Autumn in Slovakia

Hi there again :)

Remember just in the previous post I was talking about BLEM and making friends there? That's what happened when I was there two weeks ago, I ended up with a plan for Saturday evening. It's surprising how many foreigners there are in Bratislava and that many of them are Spanish speaking people -not only from Spain but also from South America, specifically from Mexico there are many, as Fabian, the one throwing out the party, is. The event was supossed to take place from 5pm till 5 am, but well, together with my other Spanish EVS friends we managed it from 8pm till 3am, which is not bad either. I had a mighty enjoyable time just meeting new people and chilling in a flat before going out (I realised how much I had missed that), and afterwards in Barrock with the life music and nice conversations, it was quite good! Next day I wasn't feeling so good though -mala som opicu (I was hangover). But if you're brave in the evening you also have to be brave enough in the morning -Slovak popular statement, haha.

The week continued with more relaxed plans, like going hunting for bargains to Textile House. It's crazy how fast they move from place to place! I went to the one in the bus station and after I walked to other big one that was located in the avenue that goes from there to the center. I said 'was located' because now it's gone. I was shocked they already turn the place into some offices and I took a look inside from the door to make sure.

In any case, walking to Eurovea from there I found an amazing place. There were some steps going down from the street and an open door, and I could see a lot of books so I felt curious and went to check. It was a huge place with two floors, all filled with piles of second-hand books. A very nice old man, friends with the manager, explained me in English that this was the storage place of the official bookshop, located somewhere close to Legionarska (I'll check the business card later and update this with the name and address). It's a pity that I didn't have any camera with me, it looked really particular. In between books and more books there were also some gas masks and helmets -awesome. I bought a Disney Slovak-English dictionary with drawings and also a book from one of the films of Indiana Jones -big font, many pictures, just for my level :).

Also, because of the autumn, it's tea house season again. I don't think their atmosphere its fitting summertime but rather colder an darker days, so you seat warm indoors in a cosy place, enjoy your endless tea and perhaps play some board games meanwhile -is not that I don't prefer the summer, but I had missed this too. I met last time with Dasa in this one, close to Michalska Brana. It's called Cajovna v podzemi, and had a great time with her, as usual. As we were feeling a little hungry, we later passed by Funki Panki -I felt so proud that finally it was me the one to discover her something. Then again, back to teahouses, yesterday I went to Zamocka and had some Japanesse green tea with Robert, one of my Slovak-Spanish tandem contacts. Oh, yes, I've restarted lessons with a private teacher just last Monday, so I'll eventually recover my tandem contacts also, yay (feeling motivated again about Slovak language).

What else? Oh, yes! I was in Zvolen for the weekend. Slatinka organization prepared an event for Saturday, something like 'a day in the park', and I helped them out. It was mainly for the kids, so there were activities like archery, kite workshop, fresbee throwing and so on. The funniest moment, the theater they prepared for them. It was sort of Little Red Riding Hood but with a message more orientated to healthy lifestyle and recycling -I didn't understand all because it was in Slovak, but still the actors were pretty good. Some pictures made by Timour.

In the evening we hang out with some friends, playing charades and drinking on Timour and Thiebaut's flat. Afterwards we went out to this bar -I still don't understand why the name is in Spanish-, La historia de la Roja. It has table football, dards and official size pool tables. Unfortunately all places inside were taken and the group was feeling a bit tired, so we just sat outside for a drink and they manage to take a night bus to the neighbor town.

Not to change, Sunday was a lazy Sunday with movies. It was so lazy I stayed the night and woke up Monday 6am to catch an early train to Bratislava for my Slovak lesson before coming to the office. This days in the office feels like the calm before the storm. I'm just making more clerk work because we are waiting for the enrolement of people in VEM (Volunteers' Evaluation Meeting). It's last weekend of October and it's mainly for Slovak volunteers that went abroad to a workcamp with INEX, for them to share their experiences. Nevertheless, everybody is welcome since we are also going to promote other INEX activities and so on. Besides other materials that needed to be designed, I created a brochure for its promotion -the topic, in case you didn't guess, is horror :3

If you are interested feel free to join us! Register in this link and follow the instructions in here.

That's pretty much all that's been going on, if you would ask. These coming days I'm looking forward to more tandem, BLEM, workshop for international job vacancies in Bratislava and so on. Therefore, hopefully many nice experiences I will continue writing about soon.

Take care, lovelys^^

Hugs,

Alicia

Bratislava - Quick guide for leisure time

Hello hello dear kids :) How are you doing?

