Hmmmm memories are pumping out in my mind…there are so many … I remember I am in Saint Petersburg, at the airport, with my friends, huge bag, ticket (need to cheek one more time, if I have it…I am this kind of paranoiac…). I am about to leave my home, my friends, my life for 9 month… Strange feeling, really.
9 month seem a huge term, but I know for a fact, very soon I will be staying here at this airport again … on my way back.
Time flies very fast…I’ve already learned it but I also know that when I am back it will be not exactly me, will be a different person… The experience I am going to have is so- called life changing … EVS. 9 month in Portugal. Volunteering in Youth Center. I try to feel the moment, try to memorize every single detail… when dream is turning into reality… how many times I’ve been scrolling this moment in my head. Imagining how would it be. I am nervous a bit…no… if honestly I am terribly scared.. My friend glanced at me and sang the part: «Should I stay or should I go…» – probably he can see doubts in my eyes ..
Well.. My decision has already been made and there is no way back…
The journey began.
I remember first moments on arrival to Lisbon. I see palm trees (!), it is shocking a bit (now it feels so normal to be surrounded by palms). At the airport my mentor Sara met me. First second, I am about to stretch my hand for a formal handshake but she hugs and kisses me instead.
God! I even don’t know her and she rushes into my personal space
Now it feels so normal to kiss people hello you don’t even know. As I was told I will be living with another volunteer Anja, she is from Slovenia and also doing EVS at the same organization. We will have to share a room, sometimes it is hard to live with your best friends, let alone a person whom you never knew before. I remember how we met for the first time, we talk carefully… superefficient conversation. Meaningless small talk. Thanks I am good at this. Only months later we share not only house, not only room, not only experience… we share our live. Seems like we know every detail of each other. She doesn’t have to say many things I can read her facial expression and know what is going on. She also knows me and my ways so well, amazing. Probably we never could be friends in normal life, there probably was no chance even to meet; completely different personalities, different lifestyles … but for some reason we magically appeared at the same place and at the same time. We spend so much time together, talking a lot… and change each other.
- I have a feeling that I am married to you (I say to Anya the other day).
- Yes … it is true. But feels we are married for a long time…
-???
- We know each other too good and sleep in different beds…
And our assumption of the day was – now we know exactly what it is to be married for a long time. And it is not that bad !!!
I am volunteering in Rota Jovem. If you translate from Portuguese it means- route for young people, if you volunteer here it means- your second home and place where your spent a lot of time. So many different people coming here every day, local teenagers to have lunch, initiative youngsters to implement own project, passers by, who just got curious about strange building painted yellow and reminded of cheese. It is a great place to feel that something is going on… to feel that you are a part of the world. People, who work here, call Rota “Fabrica dos sonhos” (place, where you can implement own dreams), for many young people it is a base for a very strong belief that you can influence reality with your dreams, for me also. I try to do as much as I can, I share my culture, my knowledge and experience. And maybe my actions will not make the whole world completely different and better place, maybe there will be no cardinal difference, but I have a feeling that I am leaving imprint at least on somebody’s life, that I inspire some people to dream and act more; sometimes just with simple smile and little conversation, sometimes don’t see the result immediately or don’t see it at all, but I have a feeling that there is a purpose and it is a great feeling. I remember the first day I was told : “Don’t be scared of new opportunities and challenges”, this seemed such an obvious thing… Yes… but not that easy to implement. But I am learning… Learning to take risks and do new things, even if I am not sure. Learning to have a little conversation in Portuguese; mostly learning not how to speak in foreign language, but how to force myself speaking despite on fear to sound stupid. I live in Cascais. It is small coastal town. I remember how I was walking by the ocean for the first time. How magic and magnificent is it. How much power it has. Now I come here every day, no matter what the weather is. Having a cup of coffee by the ocean became a part of my daily routine. I think ocean looks best when sun sets. I remember watching a wonderful sunset and …time seemed to stop, it is so beautiful, just this moment, sound of waves… No… it’s not possible to describe. “Sunset will never be the same, there will be no day absolutely similar with this one”: says a surfing guy who is sitting next to me: “ I am here every day and believe me it is never the same”. We were talking for a