I am very sad because this will be my last blog. This month marks the end of my life as an ESC volunteer at INEX, but I still have some wonderful things to share with you.
On Tuesday, December 2nd, some volunteers joined us to participate in an event called Giving Tuesday. Our task was to decorate and pack bags with Christmas decorations and drawings. These were intended as gifts for the clients of the INTEGRA Social Center. A few days later, we visited the center to celebrate the arrival of Saint Mikuláš. In Slovakia, this event is very important. Saint Mikuláš is a figure similar to Santa Claus, but with some differences: for example, he is accompanied by an angel and a devil.
On December 5th, we went to the center, where I met two young men dressed as the angel and the devil, along with another man playing the role of Saint Mikuláš. It was a touching experience, and I was relieved to see that none of the clients were scared of the devil. Barbi had once told me that, in the past, some clients had been frightened by this character.
After a small competition to decide which Christmas tree was the best, the staff distributed the gift packages, which contained some surprises. At the end of the event, we spent time together dancing and enjoying the morning as a group.
One of the best parts of this month, while we were still in Slovakia, was looking out of the window and being surprised to see so much snow covering the streets. Unfortunately, it didn’t last long, and the next day it was already gone.
On December 6th, we participated in a one-day volunteering activity at Einsteinova 21, where the Sheil company is located. We spent a few hours engaging in activities with children and watched a small theater show about Saint Mikuláš, the angel, and the devil. We decorated jars, made candles, prepared personalized greeting cards, and did so many other activities!
On the 11th, we went back to the INTEGRA center to watch a music and theater performance by an elementary school class. The children were amazing!
During our last days in the office, we celebrated our year as ESC volunteers with some pizzas and also received a sock full of candies and a sweatshirt with the INEX slogan “Time to Volunteer.”
At home, we started packing our things. I also met up with Anaïs and some of our friends to make the most of our final days in Bratislava. I even tried a Georgian restaurant—it was so good! After 11 months, I finally went up to the UFO Tower to see the view. It was incredible.
On the 12th, I left, but this is not a goodbye forever. Of course, I will meet my friends and the INEX team again, but I still felt emotional because a year (and a chapter of my life) had ended. However, I will carry the memories of this experience with me forever.
On Sunday 15th, I visited Varenna, a beautiful and affordable place not far from Milan (there is a train connecting the two cities) with two university friends. It was nice spending time with them in such a calm and beautiful location. I highly recommend visiting!
In the evening, I attended a concert. One unique thing about it was that phones were not permitted. At the entrance, they gave us an envelope to lock away our phones. This was the artist’s decision because he was tired of seeing people recording videos and taking pictures instead of enjoying the music. It was such a great experience because everyone was fully present, enjoying the moment without distractions. Of course, I don’t have any pictures to share from the concert.
On the morning of the 18th, I had an appointment with my eye doctor, and I couldn’t wear my contact lenses for two days, as I always do when I have to have my eyes checked. Afterward, I met a friend in the city center and had a nice time with her. Milan during this time of year is magical!
This is the end of my blog and of my time as a volunteer. Thank you all for reading. I hope that someone out there decides to become an ESC volunteer thanks even to our blogs.
Happy Christmas and Happy New Year!
Leo
