Not everything during the volunteering must be work, right? I really, but really enjoy the village parties. It has such an amazing vibe, that I just love it. I know, for a foreigner it is a bit more fun, but still. It is amazing all the people together just celebrating life. 

I was super excited about the Saint Mary, because it is the saint of Jarenina and I was expecting a bit of a celebration. Silly me! It was a small very chill gathering, nothing to see with my hopes. I was almost accepting an August without a village party..but then it came. The TRACTOR RACE. My hopes went back to life and I was looking forward towards this event. Did not know what to expect and very excited. So, Saturday came and we went with the volunteering team to see the show.

But fine, so it does not seem that August was only this day.. August is one of the most abundant month for me. The summer crops are on fire and very crazy. The heat is still there but the night is letting you know that the Christmas is coming step by step. I love Augusts. The intense energy of the nature, all the gifts and the craziness is somehow stressful and fulfilling at the same time. 

Oh potato, sweet potato! Aren't you just amazing? But..how do you even grow? 

So, first let's prepare the ridges very rich in compost on the base on the winter bed of the sheeps. Some shovels, muscles, a tractor and a few litres of sweat. Aaaand after one morning, here we go!

The next step is to cover the ridges to maintain the warmth that the sweat potato needs and as well to complicate the weeds to grow there.
​And welcome sweat potatoes!

After almost two months we can appreciate the beautiful flowers!

And after the flowers?

​To be continued... 

To close this month, I wanted to share some pictures of these perfect babies growing in the orchad: 

But volunteering at an organic farm where no chemicals are allowed means encountering some weird stuff too 👀👽 Growing fruits and vegetables becomes quite hilarious XD

​We started the month with our mid-term training, an incredible adventure, walking with our backpacks to the coast for a week. I was very happy to be surrounded by other volunteers again and to meet our trainers, wonderful people.

​During this precious time walking through the forests on the way to the sea I had some deep and raw personal reflections about the path taken in the last months.

I did a lot of personal work to clarify my feelings during the next two weeks, I tried to stay focused on appreciating the little moments in the apple orchard with our friends the butterflies

I don't like goodbyes, then, see you again soon. I love you very much❤️‍🩹

​
Love, Cristina.

In the beginning of the month I went to the on-arrival training near Kranjska Gora, in the beautiful Alps. What a impressive views! 

It was very nice to meet people from other projects all around Slovenia, to get to know what is going' on and share with others. I met another farm volunteers, people who volunteer in cultural and social associations and it was great to listen to their experience as well.

Since I was already in the Alps, I enjoyed 3 days of the beauty all around. I did not do very big hikes, to be honest, I did it vacation way! I met a lady who asked me if I am doing the Via Aplina which in total has more than 5000kms and is finishing in Slovenia. How long can it take to walk 5000km is the Alps? On the official web it is said that 342. Almost a year walking in the mountains. That sounds..fun. 

Should I try it and walk for a year? Would I get to another state of mind and reality? Would I meet lot of people on the way and get to know their stories? Would I sleep in a tent for a year? Oh, lot of questions appeared during my one hour hike. Well, I think I will stay with my mini-hikes which finish with a precious cold draft beer.

 It's me again! 
Okay, so two days ago we came back from this intense mid-training and... the day after, Julia and I decided to go to Velenje Lake! (Unfortunately, Cricri = 😴) 
There, we met with one of our neighbours from Gaube who invited us to the lake to enjoy and do some activities! Velenje Lake is just beautiful! 😍 I totally recommend going there! Sure, there are a lot of people but it's big enough that you can easily find a place away from the *children's* noise (or/and the swans if you're lucky). 🍃

Now I understand why my friends have been pushing me to try diving back home in Corsica 🙃. Next time, maybe, we can go together! 🩵​

Se vidimo :) 

Finally!🎉​

And last but not least, a +15km hike to reach the sea side! A perfect way to close this week... With a beautiful sunset 🌅 

What I’m going to remember from this week:
- I really love hiking 😋
- I dislike gravel beaches (seriously, who enjoys penguin-walking on them?)
- Multi-day hikes with a lot of people can be challenging, but the moments and memories are definitely worth it
- I love you guys, thanks for everything! 🩵 A big thank you to the coordinators : Venja, Jaka and Staša!
- And, after a hike, italian pizze are the best! Note: Aurélie, do not forget your own advice - and pizza with burrata pè piacè! 

And, to finish, my favourite pictures of the week:                                                       🩵 LOVE YOU GUYS 🩵

Se vidimo everyone! Another watery post is coming soon :3

June was a strange month for me, I was a bit more stressed and busy for the University exams. One week before the exams I was informed of some problems with my University and I didn't have too much time for adventures, however, always I tried to enjoy the time.

 Finally, my time in Spain was a academic disaster :(
​I was a little sad and frustrated but returning to Slovenia, without any additional responsibility, gave me motivation and strength.

When I got back, the French volunteers had to leave. We had a farewell party, cooking hot dogs on the fire and sugar clouds (enough for being happy again :D )

On a poorly chosen day (it was cloudy and raining a bit) we took a dip in Green Lake where ​we had a good time rolling down the hill.

Some pictures I took during the match, I'll let you enjoy :) 

Once again, I close another chapter of my stay here... June is already over, berries too... What will I become??... *dramatic sigh*

See ya soon for new things in July! It's festivals time and other stuffs, let's enjoy this summer !! 🔥