while he lives here by the ocean all his life and ocean is his life… I am trying to tell him, that now in Russia it’s full of snow and it is freezing. He listens, but doesn’t understand. One rainy day is tragedy for him, and in my city 2 sunny days in a row feels strange. I am complaining that in Portugal you can’t plan just anything, plans never seem to work. Back at home I used to be a plan freak, I had my agenda fully filled for next 2 weeks. But here it ….. Planning seems to be beyond the mind set of Portuguese. “I don’t see any problem”, smiles he: “Carpe diem!”: (which means “size the day – enjoy what you have now, don’t think about future). And really what is the problem? I am learning… learning to feel the moment, learning c a r p e d I e m!!! Claudia, who works in Rota Jovem told me: “Everything is a learning opportunity and everything is for the best, but sometimes it takes time to realize it”. It took me time to understand fully what this phrase means, but I will never forget it. I remember I was feeling down, seemed like I don’t fit into society into this world, I felt angry and frustrated. … I felt out of place. In my motivation letter I wrote that I am very open minded … but then I started to question it: “Maybe i am not tolerant enough, …not flexible…” I was thinking know a lot about intercultural communication can deal with everything, I was wrong. I had a culture shock … Now I’ve learned instead of feeling frustrated question myself: “What makes me feel this way”. And realize that sometimes I am not the one who is always righ. I’ve met so many different people, different backgrounds, different nationalities, different personalities Everybody has own story to tell, own experience to share …all people I met influence me a bit ( some of them a lot). Yes… so many things had happened, most of them impossible to put into words. Some of them are so insignificant so small, if I start to describe it doesn’t make sense for others, well… sometimes it is even doesn’t make sense for myself. But anyway it is part of me now, part of my personality, part of my experience para sempre (forever). It is what I am, what I am becoming… I remember I laught , remember I cried, was absolutely happy, remember was feeling down and frustrated, remember I felt hopeless, remember felt powerful. Before coming here I wrote in my motivation letter “I want to participate in EVS because don’t want to drown in routine, live with a feeling that I waste my time, but want to feel satisfied and content in the knowledge that I am a part of something much bigger”. And I feel it… Learning to feel it, learning to live, really live… learning to live each moment and learn out of every situation.
by Alexandra Andreeva, Russian Federation
January 31, 2011 | Categories: Uncategorized | Tags: English, Federazione Russa, Portugal | Leave A Comment »
INTRODUCTION
I have always been interested in Russia and a plan to go there has always lived independently somewhere back in my mind. So, after the graduation, when I asked myself this fundamental question ”What do I want from life NOW?” there was only 1 possible answer. 3 months later I entered the office of NGO “One World Association” in Poznan. Agnieszka, my best coordinator ever, who has known me earlier, wasn’t surprised that I wanted to go to Russia. “Find a project for me”, I asked. “I have to go to Russia.” After 3 weeks I knew that I was accepted, I would live and work in Nizhny Novgorod for 9 months and take part in a project “Konkort”, working with mentally disabled youngsters. At that time I was simply happy.
MOSCOW, RUSSIA, 14TH OF FEBRUARY
The train is slowly reaching the station. I’m standing in the corridor with my suitcase (20 kg), a rucksack (15 kg) and a handbag (100 kg?). It’s hot. It’s very HOT. What’s more I have a down jacket on me, have just spent last 24 hours half asleep and I’m holding 2 tones of luggage. But I feel nothing, but an enormous excitement! My dream is actually coming true right now. Stepping out of the train onto Moscow’s station and realizing where I am makes my mojo going crazy :) Russia, the middle of the winter, plenty of snow, – 30 degrees, murky streets and gloomy people. Well, not really. The middle of the winter in Russia – yes, but nothing more. BOOM! The 1st stereotype about “the real Russian winter” melts together with the snow melting under my feet on Moscow’s streets. There is a few degrees over zero, muddy pulp on the sidewalks and I start seeing the reality in the sequence of pictures: colorful neon signs, people running back and forth, chic ladies wearing furs and high heels, Asian-looking like men squatting on the sides of pavements, packs of skinny homeless dogs, black limos with dimmed windows and sirens on the roofs, small shops one next to another with fronts covered by one million types of beers, cigarettes and bread. Going down to the metro station on the unusually steep and precipitous moving stairway I’m nervously clutching the handrail being sure that if I release it I will fall down, or rather fly down. Moscow smells differently than any other city I’ve visited before. Is that air pollution, a mix of smells of fumes, hot food sold on the streets and snow or only my feverish imagination?
