Burek express or how the German,Turkish,Italian and Latvian passport got a lot of new stamps

   The more you plan, the less exciting moments you experience. It`s been said many times, many ways, but this time I will say - the more you plan, the less magical snowflakes you get on your nose. Each of us had his own magical snowflake and all together we shared so many of them on this trip, where every single day was a new chapter in an adventurous story called - Burek express. (Originally - Balkan express) Don`t worry, I have no intention to write a book about it. (In fact, I could leave this task up to Ibrahim:p) I guess my intention is to capture those moments and keep them alive as long as possible, so I share them.

   All we knew was that we want to go on holidays. We wanted to go on holidays by Balkan express. And except Macedonia we didn`t have a definite place to stay. And you know what? That was the best part of it. That in the morning you have no idea, where you`re going to sleep the fallowing night. And I adore this feeling! (You may call it homelessness, I prefer to call it - an improvisation;) And even though we were freezing a lot (sometimes even in a shower:) and we were dealing with local gangs (well, not really:), we had mervellous holidays and not only because we are pretty cool volunteers, but also, because we had some secret ingredients. Such as: couch surfing, hitch-hiking, burek (the thing they eat in Balkan countries), rakija (the thing they drink Balkan countries) and, of course, some strange people we met randomly. That was our recipe.

  And now the best moments of each place we were.

Belgrade: 

~> the first Couch surfing experience - Lili - who took us on the roof of one block house, from  where  we saw the best view of Belgrad,

~> blueberry bear - the most delicious beer I`ve drunk,

 ~> the best pancake place ever (my suggestion - pancakes with cacao&milk cream, banana and grinded biscuits),

 ~> the cheapest vodka Roberto had ever bought (1.70 EUR) and the most appropriate place to drink it (McDonalds).

Novi Sad:

  ~> the purple bridge in the dark,

 ~> the spooky fortess in the dark,

  ~> the stunning church in the dark.

  (Yess, we were there quite late in the evening:)

Sarajevo: 

~> we are in the fairy tale and huge snowflakes are falling on us and the Old Town,

 ~> the Youth Hostel, which saved our freezing cheeks,

~> my first muslim praying ceremony in a mosque (not for Ibrahim, though:),

 ~> tea house with an ambiance of cozy cave and retired people (nice people:)

Mostar:

  ~> everything in this town is painfully breathtaking,

 ~> Ibrahim with his feet in not really warm water, the sun kissing the icicles and our faces and the muslim prayer in the air..All that took place under the Stari most, by the river,

~> the date on Stari Most with Eric - an american guy in Mostar - , who showed us the snipers` nest, from where in 1993 the croatian solders were shooting people. Incredible feeling up there. (And if you`re under 50kg, don`t climb up there in very windy weather),

 ~> my "Hallelujah" to the mountain and Mostar, and us.

Dubrovnik: 

~> Mona`s and Lelde`s arrival by track with splendid views of the sea, mountain, islands and sky all over the place,

~> Ibrahim`s pilgrimage (if you are going to hitch-hike, first of all, don`t wear your scarf up to your eyes, especially if you are from Turky and, second of all, shave your beard, unless you want to take a peaceful walk for 4 hours;),

~> Old Town behind the gates and orange trees,

~> our wild host Aleksander, his sister and their friends, who showed us some real pogo in the concert of crazy Bosnian band "Dubioza kolektiv" (they are good).

Podgorica: 

~> snowball fight and hot chocolate with Filippo and his friends who we met in the right time and place,

~> Filippo`s mother, who warmed up our bodies with hot milk, honey & self-made pastries and our hearts with her loving and caring heart,

 ~> impresive silence of mountains out of the window of the train, leaving Montenegro.

Skopje:

 ~> city, who was trying to hide in fog and the great fortress, who revealed the beauty of this place,

 ~> the Old Town with golden jewellery, colourful carneval dresses (o.k., o.k., wedding dresses, but I feel sorry for women, who have to wear them) and waiters, running around with the glasses of tea on their trays.

