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sábado, 27 de febrero de 2016

Ten cuidado, podrías estar en el próximo carnaval

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There is a legend that: when the last muslim king of Granada - Sultan Muhammad, after he lost his kingdom, was exiled, and on his way out of Granada, he stopped at a mountain pass to look back at Granada and began to cry. His mother was unimpressed with his sudden remorse and scolded him, “Cry like a woman for that which you could not defend as a man.”. We passed by this same road like the king but we wasn't cry, we was exciting because we went to celebrate the end of the carnaval in Alhama – small, but amazing town near the Granada.




It was Valentine's day. Few days before in the Ciudad de los ninos there were a party because of that day and i've got so cute valentine from my kids.




But, let's back to the main subject. It was a Valentine's day and we went to celebrate the end of carnaval, but... wait a minute... in Poland the carnaval ended on Wednesday which we called Ash Wednesday. From this time till the Easter there is no party in Poland. But, in Andalusia it seems that the carnaval never ending ;)





[photo from: http://alhama.com/digital/fiestas/carnaval]

The carnaval in Alhama is special and has long tradition. People dress some special clothes which some of them keep in their wardrobes especially for that day. Some others wear what they have in a hand: clothes, paper, rubbish bag and in this outfit they walk on the street. There is also a tradition that a group of people wear this same clothes. The most traditional part of the dress is some kind of mask on the face made of white material with holes for the eyes and mouth.


When you wear it you have to also change your voice to do not let no one to recognise you. The next and an important thing is that there is also sing contest. But not ordinary songs. There are groups of people and each group write one song about what happened during last year: it can be connected with politics, sport, anything and it is like a parody. The purpose is similar like in Poland before when we had: Szopki noworoczne. So, there is a sentence in Spain:" Ten cuidado, podrías estar en el próximo carnaval", which mean than if you do something stupid or fun or spectacular you can be in someone song during next carnaval party. There are also people who make their own show.There is a lot of fun to see how big distance have Spanish people to themselves and how can they have fun even if the weather this year was not spanish: it was raining and snowing but the peple did not care about the weather, come on, it is a carnaval, bad weather? - no pasa nada ;)


After this party on the street we went on the party in our coordinator- Carmen friend's home. We met amazing people working with immigrants, youths, disabled people, who painted our face in indian style, singing and dancing to the songs from our 4 different countries: Spain, Itally, Maroco and Poland.





You think that is the end? No way. When we came back to the Ciudad de los ninos it is turned out that on the end of the week there will be the end of the carnaval in the centre :) All the week all our huge home was full of paper, serpentine, origami cranes... because we made a decor. Each group of children prepared their own show. They also dressed in some costumes and sing about Ciudad, teachers and so on. So, it is possible that we really can be in their next carnaval ;)


miércoles, 24 de febrero de 2016

1,5 month and 100 surprises.

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One year ago I’ve made a decision that when I’ll get my master degree I want to do something special, go to different place, develop my skills and share my passion, love and knowledge with people and learn from them... The same day when I had defense of my master I’ve started to look for opportunities.

Why I choose Granada? Well, not because of the city… but because of project that I’ve found. European Voluntary Service in Ciudad de Los Ninos. Work with children from different cultures? For me that was great! 


[Photo from website of organization: http://www.ciudaddelosninos.es/ ]


Now after more than month I could say that everyday bring something new. 


PEOPLE


Everything that surprised and touched me a lot was connected to people. During this 1,5 month I met a lot of incredibly open, inspiring and helpful people. 

I remember first time that I’ve met my tutor Nadia – it was my first day in Granada. She came to our house with her little cute daughter Alia and start to show what is around. She explain me a lot of smaller and bigger things that would be very hard for me if I have to explore them alone in new country. She showed me the city, places important for her and other that could be very useful for us. Because of her I’ve started to see possibilities to develop myself in Granada. And also because of her I get a lot of amazing surprises. When I ask her about something, immediately she starts to think “how we can do this?” and later starts to do.




[Our first meeting with Nadia – our tutor and her daughter, Alia.]


Sharing, spreading good vibes.


Since I came here I receive more good things that I’ve ever expected. I would never think that when I’ll be in new place, where don’t know so many people I could have so many surprises. 