NIZHNY NOVGOROD, RUSSIA, 17TH OF MARCH
The Library of Sormovo as lots of other nice places in N. Novgorod is hidden behind a big, depressing, grey, steel doors. But when you open it you find yourself in a warm, bright, clean and calm place full of quiet children and smiling, nicely rigid ladies. It’s definitely a good place to start up my project! Youngsters from Konkort are gathered in the conference room. I’m nervously trying to prepare myself mentally for the presentation about Poland I made. The group consists of young people and their parents. I don’t know anything about their illnesses except the fact that they are more or less retarded and between 18 and 33 years old. For that moment they are already a bit bored, waiting for me to entertain them. I’m starting… But at the same time a skinny, dark haired boy suddenly runs into me, hugs me and starts talking to me stammeringly and very fast. All I can understand is that he is repeating my name every 3rd word. I hug him back, immediately forget about stress and let him accompany me during the presentation. Do I have to say that after this significant, literally ice-breaking moment initiated by Vova everything goes well? After the presentation we draw a Wawel’s dragon and made Russian and Polish flags from ribbons. I hadn’t noticed when the parents left, forgot about my fears if I’d manage the group, if I’d be able to communicate with them, if they accepted me… [They accepted me although it wasn’t so natural for everyone of them as it was for Vova and it took some time. But after a few weeks I could only say that 1 of the biggest advantages of my project was the connection I got with the youngsters from Konkort. They supported me and made me feel that they really needed me. There was no better motivation to work than this.]
NIZHNY NOVGOROD, RUSSIA, 13TH OF APRIL
I’m sitting in marshrutka on my way to the office of my hosting organization – Sfera. Marshrutka is one of the most significant phenomena of Russia. It’s a kind of a small bus, very retro. So retro that often you can see strange open valves or parts of the bus that you have an impression don’t really belong to that vehicle. There are always a lot of people inside. And it’s extremely hot, especially during winter when the heaters are on. You can buy tickets from the driver or a conductor. The driver usually listens to the extremely loud music – popsa (Russian version of pop) or chanson (it’s hard to describe it… romantic, kitschy love songs for people over 40). The place where he sits is usually customized with colorful mascots, flags, posters, ribbons, badges etc. I have always liked marshrutkas. Like in most cases in Russia, you never know what would happen after getting in… After an hour of a crazy ride, after passing a bridge over melting Volga and Oka rivers we finally reach the center, where Sfera office is located. I have to book the tickets to Finland and need someone to help me. 3 months will pass soon and unfortunately I need to renew my visa (and it’s easier to get Finland than Poland to do that). Visa means barrier, visa means frontier, visa means an effort, time and money you have to waste to enter Russia. Even if you get the reimbursement for the costs, even if the visa trip is an adventure, it’s still a frontier– literally and metaphorically. I have always had the impression that cooperation between Russia and other countries, especially on the youth exchanges level could be much easier if there were no visas. Anyway, as we (young, beautiful and experienced in international volunteering/exchanges) can’t really change visa procedures, we can work on international relations by talking and communicating on a personal level. What Russia learned me is that it’s absolutely priceless to TALK to people, to ask and to listen to them. It doesn’t matter if you are talking with a student of a good university, a bus driver, an old lady met on the street, a young businessman or a rock star. The real knowledge about a country you are in comes from them. It works for both sides. Even if it’s annoying sometimes, you are always an ambassador of your country while being abroad. Many times I was ‘1st Polish girl they ever met’ not only for the Russians but for some people from the other countries as well. And willing it or not I represented my country, because I knew I’m perceived as a girl from that particular part of Europe. It wasn’t very unpleasant though if it turned out that I helped some people getting rid of negative, murky stereotypes about Poland just by being myself.
