Hello, hello, dear readers and welcome back to my recap of my second month here in Blago!!

To me it only feels like yesterday that I arrived at the bus station, being so anxious and frightened of this whole experience, not really knowing what to do with myself. It feels so unbelievable realizing that I’ve been here for two months now already and it’s even more shocking to me that more than half of my volunteering experience is already over.

To be honest, I don’t even know where to start, I feel like so much has happened. First of all, I’ve started getting way more comfortable here, adapting to this new environment and getting used to a new routine. Although I’m still not the most social and outgoing person, I definitely think that being around the other volunteers at all times, whether it’s at work or in the apartment, has helped a bit with my shyness.

Moreover, I got to help organize three amazing events within this past month. Although I was already used to attending events, planning them brought a whole new level of responsibility but also allowed me to improve my skills regarding Canva and social media promotion. In addition to that, we also got to attend the NGO fair at the AUBG, getting to know many amazing people who are following the same goals as us.

But enough about work, of course I enjoy working here a lot, however it is especially the traveling that makes my heart spark with joy. At the end of October, me and my (now former) roommate Charlotte went on a trip to Thessaloniki where we spent four amazing days walking around the city, buying gifts and souvenirs for friends and family and eating lots of delicious food. After mastering the one and a half hour walk by foot to our airbnb we took a small nap before getting some pastries and sitting down at the sea to watch the absolutely lovely sunset, and playing some uno. After enjoying the sky changing colors, we made our way back to the airbnb and stopped at a restaurant a few blocks down where we got to experience the flavors of tasty greek food.

We spend the next few days discovering the city, visiting monuments and museums, wandering through markets dedicated entirely to cheese and honey. Also, there were so many stunning churches which I could’ve spent hours in. I must admit that even though spending hours walking around, seeing so many new and exciting things, appreciating the views and scenery, my favorite moments have been the calm and comfy ones, spending hours talking, sitting down in cute and cozy cafés, savoring coffee, matcha, hot and iced chocolate, just people-watching and enjoying the overall atmosphere.

All in all, Greece just felt like the summer vacation of my dreams, being with a friend, eating lots of good food, discovering new places and enjoying the warm weather — it truly has been my highlight of my second month here.

The ability to travel anywhere so easily might be one of my favorite things here in Bulgaria, whether it’s going hiking in Rila, going to a thermal bath in Dobrinishte, visiting the capital or even going to a whole other country like Greece, it’s all so amazingly easy and affordable, making this whole volunteering experience so much more fulfilling and enriching.

Mentioning Sofia, my dad and sister came to Sofia to visit me over the weekend and we had a lovely time. After picking them up from the airport, we all went to Blagoevgrad where I showed them around the city center before we spend the rest of the evening having dinner at South West Burgers and watching a documentary before we got up early the next morning to catch the bus to Sofia where we spend the remaining two days roaming around the city, going shopping and, of course, eating good food. My favorite discovery in Sofia probably must be the Tandir Bakehouse where I had one of the best cappuccinos of my life, where we went first thing after arriving in Sofia, enjoying the overall vibe, appreciating the pleasant interior and getting a taste of their various pastries. Sadly, the time flew by and soon Monday morning came and it was time to say goodbye. Although it was heartbreaking to go to the airport and watch my dad and sister leave again, I am so happy and grateful that they took their time to visit me. Though I haven’t been experiencing the feeling of being homesick as much and often as I originally thought I would, it is still hard being away from my friends and family, living my life so distant from them. But I know that this experience is an opportunity I won’t ever get again, so I’m cherishing every single second of it.

Unfortunately, this goodbye shouldn’t be the only one that week. Just two days after my family left, it was also time to say farewell to two of my flatmates, Charlotte and Manuel, with whom I’ve spent many valuable moments with and with whom I’ve got countless precious memories together. I’m not gonna lie, this probably has been the most difficult moment in my entire volunteering experience so far. It’s never easy to say goodbye but saying it to someone with whom you spent nearly everyday with for two months, with whom you worked, lived, laughed, even shared a room with is truly something else.

All in all, this second month here in Blago has been full of experiences, full of emotions. Nevertheless, I am grateful for every day I get to spend here and am looking forward to all the memories I am yet to make.

See you again next month!!

This article is created by Neela Kernspeckt- participant in the ESC Project 2022-1-BG01-ESC51-VTJ-000056331 in Blagoevgrad, Bulgaria, co-funded by the Bulgarian National Agency of Erasmus+ Program Human Resource Development Centre.

Disclaimer:
The European Commission's support for the production of this publication does not constitute an endorsement of the contents, which reflect the views only of the authors, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.

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