Ultra Jana's world: Training course in Bella Italia...

Oh God I feel so bad that it took me so long to write about my journey to Italy. In this blog post I will write in english language just for my lovely International friends...but first of all let me say I am sorry for the bad photos :( My boss supposed to borrow me his camera and we were so into discussing diferent topics that we both simply forgot the camera and I was already on the bus station, waiting for my bus to Italy when I remembered what I forgot :( :( I took the pictures with my phone and sent them through messenger and then I heard that the quality is not so good if you do that..oh joy...and second of all, sorry if I mispronounce any word or sentence..S@#! happens ;)

In alto mare

It all began when Sara from Zavod Voluntariat picked Nastja and me for the training course in Cecina, Italy for the project "Start with yourself" which was from 8th -13th of May 2018. Woohooo!! New knowledge here I come!
I booked Flixbus and we went from Ljubljana day before at 11 pm. My first stop was in Florence and I had 3 hours spare time till my next bus arrives and of course I had to visit magnificant Florence Cathedral and Ponte Vecchio :) It was my second time in Florence so I already knew where to find this jewels :D... I was there around 6 or 7 am and it was so empty and quiet :)

Ponte Vecchio

Florence Cathedral

From the City center I had to go to my Bus station at Villa Costanza. The ticket machine was only in Italian so I needed some help from Italians. Grazie a tutti :) I paid 1,20€ for a Tram and Vila Costanza is only 25 minutes away from the Central Train station.

Villa Costanza Bus station

Finally I was on my way to Cecina. I think it took us 2 hours to get there and then I had 1 hour walk in front of me :( ...
I changed the shoes and let's go for a walk :)

On my way to Nature house in Cecina

Once again I was lucky and some guy saw me, picked me up and drove me to Gran Pino, where we had our training course. Grazie Luca :) There were already a few people from IYNF who were the organizers for this project. I already got my room and went straight for the lunch and no house is a home without a cat :) Yesss they have a cat :) Sorry I'm a big cat person ;)

Hello my dear Italian puss

At the evening almost everybody was there for the training course, we introduce ourselves and we made a plan what are we going to do for the whole week.

Our training course was based on the BETZAVTA METHOD.
Since I am a person who would rather walk alone then to be in a big group, this was quite a challenge for me to think and breathe with 30 participants with 30 different needs and wishes...

Is being alone really a bad thing?
If you ask me..no! It's not a bad thing...For 15 years I had a few jobs which I absolutely hated! I was working just for the money! I didn't like the people I was surrounded with! I didn't like their thinking! I didn't like their energy! That doesn't mean that they are bad people, it just means that you moved on and their company isn't doing anything good for you.
I also had a meeting with my ex boss and he said that my coworkers are complaining that I don't think the way they do and that I have changed...it was the most beautiful compliment that I received in years! Thank you! I knew that I was meant for bigger and greater things!
In the last 2 years I completely changed my life! If a job doesn't require growth and learning I will never accept it!If I would still work for my miserable job I would never see the real picture of the countries, meet so many wonderful people with different stories, see different faces of cultures, learn new things, to grow,...sometimes is better to cut the string...if you don't feel good in a group, say thank you for everything, pack your bags and just leave...even if it means to be alone...

The week was really hard. I had to discuss one simple question for two hours, decide who has the right to vote and cut my dream house and make it suitable for everybody...what? Are you crazy?!
Ok, ok I'll go with the flow if you just let me get my getaway place, where my mind can focus and to be in peace...you can ask me for help anytime you want, but please, we do not need to be together 24/7, think the same things and do the same things! If you don't leave me alone, oh boy you are in trouble!! Don't give me rules where I need to follow everybody!

Our new country (don't ask where we got the name ;))

Also we had to decide if majority should decide about let's say how you can spend the money or to smoke in public places... if there is a health question involved and well-being of everybody then yes! It is also the respect and a big care of each other. Yes I want clean roads! Yes I want clean nature! Yes I want clean water! But your personal life should be your business! I am not going to decide if you should buy new car or not!

And also the game with the chairs...Jesus Christ! We want peace, respect and equality for everybody and we fight over the chairs! I can't help myself but I love to observe people and their moves...and it's funny...that is why I prefer to think for myself...I don't want to get into chain reaction... let's talk first what are your wishes and what are ours and maybe we will find the solution together...let's negotiate...

Our final product

Also we had a task where we went to center of Cecina to get some goodies, local stories and jokes and a video where locals say Hi to Nature friends :) Lisa I would still love to have that video with shirtless guy ;) The task was really hard for me, because I don't speak Italian so thanks to Ana Teresa and Sabrina who were such a great bridge between language obstacle.
Also the ice cream was quite expensive...2,20€...

Our Italian storytellers

Cecina promenade

And now a few words about Gran Pino...I was really quite surprised that I slept like a baby the whole week...Also for the first time in my life I slept with 5 women (not that you dirty mind)...this was also a challenge for me...and to share bathroom with 20 people!! Ohhh some of you are nasty!
And the food at Gran Pino!! Ohhh yessss!!! So so soooo gooodddd!! I could smell Pesto Genovese from 200 meters!! I loved every single dish from that week! Thank you for your wonderful prepared food!

Do I smell Pesto Genovese??!!

Not to mention, Gran Pino is located 50 meters from the sea! You have to go through Nature Reserve Tomboli di Cecina to reach the beach...Ahhh it was so peaceful but if we would be there in high season I'm pretty sure it would be crowded :)

Tomboli di Cecina

Morning walks

Beach just for me :)

One day we also had a free afternoon. The best way to spend it is to explore beautiful Tuscany surroundings with our International family :) The nearest town was Volterra and you don't have to tell me twice to explore it :) Thomas borrowed us his car (thank you Thomas) and we went to the old city, just 40 minutes away from Cecina. Thank you daddy Brecht for the smooth ride and Greta you still owe me dinner!! My poor poor stomach!

The view from Volterra

The last day was quite a shock for me...I never saw so many people crying...especially boys...some of you are really devoted, sincere and have a big heart...
Also I was thinking about why I gave my vote to someone just like that...not to know what they can offer us...Maybe I just want to get it done, because by the end of the day I am going to do what it feels good for me.
The whole week was really intense but it felt like home. I am sorry that I couldn't spend more time with each of you. Thank you Tali and Sofie (and the little prince) for your guiding through the course especially when we didn't know what the hell we are doing :) And thank you Lisa for picking me for the interview :)
And as I mention 434 times, if anyone is in Slovenia and needs any kind of help, you can count on me ;) ;)

Our last night with the Mafia

After the breakfast everybody went their separate ways.

My big International family

My last stop was Pisa with Natalia. We paid around 6€ (I think so) for the train from Cecina to Pisa.

We left our luggage at the Train station for 5€ and we went to explore the city of Pisa.

River Arno

Piazza dei Miracoli

Don't know the ladies but they were super cute ;)

Baptisery

Santa Maria Assunta

Santa Maria della Spina

Inside of the Santa Maria della Spina

At 10 pm it was time for me to say goodbye to Pisa and Natalia :( My last stop was at 3 am in Bologna and this time the bus was fully booked...I came to rainy Ljubljana at 7 am and from Ljubljana I was back in Celje at 8 am...

Since I was travelling the whole month of May I started to notice how we are lucky to be living in Europe, to be part of EU and that we are white. Sometimes it is hard to put yourself in other shoes if you don't know the struggles they are facing. Ugh I don't know what to say...it really sucks...