Juli's and Livia's May Recap

Hello everyone!

Here I share with you my May blog, a month full of unforgettable experiences during my volunteering at TOTEM. From relaxing moments to cultural discoveries, every day has been an opportunity to learn and enjoy. We started the month with a picnic by a lake near our house. The weather was perfect, and we spent the afternoon playing cards and sharing laughter. It was a wonderful way to connect with nature and recharge. And it was also nice to know that we are entering spring and the sun is out.

As for the celebration of Pilsen’s release, in the afternoon I attended an English conversation with Tyler, where we practiced the language in a fun and enjoyable way. Afterwards, I joined my Spanish friends for a walk through the center of Pilsen, where events commemorating the liberation of the city were being held. We enjoyed the festive atmosphere and had a drink together.

On May 3, together with Juli, we visited the Patton Memorial Museum, which offers a detailed look at the liberation of Pilsen by U.S. forces during World War II. Afterwards, we watched a parade of historic cars and ended the day with coffee on a nearby terrace. And the next day, we witnessed an impressive military parade with all the tanks and cars in the center of Pilsen. Later, I met my Spanish friends for lunch and spent the afternoon together, sharing experiences and strengthening our bonds.

Then, on May 8 which was a national holiday we took a trip to Karlštejn castle and through a route we explored the quarries of Velká Amerika, Malá Amerika and Mexico. These former limestone quarries, now flooded, offer breathtaking scenery and are known as the “Czech Grand Canyon”. Also that same week on Saturday we took another trip to Kutná Hora, a historic town famous for its Gothic architecture and mining past. Highlights include the Church of St. Barbara, a jewel of European Gothic, and the Sedlec Ossuary, a chapel decorated with human bones.

Following this, I experienced for the first time a Thai oil massage. It was a relaxing experience that helped me to release tension and take care of my physical and mental well-being. I enjoyed it very much and would definitely come back again.

Afterwards, I spent the weekend in Prague with another German volunteers who work as a volunteer there. Once in the capital, I visited the Museum of Communism, which offers an insight into life in the Czech Republic during the communist era. We had dinner at a Korean restaurant and the next day had breakfast at a lovely café before shopping at the Smíchov shopping center, where I bought sandals, shorts and a lip gloss. In the afternoon, we met up with our large group at another cozy coffee shop for coffee and cake and a catch-up.

Not only that but also, one of the most beautiful events took place on one of the Fridays of the month: the Jarmark, a party organized by TOTEM for the whole neighborhood, although it was also open to the general public. It was held outside the building, taking advantage of the good weather, and from early in the morning families, children, volunteers and neighbors curious to see what was on offer began to arrive. The atmosphere was very cheerful and welcoming. There were different food stands where you could taste homemade cakes, coffee and sweets made by the center’s own participants. In addition, throughout the day there was live music, performances by local groups and even small artistic workshops. I actually got to dance swing and Italian mambo with my dance group ADETO. The songs filled the air with a very positive energy that invited you to stay.

I was collaborating in the language booth, one of the most interactive spaces of the Jarmark. It was mainly focused on children, and our activity consisted of helping them create decorative masks with cardboard, paints and other materials. It was great fun to see how each child used their creativity in a different way. During the whole activity, we were communicating mixing English and Czech, which was a challenge but also a very enriching experience for them and for me.

Although it was a very long and physically exhausting day, because we were on our feet, preparing materials and talking non-stop, I had a great time. I really enjoyed helping, sharing and seeing how people approached our stand with curiosity and desire to participate. It was definitely a very special day, full of community, culture and solidarity. I would love to be able to repeat this experience in the future. The Jarmark was not only a party, it was a true reflection of the spirit of TOTEM and how small actions can create memorable moments for everyone. Also, this same weekend a friend of ours who is a volunteer in Prague came to visit us and saw us dancing swing and Italian mambo at the Beseda in the morning, then we had lunch together and in the evening, we attended the last Viktoria Pilsen football match of the season, enjoying the sporting atmosphere and the company of friends. The next day, we visited the Brummel House in Pilsen, a masterpiece of architect Adolf Loos. The interior of the house is an outstanding example of functionalist design and offers a unique insight into modern architecture.

At the end of the month, on May 27th we had the Language Café, an event where people  meet to practice languages in an informal and friendly atmosphere. There are usually tables to practice Spanish, German and English and it is a great way to improve language skills and meet new people.

I ended the month with a trip to Barcelona, where I was able to enjoy the Mediterranean climate, modernist architecture and delicious Catalan cuisine. It was a revitalizing getaway that filled me with energy to continue my activities at TOTEM.

Finally, it is worth mentioning that as every month throughout my volunteer experience I have always continued to enjoy the delicious food, work in the office and spend a lot of time writing the Youthpass. In summary, May has been a month full of learning, discoveries and shared moments that enrich my volunteer experience. I am very happy and grateful for all that I am and all that I have in life, and I am excited for what June will bring!