Where to start again...

LIke I've mentioned couple times already, time really flies here. I have less than two months to be here before my flight back to Helsinki is on. So better to start embracing it. 
When summer is approaching (and temperature rising), we find more and more things to do all the time. And I got a bike, so I will go everywhere now with that.
Last Friday we had a teambuilding evening with the guys from Outward Bound. We went to Samobor to this really cute summer cottage. It remainded me very much of our summer cabin in Finland, just without the lake and sauna. Little bit of hiking, a lot of BBQ and good, relaxed time with the awesome guys ever. 
I've been trying to see new places in Zagreb during last weeks. Yesterday I went with the bike to Jarun and Bundek. These two places are artificial lake/park combinations with plenty of space to do sports, swim, have a coffee or icecream or just chill out in the sun. 

Two weeks ago I was participating in another training that Outward Bound Croatia is doing. This on was located in Ćićarija, area in the East part of Croatia. Ten kids aged 16-18, two leaders and two volunteers and dog spent 8 days together and experienced the true Outward Bound method. First days we did lot of teambuilding games, get to know each other and prepared ourselves for expedition. We rehearsed how to built a fire and pivak, how to use compass and read a map and learned to pack our packbags right. After this, we went for a three day expedition to the mountains. And this was one of the best experiences ever to me. I've done all this things before, but I was so young. So this was first time for me as an adult :)
The whole program was really great and as a perspective of a youth worker, I learned a lot of new methods and ways to do things with kids. Very happy about that. I also participated to do some community work by cleaning up the cemetery. 

We still have one more training to participate next week and then that's it. Volunteering is not over yet, but it will be a bubble to burst after the last training.

This week some travelling and exploring Venice and then in May Prague, Vienna, Bratislava, Belgrade, Sarajevo, Dubrovnik, Montenegro (I know I want to go but don't know where). So if you are around, contact me and we can meet somewhere :)

Here is some pics from last experiences :) 

Croatia is starting to show it's best. In every way. I have enjoyed my last month working with the Outward Bound team, saw really beautiful places here and met amazing people. 
Some way Croatian people are similar to Finnish, when sun comes behind the clouds and starts warming the grounds, people also change. They become more friendly, more active and lively than during that cold and dark winter time.

But know, let's get to business and the thing that has made a huge influence on me past days. I went to Split for a training for volunteers in Croatia. So of course while being there in the South, I had to do some tourist stuff and travel and see places. 
First of all, Split was more dirty than I expected. I think when summer season starts in few weeks, the whole city will look totally different after all the cleaning. :) 
But it is still a really nice city with the sea and really good food, so I was enjoyning myself. After Split we took a ferry to an island called Brač cause we wanted to see that famous island. And it was definetely worth visiting. The whole beach was completely empty. (no wonder since the weather was freaking cold!!) But the view was still amazing. 

This is still not the thing that made a huge influence on me. It's is the following. At this point I can tell you that when we arrived to the place, I had tears in my eyes. It was very precious moment, since I think that I have never seen anything so beautiful before. The place that I'm talking about is of course one of the natural parks, Krka. The waterfalls are so amazing that I don't even have words to describe it. Amazing. Truly. Like usual, I'll let pictures to speak for me. And my dear friend Pena the reindeer.

Cheers,
Elina

My last text was written in Samobor, a town close to Zagreb. We had a training course there like I told you.  It feels like it's been ages when that happened. So now some updating about what has happened.

After that training was time to go home for a few days and try to set our minds to the next youth exchange that would happen after six days. In Samobor as well.
Of course when you try to relax and get your mind of work you need wine. A lot. And lucky as we were with my friends and collegues, I just happen to have a birthday on that Saturday that we came back home. So there was a good reason to party :)

Even though I turned huge amount of 28 years old, the mind is still at the level of a teenager. Hah.
So based with this fact, I got the best birthday present ever. My darling new friend from Outward Bound was kind enough to give me chance to throw a cream cake his face. SO COOOOOOL! And propably the best present ever. We took a video of it (of course!!) and you can just hear there my satisfaction through laughing like a witch. :) I'm not sure if my co-worker enjoyed it that much but at least I got my fun. 

On Sunday, we decided to get rid off the hangover by going out in the sun and walk around the big park called Maksimir. I can say it was a really nice idea and I totally enjoyed it. Maksimir is a very nice park almost in the center of Zagreb and inside the park you find the zoo. Maksimir is very popular place for running, Sunday walks and picnics. There you can find some small lakes and also some animals like ducks and TURTLES. Apparently turtles came there originally when people got bored their pet turtles and just throw them there and now turtles are actually surviving there and living the life hahha :)
After surviving from the birthday party (I can tell you that it took me almost two days to feel myself again...) it was time to get hold on normal life for a few days and prepare myself to upcoming youth exchange. 