HELSINKI, FINLAND, 3RD OF MAY
I’m staying in front of the Russian embassy in Helsinki with my friends (also EVS vols). We have just learnt that they gave us visas to Russia for only 6 weeks, instead of 12. A quick call to Sfera. One million quick thoughts. Axiety. Is this adventure really going to end just because of some moody clerks from the embassy? Sitting outside a Fazer cafe, drinking coffee and nervously swallowing big pieces of a croissant I’m surrounded by bags with clothes and shoes (reaction for stress – shopping). It’s the beginning of spring. I feel cold wind and harsh sun on my face and I can’t stop thinking that instead of calm, clean, relaxing Finland I’d love to come back to Russia. Right now.
POPOVICHI, UKRAINE, 20TH OF JULY
Could there be a better place to spend a lazy, romantic holidays than the Ukrainian countryside? I don’t think so. I’m inside a village shop, drinking delicious cold квас (a non-alcoholic drink, something between coke and beer) and biting семечки (roasted sunflower seeds – the fun is to take them out of the husk using your teeth and eat afterwards). I’m the part of a team preparing international open air art festival – Fort Missia. It’s taking place on the Polish – Ukrainian border in the ruins of an old Austrian fortress from the 1st WW. The aim is to show to the world how beautiful and interesting this unknown part of Ukraine is and commemorate the 3 nations’ (Ukrainian, Polish, Austrian) heritage. I was “sent” to Ukraine because I had to leave Russia thanks to too short Russian visa from Finland. Sfera figured out that combining my vacation with a project in Ukraine is the way to deal with my unexpected “expulsion” from Russia. I have always had a good communication with my hosting organization and if I needed something they were always eager to help me. I always felt backed up by them while being in Russia.
KERZHENETS, RUSSIA, 26RD OF AUGUST
Coming back to Russia after a break was difficult. My EVS friends left and Sfera was awaiting a new shift. My Russian friends were on vacations as well as were youngsters from Konkort. I got a proposition to join them on a summer camp in Kerzhenets, what I did. My group welcomed me as an old friend which was touching. They treated me more as a sister and sometimes as a lost and little limited sheep, what is totally understandable for a foreigner being in such as big and diverse country like Russia. And I’m not being sarcastic here. In Kerzhenets, in the middle of nowhere, in a forest next to the lake, with only one village in the neighborhood inhabited by mysterious Old Believers, I realized how I missed my pupils and had time to carefully plan my last 3 months in Russia.
NIZHNY NOVGOROD, RUSSIA, 10TH OF SEPTEMBER
Someone told me that there are around 100 theatres in Nizhny Novgorod. How is that possible for the city of 1,5 million people? And how many concert halls, museums, galleries etc. does Nizhny have? I can tell you – A LOT. Dasha is my best mentor ever. She organizes valuable and interesting time for me, not mentioning hours spent over a cup of coffee talking about everything – Russian celebs, politics, the newest love affairs of the most popular oligarchs, ethnic conflicts inside some Russian republics, the new exhibition of the modern art in Moscow etc. We just left the theatre after a play “King Lear”. It was absolutely genius, overwhelming with a bunch of feelings and thoughts provoking. The actors were extraordinary, the performance modern and sophisticated and the audience full of respect and gratitude towards the artists. In Russia I could almost physically feel the esteem and admiration people have for the art – doesn’t matter if they are rich or poor, well – educated or not educated at all…
IZHEVSK, 18THOF OCTOBER
Izhevsk is the capitol of the Republic of Udmurtia and the hometown of Mikhail Kalashnikov. I’m making one of my dreams come true by following the tracks of Daniel Kalder (author of “Lost astronaut”) who travelled around the not very well known republics of European part of Russia. Visiting overwhelmingly modern museum of Kalashnikov, having fun in a shooting gallery in the undergrounds of that museum, getting to know about udmurtian culture and language (ugro – finnic) and tasting traditional food prepared by grandma of my Russian friend made me almost forget about the fact that my EVS is going to the end.
