Ciao, my name is Oksana and I am coming from Athens, Greece. Before coming here I had just finished my internship at the Council of Europe in Strasbourg and was looking for a volunteering opportunity. Thanks to Associazione Communità Papa Giovanni XXIII, I was able to join the volunteering project of ACARBIO and come to Italy to learn new skills, meet new people, and live an unforgettable experience.

When I first arrived in Tramonti, nestled along the stunning Amalfi Coast, I had no idea what to expect from my two-month volunteering stint with Acarbio. Little did I know that I was about to embark on a whirlwind adventure filled with memorable experiences, laughter, and lifelong friendships.

At work, one of my first activities was getting my hands dirty in the organization’s garden, where I spent hours collecting potatoes and other vegetables, like the juicy fiascone tomatoes. There’s something incredibly satisfying about harvesting your own food, knowing that it will soon be eaten.

I also loved monitoring the Caretta-Caretta’s nest in Maiori, and was hoping to be lucky enough to see the hatching of the eggs before leaving. And it happened! On my very last night in Italy!

I was incredibly fortunate to witness this miracle of nature and support in the process of releasing those baby turtles in safe waters!

But it wasn’t all work and no play, as I quickly discovered when I found myself swept up in the vibrant culture of Tramonti. From participating in local festivals, like the medieval one, to dancing the night away at musical events and the Festa Del Vino, I was constantly amazed by the warmth and hospitality of the people around me.

And let’s not forget about the famous pizza night, where Rafaelle and Isidoro surprised us all by whipping up over 100 delicious pizzas. We ate a lot that night, we danced to traditional music Rafaelle taught us and laughed until our sides ached. It was a night I’ll never forget.

 

 

One of the funniest stories I will forever remember happened on my last Sunday in Tramonti. After waiting for the bus for three hours (!) to go to the beach, I had no other option than hitchhiking. An old lady stopped and took me and I was so happy for that! “Finally, I’ll go at the beach”, I thought. Little did I know. She was speaking in Neapolitan dialect, which I don’t understand at all, saying that it was too hot, all while keeping the car windows almost closed!

She stopped 4 times (FOUR) saying that it was too hot, opening both the car’s front and back doors for 5 minutes. Long story short, we arrived in Maiori 40 minutes later, for a 15 min drive! Even though I almost wanted to cry while waiting for the bus, at the end, this experience was so funny that I was literally laughing all the way.

 

Of course, no article about my time in Tramonti would be complete without mentioning the two constant companions who stole my heart: Fiasco and Busca, the organization’s lovable dogs. Busca, in particular, became my faithful companion, waiting for me outside Casa Lauro every morning and trotting alongside me on the way to the office, all while trying to steal the cats’ food…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As I packed my bags and said goodbye to Tramonti, I couldn’t help but feel a twinge of sadness. My time with Acarbio had been so much more than just volunteering; it had been a transformative experience that had enriched my life in ways I never could have imagined. I may have come to Tramonti as a stranger from Athens, but I left feeling like a part of the local community, forever grateful for the memories we had made together.

Till next time!

Arrivederci!