And the preparion was needed. For a Finnish girl who likes her privacy and peace and quiet (especially in the mornings), youth exchange with Macedonia, Albania, Bosnia, Slovakia, Croatia and UK was sometimes little bit too loud for me. People were great and I had such a good time for 10 days with these people, but sometimes I was just wondering how loud these people can be! (Guys, with all the love <3)
The experience was really nice and I learned a lot during the week. The week was full of games, icebreakers, energizers and workshops. From the pictures you can see some group tasks :) I really feel that during these trainings and youth exchanges I am learning a lot and I will have so much more experience about outdoor activities and managing projects than before my EVS period. I really hope that when I go back home, I can really use these new skills in my work. 

Part 1 is complete now, part 2 will be here tomorrow. 

It's been too long, I know. I'm now writing this post from Samobor, from a training course „Empowering youth for better future. Outward Bound is organizing this training course and of course we, volunteers, are also here. Very nice week spending time with new people and learning (and remembering) about non-formal learning and cultural experiences and of course outdoor training. Me like!

The reason why I've been so quiet is in fact the training(s). There's been a lot of work before this. So I've been busy. And the ones who know me, they also know that I don't like spending my time staring at the computer screen more that I need.  

Last week we went with my fellow volunteers to Orahovica, a small city in northern part of Croatia for our EVS Arrival training. Five days spent there with all the other volunteers who are doing their volunteer service in Croatia. We have already spent almost three months in Croatia, so some things were quite familiar to us. But still, we got a lot of new information about our rights and responsibilities during EVS. And of course we met new awesome people. I have to admit that I think I was little bit different than the others. Only Scandinavian in the group (a.k.a one and only who is little bit more awkward at the beginning with strangers). I also felt sometimes some things too intimate. So sometimes I needed a little to be aside sometimes when others were hugging and very close to each other. But hey, that's me. I finally warmed up and was hugging new people but I just sometimes need my time to do that. Especially among all the Spanish and Portuguese people, the difference was quite funny sometimes. This is one of the many awesome cultural differences that I've witnessed past three months. 

February in Croatia is time for a carnival. There is lot of parties around Croatia and they are different depending which part of country you are. I went to one small in the north. You can see a photo of that. So, basically it is just a one more reason to dress funny and get wasted. Which I actually enjoyed quite much :)

But know, more training and people, enough this computer screen. Enjoy the pictures, they tell some of my stories better than I write them. 

It goes without saying that living in different country is an experience that covers all the areas in your life. It effect in everything. You will find new routines, new people, new habits and new environment. It's very personal how long it takes a person to settle in new things. For me, it has been quite fast. I have made new friends and “mates“ (thanks for my australian friend who planted the word in my head) quite easily and I don't feel lonely in a new environment. People in Croatia have been treating me very nicely and I feel that I could be here more than six months. I have also widen my comfort zone, which was (and still is) one of my goals during this trip. I actually try to do that all the time but here it is even more important.

So, one of the things that I was even suprised myself, was participation to Irish dancing lessons. It has been really much fun and that is just what it is all about. FUN. I like the atmosphere and people there and they have really improved my impression of dancing more positive. And the best thing, I really don't know how to do that but it doensn't matter. Thanks guys for that. And, I've only been just few times so I can't wait what happens after few months.
Here is a link to their page if you want to learn more:
(http://irskiples.com/tecajevi-u-zagrebu/)

Other new thing that I was experiencing this week was filming a tv show. I was happy to be asked to take part to new (and hopefully broadcasted) travel show here in Zagreb. I spent my Monday with these amazing people around the world (Brazil, USA, Portugal and Croatia) shooting a pilot that shows tourists places in the city that you would not normally see. Free Tours of Zagreb took us to Jadran Film Studios and to new Zagreb to visit this huge building with 5000 people living it. During the day we got the change to hear interesting stories from our tour guide Boris and connected people that you would probably not meet otherwise.

I definetely want to recommend living abroad for everyone. It gives you so much new feelings and experiences that you don't get in your home. It's very funny how I have learned so much about myself in the past few months. And actually remembering who I am, not being confused all the people and work and other stuff that was sometimes bothering me in Finland.

Since I am talking and writing in English all the time, it really improves my language skills (daa, obviously!) . While ago at work I was helping guys to make an inventory and I found myself counting in English. Which was weird. But the language is improving, that is a good thing.. Really can't say the same thing about my Croatian language studies. Haha. J

I was travelling again last weekend, this time destination was Graz, Austria. I went to see my friend who I met five years ago in Portugal. It was great and felt like there hasn't been that long time in the between. Awesome to notice that with some people. Graz is a really beautiful city, I would definetely recommend that and while you're there, take a walk to up the hill to see the weird clock.

Since I've been travelling two weekends now and had lot of things going on during the week days as well, during upcoming weekend I will just be and enjoy my freetime. 
With these thoughts I will wish you a great weekend, my weekend will be all about dreams. (Mostly sleeping, but dreaming anyway!)

