Our first month and a half in Pilsen!

Our first weeks have been full of new experiences! The very first week was all about adapting: exploring Pilsen, walking around the city, discovering new places and starting to feel like home in this new environment. Every corner had something surprising, from little cafes and hidden streets, to the main square with its beautiful architecture.

We have already tried several restaurants, including some with traditional Czech food, which was such an interesting experience! The flavors and the dishes are quite different from what we are used to in Spain, so every meal felt like a little culinary adventure.

On top of that, we also had the chance to spend a whole day in Prague, and it was absolutely amazing. Walking across the Charles Brigde, exploring the Old Town and just enjoying the atmosphere of such a historic and vibrant city. We laughed a lot, took way too many photos.

We were also lucky enough to attend a Viktoria Plzen match. Since I am a member of the football team in my hometown (Sporting), it was really exciting for me to experience something that I usually do back home, but this time in a completely different place. I felt special to share that familiar passion in another city and to see how the atmosphere and traditions around the game compared to what I am used to.

In October, from the 6th to the 10th, we had our on-arrival training. It was a week full of new experiences and positive energy. We met with other volunteers from all over the Czech Republic, and it was amazing to see how many different projects and backgrounds everyone had. During those days, we took part in several activities, group games, and workshops that helped us get to know each other better and share our motivations for volunteering.

The atmosphere was really friendly and open — everyone was kind, supportive, and curious about each other’s cultures. We spent a lot of time talking, laughing, and exchanging stories about our first impressions of living in the Czech Republic. It was a great opportunity to make new friends and feel part of a bigger community of volunteers.

At the end of the week, we visited Karlovy Vary. Walking through its colorful streets and along the river felt almost magical. We loved discovering the viewpoints, tasting the mineral water, and just enjoying the peaceful vibe of the place. It was the perfect way to end the week — we both fell completely in love with the town!