Hi again!

It’s been a couple of weeks. I guess I’ve been busy? 🙂

It’s amazing how quickly humans are able to adapt to new settings and situations. It feels like I’ve been here forever but at the same time it seems I only arrived three days ago. Time flies. Woosh!

So, on February 12, Ivan and I went to a workshop organised by BDC (Bratislavské dobrovoľnícke centrum) and met EVS volunteers from other organisations in Slovakia. The workshop was about project management and we used a tool from SALTO to plan some project ideas. I learned about the issues of a Roma community in Eastern Slovakia which was quite eye-opening. After the workshop we changed contacts with other volunteers and went home to prepare for the Tea Meeting on the next day.

I’m not sure if I already explained what Tea Meetings are but in short, a Tea Meeting is an informal educational monthly event organised by INEX Slovakia. Each meeting has a topic, for example, this time we, the new EVS volunteers, presented ourselves and our countries. After the more official part everyone could have a chat, drink coffee or tea and eat some sweets and snacks from France and Estonia. It was a long day, we finished around 20.30 but it felt like 23 or more.

 

The next morning, on Valentine’s Day, we had to get up early for an event in DSS Integra. It’s a centre for people with disabilities. I was a little bit anxious because this is a completely uncharted territory for me.

Our task was to assist the clients with thematic activities, such as drawing on hearts and throwing a ball at bowling pins that had hearts attached to them and we also helped to push wheelchairs. At the end there was a disco and everyone got a lovely message with a chocolate attached to it. There were moments when I felt like a fish out of water and I just stood there observing what was happening. Quite overwhelming. Hopefully next time I’ll be more comfortable now that I’ve had time to process for a little bit.

The day was far from over because we finished around 12 in Integra. Barbi had invited us to her place for baking Valentine’s bisquits and also for lunch. It was such a lovely afternoon. I fed a baby, Barbi’s son,  for the first time in my life, also I think Ivan and the baby became new best friends. 🙂 Such a chill little boy!

 

On the way back from work on Friday:

 

The weekend was calm, it was my turn to clean the apartment so I spent my Saturday mostly on that. In the evening I enjoyed “Eesti laul” and chatted to my choir girls from Estonia.

On Sunday, the weather was super nice so I went for a walk and saw many beautiful trees in the park. 😛

 

Monday was… an emotional day. First, it was my birthday. I didn’t sleep very well the night before, I guess I was anxious for some reason. Throughout the day I received all these wonderful messages and wishes from friends and family which made me miss them a lot. I have never felt so lonely and sad on my birthday. I tried to pull myself together and even got a sweet surprise at the office. I felt I should be happy and was thankful for everything but I just couldn’t help feeling a bit sad. Then I chatted with a couple of dear friends who talked me through and cheered me up, had a little cry and then decided I’m going to make the most of it. Went to Billa, bought some wine, cheese and grapes and had a little apartment party with Monika and Ivan. At the end of the day, everything was alright. 🙂

 

Starting from Wednesday, I got busy. There was another workshop at Quo Vadis organised by BDC. New faces, new volunteers, new contacts again. On Thursday I went to a choir rehearsal. I’d posted in a Facebook group on Sunday that I was looking for a choir and got a suggestion for Bratislava Community Choir. Everyone was super lovely and cheerful. We sang some arrangements form The Beatles’ songs, “Hallelujah” and Toto “Africa”. I’m used to more demanding repertoire but I’ll see..It’s a start at least. I need my weekly dose of singing. 😀 😀 Ah, and on Thursday we finally had the first Slovak lesson as well. Tomorrow’s the next one, I should probably practice my greetings and do the exercises.

The same FB post I mentioned before drew the attention of an Estonian lady living in Bratislava so we met up on Friday and had a chat. It was good to hear an insight of someone who has lived here for longer and knew all the tips and tricks what to do and what to avoid. 🙂 I was pleasantly surprised that she contacted me, usually Estonians do their own thing and don’t really stick together.

Saturday. Again a chance to meet EVS people. There was an event at a culture centre (?) A4. Previous EVS volunteers gave a presentation about their experience and later we could socialise and have some snacks. Around 20 the event was over and some of us, just girls, carried on at the Dungeon pub. I really loved it. Not smoky, a painting from “Rick and Morty” on the wall, Ministry of Magic toilets in the bathroom, board games, affordable, spacious enough. I had a meeting planned with Marta, my mentor, as well, so I just invited her there. Other girls left earlier but Marta and I stayed past midnight and just chatted about jokes and previous foreign experiences, life in Slovakia, dreams, goals etc. I really enjoyed that evening. 🙂

Sunday was Estonian independence day. I was feeling a bit under the weather, probably because it was quite cold on Saturday evening when we went home. I basically spent the whole day in bed watching series. I did vote though, that was my present for Estonia. What a joy to be from a country where you can vote from a bed while being abroad!