Ugodan vikend!

Elina

I have continued searching adventures around Zagreb in past weeks.

Sometimes adventures don't have be big and life changing experiences, but they are still things that make you happy and smile widely in the moment.. I will let the pictures to do most of the talking but still want to use some words to describe my past days. There will bunch of reasons to smile in the text.

 I did a weekend trip to Slovenia and rented a car with my friends. Reason to smile number 1. The driving and the fact when you realize that you manage to drive in new environment and new traffic. (also singing in the car is very amusing.)

We arrived in Ljubljana on Friday evening and honestly, were quite lost. Reason to smile number 2 was right around the corner in the form of helpful stranger. I ask only an advice for parking and he ended up helping us with that and showed us the way to our hotel. Never couldn't do that so fast without him.

Reasons to smile number 3-4 are food and wine. There's nothing better than good portion of food and big glass of red wine when you are tired and hungry. Or in my case, HANGRY (=angry + hungry).

On the next day we did a small walk around the city and went to see Ljublajana castle. Beautiful, maybe little bit too much renovated building offered us a great view to the city. Reason to smile number 5 was found because of that view. It's weird how small you can feel yourself while watching a scene that looks like never ending.

Our trip continued to Maribor and when arriving there we found out that we had booked a hotel from different city. Well what can you do. We drive to hotel in Ptuj and were happily suprised. City of Ptuj is really small and quiet, but people are so friendly. Reason to smile number 6 is ex-tempore change of plans. In this case, it was definetely good solution.

On Sunday we were planning to return, but change of plans happened again. After a little search of the map, we decided to make one more stop before going back to Zagreb. This time it was town Varaždin located in north of Croatia. After one night, it was time to head back to Zagreb and work, reason to smile number 7 is home and already familiar people and customs.

I do like to smile and laugh a lot and smiles mentioned above are just highlights. I have been laughing and similing most of the time, but just wanted to point out the best  encounters and events that made me happy. And smiling for little things, makes big ones even more precious.

Lots of happiness to your week!


Elina

PS. Selfie stick is awesome invention!

You do know that EVS experience is more than just work. Quite a lot more hah :)
For me, it means new people in different places a.k.a. travelling. I haven´t been around Zagreb much yet, but working on it. (List is very long) There´s is also a lot to see in the capital city of Croatia so I wanted to take my time and get to know my new hometown better before cheating it with other cities. You  know what I mean. 
But still, I have done it. I went to Slavonski Brod, a small (ish) city up north and east, next to Bosnian border. It's funny how you can see the difference of the cities in atmosphere, people and customs even though the country itself is quite small. 
Also, Rijeka and Opatija on last Friday. Both cities are different than Zagreb. I was suprised when I realized how much I have missed the sea. I live back in Helsinki next to the sea, so I can see it every day. In Zagreb there is not sea, but I wasn't even aware that I could miss that. When we arrived to Opatija, the feeling that you have when you smell the ocean and hear the waves, is purely awesome. (Sorry if I keep using the word awesome too much, it is just so good.) 
Next new destination will be Slovenia tomorrow, going to rent a car with my friend and drive around Ljubljana and Maribor. Pictures on the internet look really nice, I hope they will as good in real life. And for a nice change, Slovenia's currency is euro so I can just put my mind to rest for a weekend and don't need to think about how much this and that is in euros. :)
In two weeks I'm also going to Graz, Austria and end of the month to Italy. Planning to tag along when my friend is going there for a business trip and just hop off when we reach inside the Italian borders. 
I really like the fact here in Zagreb that everything is so close. There are lot of small countries together and on the other end ot good transportation. It's easy and fast to travel new countries, so after six months I hope I have a long list of new places where I have visited. And could not say that it is a bad thing that everything is very cheap.

More stories after the weekend. Hope I manage to come back, I will be the one who drives the car. (This is the thing we don't tell mom!) :)

I'm gonna be so normal and not-unique and just wish everybody happy Christmas! ..with few comments about this week :D

This year it's gonna be different for me since I'm not home. (never been anywhere else than home for Christmas) Luckily, there is so much things to do in Zagreb in this time of year and there are events every day. For example, I went yesterday to Kino Europa (a cinema in the center) and saw Charlie Chaplin film with huge orchestra playing music of the film at the same time (movie was mute of course). And as a fan of movies, you just got to love that! 

And, I keep telling the people that I'm not a Christmas person, but I think I have to admit that I actually am. :) I really don't care about the fuzz for presents and all materia, but I do like the part when you can eat so much, drink so much and enjoy spending time with people who are important to you. That's is what Christmas is for me. And in my opinion, that is what it should be for others as well.

I will quiet down for a few days with my box of awesome Croatian red wine, eat food from around Europe (international Christmas ahead of me) and just enjoy people's good mood.
And in the end of the week, I'm gonna go Slavonski Brod, more about that in next post. 

Hyvää Joulua!