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

Induction

So I've spent a week in Mostar!! And so far I love it. It's a really amazing place and the people here are really great. Here is a quick summary of the first week -

Day 1
Woke up very early, then straight of to Gatwick. Checking in went fine except my hand luggage was to big, but it all got sorted. We touched down in Dubrovnik where we were met by Damir (a local second year). We picked up Claudia (a spanish co-year) and drove to Mostar. Dubrovnik is really stunning. We got to Mostar and were taking to our residences to settle in and unpack.

Day 2
We headed to the school and had a quick tour.Then we explored the to Abrasevik (a community centre) for the welcoming ceremony. A big thank you to the second years for what was an impression performance! Afterwards we went to sit under Old Bridge.

Day 3
Another early morning and a maths test. We also went on a tour of hotspots in Mostar, this took us to the Cave, which is a bar in a cave right by the river! Afterwards we went to the swimming pool! A lot of fun and so nice to get in the cool water. In the evening we went to Abrasevik for a party. Everyone was singing and dancing. The Brits sang Valerie!!

Day 4
things begin to get more serious as we have talks about the Code of Conduct. We then head to Old Man's (a cafe) for a barbecue. We also went to the river for a swim. Really nice jumping in to the cool water. We all swam across the river which was difficult because of the strong current but we made it! In the evening a few of us went to sit under Old Bridge before meeting people at Coco Loco.

Day 5
Another serious morning about subject choices. I have decided to take English A1 (mother tongue), Chemistry, Physics at Higher Level (HL) and Maths, German B (second language), History at Standard Level (SL). We all went to Susac in the afternoon for the "Youth Olympics", where we played a few games. After a bit of football we went back to Musala and I spent the night in the music room.

Day 6
Another morning spent in school as we had talks about CAS. Luckily we have a few days to make our decision as so many of them look appealing!! I had a lazy day and relaxed. In the evening there was a storm which was a welcome change.

Day 7
Today was the first assembly, and it was pretty dull. Then we had our tutor group meetings followed by a coach trip to Kravice. Kravice is a beautiful place, and we swam climbed and messed about in the water. It was really lovely. We headed home in the evening and spent the night relaxing as lessons start tomorrow.

So that was the first week! And really the only bad thing is the heat!! It is way to hot for Welsh skin. I'm getting more used to it but it is still too hot!

here are a few photos from the first week -

The Gymnasium

Room 5 - My Corner

The Goal

Bon Voyage

So the day has finally come for me to leave Cardiff. Tomorrow I fly to Bosnia. The time has gone by so quickly, I really don't know where it went. This week in particular has flown by. As well as packing, saying goodbye, sorting things out I have also picked up my GCSE results. All in all a very stressful week!
But luckily my results weren't too bad. Everything is now ready to go!

Now the suitcase is packed, not with the piles upon piles of clothing I initially thought were essential but with a more suitable option. I have also discovered that vacuum bags are the way forward for travelling with lots of clothes! After much shoving and squeezing all that needs to go, fits into a small black rectangle.

It deffinatley hasn't sunk in that I am going to Bosnia and won't be home until Christmas. I think I'm just too excited to think about leaving. I said goodbye to some of my friends today, and they gave me an amazing calender filled with all our photographs. I love it. I've also had lovely letters wishing me good luck from an assortment of friends and family. It really is appreciated.

Today, the phone has been ringing constantly. Everyone wanting to know my results and to wish me luck before I go. You would think I was never coming back! But it is a really nice feeling to know how much people care. I also went to see Murphy, I'm going to miss him so much. It's not only him I'm giving up but 12 years of horse riding. Still it hasn't hit me that I'm leaving it behind. Maybe once everything has settled down and I have calmed down I'll be able to let it sink in.

So, this is my last post, for a while, from Britain. Thank you to everyone for your support and well, everything!

Rydw i'n byw yng Nghymru.

Recently, I have been thinking about where I have come from. Trying to understand what makes Wales the place it is. The place that is in my blood, the place that I have lived for 16 years and the place I am about to leave. When talking about Wales, the usual stuff comes to mind - leeks, daffodils, rugby, the dragon, male voice choirs etc. But there is more to this place.

The National Anthem, I think, shows at least a little of Welsh pride and spirit:

Mae hen wlad fy nhadau yn annwyl i mi,
Gwlad beirdd a chantorion, enwogion o fri;
Ei gwrol ryfelwyr, gwladgarwyr tra mâd,
Tros ryddid gollasant eu gwaed.

Gwlad, Gwlad, pleidiol wyf i'm gwlad,
Tra môr yn fur i'r bur hoff bau,
O bydded i'r heniaith barhau.

Hen Gymru fynyddig, paradwys y bardd,
Pob dyffryn, pob clogwyn, i'm golwg sydd hardd;
Trwy deimlad gwladgarol, mor swynol yw si
Ei nentydd, afonydd, i mi.

Os treisiodd y gelyn fy ngwlad dan ei droed,
Mae hen iaith y Cymry mor fyw ag erioed,
Ni luddiwyd yr awen gan erchyll law brad,
Na thelyn berseiniol fy ngwlad.

Translates to:

The old land of my fathers is dear to me,
A land of poets and singers, famous people of renown
Its brave warriors, great patriots,
For freedom they lost their blood

Country, country, I'm partial to my country,
While the sea is a wall for the pure, dear country,
O may the "old language" continue

Old mountainous Wales, paradise of the poet,
Every valley, every cliff is beautiful in my sight;
Through patriotic feeling, more enchanting is the murmur
Of her streams and rivers to me.

If the enemy violated my country underfoot,
The "old language" of the Welsh is alive as ever,
The spirit wasn't hindered by the awful, treacherous hand
Nor the sweet harp of my country.

I don't think I can really understand my country until I leave it. As they absence makes the heart fonder. Maybe then I will be able to tell you about what makes Wales the place it is.