3/13/2011

Pictures from Weston Super-Mare and Cheddar Gorge

As I told in the previous post, I spent my weekend in Weston Super-Mare and Cheddar. I love both of the places. The pier in Weston is just romantic and looks very nice. People walk their dogs over there and lovers write their names into the sand for the upcoming tide to wipe them off for forever- it looks like a tiny happy place in the world. And the Gorge in Cheddar- well, it's just huge and magical. The cliffs reach up towards the sky straight from your feet, looking so mighty and powerful. And when the sun's out, then some parts of the cliffs are lighted and some are not. It's just amazing how I live so close to such amazing places. The Gorge is a perfect place to go and sit for a while, read a book or just enjoy a meal. Of course, you'd have to climb a little bit before you can get away from all the tourists that are exploring the area and taking pictures. If there weren't tourists, it would definetely be my hiding place from the world. Of course, I can always try to find a small cliff behind what I can go and observe the surrounding just by myself. Without anybody knowing I'm there.











PS: I'm now the proud owner of Kings Fitness & Leisure Center golden club card.

3/11/2011

Cheddar Cheese & The Rock of Ages

1

It's been now three days since my last post. But I still feel like I need to write down everything I have done here. I guess it's like that only in the beginning. But who knows?
So, I talked to my mentor on Wednesday about me being lonely here and the feel of guilt that I have when I'm not downstairs chatting with people. But the problem is, that people are too busy to chat with them. So... Petra told me not to be guilty about it. I also sorted out some things about my free days or actually, it will be sorted out the next week when our manager comes back.
Right now I beat loneliness in here with watching movies and reading and playing guitar. I also go for walks or ride with my bicycle around the reservoir. It's really beautiful, the reservoir, I mean. It's pretty big- a trip around is about 4km long. And it's got a nice walking path around it where I can also drive with a bicycle. I went there yesterday evening.
So far I've been mostly to activities and haven't had any more trainings. I've been to physio, where I was hoisted just to know how it feels to be up in the air like residents who get hoisted about 4 times a day approximately. I really loved physio. I felt like I'm needed there and, although I was supposed to be only observing, I was helping there. Yesterday afternoon I went to pottery and helped one of the residents make a bell. It was a very lovely and quiet time.
I can now make cappucino and hot chocolate with the machine that we've got, and I've been making drinks for the residents quite often.
We had a quiz and a raffle night here yesterday evening. Quizes in here make me realise that I actually know nothing. Or at least I don't know many facts. It was really nice to take part in some events in the evening also, because I could fill my free time like this in here until Gaye comes.
Today morning was nothing extraordinary, I was just helping Helen, one of our activities organizer, to discuss daily news and make drinks. Today I had a different lunch than usually- one of the workers retired so we had fish and chips and cake in here. My first fish and chips in the UK. Well, I have never considered putting vinegar on chips, but it was pretty good. Still, I can't say that it's my favourite food. After the lunch I went out to Cheddar Cheese Factory with two of the residents and two escorts. We watched a short video about cheesemaking techniques and saw at the same time one stage of cheesemaking behind the glass in front of us. It was a very interesting thing to see and I'm really glad I had the opportunity, because I hadn't gone there on my own. We also had a chance to taste different types of Cheddar Cheese (by the way, the factory we went to, is the last original one left in Cheddar and part of their cheese production takes place in the Gorges). The cheese with chilli in it was really good. Hopefully I can bring it to Estonia with me once. Just to taste.
After the factory we had a small walk around in Cheddar and then headed towards the Gorges and drove through them. I will probably go to Gorges on Sunday on my own to enjoy them and after that trip I will talk a bit more about them. During our journey, we had lots of fun, because the driver, Jim, has a very good humour sense. It was also a bit like a guided tour because Jim told us about the things we drove past. We drove to the top of the Mendip hills (the mountains that I'm living in) and then a downwards to see The Rock of Ages. The Rock of Ages is basically a crack between two rocks and the legend says that ages ago there was a flood and one guy was in the gorges while the flood came. So he had nowhere to go and climbed up to this crack which basically saved his life. It's somehow related to the Bible, too, but I didn't completely understand, how. And there are Christian songs written about this legend, too.
After being in those gorges we came back to Axbridge where I am now.
Today I will have a relaxing day off and I will probably go to Weston tomorrow to see the seaside and do shopping- I need sports clothes because I didn't take any with me. But I will probably start going to the gym from next week, so I need clothes for that. And I need to do some stuff also.
On Sunday I will go to explore Cheddar Gorges and find out about the gym.
So far I've managed to fill my free time pretty much.
But I still hope that Gaye will come soon.

3/08/2011

Are the beginnings supposed to be that hard?