I’m a lot better today (EDIT: written on Monday). New week, new ideas. I’ve also had a lot of time to think and analyse myself. My birthday was a good lesson about how to be more humble. It’s not always all about me on my birthday. I’ve liked to think this is the one day when I can allow myself to be a princess. Well, perhaps sometimes I can be also a bit less. 🙂

I’ve been very conscious about my nature and actions as well. I came here because I wanted to learn how to be a better leader. I’ve caught myself from trying to micromanage someone else’s tasks. I’ve been told I need to be more chill. So yeah, I’m actively working on that. I’m not punishing myself for making mistakes though. It’s a safe space to learn and that’s exactly what I intend to do. I want to grow and learn. I’ll forgive myself for making mistakes and I’ll learn not to make them again.

The work load has been rather small for the first weeks, I’m sure there’ll be more to do in the future. I’ve really enjoyed the tasks which include designing. I like to play around and see what looks good and what doesn’t really work. INEX uses an online program called Canva which I’d never used before. It turns out it’s quite easy to work with. We’ve also had to update the database for work camps. It’s for Slovak people who want to go on a work camp somewhere abroad. This task is a bit more technical and not so creative but I don’t mind it too much. I’d like to think that I’m good with details and data.

Last but not least, I believe I’ve finally worked out what my project is about and what I’m supposed to do here besides learning and growing as a person.

What is INEX Slovakia?

In my own words, not copy-pasting from somewhere, it’s an organisation that organises, promotes and mediates work camps both in Slovakia and all around the world. It’s a member of Alliance (The Alliance of European Voluntary Service Organisations*) and a partner of SCI (Service Civil International). It also cooperates with other organisations, such as DSS Integra. The activities of INEX can be divided into four categories: volunteering, education, promotion and development.

I am included in the first three, the last one is more about policies and such. So, currently I’ve been helping out with promotion by designing invitations and posters and worked with the database. Each of us has to create a workshop to conduct in the work camps in the summer. I’m browsing for ideas but I already have something in mind. At the moment, I’m also updating the organisation’s Instagram. Let’s see what Elena wants to do once she arrives.

Speaking about Elena, she should arrive on Friday. Yay, a roommate! I can’t believe a month has gone so fast. I guess I should plan my time more efficiently so it wouldn’t just pass… To more adventures in the future! To spring and more energy!

EDIT: (written on Tuesday)

Ivan and I got lost today. An Italian volunteer Elisa whom we met last Wednesday is leaving on Friday. She arranged an EVS meeting/workshop to chat and discuss EVS stuff. It was held very far in the middle of nowhere and the maps didn’t want to cooperate. What is more, on the way, our tram was stopped by the police. I think there’d been an accident somewhere because later I saw ambulance as well. We got out of the tram and recalculated the plan. Soon a replacement bus arrived but it was super slow and its final destination wasn’t ours. So we got out of the bus and went to wait for the next tram. 15 minutes late to the workshop, we arrived somewhere nearby. 20 minutes later, we were still trying to figure out where we were supposed to be going. Finally, we gave up and went back home. At least we could see the mountains and a trash collection point. 😀 😀

Until the next time! ❤

___

* OK, this was copy/paste.

Ahoj!

Thanks for tuning in again.

It’s been a week since I arrived. Last weekend I walked around the old town so I was still feeling like a complete tourist. I’ll give myself a month and hopefully by then I’ll have more or less a clear idea about my new hometown.

On Thursday, it was Ivan’s birthday so we celebrated it at the office with Slovakian traditional snacks and drinks. We tried Kofola and Vinea, apparently the most iconic drinks that anyone can try. I’ve learned that Kofola is definitely not Coca Cola but to me, it seems something like a less fizzy Байкал (Baikal), which is a drink from Russia I think.

Other than snack time, the day was full of presentations, and they still keep coming. There’s a lot to get acquainted to and to learn about. It’s interesting though, I like seeing the behind-the-scenes of an NGO that deals with volunteering. Who knows, I might even look for a job in this field after the EVS. Let’s see what I’ll say in December.