I was really missing guitar here. I love to play and I was thinking that I would play and sing with children, but I didn't have an instrument. I told it to Nadia and in few days I get not only guitar, but also the ukulele! I was also thinking that it would be very useful for me if I would have a bike. I could save the money and have some sport activity in the same time. And I have it! Ukulele is from Nadia and guitar and bike I borrow from one girl that I’ve never met before!! If you read this, thank you beautiful angel that you borrow with me your stuff, thanks for your trust and positive attitude!! One boy who live in Ciudad the Los Ninos heard about that and he said that he will borrow drums and we will play together! That’s how dreams come true. And now I really feel the power of sharing and cooperation.






It is only an example, I’ve get much more material (Dark bread that we get from Salva’s aunt… we were missing it so much <3) and immaterial, intangible things: a thousand of smiles and supportive words, acceptance, trust, initiative and much more… Now I see in my mind all faces of these people. I’m very happy and grateful them. I would like to give special thanks for my coordinator Carmen Maria from Las Ninas del Tul. I really appreciate everything that you do. Sharing time, your passion, interests with us. Thanks for all these travels and fantastic things that we did together. 





Being a volunteer is for me all about sharing good things with people. I came here to share and I’ve never expect that in such short time I can get so many good thing from others. When I see how much people do for me and other volunteers I feel empowered. That gives me a lot of power and motivation to give from myself as much as I can. Maybe I cannot do anything for some people that do a lot for me, but I can spread good vibes to people who need it a lot. So today, as almost every day I’m going to meet children in Ciudad de Los Ninos. Give them a hug, kiss and share my love with them.


martes, 9 de febrero de 2016

There is a light on the end of the tunnel

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Imagine, that you are walking up on the stones, the road is narrow and you can not almost see nothing more than a bushes. Suddenly, you can see an old tracks which you start to follow, but then is even worse, because you get into dark tunnel. And now you can see just the darknes. Hapily, you realize, that you are not alone: someone take your hand, other start singing. You stop think about darknes and just go straight on together. And then you notice a bright ray on the end of the tunnel.

I walked this road last week with other EVS volunteers during our arrival training to realize that this tunnel is like ours projects, like ours lifes.



What is EVS?


Few days ago my friend wrote to me: I want to go for EVS but I have no idea what is going on. So, the arrival training is for get to know it. I will try to describe it in as short way as possible: EVS is for people from 18 till 30 years old who wants to get new experience in other country. To go for EVS you have to find organisation who can send and host you or apply for project (which you can find for example here:http://www.youthnetworks.eu/SearchVacancy.aspx ). During your EVS you have to have minimum you need to live like: accomodation, food (you can get money for it or home and food), bus tickets if you live far from organisation you work and some pocket money. You have to have 2 days off every week and work no longer than 38 hours per week. You can not also doing a job like workers in this place who get money for their job. You are here to help, share and get experience, learn new language, develop yourself, learn and find yourself. All this things you learn you should put in kind of certificat – Youthpass. More details about it you can read on my tutor's blog: http://learneplus-evs.blogspot.com.es/2016/02/on-arrival-training.html.


But the thing which I remember the most is: do not come for help somebody, come for find yourself and then someone will be follow you. 


The most important thing


I learned during this training is maybe simple and obviously right that always and everywhere you can meet people who have similar or this same experiences, problems, who can understand you even if don't understand your language or can not agree with your ideas or behaviour and support you, if you'll give them a chance to do it. And you realize that it is like in this gospel song: „you'll never walk alone”.



Welcome home



I had not noticed when I started call Granada – home. What's new in home? New volunteer join to us and there is a fiesta on Sacramonte. It is gypsy's neighbourhood of Granada. Amazing and unique place situated on hills and mountains where some people are living in the caves. Inside the caves are also some churches, pubs, museum. And they celebrate their patron's day – St. Cecilio. This day you have to take salty bread and asparagus and make a picnic watching flamenco show.


Unusually? For me for sure, but there was another thing which suprised me most that day. We were in autobus which stoped on second stop and went back. There was police on the streets and crowd of people on the both side of one of the main street. What happened? Accident? King is comming? Did they give something for free? No. Real Madryt team was in hotel. And all those people were waiting almost all day for one moment when the team goes out, gets into their bus and departs from the city to make some photos running for the bus. That was incredible. Well...bienvenido en Andalucia ;)