Well, autumn arrived sometime ago officialy but it's just now when is starting to feel more like it. I must admit that autumn around here looks pretty nice, with all that parade of colours from the trees and the softer light of a half-hidden sun -I like it. And after such busy time with group projects (ie, workcamps and exchange), I really appreciate having some routine back in the office.

Back in the office and back in Bratislava, I've been exploring a bit the city. I started writing this and I realised I sound like a free-time guide, so I'll just go on with that idea and recommend a couple of places I like, and some ways to get to know people if you are a foreigner who has just landed around here.

First of all, and after a compulsory resting time because of a rather insistent cold, I started taking care of my social life in Bratislava. It's strange for me because I'm very changeable and somedays I feel like meeting with a lot of people and others I just feel like taking a time on my own. But still, if you feel like meeting new people Bratislava is great for that. There are meetings 2 or 3 times a week like Couchsurfers (on Mondays) and BLEM (Bratislava Language Exchange Meetings, on Wednesdays). We also have Language Cafe here, taking place first Wednesday of every month in KC Dunaj. Anyway, the friends you make there will tell you about other plans for the rest of the week, haha. CS and BLEM changes every week their meeting location, but you can check in the events they launch on the Facebook groups -they're open.

Anyway, the week continued and I got more relaxed plans. In the second-hand franchise shops, 'Textile House' they were in the last phase of the autumn collection, which means that everything cost 1,75E. Yeah, everytime they release a new collection the prices are 'high' in the first week, with some discount in the second one, and then it goes in cycles when the prices are going from 3 to 1E. It's crazy and it's great, I like it a lot. Last week I bought two thick sweaters, two vests, one shirt, one keyholder and one vynil record for less than 10E everything, score!

Also, because of the autumn, it's tea house season again. I don't think their atmosphere its fitting summertime but rather colder an darker days, so you seat warm indoors in a cosy place, enjoy your endless tea and perhaps play some board games meanwhile. Many tea houses in Bratislava keep somehow the spirit of the oriental style, like sitting on the floor, no sugar with the tea and so on. I really fancy them. There is this one, close to Michalska Brana. It's called Cajovna v podzemi, and it's in the underground, hidden after some of the arches in Venturska ulica.

There are also some others I like a lot, like Bone Tree or Zamocka (close to the castle, very nice). I was actually yesterday in the last one, having some Japanesse green tea with Robert, one of my Slovak-Spanish tandem contacts.

Apart from the tea houses, there are also very nice cafes in Bratislava with very nice atmosphere. I'm specially fond of those who combined the hot beverages with books. My favourtie one is Next Apache, because of this great read sofa. All of the books are second hand and you can find plenty of English ones. Then again, there is Presporak which has mainly books in Slovak and it's more like bookcrossing. In any case, its decoration is perfect, and they have one of the tastiest hot chocolates I had here. I put two pictures of Presporak and one of NA, your choice.

Another cafe I would recommend is La Putika -which sounds rather funny in Spanish. Once again a franchise (2 or 3 around the center) with option of Belgian beers besides the hot beverages -also, just a nice not so expensive place to go in the center. The picture is from the one close to the Primacial palace.

When it comes to restaurants I don't know much because I'm normally eating at home. For the Slovak traditional taste you have Flagship and Slovak Pub -though the first one is nicer for being located in a former theater, I prefer Slovak Pub because of the value for money. Besides, Slovak Pub has a privileged 23rd position in the best 100 pubs according to Lonely Planet, in a worldwide rank -not bad, right? Pics!

A warning! If you're going to these places be sure you're hungry because Slovak specialties are not light material at all -halusky, pirozky, gulash, tasty but heavy stuff. Instead, there are many places to have something more like a snack, a large amount of pizza and kebab places that offers a generous quater of pizza for around 1,5E -my favourite is Tulipan Kebab in Obchodna ulica. Not a fan of fast food? What about pancakes? There is this small place close to the train station, Lacinka, which accoding to this Slovak article might be the best pancake place in Bratislava -tiny, Sovietic looking, plenty of  sutffing, Sovietic prices. Another pancake franchise is Funki Panki, which has 2 or 3 places in the center -alternative atmosphere and more elaborated stuffings, also worth it.

Then again, there is this restaurant in Hviezdoslavovo namestie, Verne. I think it's the only restaurant I know that is not specifically of Slovak restaurant. Portions are generous and prices are nice. Large variety of pasta and wine. Last thing: from time to time you can also find photo or painting exhibitions on its walls.

