Logbook about my experience in Belfast (Voluntario del programa SVE)
1st Entry: February
Where may I
begin with? These three weeks that I’ve been here so far have been hectic,
exhausting, intense… but also sensational, wonderful, delightful. And I know
that’s the way it usually goes for us volunteers.
Starting
with the city, it is easy to handle, vibrant and I feel like I’ve barely
started to get involved with it yet. I rolled in as a volunteer for the
children’s festival taking place next March. I already ride my bike up and down
the city. Every local I could talk with has been genuinely receptive and
well-disposed. I was able to visit Falls road one morning at work as there was
an over 50’s men event happening. Also at work, we went to Donaghadee one
Friday to a senior showcase and it was grand, I mean to go back there and spend
the day hiking. Also I went yesterday to Holywood, to attend the Ocean Youth
Trust Ireland GA meeting. I am considering whether to volunteer with them as
well. Finally, a week ago I went to Newcastle
and the Mourn Mountains with a small group of
international guys that turned out to be good crack, so I’m looking forward to
hike with them again.
Besides
that, and what’s even more important, work. Before the start, I honestly was a
bit concerned; but now I cannot complain at all. All my workmates are
incredibly warming and supportive. I was able to enrol in such different tasks…
from workshops with elder demential people to showcase and networking around
Northern Ireland, to interviewing volunteers for big events, to updating
website or database or emailing NGOs for different purposes... the list is
endless, but I'm learning a lot! And I feel truly useful and productive.
In the flat
we’re doing alright. My flatmates are more or less responsible with the household,
as am I, and we’re looking forward to welcome Adel, the new member. I must
admit I haven’t hanging out with the EVS volunteers that much as they already
have their groups closed (despite they’ve been friendly and open-minded towards
us newbies) yet I preferred this new group of international guys to go out
with. Matter of choice it is.
I guess
that’ll make it for this month’s summary. Bottom-line: I am most cheerful for
my work at Volunteer Now, which has been my main focus all along.
2nd Entry: March
Uff… It is hard to remember everything I did
this March after such a wonderful trip I did by the end of the month to Scotland and the Highlands.
I think I’ll start by the end of it then. On Sunday 29th March I
took a ferry with my friend Boris to Glasgow,
and we stayed there for a few days. We enjoyed each others company as well as Glasgow’s landmarks:
Kelvingrove museum, art gallery, parks and botanic gardens, cathedral and
necropolis, live music pubs and local food restaurants, etc. Then he had to
leave and I decided to take a 3-days tour around the Highlands and the Isle of Skye. What an amazing tour. Skye is now my
all-times favourite island. I could talk about this trip for ages, but I
already kept track of it on my notebook so I won’t bore you (or make you
jealous) with details. Then I return to Glasgow
for a couple more days. I went out with locals on Friday and I spent Saturday in
Stirling, with a late concert of local artists
included! Finally, I got back to Belfast
on Sunday, that’s to say, yesterday. Besides all the yaw-dropping landscapes,
the friendly locals and the plenty of interesting facts that I found about Scotland, I
realised (again) how I enjoy travelling solo. It’s just me, my notebook, a
couple of books, and a world of possibilities that opens up before me. Say I
want to stare at the sunset from the Gonwall Hill in Stirling
for 50 minutes, and then I go down the hill and find some students playing
soccer and tag along! Everyday is exquisitely different, full of wonders but
also full of (inner and outer) fears. The art of enjoying the formers and
facing the latter is truly enriching. At the end of the day, it helps you see
the bigger picture. To sum up, I can’t wait to my next trip!
Ok now, enough of these last wonderful days.
Right before those, I was in the North of Northern Ireland, doing my EVS
training. I remember how I was looking forward to these trainings before I
started my EVS. However, I must say that the days just before it started I was
so focused on Volunteer Now that I barely spare a thought about the training.
Also, I got a pretty bad cold last day at work, when I had to hand out leaflets
around Downpatrick, and the weather, as always, changed drastically. So I basically
spent my on-arrival training coughing, sneezing and with headaches. Anyway, I
enjoyed it a lot and wouldn’t miss it for anything. I think Connor did a great
job given the circumstances that the training was shortened and the other
trainer couldn’t join him, he was outstanding. My overall impression is very
positive. A few of us stayed an extra day and I contacted a local friend I met
at work so that she could show us around. We went to this castle (forgot the
name) with amazing views and had a delightful day in general.
Now, besides these two last magnificent weeks,
my day to day life has been as nice as always. I’m still motivated at work; in
fact, I miss working and look forward to get back this Wednesday. I found out
that the part of my work that I enjoy the most is within the community
development department, where I go to several meetings, events and debates to
approach specific issues concerning the empowerment of the various
underrepresented groups, such as immigrants or disabled. I keep learning a
great deal of technicalities, policies and know-how, all related to the charity
world, and that is fantastic. For instance, the other day I attended a health
check in Lisburn and I kept taking notes restlessly throughout the 4-hours
session. So fruitful! Plus, I can feel how my English improves by the minute in
this environment.
So that’s basically it. I’m for sure leaving
many thoughts and plans out but I also try to make these reports nice and
brief, for the sake of the reader.
Francisco González Larumbe