3

I mean, I shouldn't complain or anything but seriously. I could have never imagined that the beginning of my EVS will be so hard. I'm the first EVS volunteer in here and I just got today some kind of a sheet where I have to fill in my working hours. Are EVS people supposed to do that? I mean, all that matters, is that I will be work on time and will do my hours and will have 2 days off each week plus 2 days off per month plus bank holidays. But they seem to count my free time in minutes. At least that's what the registration lady told me.... Oh well, I will sort it out with my mentor probably tomorrow.
Then... I can't do a lot of things in here. My opportunities to do anything with the residents are strictly written down in British law which doesn't allow me to do anything before I have received special trainings. And well, of course I can't do much in here because the people in here aren't very active anyway. So... Right now I feel like being tied up in ropes. And I can't feel that I make the most efficient work in here.
What's more. Everybody in here are so helpful and nice and welcoming, but.... After my workday ends, I have nothing to do. Or to be more specific, I have no-one to do anything with. I've got a guitar in here, books, movies etc. But I live basically in one part of the building on my own right now. I feel lonely, because in the evenings there are no activities going on, workers are mostly devoted to taking care of the residents, and residents don't seem to be very talkactive either. I guess I have to try more. But still... All the people I know, go away from the building after their workday ends. They have their own lives to live. And I have mine, which right now includes a lot of time on my own that I can't handle very well. I need communication!
And well, Skype doesn't replace live humans. So yeah... I'm desperately waiting for my co-EVS to arrive. I don't know what I would do if she didn't come.

But what more....
Oh yeah, I got trained yesterday on how to wash my hands properly. Kinda funny but actuall makes sense. I had some kind of fluid on my hands that could be seen by UV-lamp. So I washed my hands and looked at them after with the UV-lamp to check how well I got the liquid off. There is a special technique and moves for washing your hands....
And today I learnt about moving and handling, which basically means lifting people and pushing wheelchairs. That's something that should be done in the village. Sure as hell.
I also know now more about fire safety, infection control, the law and some more stuff.

At least the things I learn are very interesting.

Oh, did I already mention that I have almost no possibilities to cook in here? I have only got a microwave and a toaster and a kettle. But whenever I visit G, I can cook there. He allows me, I asked. At least that's better than nothing....

Enough of complaining.

I'm not some whining old lady. It will get better.
I should have just expected it a bit more and prepared myself for those things a bit more.

At least I can speak the language.

3/06/2011

Cardiff

2

As I told in the previous post, my plans for the weekend were to go to Cardiff, which I did. So now I want to give an update of my life in here, which is just undescribable.

Okay, firstly. I hate the plugs in here. They look nice and it's great that UK has something like this remained and hasn't become global about it. But still... All the plugs that I have, don't function- they are too loose and it's a very big problem for the batteries of my phones and computer. It's a headache right now, but I'll try to figure something out soon.

Then. I feel a bit alone in here these days. I mean, my co-EVS hasn't arrived yet, which means that I'm completely alone in my so-called apartement part of the house. It's very silent in here and I feel a bit lonely. That just makes me miss Estonia more. I'm this kind of person who doesn't stand to be alone even for 15mins, so it's kind of a challenge to me.

Oh, people in here are so friendly. Today when I came back from Cardiff and was at the Weston bus stop and looked for the bus times then one lady asked me whether I need any help. She came with the same bus as me so we talked a while. And it's not just that lady. Everywhere I go, people are so helpful about everything. And pleasant. This is one of the things that I am going to love the most in here, I guess.

But now. About my trip to Cardiff. Or actually, I will talk first about Friday and what I did. In the morning I was helping John at the computer room. The main purpose of it is for me to spend more time with residents to get to know them faster and better. So, I was helping one of the residents to play some games in the computer and the other one with making greeting and thank-you cards. It was very lovely because I got to know the people and they asked me a lot about Estonia. In the afternoon I went to one town close to Wells for shopping with one of our heads, Keith. We went to Tesco's. It's amazing how you can find absolutely everything from one shop- clothes, mobile phones, electrical devices, food, drinks. And it's a very big selection of things in those shops. I got my British phone number, too. With us was one resident also, so after shopping we went for a cup of cofee. We had lots of fun talking about blondes, comparing Britain and Estonia. It was really great and the sun was shining and it was warm outside. The son of Keith plays guitar and maybe if I've got enough money, I will take some lessons from him. But I will see that in the further future.

