One Month On ...

I have been in Mostar a month, where did the time go? It feels like just yesterday I was walking to Llanishen High School with old friends, but now I'm walking to Mostar Gymnasium with new friends. Every night I said good night to my mum or dad, now I say good night to my room mates. In some strange way, I think I'm growing up.

School is hard, I'm getting used to the International Baccalaureate (IB) and the work load. School doesn't seem to end it just merges with my day, the only difference being if I have a teacher or not. Sleep is something everyone needs more of but won't give up anything to get it. The decision between school work, socialising and sleep isn't a hard one.

This week has been a pretty regular one. I had a really nice lazy weekend! Just relaxing with friends and watching films. There have been several monsoons so instantly feel like I'm back in Wales! Then on Sunday we played an epic game of rugby! Due to all the rain and lack of drainage the pitch was a swimming pool, I'm sure you can guess the rest. Crazy teenagers + Rugby + Muddy Field = A LOT OF FUN!!!
Although after 3 washes my top has still not regained it's original colour!!

Mud...


Mud


and More Mud!


One minute you can see the mountains...


The next thing there gone!!

Adventures, Experiences and Organisation

This week has been another busy week! On Sunday I went rafting! It was amazing. A small group of us travelled for about 2 hours to a small little village where we were greeted by the organiser who told us stories about his village and the history of the river. We got on the boats in the afternoon. We spent around 3 hours in the boats, travelling down the beautiful river through gorges and mountains. The weather added to the experience, there was a storm. Crashes of thunder and flashes of lighting were surrounding us. We were so wet! Most of the journey was quite calm apart from races with the other boats. But we did have some "adrenaline spots" where we travelled down rapids which were awesome and so much fun! When we had got back, got dry and warm we had a very tasty feast laid out by the family who had organised the trip. A very good day, a lot of fun and full of adventure.

Another event of the week was Plan Blind! Organised by Dani and Hillary we had a blind awareness day. Some of us tried to be blind for the day, for lunch or just for a few hours. What a challenge!!! It is so strange not being able to see and you really have to rely and trust a lot of people. It's a difficult thing to do and I have a much greater admiration for anyone suffering with a visual impairment! A really good experience and has given me a slightly better understanding of what some people have every day!

I have also been trying to organise project week. Project week is a compulsory part of UWC, students have to initiate a project that has a beneficial outcome. A small group of us want to go a small island off the coast of Croatia to volunteer in an ecology centre. It works to protect the endangered Eurasian Griffin and working to educate others. We will also be helping local inhabitants of the island and helping to maintain a clean environment. The only problem is we need to find some sponsors! We really need some money to make this project happen or we will have to do something less meaningful. So if you know anyone or can help yourself please contact me (jessica.chapman@uwcim.net)

Bajram Break

This week we had a long weekend for Bajram break. So it was time to explore the Balkans. I went to Split and Dubrovnik on the Dalmatian coast in Croatia. We caught a night bus on Wednesday arriving early morning on Thursday in Split. A short walk took us into the centre of the old town. It is a very beautiful city filled with many alleys. It is a labyrinth of streets so we often got lost. the architecture of a lot of buildings there is gorgeous. We explored the town and sat by the sea. Breath taking! We then hiked up a "mountain" which had so many stairs! From the top we could see the entire city. We headed down to the beach and swam in the cool water. I have never seen water so clean or been in water more inviting. We found a hostel to stay for the night and after a shower we went to see a bit of the night life. We didn't stay long but the atmosphere on the promenade was relaxing and intriguing. The next day after another walk around the old town we caught a bus to Dubrovnik. The bus station in Dubrovnik is quit a long walk from the station so we had a nice walk through the residential part of Dubrovnik. Dubrovnik has a lot of stairs! I never want to see a stair case again. But we managed to find our way to the old town. It was very busy. We explored the area and it is just as beautiful as Split. Sitting by the harbour was so relaxing. We then went on a hunt for a hostel which was difficult as most places were full but in the end we found somewhere. Another shower and we went out to see the night life in Dubrovnik. It was very quiet and really aimed at tourists so we quickly decided to get a good nights sleep. The following day we went to the beach. Wow. The water was so blue and clean. It was really beautiful and relaxing. Then we made the long walk back to the bus station where we bumped into some of our co-years. After a long bus ride we arrived back in Mostar. In conclusion a very good trip!

Split Coast

Dubrovnik Outside Old Town

Split Bell Tower

Just a few stairs that have to be conquered!

So Lessons Begin ...

Well this has been my first week of lessons. It is defiantly different from schools back in Britain. In German class the teacher only speaks in German and English classes are very different. I am enjoying my subjects at the moment and lessons are starting to get into swing properly now. I was also surprised by the need for a laptop in the school. Lots of text books are digital and homework and updates are sent by email.

I have also visited the old Bank this week. It's the ruin of a pretty substantial bank. It has the most powerful and overwhelming atmosphere inside it. In Mostar there are ruins on every street and bullet holes in most walls but the old Bank is different. I see it every day from school but only now have been inside. All that's left is the concrete structure. Glass and paper documents litter the floor, the remnants of cubicles stand weakly. You can go all the way to the top and stand on the roof, which gives the best view of Mostar and simply beautiful.

Another event of the week was the Gender Confusion Party where guys wear dresses and make-up and girls wear baggy pants and fake moustaches. It really was a lot of fun and we have proved to the locals that we are mad. But it was a really good laugh and everyone had a a good time.

On Sunday there was the first rugby match of the year. Musala against Susac. It was a great game with lots of people taking part and getting very enthusiastic. There was even an "ambulance" (a bike with a guy shouting neenorneenor) for those that got injured. Musala won in the end :D A few of went to the river afterwards to cool off in the cold waters.

An interesting and diverse week yet again :)

Rugby


The River


Gender Confusion