I enjoy being in these international surroundings a lot. For sure in Inex Sk, we are constantly in this intercultural world with colleagues and volunteers from different parts of the country, or Europe. Bratislava is also a city with people coming from a mix of countries.
Actually, the photo shooting we did here is perfect to keep a memory of this feeling. Girls from four different nationalities/cultures/backgrounds, gathered by chance in this lovely country. I like very much the idea that friendship has no borders. As promised, I’ll share with you some of the pictures. Thanks to Annetta, the photographer who succeeded in capturing the complicity between us.
Step by step, I appreciate learning a little bit more about Slovakia and people living here. Recently, a big step was passed : it is official, I got the residence document. Long story, be prepared. Please have a seat and a cup of tea haha
It was a Friday morning, we woke up around 6 am. We arrived at the foreign police around 7:20 am without an appointment (yeah we love to live dangerously héhé No the truth is the website didn’t work). So, this lovely day was a sweet rainy day, we could appreciate the various umbrellas colours. No worries, we were prepared to wait a long time, we got some snacks, water and “almost funny” jokes for an early morning. After around 2 hours under our umbrellas, we were finally allowed to go in the building, little victory to be in a warmer place 🙂 So as kind and disciplined kids we waited for our turn, staring at the digital board that our numbers will appear. Let’s say that it seemed like a bingo, everyone got a number and you win if your number comes out ! Mine came the last one, around 12:00. The funny part is that we waited for almost 5 hours and the appointment took less than 10 min. Think that we were lucky. First, because we had our sweet Jarka who went with us and also because some people wait for several days before having an appointment. Anyway, we got the paper !
Otherwise, I did other stuff which made me feel a little bit more integrated in my surroundings. For example, I started recently some community work with the organization Maltézsky Rad. Every week, I take the occasion to be part of the lunches preparation for homeless people. We have some fruits, veggies, bread, water and hot meals. As volunteers, we help to do lunch bags and to distribute them. I’m lucky to work with nice teams. It is something small, but still. It lets me have the chance to meet people, listen to some Slovak (even if I don’t understand most of the time ^^”) and enjoy shared moments.
We had also our tea meeting events in real life 🙂 Youhou ! The theme was trash picking. We went to a park and next to a river. Everyone who wanted to join was welcome, we were volunteers of all ages. I liked this kind of event where I am with nice people, in nature, and as a bonus, which helps environmental protection. What more could I ask ? 🙂
By the way, it makes me remember how amazing nature is. Yeah it might sound naive. I just wanted to share with you a picture. I was in a park and I came across a tree *Wow amazing indeed : a tree in a park* But not any tree, a tree which let me speechless. This tree was burnt, somehow, maybe by someone. And this tree was still alive even with half of its roots brunt. If you were in front of it as I was, you could see the pain it could have endured. Its trunk was in part eaten away by flames. In other parts it was black, marked by an old fire. On some points, you could notice some black liquid which flowed along, probably the sap, tree’s blood. And on the same single trunk, you could see Life. Its strong trunk with shapes and colours where little insects kept building their home. It was still growing and having green leaves. There will be not enough words to explain the beauty of it. I just stayed impressed. Sometimes, expanding our point of view allow us to perceive new aspects of our surroundings. And, according to the way we look at our surroundings, that makes it beautiful.
A little summary of what happened this month :
I’m sad to announce that the little onion passed away
We got the second part of the training for leaders by our sweet Monika. And we passed the exam 🙂
I told you about the self-confidence workshop I prepared. It bore fruit : I presented it to two groups of students from two different schools. I was happy to share time with them.
We had a nice barbecue with the team. It was the first time we were all gathered, sharing a dinner, talking, singing and dancing baby shark song.
The first hike of the year, I went from Rača to the Pajštún castle. I overestimated myself a little. I was ko at the end, but it was worth it. From the moment I took a step in the forest my mind stopped. It had been a while and it felt right. I walked far enough to be lost, far enough to meet some dears, far enough to completely empty myself. I needed to empty myself to refill with positive energy.
Sushiiis !!! Love sushiiiis ! Yes for an Asian girl it’s kind of cliché but I love sushiiiiiis !!! ❤ Time with girls it’s always great. I also had tiramisu, love desseeerts ! Love tiramisu (and this one tasted as a little cloud 😀 )
There is more, it is too long to say so I’ll share more pictures in the photos gallery 😉
So, see you for more adventures.
Take care and enjoy life
PS : Believing in yourself is your most wonderful superpower. So if nobody told you today : you are amazing. And if you don’t believe in me, believe in yourself then ^^
Liasoueps 