In anticipation of our planned and extremely welcome trips to france i looked into my old photo albums and I remembered my amazing adventures in France during participation in volunteer projects. All over the world there are volunteer organizations that invite young people from different countries in the summer. Volunteer work is free, but housing, food and interesting leisure activities are provided instead (Life and leisure volunteer units). All you need is to choose volunteer program abroad, get a visa yourself and find a way to reach the specified place at a specified time (Volunteer projects – what it is, countries and work).
Work as a volunteer. Far from home.
I will not describe all two trips to work as a volunteer, places not enough to tell everything in order. Just sharing with you. their most vivid memories. I apologize in advance for the terrible quality of photos – while, unfortunately, somehow not thought about the importance of this.
Going on your first volunteer program trip for the border, I scored various warm clothes and souvenirs, and somehow I forgot to estimate the weight of the backpack. The airport helped me carry it brother, but upon arrival, I could not wear a backpack with my height and everywhere, like an ant, dragged him with fiber. Can you imagine this picture!
I got on the plane, out of fear, I decided that I would not talk to anyone I will. But fate decreed otherwise, putting me in the neighbors charming Frenchman, not a word not speaking neither in Russian nor in English. I had to literally save him from an annoying stewardess who insistently asked him to choose between chicken or fish. After my feat, the language barrier collapsed and I started talking, realizing that it was not so bad, and, lo and behold, me understand, and I understand in response!
Until the meeting place with the rest of the volunteers I traveled with several stops, each with its own Adventure. In Toulouse, one cute Arab teenager, taking me for of the same age, I decided to spank in front of me and offered me free feed in one cool place. And I, a naive girl, having understood everything half of what he said decided to go with him. It turned out that he brought me to, so to speak, the charity canteen for homeless and unemployed. But I understood it not immediately, after all them “cream of society” look and smell very differently from ours.
Even this young boyfriend persistently told me something, sorry, about toilet I have this word associated with the same with what you have. No, I could not understand why he tells me about the toilet. Saved dictionary that prompted that in French the word sortir has quite other meanings – go out, take out and go on a date. Good, that I had a train that evening that provided respectful reason to refuse.
Amazed the responsiveness of the French and how they react to the map in the hands of a tourist walking through the city – like a bull on a red rag! Immediately jump up with the question of whether you need help, prompt whether where to go. Trifle, but so nice!
One of the funniest moments happened when Our volunteer squad has gathered. When I arrived at the venue, out of habit, she was called Dasha, without even realizing that she had made additionally to the list just arrived Dasha, our curator volunteer work was still waiting for some kind of Daria. Waited for minutes 20 probably. Good that my curiosity made me, Finally, find out what we are waiting for me, just under the name Daria. So, not even being late in fact, I still made all waiting for me. Since then, all foreigners introduce myself Darya.
Work as a volunteer. Our volunteer squad.
Work as a volunteer – restoration and construction.
Volunteer work – cleaning and restoration.
Volunteer work – trail restoration in a local forest.
The first work as a volunteer was very successful in terms of housing, we settled in a private house, which the municipality bought from the former the owner. They wanted to demolish the house, but then decided to place it there. volunteer group. So we lived for 2-3 people in a room with own toilet and shower! Heavenly life! In contrast with this, the time of my second job as a volunteer in a year, we were settled by all in one big tent for 15 people, which in case of heavy rain was starting to leak. But still there and there it was great.
Common house in which we lived in the first year.
Shared tent in which we lived in the second year.
Volunteer camp – life.
Volunteer camp – unity in work.
Every day, a volunteer squad appoints two people on duty from different countries that cook lunch and dinner at all. Me once I was lucky and I was on duty in a pair with a cute Korean girl who barely spoke French without understanding a word in French, or in English in response. One person to cook on a horde of volunteers in 18 people is unrealistic, so all accounted for work together equally. But can you imagine what it was like agree which dish we will cook and explain how it is necessary to cut carrots, onions, etc. This theater pantomime, accompanied by laughter and the words “no no no no!”
Duty at the volunteer camp. Cooking dinner.
Volunteer camp. Dinner on the street is a pleasant tradition.
Rest of volunteers after work.
Rest of the volunteer after work.
Volunteer detachment, the meeting of the two camps.
My first job as a volunteer gave me an acquaintance with amazing a man who later became my very close friend revealed to me the real France. His name is Fred. I have him too related one funny case. As you all know, all foreigners they think that Russia is a wild country, and bears walk in our streets. One day, Fred and I went to the mall and he, picking up the gel for the soul, I began to diligently explain to me what it is, as for What is the use of this substance. No matter how I tried it convince that such benefits of civilization, like shower gel, are already before us Reached long ago, and I know what it is, he thought that I was not I understand, and then diligently explained, and then I even wanted it Buy as an outlandish gift.
Leisure volunteers – dancing at the folk festival.
Leisure volunteers – preparing for the descent from the mountain.
Leisure volunteers – the end of the holiday together with local residents.
Leisure volunteers – a trip to the theater festival in the city Marcoles.
So much more just want to talk about life in a volunteer camp, and how we communicated with each other, recognizing features mentality of people from other countries, and how they spent their leisure time visiting music festivals, went on interesting excursions, climbed, rafting on the rivers, went to visit the locals, participated in competitions for their national game Petank. Volunteer work allowed me to try so much and learn so much that You can write about it forever. This is such an invaluable life experience and such an unforgettable adventure!
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