Štip:

~> we are in one of the Kustarica`s movies with Goran Bregovic`s music,

~> reunion of Ibrahim, his cousins and their families,

~> wedding in Romani style with 13 years old bride dressed up in bright green dress and litlle boys who learn to dance before they can walk,

~> taxi trip with Mona and Lelde, hanging out of the window and breathing in the moments in the dark night, filled with Romani music,

~> visiting almost an abandoned village and drinking Turkish coffee with taxi driver`s mother on the self made rugs,

~> riding an almost white horse with a boy from the town,

 ~> leaving the place with promises to return and 3 bottles of the thing they drink in Balkan countries;)

After almost two weeks we are back in Bucharest, sector 6, where lot of things have changed since we left. For instance, we have a new tram line, bus stop just in front of our home, few more markets and more holidays to plan. By Balkan express. Of course:)

by Lelde

            

       

Black cat, white horse

Maybe it was because I got up too early that day. Maybe it`s because sometimes I tend to see what I want to see. But maybe it`s because we are in Bucharest, precisely in sector 6. The thing I saw was something incredibly strange and beautiful at the same time. I was approaching the bus stop and all of a sudden a white horse came from one of the side streets. From nowhere. He looked so indifferent to the rest of the world, so unconcerned, digging his nose in a garbage hill. And I was standing there, wishing I had taken my camera with me. But I took this moment.
I know there is a superstition about a black cat, crossing the street. Perhaps there could be another one. If you see a white horse, crossing your path, you will have a great day!

Lelde

Niente e impossibile

Everything is possible in Romania. I was told on the way to my new accomodation (where I was going to spend the next year). And I have started to believe in that. I guess there is just one thing that is impossible, according to Roberto (my Italian collegue to whom everything - no is possible - read with the sweetest Italian accent). And that thing is to go from Piata Unirii to Str. Drumul Sabareni in sector 6 by foot at 5 in the morning. But I still think that one day I will prove that it is possible, even after wild dancing and some tea shots in Kulturhaus.
And I chose to believe in one more thing (and that I was also told when I arrived, of course, by one Romanian, who else:). And that thing is - You make your dreams come true in Romania. And that is the thing worth remembering.

Lelde

Buna,Hello,Hallo,Hola ,Ciao ,Merhaba,Sveiki,Sveikas

                   Welcome

Do you want to learn something  about being a volunteer,or maybe just want to read funny stories about 7 volunteers coming from 7 different countries?Then,you are in the right place.

So, here we are!

Dany I

Born in Bucharest, I grew up in France where I developed my passions which are Spiritual Music and Phylosophical Books. I decided to make the EVS in Romania to help the Children to blossom in order to prepare their Future.

Me and my collegue volunteers

Name: Beatriz Lorenzo Paredes

Country: Spain, Pontevedra

Age: 26

Desciption: How I am?? It´s a realy difficult question. I think sometimes I don´t understand myself.

The positive side : Honest and independet. I like to defent the truth  I belive in, I´m idealist with a lot of dreams for happy future. Especialy I enjoy the time with my good friends.

The side - : impatient, I say what is in my mind without thinking, I´m not emotional, I don´t like to be restricted, the routine and make the same all the time... I need the changes in my life.

Lelde- is the  person that all the time has a smile on her face, active and dynamic. This girl from Latvia, is our  big mother, she has all that you need (food, water, napkins...)

Daniel- The official translator, he can speak romain, english, italian, spanish and french... maybe in a few time he speaks Chinese.

Rasa- My dear friend, is fantastic!!! We pass the time laughing about ourselves and the rest of the people. “Why not?”

Roberto- Allora... the pasta,he´s a very nice boy  who can participe in any activity. Observers, thinks and then decides.

Mona- The youngest child among us. Good german. Her prononciation is difficult for me... and most of the time I can´t understand her.

Ibrahim- He is like a sweet. Peaceful and calm, he helps when you need a help. He is the sun.

