Tercera Semana

This week was very bussy...finally.
During the weeks a man from Germany came to give supervision to Vive Žene. It was interesting as the man had a lot of things to say, however, when he was not saying anything he was folling asleep while other were talking (pritty embarrasing). The best of this supervision time was that I got the opportunity to meet all the staff and they got to know me and we all had fun together. It was great, at the end one of the ladies said, that having me there was the highlight of the week (humble ah?!)
Tuesday was very interesting too. It was the International Day for the Victims of Torture and we were in Downtown Tuzla collecting signs for new laws and informing the community (as if they wouldn't know better than me).
The other highlight of the week is that now I change from having 2 roommates to have just 1 - I kept the good one ; ) - so now there is more room for guest. Feel free to come whenever you want!

Worst bus ride EVERRRR

Sunday afternoon Michelle and I came back to Tuzla.
We came back VERY EARLY afternoon, under the hottest sun, as Michelle didnt want to miss the last one.
Buses in Bosnia dont have A/C and when they have it they dont use it. or this reason our bus was like a sauna. After 1 1/2 hours of many turns we finaly stop for a break. Ones out of the bus my dear roommate (Michelle) offered me a ice cold Sprite (probably as she was feeling a bit guilty for the torture she was making me go through). Right befor finishing it, an old tired and thirsty lady came to ask something that we couldnt understad but I guess was that she wanted some of my presious Sprite. With my hart on my hands I gave it to her, and she dumped it while she was smiling to me. SHE JUST WANTED THE BOTTLE TO FILL IT UP WITH WATERRRRR.
Anyway, the 20 minutes went by and it was time to get on the sauna again. We got in and start riding. Half an our later a lady and a kid sat behind me, and I made the mistake of thinking: What if the kid throws up on me???. Almost exactlz what happened. I was lucky that my dear roommate told me just on time and safed me of something even worst (if possible that afternoon).
Finally, after 3 long hours we got to Tuzla and I was able to take a great shawer and have a ice cold beer and pistaccios.
PS: I just want to tell all of those that are planning to come to Tuzla that this is not normal and that I am sure your ride is going to be a pleasent one.... Hope to see you soon!

Sarajevo

This weekend Michelle and I went to Sarajevo. Was really nice to see almost every first year that is in Bosnia, just Scott was missing and we miss him tons. However, we knew he was bussy making sure that his friend was going to get married and that everything was going to be unforgettable...
After crying for his absense, we went out, went to the Tunel and visit the city.
Going out was fun but the other two experiences were very intense.
The Tunel was built in completely silence to make a "safe" pass between Sarajevo and the free territory. It was 800 mts long and was built under the airport (the only place protected by the UN). Now just about 20 mts exist of that tunel but that and the rest of the museum gives me an idea of the situation of that time.

The city is bigger than what I though and a beautigul place. Never the less by itself also gives an idea of how things were for those years. A big amount of buildings are still marked and the floors in many passways are still craked by the attacks.

Summerizing it was a very interesting and fun weekend and I am already looking foreward to visit again.

The first two weeks

Now that the first two weeks are gone I understand better what I am going to be doing. In Horizonti, where I will be just for four weeks I will be doing workshops abot Doestic Violence to a group of volunteers.
For Vive Zene, where I ewill be for the 8 weeks I will be doing therapy with the children, participating in the intakes for new clients and working in refugee camps. Yes, after 12 yeras there are still people in refugee camps.
Today is my first day going to the camp, I will let you know how it goes.
I will be in Sarajevo for the weekend.
See you

First Week

Things on this first week went slow. Will se what happens on the next one. For now I am working with two organizations that work primerelly with women. Not my main interest or strength, will see.
I need to write later as my internet is dying
See you tomorrow

Be culturally competent...

If a Bosnian offers you pizza, put ketchup on it!!!

I promise this is the longest mail I will be writing....

I left Denver on June 2nd and went to New York, there I met my cousin, Valeria (Ronit) with whom I had a blast. We went to some parties, salsa dancing and visiting every subway possible. After that I left to France with my classmate Renee. It was a great flight and we met fun people which made our journey lighter, drank Cuantrau, watch a black and white movie, and joke for hours. On our stop in Spain, Renee and I were separated and my backpack left with her to CDG (All a misunderstanding mostly from the check in lady). After we finally met again 5 hour later we went to meet with her sister.

After some days of sight seeing in France where I also get to meet with a very dear friend I start the journey by myself to Bosnia. I flew on two planes one smaller than the other and finally got to Sarajevo, there I finally met with two class-mates (Liz and Michelle). It was sooooo good to see them. Being in a country so different with different money, language, culture and not knowing where I was going was a little scary.

The next day we came to Tuzla, the place where I will be staying for the next 2 month. This town is nice, people are really friendly and solidarity.
My 2 internships are starting to move, really slow. Will see what happen next week.

See you later...