Wenn die Kindheit mich nochmal im Leben besuchte!

I'd like to start this blog with a word of thanks to all my Teachers and Gurus. 

Om Shri Gurubhyo Namaha!

I came across Workaways, a website where one could find programs abroad / within the country, getting to do some volunteering activity. It could be either working for a farm or work in a school, etc. This thought kept running in my mind for a few weeks, especially since the Corona lockdown began. I felt a part of me wishing to give back something. I kept scrolling through websites, curious to see if I could find something. I was open to anything but not more than two weeks given the need to get back to work again. 

Through a friend of mine, while working out with him one day, I expressed this interest to do some kind of a volunteering program. After a few days, he let me know of a volunteering program, which was about an English language exchange with the kids in the mountains of Poland for about 9 days. I was excited and soon wrote to the organizer about it. My wish was getting closer to reality! I didn't worry much about planning for it, but I wrote to my teachers with whom I'm still in touch & some good friends, asking them for some tips. They were happy to share a few tips with me.

 

Transport to and from was arranged by the camp, I didn't need to worry about it. I got to meet the other 5 volunteers (one of them from my running group here, the rest of them from Armenia, Turkey, France, and Italy). The more we explore, the more we learn. We played games while going in the bus, getting to interact with the kids and the other volunteers. 

The groups were split into three, based on age groups. My friend from the running group and I took care of the youngest ones. We had to organize them to do a group performance on the last day of the camp. It turned out to be finally, a short drama - Harry Potter living in this village Zab, in Zakopane. Link to the performance:  Harry Potter in Ząb  (click on the Hyperlink)

Some of the key activities we did during the camp were - Playing a mystery game in the night, rafting on the Dunajec river, thermal baths at one of the popular spots in Zakopane, dancing to local, traditional music, hiking to the nearby trails with majestic views & getting to integrate with everyone. 

A short hike on the nearby trails for a beautiful view of the scenery!

As it got closer to an end, it was an emotional time, for the kids, the organizing team, and to us, the volunteers. One week went by too fast. 

The kids are super creative, it needs to be brought out! This one is an example!

I got to interact well with the kids. With some of them, good deep conversations too. I hope they will remember me / us. I / we might not have managed to teach them so many things in one week, but I / we managed to show them a short perspective of how I / we see things! 

Hurray, the mountains!

Relishing the thermal baths for the first time!

A bench to relax, with a picturesque landscape!

Dancing with the traditional musicians to the local tunes

With the organizers and the fellow volunteers. I'm grateful to have had this chance, to get to meet and learn from everyone!

Big thanks to Tristan for recommending me this program. The kid in me is still alive. This experience has made me think about both perspectives - being a teacher& being a student. 

The kid in me is still active!

Back to the usual life again. An experience that will remain in my life& mind forever. I'm grateful to have interacted and worked with creative, interesting minds!

Photos&Video courtesy: Friends from the camp!

Nimm ein Stück meiner Pizza :)

I was waiting for my pizza in a pizzeria. Because of COVID, the tables in restaurants and cafes need to be cleaned well and sanitized. COVID-19 also seems to play a big toll on the poor ones, especially those who are homeless. One can control anything, but not hunger. Two instances, practical, right in front of my eyes prompted me to think about it for a deep moment!

My friend and I sat on a table, away from the entrance to the shop. There was one more table, where another guy (Nicked “John” in this)  came and sat. I generally try to have a glance view of the people and the environment, probably because I’m a curious type. As we started to eat the pizza, a homeless guy came and stood in front of the entrance. John and this guy had eye contact and both of them seemed to speak something. It seemed like:

John: What?

Guy: I’m hungry

John: Want some pizza?

Guy: Yes, please

John: Come on, grab a bite

The guy walked in, took a bite, and left. It was a fraction of a second. Everything in me seemed to stop for a moment to watch this. I felt nice to watch it and thanked John. What a nice gesture to offer some food to the guy. Small things and gestures play huge roles in our lives.

After eating, we left. I walked to the metro to take a ride back home. While buying a ticket, another homeless guy approached, his face showed he was desperate for food. My little knowledge of the language helped in understanding his emotion. I thought for a second and took him to the nearby store to get him some food. I asked him to wait outside until I come back, but he got inside the store. Everyone was surprised to see him inside. I picked a sandwich, some apples and a bottle of water, his face glowed in delight. He felt very happy. The cashiers gave a weird look, I could see it in their faces. To me, it meant more for this guy to be fed and his hunger be stopped. I came out, he felt very thankful and we parted ways.

Two instances within a period of hardly one hour, but a lesson which would take me more time to read from a book.

Would you be interested to ask someone if they had food or if they are hungry while meeting them, be it in professional or in a personal space? Food is a necessity, why would this question be wrong?

Or if you can cook well, would you be interested to cook for more people? To see their faces glow in happiness, with the taste that you made!

The best scene in my opinion from Ustad Hotel, one of my favorite films of all time. Please do watch it!

Same movie! 

Thoughts?

Images source: Google