3. December 2024

NOVEMBER LEO BLOG ARTICLE: Off to Mexico! :)

Hello everyone!

As I mentioned in the last part of my previous blog, this month was quite an adventure for me. I spent almost two weeks away from the office, traveling to Mexico with my mum and one of her friends. It was an unforgettable experience, full of exploration, relaxation, and precious moments.

Preparing Before Leaving

Before leaving for Mexico, I dedicated some time to my responsibilities as an ESC volunteer. I recorded and edited a video at the INEX office where I shared a bit about myself and my experience as a volunteer in Slovakia. It was a project I really enjoyed working on because it gave me a chance to reflect on my journey so far. I also prepared a thumbnail for the video, wrote a description for social media posts, and even created a reel. If you’re curious to learn more about me, you can check out the full video on YouTube!

In addition to the video project, I focused on finishing my Youthpass and completing my ESC Outcome for an important event on Saturday, the 23rd of November. At this event, I’ll have the opportunity to speak about my long-term volunteering experience in Slovakia, which I’m both excited and nervous about.

Before to leave Bratislava

On the 8th of November, it was time to leave Bratislava. But just before my departure, I had a lovely meetup with Anais and other ESC volunteers we had met this year. While we were waiting some friends, we unexpectedly met her mentor, Katka. It was such a nice surprise! We started chatting with her, and shortly after, Gelya and a few more friends joined us.

Unfortunately, I couldn’t stay too long because I had a flight to catch, but those moments with old friends felt really special. When it was time to head to the airport, Anais kindly helped me book a taxi, and I said my goodbyes.

Back in Italy

The following day, back in Italy, on Saturday, I met up with some friends. My first appointment was for lunch with a close friend of mine and one of her friends. We went to a Hawaiian restaurant, which was a new and fun experience for me. The food was delicious, and we had a great time catching up. After lunch, my friend had to go to work, but she invited me to wait at her hotel while I waited for other friends to arrive.

When they finally joined us, we stayed at the hotel for a while, chatting and taking pictures before heading out to enjoy the afternoon together. My friend, who works at the hotel, even took a photo of us—it’s a lovely memory!

Later for dinner, when it was time to head home, I took the train and met another friend for dinner at a Chinese-Japanese restaurant in my town. We ended up spending hours there, talking and enjoying each other’s company until late at night.

On Sunday, I met two other friends of mine—the same ones who had visited me in Slovakia in September. We went out for pizza and spent the afternoon together, reminiscing about old times and making new memories.

Off to Mexico!

On the 11th of November, it was time for the big trip. I left Italy for Mexico, and it was an adventure right from the start! The journey was long: my first flight was from Milan to Frankfurt, and from there, I caught a connecting flight to Cancun. I was so excited because this was my second trip outside of Europe, and I couldn’t wait to see what Mexico had to offer.

When we arrived, we were all exhausted from the long trip, but luckily, we were able to rest since it was already late at night.

Exploring Mexico’s History

The first part of our holiday was focused on exploring Mexico’s rich history and cultural heritage. I was traveling with my mum and her friend, who used to be my babysitter when I was little. Along with two other people, we had a private driver who took us to some incredible places.

We visited the archaeological zones of Coba and Ek Balam, where we marveled at ancient ruins surrounded by lush greenery. We explored the city of Merida, which impressed me with its colonial charm and vibrant atmosphere. One of the highlights was visiting a traditional factory where we learned how Mexican artisans make ropes— it was a fascinating process.

Of course, a major highlight was Chichen Itza, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Seeing this iconic site in person was surreal.

During some of our excursions, we had the opportunity to swim in some cenotes. For those who don’t know, a cenote is a natural pit or sinkhole formed when limestone bedrock collapses, exposing the groundwater below. Swimming in these crystal-clear pools was an otherworldly experience, and it’s something I’ll never forget.

We also learned about the ancient ballgame played by the Mayans. This fascinating sport involved hitting a ball using only the hips and thighs, and it was deeply connected to their religious and cultural beliefs. Each game ended with a human sacrifice, though historians are still debating whether the winner or loser was chosen for this honor.

Relaxation at the Resort

The second part of our holiday was all about relaxation. We stayed at a beautiful resort where we could enjoy some downtime. Unfortunately, the weather wasn’t always on our side, so we couldn’t go to the beach every day. However, we explored also other attractions.

One day, we visited Xcaret, a unique place that combines an amusement park with a wildlife park. There, we saw incredible animals. At the end of the day, we watched a spectacular two-hour show about Mexican culture. This performance was absolutely breathtaking, and it’s easily one of my favorite memories from the trip.

When the weather was good, we spent time at the beach. It was such a peaceful experience, and I felt a little sad when it was time to leave.

Looking Back

This trip to Mexico was a mix of adventure, discovery, and relaxation. Every moment was meaningful.

Chichen Itza

Our resort

This is a Cenote

 

Xcaret

Zázitkovica by INEX

On the 4th Saturday of November, we had the chance to attend Zázitkovica, an event organized by INEX.

The morning began with a simple yet engaging name game and an icebreaker. Although it was still early, these games helped us wake up, and connect with each other. Afterward, we moved on to two team-building activities that were not only fun but also emphasized the importance of working together and trusting each other.

As the morning progressed, there was a presentation about INEX. This was particularly useful for those participants who were unfamiliar with the organization and its mission. Following this, Katka, Anaïs’s mentor, led a workshop on goal setting.

This workshop, along with all the others, was incredibly eye-opening!

Katka introduced us to a method called PERMA, which is designed to help people find balance and fulfillment in their daily lives.  She also reminded us to be kind and patient with ourselves. She encouraged us to set small, realistic objectives at the beginning, create checklists to track our progress, and, most importantly, celebrate every success along the way. It was a powerful reminder to take life one step at a time and not let pressure overwhelm us.

After her workshop, we enjoyed a delicious lunch (yum!). Sharing a meal together felt comforting and gave us the energy we needed for the rest of the day. After a short energizer to get us moving again, it was time for us ESC volunteers to share our experience. Each of us had to present our year here in Slovakia in just a few minutes. Although it was challenging to summarize such an intense and transformative experience in such a short time, it was heartwarming to retrace what we did in our project this year. We had the opportunity to do a lot of different experiences!

The afternoon brought two more workshops. The first one, led by Zuzka and Romi, was about the concept of learning and unlearning.

The second workshop, hosted by Zuzka and Peto, was focused on traveling with passion. They began by asking us to write down our fears about traveling on sticky notes. It was surprising to see how many of us shared similar anxieties. They then gave us practical advice on how to travel safely and mindfully.

During the evening, we went outside for a game of bowling. It was a wonderful way to relax and have fun after such an engaging day. We divided into two lines, and I was thrilled to finish second in my group! Bowling holds a special place in my heart because it reminds me of my childhood. When I was younger, I used to play bowling frequently with my dad. It was our special bonding time, and we would play two or three matches every month just to spend time together.

After it, we all went to a place in the city center for dinner. Afterward, Anaïs and I decided to head home together, as we were both quite tired.

Now, as our projects near their end, I can’t help but feel a mix of emotions. It’s hard to believe how quickly time has flown by. Do you feel the same? The realization that my next blog will be my last, and I’m already starting to feel nostalgic about this incredible journey.

 

Thank you for the support