NIZHNY NOVGOROD, 31ST OF OCTOBER
I had my last day at work today; got last hugs from Konkort’s youngsters and gifts made by them. I received a few dolls called “bereginia”. As I was told as they were prepared especially for me and have something in common with the goddess of protection and safety they will always keep me out of trouble. I couldn’t speak… And I couldn’t believe that it was my last day in Nizhny Novgorod. I had my good – bye party that evening. I tried to pack during the night after but finished by throwing my clothes all around the room, almost putting my rucksack out of the window, wanting to kick someone or something. My EVS was over. My closest friends were with me being patient and supportive. I couldn’t believe that I’m leaving them, Russia, my job, the system I’ve created, places I’ve got used to, plans I’ve made…
THE END
The decision to become an EVS volunteer and to go to Russia was one of the best decisions in my life. The experience I got there is priceless. It thought me to notice not only black and white colors, as there are many shades of grey as well. I can’t say that all stereotypes I had about Russia magically disappeared, but many of them did. I got to know Russia as a foreigner in 2 aspects: as a Polish girl (by spending time only with Russians) and as an European girl (by being part of a group of international vols). EVS showed me as well how to enjoy the moment, how to catch the while. Life in Russia was very intensive. Sometimes you could only say ‘yes!’ to all your intuitive impulses and be curious where they lead you. Having that motto in my mind I spent absolutely great 9 months in Russia. I also learned something that since then has kept me from staying in one place for too long – the more you experience the less you are sure about the world and the more you want to see, touch, taste, get to know and feel…
by Barbara Woroch, Poland
December 2, 2010 | Categories: Barbara Woroch | Tags: English, Federazione Russa, Poland | 5 Comments »
02 marzo 2010_ Nizhnij Novgorod
Sarà che la città non è caotica come San Pietroburgo o peggio ancora come Mosca, sarà che nonostante la presenza di 1.000.000 di abitanti Nizhnij ha l’aria da paesotto, ma questa volta il mio ben venuto in Russia non è stato contornato da lunghe attese, gente scorbutica e coinquiline per niente loquaci, tarakany amici in giro per casa (scarafaggi) e né tanto meno gatti saltellanti qua e là sulla mia valigia. Vivo con una giovane coppia senza gatti a carico, Anton e Tania, e la babushka (la nonna)! L’adoro già! Mi ricopre di coperte perché i riscaldamenti non funzionano bene e ha paura che abbia freddo, in realtà c’è una temperatura normale all’interno e non super caldo Bahamas come d’usanza da queste parti. M’han detto che ancora per un mese e mezzo farà freddo e mi parlano dello scioglimento del fiume ghiacciato come un evento affascinante, guardare lastroni di ghiaccio che si staccano a vengono portati via dalla corrente…staremo a vedere.
4 marzo_il bibliotecario
Il protagonista della giornata di oggi è il mio nuovo mito: il bibliotecario!!! Sono andata alla biblioteca per bambini nella quale lavorerò e ci sono varie signore e un signor bibliotecario, il quale ieri non mi ha rivolto la parola, oggi invece mi sono ritrovata in una piccola stanza con i computer e anche lui era lì; sempre senza dir niente mi ha dato una foto vecchissima di lui da giovane negli Stati Uniti, io ho farfugliato qualcosa per essere gentile e t’hò! Mi porge un sacchetto pieno di foto e mi ritrovo a guardare tutto il servizio fotografico di questo viaggio negli USA , famosissimo tra le signore colleghe a quanto pare (2 settimane in tutto, ma dalla quantità di foto sembra una vita intera) e le ha commentate una per una!!! Anche quella in cui bevevano allegramente vodka “e qui rispettiamo le nostre tradizioni russe”. Ma non è tutto. Forse le foto hanno rotto il ghiaccio e ha iniziato a parlare in continuazione, velocissimo e pure sotto voce!! Quindi ho capito il 10% di ciò che mi diceva, ridevo e basta. E poi quando alla radio passava una canzone che gli piaceva, come un bimbo felice si alzava di scatto e andava ad alzare il volume e tamburellava con le dita sul pc! Alla fine mi ha detto ”Ciao sole, ciao amica mia, torna quando vuoi!”