Blogs from Graz, Styria, Austria, Europe - page 13

When we did our arrival training all the way back in October, we were asked to find a symbol for how we thought about our EVS experience - our hopes, our fears, our expectations, whatever we wanted. For some reason the symbol I chose came to my mind without me even having to think about it, and I knew it was exactly right for how I felt. I chose a spider, thinking about how a spider works so hard to build a perfect home and how, no matter how many times it is broken or destroyed, it rebuilds it, and it never occurs to it to just sit down and give up. I knew that I wanted to try and build a life here, a home, and I knew that it would be hard, and that ... read more

Well, I'm back in Graz after a nice week back at home. A pretty quiet week to be honest, I only managed to get out to see Chris for lunch, and absolutely no pubbage :( I'd say next time, but that probably won't be for another six months. Although Mum and Dad have booked us a holiday to Center Parcs in Easter, which I'm a bit miffed about to be honest. They've booked six beds so that Naomi can bring Ben and I can bring 'someone'. Thanks. Anyway, now I'm back in the flat with just Hairy Housemate for company. He's behaving quite well - I got home to find him cleaning, and the excessive noise hasn't been, but he's hardly company. I try to avoid talking to him because his 'laugh' sounds exactly like a ... read more

So, it has now been over a month since I finished my training in Vienna, and it hasn't got a great deal easier. The best time that I've had in the last month was two weekends ago when I went to Melk, a little town in the middle of nowhere, for a meeting of volunteers and ex-volunteers, and got to meet up with some people I already knew and many who I'd never met before. All were lovely, and it left me feeling incredibly frustrated that there aren't more volunteers here in Graz. I just keep thinking, every time that I am with a big group of EVS people, that these are the type of people I want to be around for the rest of my life. Last Thursday Laura (the other English volunteer) and I ... read more

I won't say it was a 100% easy start! On the 1st of October 2007 I arrived in Graz and was (thankfully) met by my mentor, an absolutely amazing lady called Ines. She took me to my new home, a student home called Green Box, where I found out that I am living in a flat with four boys. And it was really really dirty. Like, really. But I am a trooper and I settled down to clean my room that hadn't been cleaned by the last occupant or, you know, a CLEANER. I can't say that I slept amazingly well that night! The next day I was thrown straight in at the deep end in a staff meeting with my colleagues. I can say right now that the breakfast provided at a Kinderbuero staff meeting ... read more

Headed out for Graz pretty late........ Got there and its nice they had info and maps available at the train office even though there is no tourist info centre!!! They should do that to all cities!!! Anyways, was lazy to walk....in a pretty calm mood...... So, took the tram to town and accidentially came across the largest weapon collection in Europe at the armory museum! It was interesting, was just in time to catch the English tour and the guide showed us around, and taught us how to use the weapons as well!! interesting tour. that took an hour, then headed out to town. Walked around the town..its a Sunday so everything was closed............ but nice buildings around. Then lazy again..took the cool lift up the hill to the clock tower...and walked back down... nice view ... read more