Yes, in 8 months here I had time to get to know the places to be, haha. In any case, I'm not so much of an expert when it comes to night life. Personally, I like Rock Ok the best, and then places like Nekapri, Batelier... Haven't been much there but I had a good time when I was. Yeah, I don't like so much commercial music so I'm always in the quest for something more alternative -don't expect kind of 'disco' or anything.

The point is, for going out in the night normally you need to check the program of the places you want to go. For this purpose Citylife and Kamdomesta websites are quite useful. Also, Slovaks start soon, so don't freak out when you see a concert or an event at 8 or 10 pm, that's normal. Because of that and the thing that many bars have great atmosphere but limited space, going out after than 11pm requires a plan in advance or some reservation -if that's possible for the place you want to go.

I think that's pretty much everything for the leisure time guide for Bratislava. I'll make a new post coming back to the diary style :)

Hope you enjoyed it!

After summer - Youthpass draft

Looking back at my productive summer, I've decided to make an attempt to write down what have I learnt -in order to afterwards fill my Youthpass in. Now, being honest, I'm not really fond of the structure of the Youthpass, that forces you to classified your learning in 8 different key competences (Communication in the mother tongue, Communication in foreign languages, Mathematical competence and basic competences in science and technology, Digital competence, Learning to learn, Social and civic competence, Sense of initiative and entrepreneurship, Cultural awareness and expression) -you can take a closer look by clicking on them.

In any case, I'll specifically write now about the outcome of my camp-leader and exchange coordinator roles. See? It's quite different to talk about group management than to actualy manage them, and theory without practice it's not a complete cycle of learning. Ok, now few ideas I will retake in the future:

WORKCAMPS

- I've realised the great importance of previous preparation of these kind of projects. First contact with the local partner, the place you are going to stay, the facilities there, the food arrangements, getting to know the participants, provide proper information on how to get there and what to expect... The more prepared you are in advance, the less you'll have to worry once you arrive to the workcamp place.

- The communication is also quite significance. I learnt how to communicate with my co-leader (which relation should be stable and pleasent for a more efficient managing), with the local partner (for technical details of lodging, transportation, work...) and of course with the volunteers. There is a must to be clear and firm when you need to command them some tasks, but also you have to know how to be listening and reliable in case they would have to tell you anything they may need.

- The flow of communication can also be directly from local partner to volunteers. This will give the volunteers a wider perspective of the purpose of the work they'ld be doing, and perhaps it will also make them feel closer to the local community. As for the local partner, probably nobody else knows better the aim of the organization than him/her, but it's important to ask them in advance to prepare something and suggest them to be concrete and short -we want to motivate the volunteers, who may not have a very good level of English.

- I've learnt to prioritize and delegate tasks together with my colleague. There are many things to take care and you need to identify the urgent ones, divide tasks and check on the group from time to time. Therefore, you need to make sure you have all things covered, and if you have time join the group in the work.

- When working together with the group you need to behave like an example for them. If you don't just ask them to work but you start working yourself first they will probably follow you afterwards. This is easier to do the first days but later you have to ration your energy, so for example a good tip will be to inform the volunteers when you are going back to work and they can see you -it's more efficient than just working by yourself with nobody joining you.

- I've learnt to change attitude when needed. During working hours you should keep an eye on everyone but during the free time I was happy to just relax and enjoy games or talks with the group.

- I've taken in the fact about listening to feedback without being critical or storming out from the comments. I've also learnt to give it being objective, but I think I still have to work on it -because sometimes I'm afraid about the other's people reaction and stay in silence.

EXCHANGE

- To be flexible with the organization of the agenda, trying to make it pleasant for everybody -even when this sometimes means changing something planned within hours.

- To mediate and encourage everybody to share their opinion, restraining when needed to the great talkers to give voice to the shier ones.

- To understand the richness of the diversity of people's opinion, knowing that no option is better or worse than the other -but just different.

- To realize about how creative participants can be and also to be more aware of how I am also a creative person.

OVERALL

- To enjoy being in a group of people very diverse because of individual and cultural differences and don't stress because of the leading role assigned.  To find solutions calmly and efficiently in order to create a relaxed atmosphere -so everybody feels comfortable and willing to share.

Yap, I think that's mainly all -besides the anecdotes of learning Greek malakies, or an Italian tong twister, or a sentence in Ch'ti. I had a great time and I'm mighty glad that I was learning this much in the meantime. I want to thank everybody that helped me out in this process, which is basically any person I found on my way.

Last weekend we were having Potaborka, a event for INEX camp-leaders to have a little evaluation on their workcamps. Unfortunately, I got quite sick after the exchange and I stayed home for this event, but I'm seriously considering photoshoping my face somewhere in this very nice group of people. Oh, yes, also I have a nationwide certificate as a youth worker in international backgrounds, sweet :D

That's all for today, folks, see you in next post!