. E da quel momento ogni giorno c’è un nuovo evento. Per fortuna che ci sono le signore che mi salvano sempre dalle chiacchiere infinite del sig. bibliotecario invitandomi alla pausa tè (ce ne sono varie durante la giornata). C’è una signora in particolare che ogni due minuti mi chiede qualcosa sull’Italia: e che dolci ci sono, e i piatti meno famosi ma importanti, e altri scrittori recenti oltre Giorgio Faletti, e altri cantanti oltre Celentano (per chi non lo sapesse Celentano è un Dio qui in Russia), e a che età ci si sposa, e quanti figli in media in una famiglia…insomma m’ha preso per Super Quark speciale Italia! A volte mi sento un po’ un alieno, nel senso che incontro persone che all’aver di fronte un’italiana si sentono emozionati e onorati, poi inizio a parlare russo e quasi si commuovono “ooooh l’alieno italiano parla russo!” e mi tartassano di domande . C’è anche da dire, però, che questa città durante l’epoca sovietica era completamente isolata, fino al 1991 l’accesso agli stranieri era vietato, quindi non è proprio tutto merito mio se faccio così tanto effetto. L’unica persona che non ha avuto tutti questi effetti è stata la nonnina cara, che mi coccola e mi fa assaggiare tutte le cose che prepara lei. A proposito, come faccio a far capire alla nonna che non mangio patate e cavoli a colazione? O pane, formaggio e prosciutto? Intanto il sole splende da 2 giorni, la neve si scioglie e bisogna uscire ed entrare in fretta nel portone perché potrebbero cadere giù lastroni di ghiaccio sulla testa =S
18 marzo_la neve e i russi
È ritornato l’inverno! Domenica c’è stata una nevicata colossale e tutta la città s’è imbiancata (io ovviamente ero per strada sotto la tormenta e sono diventata un pupazzo di neve nel giro di un minuto. E comunque l’aggettivo “colossale” non è un’esagerazione, è appropriato alla situazione, ma solo dal punto di vista di una piccola ragazza del sud Italia come me, che vede una spruzzatina di neve una volta all’anno, forse). La neve (o meglio il ghiaccio) c’è sempre, ma di quella candida mai e quindi domenica ho assistito a questo spettacolo. Ho anche assistito a come sono preparati i russi: tutti hanno a portata di mano un comodo scopettino per spalare la neve dalla macchina e dall’altra estremità c’è un parte piatta che raschia (senza danni) il ghiaccio dal parabrezza…altro che le mie amiche che usano le schede dei punti dell’Agip! Lunedì invece con i bambini sono andata al lago e cammina cammina, cammina cammina, la domanda sorge spontanea “Ma…sto camminando ancora sulla riva del lago???” “Certo che no, stiamo camminando sull’acqua!” e mi sono sentita abbastanza Gesù in quel momento, ma con il naso rosso e congelato! E lì al centro del lago c’era un signore tutto imbacuccato che praticava la pesca invernale, cioè il buco nel ghiaccio per intenderci, proprio come si vede nei documentari!
13 aprile_arrival training
La neve non c’è più!!! Il sole che inizia a riscaldarsi, momenti commoventi quasi, dopo tanto freddo! In realtà io sono arrivata solo a marzo per fortuna, ma un solo mese di freddo è sembrato più lungo del nostro solito “inverno”…e sì devo metterlo tra virgolette perché ormai ho assunto i parametri russi e il nostro inverno è una primavera a tutti gli effetti. Comunque, la primavera in città è arrivata in mia assenza perché in quella settimana sono stata nel bosco e lì c’erano ancora centimetri e centimetri di neve e di ghiaccio. E quindi via con le passeggiate da una sponda all’altra del lago completamente ghiacciato con il pericolo di sprofondare nell’acqua freddiccia . In pratica in questa settimana a fine marzo c’è stato il training iniziale, una sorta di ben venuto e tante informazioni su cos’è l’EVS. C’è stato anche il giorno della cultura russa all’interno del training e quindi abbiamo passato tutta una giornata a disegnare matrioshke, a preparare insalate tipiche russe (ovviamente colme di maionese), a guardare film, a rilassarci nella sauna e anche a bere la vokda…non pensate subito “ah! i soliti sbronzoni!!!” Le coordinatrici hanno appositamente portato nel bosco la vodka: è cultura russa anche quella, no? E poi la cosa più importante del mini soggiorno nel bosco è stata la scoperta delle persone. Ho conosciuto meglio la mia futura super coinquilina Magda, ho scoperto di andare d’accordissimo con persone con le quali scambiavo a mala pena due parole (tra i quali segnalo un certo estone di nome Andre che poi è diventato anche lui mio coinquilino. Lui e Magda mi hanno regalato un sacco di bei momenti *_* è EVS anche questo…o soprattutto questo…) e con altre invece ho capito che non era il mio inglese zoppicante la causa della scarsa socializzazione, ma semplicemente non riusciamo ad andare oltre il “ciao, come stai” . E come al solito vado più d’accordo con i ragazzi che non le ragazze, sarà perché ho preferito bere birra, parlare del più e del meno, imparare a dire “salute” in varie lingue, ascoltare e cantare inni nazionali in piedi sul letto piuttosto che giocare a carte? E non sono stata io a versare la birra sul letto, uffa!
