2 Months

It's really amazing to think that I have been in Mostar for 2 months. It feels like I know the place so well, but it also feels like I only left home last week. It's not a holiday any more! You keep so busy with work, travel and every other thing under the sun that you don't really have time to think about time. I wouldn't trade this experience for the world, it is to incredible. I have learnt more here in 2 months than I would have any where else. I have met some brilliant people and befriended the best of them. My life has changed so much in just 2 short months. 2 months in comparison is nothing, could be classed as insignificant but not these 2 months. I think I am rambling on and on in my own contemplative thoughts so I will go and do some more work.

Project Week ...

So I have had a couple of projects in the last week.

First, was "project", a young kitten. So the story is that a few students found a very young kitten when walking to the rugby field, they decided to bring it back to the residence. The kitten, known as "project", was harboured in a suitcase. But the main problem was that the kitten had an eye infection. I seemed to have the most experience so became residence vet. Over the couple of days I was around there was a big improvement in the kittens condition but then I had to leave for project week. I came back to find out that whilst I was away that the kitten escaped from the suitcase and is found by the house mum who throws it out. So hopefully someone else has found "project" and is taking care of him.

Me and "Project"

Project



And the second project was a project week in Srebrenica. On Monday Detmer, Becky, Samia and Me, as well as our supervisor Laila set off for Srebrenica. After 9 hours on a bus we reached the town. It was not what we expected at all! We spent the day relaxing and eating and seeing a little bit of down town. Our hosts were some lovely old ladies who spoke no English so communication was ... interesting but we learnt some more words! Super, dobro, da da da, ne ne ne, chai, hvala, molim were particularly useful!We spent Tuesday we met a youth worker and then we spoke to a teacher of a university faculty. It was amazing to see the views of people today about something that happened only 15 years ago!

The next day we went to the memorial centre. It was shocking, truly horrible. You could see rows and rows of names on a marble wall that went on and on. There were rows and rows of white pillars marking graves of those found. Our guide had lost his twin brother and father, it made everything so personal. He told us his story and the general story of the war. We saw a photo gallery and visited the Dutch base. Inside the armament factory was 2 black boxes. One contained personal items and stories of victims and the other a documentary. It was difficult to watch with dry eyes!! The rest of the day we remained catatonic! It was too hard to just continue with a normal day.

On Thursday we went to the municipality and spoke to the head of education. After speaking to several authorities we noticed a trend developing, the government needs to change! We then had a 10 hour bus trip back to Mostar today!

Even though some parts of the trip was hard but it was truly important to make us realise a lot about some things in this country and about the events at Srebrenica! But we also had a lot of fun and we got a lot closer as friends! It was a great, beneficial and worth while project!


The Graves

Making the Most of it ...

A piece of advice I was given before I came here was to embrace the opportunity and make every second count. I really think I am trying to achieve this.

This week has been pretty hectic. I have had school during the week apart from Friday when I went on a physics field trip to a power plant on the Neretva. Then I helped out with the Flea Market which was raising money for the refugee camp. Congratulations go to all involved as we raised a nice sum of money for the camp.

Saturday I visited the refugee camp for the first time. I was preparing myself for the worst, I expected to be treated with coldness and to face destroyed people. I am so glad I was wrong! The people were welcoming and kind, they are so resilient. Their homes were run down and all of the facilities were poor. To begin with there weren't many people around and as a non-native speaker I was going to work mainly with the kids as there isn't so much of a language barrier. Me and Maja found to young girls, they were very shy. After a long time we managed to get them to draw and play, a truly amazing feeling. As time wore on more people arrived and the camp seemed to come to life. I ended up juggling for a little crowd, playing football and being chased around by kids with water balloons. It was very fun but so tiring! Time flew by and it was time to return to Mostar. The kids are waiting for our return... with more water bombs so I'm told!

Then on Sunday I went on a hike, the first of the year. It was a very tiring climb but well worth it. It took us 4 hours to reach our final viewing point. It was breathtaking, truly breathtaking! We spent a while at the top before descending the mountain. We sang silly songs, pretended to be Indians charging down the mountain and decided to see how many UWCers you can fit in a tree. It was an awesome day that left us all very tired but very happy.

Survivors ...

How many UWCers in one tree?? 13 and counting ...

View ... WOW

At the Top :)

Water Bomb!!

Attack!

The Camp

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