Lost & found: the comfort zone
Carnival Águilas |
It
seems strange how my last blog post already is five weeks ago. I had been in
Murcia for only two weeks then, and had experienced so much already! Now, it
feels like I´ve been in Spain for a lot longer than just a couple of weeks, and
there is a lot to write about! Since losing my comfort zone somewhere on
Schiphol airport in Amsterdam, I´ve not missed it a single bit. I face new
things with the least possible expectations and an open mind, and so far, it´s
working out good!
To start with Carnival, for example. In The Netherlands, I normally let the
festivities, typical music and costumes pass by without any participation, and
I never felt like I missed out on anything. But this time, things were going to be different.
Because, when the sun will be shining all day, a sheriff outfit is available across the street and there is a possibility to celebrate with Queen Elizabeth at the beach... Who am I to say no to Carnival? Like true Españolas, me and Nelly didn´t leave Águilas until the next morning, and still had no regrets of coming there.
Because, when the sun will be shining all day, a sheriff outfit is available across the street and there is a possibility to celebrate with Queen Elizabeth at the beach... Who am I to say no to Carnival? Like true Españolas, me and Nelly didn´t leave Águilas until the next morning, and still had no regrets of coming there.
Arrival training in Córdoba! |
At the end of February, we went to the arrival training. It was hosted in
Córdoba, a beautiful Andalusian city that has a rich cultural history
originating from the Roman era and was once the centre of Arabian
culture in Spain. From our hostel in the old centre, we had enough opportunity
to discover the city, with its beautiful narrow streets with countless flower
pots on the walls. Amongst other things, we visited the magnificent Mezquita
and a Marrocan tea room. Aside from being true tourists, we have also been
working hard in the workshops and classes that were organised. They were
realised by our amazing and warm-hearted tutors, who filled each day with
knowledge, culture, music and above all a lot of positive energy :). To top
things off at out arrival back home, we were invited to the presentation of a
project realised by ADyV and met the university rector. Later, our picture was
displayed on the university website as well as in the newspaper!
Madrid |
In Córdoba, everyone could get along very well, so it didn´t take long for
the first reunion to take place. In mid-March, me and some friends from Murcia
therefore had a little roadtrip to Madrid, where I would meet my EVS-colleagues
to enjoy the capital! We planned to see as much as we could, and I got to have
a small advantage by seeing the city from the rooftop of a 24-story building.
Me and the other volunteers were staying in a hostel in the centre, and from
there we visited Plaza Royal, Puerta del Sol and the royal palace (just the
outside). Also, we entered Museo del Prado, which is one of the greatest art
museums in the world. Of course, we could also not resist visiting the shops
for a bit and experiencing the nightlife. On Sunday, we ended our weekend with
a nice lunch at the home of a friend of one of us, where some excellent cooking
had taken place!
In Murcia, I´ve been taking my Spanish and Flamenco classes, and of
course been at work at the university! It´s been really interesting to work on
this new project lately. I´m writing a project plan that aims for improvement
of the (academic) career of special needs students through an online platform.
If I manage to develop a proper plan, we will try to apply for a grant so we
can realise the project. Also, I´ve been doing some promotion for this initiative
called Banco de Tiempo. This is a system of exchange of knowledge,
services or skills between people, where the exchange is equal for all time.
For example, a student that offers one hour of teaching photography can
exchange with a student that helps with data analysis for one hour. Everyone
is more or less free to offer and exchange with whatever they prefer. The idea
is that mutual help will solve mutual needs of everyday life.
This weekend, there will be another EVS reunion, this time in Granada.
I´m looking forward to this trip very much, and I hope to return with more
stories from this city, of which they say it´s one of the most beautiful in
Spain!
¡Hasta
luego!
Iris