15 maggio_evs secondo me (ja ne protiv)
Le conoscenze si sono consolidate e quindi sempre più spesso ci ritroviamo ad arrostire la carne in riva al lago, alle feste di compleanno, a prenderci cura del nostro acquario (questo è un aneddoto, però devo fare una premessa: in Russia si usa mangiare dei pesci interi essiccati come accompagnamento alla birra. Aneddoto: un signore sale sull’autobus e dice “Per favore, liberate il posto per un uomo con l’acquario”; la gente seduta chiede “E dov’è mai questo acquario?” e il signore risponde “3 litri di birra e due pesciolini…non è un acquario questo???” toccandosi soddisfatto l’enorme pancia piena di birra. E così ora è nata questa espressione “prendersi cura dell’acquario”). D’altronde fa parte dell’essere volontari non rifiutare mai gli inviti ed essere sempre pronti: Ja ne protiv! (io non sono contro) è il nostro motto! Ah esser volontari!! Io lo consiglio a tutti, sul serio, ma non solo per la parte del divertimento spensierato. Credo che, più che altro, siano 6 mesi in cui puoi permetterti di rallentare il ritmo della vita e pensare un po’ sul serio a ciò che si vuol fare “da grandi”. Non so se riuscirò a rendere l’idea, ma ci proverò. Un breve riassunto della mia vita negli ultimi anni: università, esami, lezioni, esami, lezioni, esami, tesi, laurea, laurea in russo ma non so parlare russo, che si fa? Studiare a San Pietroburgo lontano da casa, e ancora lezioni, esami, ritorno a casa, buio totale, prima proposta di lavoro, accettata al volo, evviva un lavoro!! Non sono più una laureata disoccupata! orologiai, call center in russo, noia, dubbi dubbi dubbi, in ufficio dal lunedì al sabato sera con l’impressione di buttar via il mio tempo, dubbi dubbi dubbi, ah! Non era un’impressione, non un minuto libero nemmeno per tagliarmi i capelli, vita consacrata all’azienda mi si chiede, ma chi me lo chiede? Un pazzo sadico che aggiusta le rotelle negli orologi ma non nel suo cervello, trasferta in Russia, incontri di lavoro, giornate intere passate sui mezzi di trasporto, zero talento e zero voglia di convincere persone a comprare orologi a mio parere non troppo belli, e poi “devi partire in EVS fra 2 settimane!”, dubbi dubbi dubbi, decisione presa! addio agli orologiai elemosinando l’ultimo stipendio che mi spetta di diritto, tentare di spiegare agli amici il perché della pazza scelta di rinunciare ad un lavoro stipendiato per lavorare gratis…in Russia per di più dove “fa sempre freddo e gli orsi camminano per strada”! E ancora visto, biglietti, saluta tutti, dubbi e ridubbi su ciò che si lascia e soprattutto su ciò che si ritroverà al ritorno e poi…l’EVS inizia…e si tira un respirone di sollievo. Dato che il mio shock culturale tipico di chi inizia un lungo periodo in Russia l’ho avuto già l’anno scorso, questa volta per me è stata una passeggiata e ho impiegato il mio tempo a conoscere persone, a parlare con loro e quindi anche a parlare di me: chi sono? Che faccio? Perché sono qui? Una specie di auto riflessione “forzata”. La gente che incontro è estremamente varia: russi, stranieri, volontari, non volontari, bambini, anziani (la nonna!!), ragazzi con handicap. Da ognuno di loro imparo tante cose nuove ogni giorno. Non a caso si chiama “formazione non formale” questa esperienza e vale la pena di provarla.
* Io non sono contro
by Giovanna Digregorio, Italy
August 26, 2010 | Categories: Authors, Giovanna Digregorio | Tags: Federazione Russa, Italia, Italiano | 1 Comment »
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