About Youth Exchange, Finding yourself in Europe

I can't believe summer it's over, and also September! This means that I've already been in Slovakia for 8 months and that there's only 3 to go, unbelievable!

I think this summer has been the most productive for me in a long time. After leading two workcamps (and a little bit of a third one), finally the last project arrived: the Youth Exchange. I write it like that on purpose, since being there from beginning with the brainstorming of the idea until making it something concrete in time and space made me gain a new perspective on how much effort and time invested need this kind of projects -and therefore, enjoying it quite a lot when it was happening.

This is the most complete group picture we have, together with Sarah as INEX Messenger and Frea, the dog -belonging to Dada but behaving like one more participant :). Yeah, I know, we are pretty, hihi.

In very few words, during these days Slovaks, Belgians, Greeks and Italians met in Banska Stiavnica for sharing opinions and ideas about the topic of youth unemployment. Contrary to the mainstream,  we tried to see the financial crisis like an opportunity to develop the most inner interests of each person, connect them with a profession -encouraging creation if it's needed- and explore different possibilities within the European Union's framework. As you can see in our agenda, there were three dimensions we explored: personal, professional and European -dedicating some sessions to approach each of them.

I was pleased with the group. Comparing it with the workcamp groups, I feel a small lack of cultural diversity but also I can say I get a greater point of view of the lifestyle of a specific country. Anyway, whatever you may miss in cultural differences you can find in personal ones, since every individual is a little universe in itself. And the mix of us all turn out to be a wonderful galaxy :D

Ok, now seriously. I can not really evaluate what is the overall outcome from this exchange, but me myself I was learning everyday something new because of them. Again comparing it to workcamps, I think in conversation you reach deeper topics since one of the main aims is just to share your point of view. Understanding how different and similar we are at the same time it's always a nice discovery for me.

Regarding my leading role, this time I felt much more relaxed than in the workcamps. Maybe it's because workcamps had demanded from me quite a lot of physical energy and it's also different when you need to command people to make something physical rather than mental, but for me in general it's been easier and calmer. Then again, the fact that we counted with other 4 national leaders -Matiss and I were coordinators-, resulted in a comfortable supported feeling and the sensation that we were creating something altogether -double nice!

Few pictures and below two links for original sources:

Sarah's album from her visit (includes Greek and Italian night, visit to Kalvaria in Banska Stiavnica and some sessions leaded by Matiss and me): https://plus.google.com/photos/118233661673923862820/albums/5927505662505304113

Album with a compilation of all the flipcharts we used during the project: https://plus.google.com/u/0/photos/104455390605694644335/albums/5929730723811354049

Thank you everyone for making this project possible :)

Before the exchange

Many things happened before the exchange. Well, maybe not many of them but at least some of them that were remarkable for me.

I came back to Integra's workcamp for the Feast of Cultures. Since the main public for this event were the daily clients -who suffer from some physical or mental disabilities-, they did a great job creating a nice theater where they were superheroes, and in the same time they introduced their country in a simple way. Here some pictures, and here the fulm album of Sarah's visit.

But let's be honest, my main attraction was because of the food. It's always nice to try different tastes, and I think this was the first time that people were already full and there was still some food on the table -not that I didn't try to finish it all, but well...

Then during the weekend -that I had expected like a time to relax and conscientiously prepare last details about the exchange-, a lot of plans came up and I tried to join some of them. Firstly, speaking with Matiss I realized there wasn't much things to do, so on Friday evening I went with some volunteers friends to the wine festival in Raca, a district in the outskirts of Bratislava. I was quite surprise to find something very similar to the southern Spanish 'ferias', only with no so much variety in the stands -either food or burciak, fermented wine, just before its processing. We tried in several stands the different kinds and bought two bottles, one for the following day and the other just to continue the night -'botellon' in the tram back to the center, why not?

The next day, Saturday 14th, I woke up early to take the train to Banska Bystrica for going to another fair, the one that it is said that Janosik himself use to visit every year. Again, it looked like the Spanish ferias, and this time I even tried a fun ride! Gosh, the hammer -that was scary but plenty of fun though. Then in the evening a newyorker girl managed to get me drunk in a drinking game where we found out a lot of stuff from the group, and finally I went to rest to Zvolen by night.

Sunday came and, as a proper Sunday, I stayed lazing around the day in Zvolen until taking the 7pm train to Bratislava. When I arrived, I prepared my backpack and made sure we had all the materials for the exchange. And then on Monday the last and latest adventure within a big group began :)