Who is Rasa Ambrulevičiūtė?

Rasa Ambrulevičiūtė

Lithuania, Vilnius

23

Who is Rasa Ambrulevičiūtė?

At the moment I am a volunteer in Romania with colorful past and promising future. I have a lot of dreams and aims in my life, love challenges and need changes all the time. I am always enjoying what I’m doing (more or less). Also, trying to live at the present moment and indulge every moment – sunshine, stars, thunder, warmth in a room, first cup of coffee and cigarette in the morning, second cup of coffee and cigarette, others smiles and laugh, new challenges, hearing my favorite song, smell of vanilla… 

Lelde. Not that slow Latvian ;) Constantly surprising peace-lover.

Mona. Mild girl and has a talent to fall asleep anywhere and anytime.

Bea. The bad one ;) The best private meetings with you, grandmother!

Roberto. “Nicio problema” men.

Daniel. Calm observer with deep eyes and fantastic French accent.

Ibrahim. He can! (inside jokes) ;) Simply loves tequila and bets on everything just to provoke drinking tequila competition.

A few thing about a boy

Its about a boy called ibrahim.He has come from Turkey but many people dont believe that he is a turkish boy he doesnt look like one.He is 24 years old  and just finished his study.He is in Bucuresti as  a volunteer.
And thats it.Eyvallah!
What he thinks about other volunteers:
Bea:My spanish teacher.She is  a warm person like every mediterenian people.If i start speaking in spanish,it will be thanks to her.
Daniel:My roomate who came from Lille but  his  heart belongs to Marseille.Ole marseille!
Lelde:She is the funniest girl that i ever met.But it would be better for her not to mock with my accent!Understand?
Mona:My other teacher my sister! you don´t know the story.I hope her to start teaching me german. And be careful:Don´t get her mad !!!!!
Rasa:I believe that i know her country best in general.I can name every basketball player in the lithanuian national team.And Turkish team just beat your teams ass babe!
Roberto:My friend who came from Genoa but he supports Sampdoria,the other team of the city,the biggest one.He cooks excellente spagetti.Allora!

Who is Lelde Luneva?

From: Latvia, Bauska
Age: 24

Being Lelde Luneva is not easy. I am telling you. I think it`s in my nature to get into the troubles and then figure the way out of them. Very often I chose the most difficult way. But I try to take it easy, because I believe there is something above us and there is no coincidence. Everything happens for a reason. And I am here for a reason. When you have realized that, everything makes sense.
Recently I fell in love with the people and the world.
"There`s so much beauty in the world I feel I can`t  take it." (American Beauty)

What I think about you?
Rasa: Little naughty Lithuanian with a big heart.
Daniel: Look in his eyes, you will see a lot.
Ibrahim: With him you can get lost in a metro system and still laugh when it`s not funny.
Mona: Perhaps she has a sad puppy`s eyes, but when she laughs, the room fills with joy.
Roberto: One word - tranquillo. And he has got the most adorable accent.
Bea: Funny Spanish woman. And she knows what she is doing.

Who is Mona Kaelble?

Name: Mona Kaelble
Homecountry: Germany
                      Offenburg-Griesheim      
Age: 20

"Fighting discrimination and promoting a positive change in the life of institutionalized children" these are the aims of  the project: "I can, you can, lets do more together".
Sounds good, yes? That’s exactly what I thought, and that’s what brought me here to Bucharest, Romania. I just graduated from secondary school, so it’s the first time I live without my family and far away from my closest friends. And I have to say it is a real challenge for me - but a very interesting and exiting one. 

About the other volunteers:
Lelde: A fun-loving and cosmopolitan woman - simply lovely.
Rasa: This crazy girl has the brightest smile I have ever seen.
Bea: well organized – if she doesn’t find a solution then there is no solution probably.
Roberto: Culture shock: Pasta with milk.
Daniel: I am glad that you don’t have the evil eye, friendly Frenchman.
Ibrahim: My big brother in thoughts. Don´t try to avoid me on Wednesdays.