After I got back from shopping I had a quick shower and then went to Weston train station with John, out head of IT. I catched a train to Cardiff Central. It was surprising that trains go from here to Cardiff straight and I don't have to change in Bristol. So, during the whole train trip, I was smiling a lot, because I was so exited about Cardiff and seeing G again after such a long time. When I got to the Central then I got a bit lost and went out from the station from the wrong side, but we solved the problem fast. G came to the station because obviously I knew nothing about Cardiff and had no idea where to go. We started walking from the station to G's place and on our way to his place, we went to 3 different pubs. In here they have different types of beer, and what we in Estonia call beer, is lager in here. I'm only getting to know the beer-system in here, so I can't tell more about it right now. Anyway, G lives about 15mins from the central. When we finally got to his place, it was pretty late. I was tired but then I handed him over Vana Tallinn and sinep and Estonian Chocolate and the socks that Judith sent. He was so happy about it! So we talked a lot about what has happened in Estonia so far and listened to music and drank Vana Tallinn also. It was so great to see G again. He is the part of Estonia, that's located closest to me and every time I see him, I feel like home, wherever I am. So we stayed up pretty late catching up with each other's lives. The following morning we slept very late because of the effects of Vana Tallinn and the fact that we had stayed up late. By the lunchtime G made some salad of his style and we ate and went to explore Cardiff. This city is very beautiful. I really like the fact that there are people walking around all the time. The architecture of the town is very modern mostly, and there are a lot of weird-looking houses. I saw the Millenium house, the castle in the central. So after that we went to Cardiff bay. G told me about it's history and we walked aroung there. It was really beautiful. It was sunset and everything was so calm. The sky was clear and there weren't many people walking around. Near the bay there's the Roald Dahl Plass where is one really big water statue. And the Plass itself is very big, there's a concert hall in one edge of it, the other edge is the bay. The Plass is basically built on the bay so in the middle of it is a whole-alike thing where people can throw cents into and make a wish. I didn't want to wish anything because right now I've got everything I need but then G gave me one coin... So I made a wish...
Almost on the edge of the Plass is one merry-go-round which reminded me of the vision I get from "Mad world" song. Really fascinating.
After being on the Plass, we walked around on the bay and talked and saw different statues and one Norwegian Church. G told me it's his favourite building of Cardiff, because it's very simple and not some kind of modern architecture that's everywhere. The church looked typically Northern-European to me.
After a walk on the bay we went to one pub next to the Plass and stayed there for a while. I like British pubs, they are so cosy and there are so many people in them. What's interesting is that the bigger amount of the visitors were guys. Or actually most of the visitors were guys. It was still pretty early when we left the pub to catch the bus to the central. It was about 8 so when we got to the central we walked around a bit. G showed me the library building which has a very weird statue in front of it. It's some kind of a round wheel-alike thing (although very thin) and it has one other pen-alike thing supporting itself on the round thing. It was weird but looked actually beautiful to me.
When we finally got to G's place, we watched "The Social Network". It was very cosy and we were very tired. I slept through half of the movie. Then we went to sleep.
Waking up is hard to do... This song describes both mornings I would say.
Today morning wasn't this kind of relaxing and laying in the bed morning because I had to catch train back to Weston. So me and G ate and looked at the train times. And just hung around. Coming back to Axbridge wasn't as easy as going to Cardiff, because it was Sunday and then the public transport doesn't go that often. I had to change trains in Bristol. Luckily I didn't have to wait and the trip was fast. I got to Weston exactly before the bus to Axbridge left, so it was comfy to come back here also.
I walked around Axbridge a bit and then got to St. Michael's house.

It was a very lovely weekend that I had. Being together with G is always like home. It's great to have one of your best friends so close that you can always meet up and have fun and talk. Especially in the beginning when I don't know anybody...

Pictures: the first two are of Axbridge, the 3 following ones are St. Michael's (my home) and then there are Cardiff pictures.

3/03/2011

In the nature

6

I'm finally at my new home.
My first impression of Bristol was that it's fast- I mean I got my luggage from the airport exactly after getting to the baggage reclaim. I have never received my luggage that fast in any airports I've been to. So that was just great. And then I went to arrivals department where my mentor was already waiting for me. The ride to Axbridge was so fast and I already found out a lot of stuff about my work and everything.
So..
About Axbridge now. Well, this place is awesome.I'm in the middle of the nature and the town is just easy walking distance. 500m or so. There are rabbits running around, sheep and cows eating grass, birds singing, squirrels climbing. There are cliffs, mountains (for me they are mountains) right behind the house. I can go for a walk and the next city, Cheddar, is also close (2 km) from me. I drove to there today also and there's a place where I can go swimming and do sports. I have my own bicycle in here and can drive around in the area. In Cheddar there are really awesome cliffs. I really fell in love with this place. And I will probably get myself a guitar soon, too. My mentor has got one and she doesn't play it, so she promised to lend it to me. :)
About my work. I can't do anything around here for some days because I need to be trained for everything. I mean, when in the village I lifted people and drove and danced with wheelchairs then in here I need to be trained for this. I can't even make tea without training. This is just amazing how limited my actions are. But I will get the training on the next week.
The house itself is a place where a while ago used to be nursed people who had TB and there were nuns living here. So it's looking a bit like an old monastery. I am living on the second floor of it and the residents are on the 1st floow. On the ground floor there are offices and kitchen. The house is really big and old. I've got stickers on all my chargers in here now, because they had to be checked before I could plug them. Here are living 36 residents and 18 workers. So there are very many new names to remember. And the house is also like a labyrinth. But I'm already capable of walking around in here. I guess I'll go for a walk in the surroundings soon... To enjoy the nature.
When I got here then there were pictures of me and Gaye up on all the boards with our names on it. Everybody are so welcoming and helpful that it's just amazing.
What else... I even don't know what to talk about right now. Oh, maybe I'll go to Cardiff tomorrow. It's quite possible...
Anyway. I'm glad to be here. It's so warm and different. And I already feel like home.

