to fully listen to each other, so we evolved in a rather incredible level of kindness. I loved this routine that settled in for a moment: spending our days doing interesting workshops, discussing and discovering new cultures, laughing, laughing, laughing, feeling lots of different emotions, partying , finding ourselves in the room with Romi to share our thoughts for hours, sleep a few hours and start an intense day again… I was pleasantly surprised by my serenity and tranquility surrounded by so many strangers. I welcomed the experience like a summer camp, nourishing me with the good things in life. Romi and I were participants and in charge of content on social networks, which created a good balance in our place within the group. It was truly a unique experience, during which I learned a lot about myself and from which I have very fond memories.
The return to Murter was sweet and happy, accompanied by Juan and Catarina, we found the calm of our island with our heads filled with love and joy. The next day, my friends Coline and Joseph arrived on the island. What a pleasure to share my life here with my best friend, to be surrounded by those who know me so well, to bring back a little of my bearings and my roots to this little paradise. We crossed the length and breadth of Murter, to show them all the incredible landscapes that have been delighting my eyes for 6 months. It was very rejuvenating and soothing to have them with me.
After these few days, Romi left for Malta for her first solo trip. I was very proud of my possum and very happy to see her blossom like a poppy in spring. So I spent some time alone, which did me good. I took advantage of these days to spend time with a dear friend who was preparing to leave Murter for Germany. These moments of saying goodbye were delightfully beautiful and simple. With a heavy heart, I said goodbye to this friend who accompanied me, supported me and gave me a lot of happiness during these first months here, and thanks to whom I learned a lot.
The end of the month was highlighted by the return of Romi, accompanied by Stefan, another pretty flower with a pure heart from Australia, whom she had met for 3 days in Malta. The magic of meeting people while traveling… Stefan was gentle, and his smile was contagious. In a few days, we shared very sincere and deep moments. Sweet memory of a sunset, perched at the top of Raduć, all three lying side by side looking at the sky lulled by the beautiful voice of Mayra Andrade.
Following this, some of Romi’s friends came from Spain to visit her for a few days. There were 5 of us at home and it was new to have so much life here. Romi was in olympic form and beaming with happiness. We took advantage of their visit to get out of our island, to visit Krka, Zadar, Pakostane, eat ice cream, swim and play Uno.
The month of April definitely marked a new chapter. The departure of my dear friend here in the middle of my adventure symbolizes the new face of this experience which is taking shape little by little, and which I am looking forward to meeting clearly. Goodbyes give way to new hellos. After a quiet, fairly isolated winter, where introspection was encouraged by solitude, spring arrives under the sign of sharing. Murter is waking up, restaurants and bars open, tourists occupy the terraces, beaches, campsites and streets from the start of the day, marked by their contagious smiles of happy vacationers. We swapped sweaters for dresses, and took our swimsuits to hang out and read on the beach. Murter has a taste of summer vacation and this new feeling is very refreshing and pleasant. The next few months will also be punctuated with new experiences, new trips and visits, and I can’t wait to discover them. This taste of summer tastes like sun-peach-strawberry ice cream.
Juliette, volunteer 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.