Friday was a short day at the office. We had one presentation and then time for finishing our own presentations for the Tea Meeting on Wednesday. I finished mine around 14.30 and was desperately looking for something to do. I was so bored that I even took out the trash and put the bin outside of the door (which is actually one of our tasks but we’re still learning, right). By 15, there was really nothing else to do so I convinced Ivan it’s time to go. We went for an adventure to find a bigger and cheaper food shop called Kaufland. Near our apartment there’s Billa but everyone said it’s the most expensive. I’d say it was a successful adventure, it was such a nice weather and we could explore a whole new part of the city.

 

In the evening, I went out with Ivan and Anthony to an Irish pub which was too smoky for my taste but hey, at least I saw the old town during night time.

Saturday and Sunday were more about roaming around in the city as I said before, bought a few things from shopping centres and improvised with cooking.

I was trying to find The Body Shop in Bratislava because I left my vanilla perfume back in Tartu. 😦 I was completely trolled by the instructions on the Internet. Instead of a cosmetics shop, dear Google Maps brought me to a strip club. Not the body shop I was looking for. Also, in the end it turned out there is no The Body Shop in Slovakia whatsoever.

Now, talking about funny things that have happened here, I found out that out of the ten people I’ve met here so far, (at least) three people share a birthday month with me. What’s more insane is that two of them have a birthday ON THE VERY SAME DAY as me! I mean, WHAT are the odds, honestly?! And one of them is dear Marta, my mentor. 🙂 Elena from Greece arrives in March but her birthday is also in February, so… What a celebration!

I’ll leave my story here for now. Enjoy these photos from the apartment. If you want better aesthetics and filters, you can follow me on Instagram: @myrmelland. And for the office and work life you can probably find me on the photos and stories of @inex_slovakia.

Until the next time!

 

 

 

Hi!

Welcome! I hope you’re doing well.

I just wanted to let you know that I’ve taken up the challenge of doing an EVS (European Voluntary Service) in Bratislava and so far, I’m pleased with what I’ve seen.

I arrived on Monday (February 4) from half a meter of snow to almost spring time in the Estonian sense. It’s windy here but there’s sun and no snow. Lovely! Travelling was pretty smooth for a change. No cancellations, only minor delays, everything and everyone were where they were supposed to be at the right time.

I’ve met a bunch of new people already in the couple of days I’ve spent here. The first person I met is my mentor Marta who took me to the apartment, my new home. At the apartment I found my flatmates Ivan, a French EVS volunteer, and Monika who works at INEX (the organisation where I’ll be volunteering at).

On Tuesday, Monika, Ivan and I took the bus to the centre and went to have lunch with other INEX people: Jarka (Jaroslava), Mirka (Miroslava), and Barbi (Barbara), and Marta came as well. The restaurant used to be a theatre house before so for the first official meal it was an impressive venue. I had bryndzové halušky which is a traditional Slovak food. Dumplings with a specific sheep cheese. I was told it tastes better than it looks. I tried, it’s true.

After lunch, Ivan and I joined the free city/castle tour which was led by a lovely girl Eliška. Her storytelling was so fascinating that I couldn’t leave even though I got really cold already before the tour started. We walked around for two hours and after that rushed home to warm up.

I was so tempted to stay in the super soft and cosy bed after a hot tea and shower but Ivan had plans with his mentor Anthony so I decided to join them. Anthony took us to a deserted Mexican place for dinner. There was a strange atmosphere, as if I’d been in someone’s living room that had been decorated for a Mexican-themed party. One lady was watching videos from her laptop without earphones and the sound blasted on top of the restaurant’s atmospheric music. Oh, and the chefs were wearing caps. Not like McDonald’s caps but the “cool” ones. The food was good though. We finished our meals, had a drink at another place and headed home.

 

This morning was the first time to go to the office. The weather was still nice and sunny, and the office is super close, 5 minutes of walking from the apartment. Jarka showed us around and explained some of our tasks. It was a short first day, we finished around 12.30. Then Ivan and I went to the food shop because until then we hadn’t had the opportunity to shop for anything to eat. We just had the leftovers from lovely previous EVS volunteers as well as a little something bought by Monika. Then it was lunch time at home, followed by four hours of deadly silence. Both of us were so exhausted from travelling and the walking tour that we just dozed off. I finally got the chance to rest. And the bed is so soft and comfy and inviting that I almost slept until the next morning.

That’s it for now, just a quick update that I’m alive and well and I’ve settled in. I’ll write something more exciting when something more exciting happens.

Until the next time!