Amsterdam

1

Alright. I feel like I'm almost tweeting now. Except the fact that I'm actually blogging.
So... Right now I'm in Amsterdam airport at my gate and waiting for my plane. I've got about an hour to go so I decided to hang around in the internet.
Tallinn airport was usual- most of the time cold and in no way cosy. I slept about two hours and watched some series and just sat and stared. Then I did my check-in and went through x-ray. Then 30 more minutes and I was on board. When people got to the plane I noticed the leader of social and educational sciences sitting almost next to me. Huh, the world is still so small.
Then one lady who spoke very little Estonian sat next to me. And wanted to talk a bit. So I tried to speak Russian and she tried Estonian. Unfortunately she didn't speak English and German. So I found out that she will go to USA to visit her biologist daughter who is studying to be a veterinarian and is going to deliver a baby soon. She was going for two months. This lady was very friendly and helpful. In the beginning she thought I'm 16 or 17 yrs old. Do I really look that young? I mean, it's not the first time and it happens often that people think I'm younger than I actually am. I guess I should be happy with it.
About the flight: I flied with the new plane of the company and it was a great and smooth flight. The plane was small but pretty cosy. And we took off when there was the dawn in the sky. Very beautiful.
Amsterdam airport is smaller than I guessed and my gate was close to the gate where I arrived so I everything is going well. In 2,5 hours I will be in Bristol...
As soon as I get to internet, I will update.

3/02/2011

2

I have got the best friends in the world. Thank you for sending me off! It was very sweet of you to come to the bus station and make the leaving so damn hard for me :)

I love you all so much!

Today is gonna be the day.....

0

That I will start my big trip. But firstly I want to talk about my last days in Estonia.
I spent 2,5 days in the village and it was a very great time over there. When I went there we had sauna. My last sauna before I leave. It was so great- there were a lot of volunteers and workers. We talked, had much fun. I was one of the last people to leave the sauna and then it was 6 in the morning. Or something like that. I slept at night (or the morning) alltogether very little time and then went to work. Although I was tired, I wasn't very much sleepy and I had a lot of energy. I was cooking and made bread also. I had much fun with Janno, who was in a great mood all day and sang and did funny things. It was a very busy day and I finished work at 11 in the evening. By the evening I was already tired. On Monday I was working in Sõbra maja and it was Taavi's birthday. Before the day started I took C,C and O to the bus stop because they had to go to Tallin for their on-arrival. After that I woke everybody up in the house and we sang birthday song. I helped Huko to cook and did some handicrafts- after 5 years of no crotcheting I did it again and I made this kind of accessory-mittens for Karo. I had never made this kind of stuff before and they came out very beautiful (although with some small mistakes in them, but I can explain that with the fact I hadn't done anything like this in 5 years). She was very happy when I gave them to her. :) She gave me self-made earrings. Really lovely. I got so many leaving presents from everybody- it was slightly weird- I mean, I'm coming back. Rootsi and Sõbra maja gave me small books with quotes about friendship and wisdom. I also got some body lotions, cards, and one rabbit (from Reeda). I am really going to miss the village. On Monday evening Siiri came to me to say goodbye. I was really surprised by that, because she isn't that kind of person. But I am really happy that she came. On Monday evening we sat together with the workers and played Carcassone and just chatted. I already really miss everybody. On Tuesday morning I said goodbye to everybody in the village and wrote bye-bye notes to the blackboards of all the houses. And then I left the place and came home. I did some last-minute shopping and now I'm packing my stuff.
Since yesterday afternoon my phone has been red all the time and everybody are calling me to say the last goodbyes and ask if we still have a chance to meet up. It's not possible any more because I have not got enough time.
I got some pictures from Karo about the things we have done together so I will upload some of them here.
Oh, it's so sad to go and at the same time I'm happy. I know it's gonna be great over there. I'm not scared about going, that's for sure. It's just the sadness about not seeing people I love for a long time. I'm afraid that if I come back, there has come a distance between us....
But that's the future.

And I've still got skype and and some kind of internet... :)







3/01/2011

1

There are people in the world who sit and talk about their dreams, but there are also people who do something to make their dreams come true.

1,5 days left.

Packing.