“They say they built the train tracks over the Alps between Vienna and Venice before there was a train

that could make the trip. They built it anyway, They knew one day the train would come” – This is aquote from one of my favorite movies “Under the Tuscan Sun”, which reflects my viewpoint of life,there’s no harm in hoping; there’s no crime in yearning for the sun, as long as you keep an open mindand a genuine heart.

Now that I’m back in Georgia, considering the current upheaval and political situation, I acknowledge that there’s so much at stake. There’s such urgency to resist and protest, so that to say the least, young people like me are not robbed of experiences like this. I believe that there are places that await you, opportunities that are yours to seize and embrace. When I first came across the project, I knew that I truly wanted to be a part of it. I even wrote down in my diary
that I wished for this. It was stupid not to hope. But I hoped and it brought me the most precious two months with Acarbio.

They say that time flies when you’re fully involved and truly living – you don’t check your phone as often, you breathe more steadily, you pay attention to every small detail and appreciate the beauty of your surroundings in full bloom. I’m looking back at my time in Tramonti with a heart full of love, gratitude and tenderness, it feels like a dream that I’ll revisit ever so often, a collection of the most vivid and priceless memories.I remember thinking that such opportunity was unattainable, it was an unreal type of happiness when I received my confirmation letter from Acarbio, when I first boarded the plane and saw the welcome sign of Tramonti. Everything made sense, I knew I was on the right path, pieces came together and I felt a special kind of serenity. I was in tune. This was my first time abroad and luckily the first country I visited
was Italy, the place that I’ve always pictured as familiar and beloved, my expectations were exceeded and I feel like I’ve made a second home under the Amalfi sun.

Throughout these two months, I had the happiness to live in a cozy environment with young people from different countries, who soon turned from strangers into precious friends. The bonds that we formed and the experiences that we shared were beautifully rare and something that lasted beyond the timeframes. I cherish every part of the experience, including the mundane parts of the day which are no less special, such as preparing meals and washing the dishes together. I think at the end of the day we miss the simplest of things, because they’re what makes life so familiar and comfortable. Our activities were varied and enriched both teamwork and individual initiative. On my very first day, we harvested grapes, and soon after, we ventured into the mountains to collect chestnuts. This was extremely pleasant for me, since my previous work experiences were mostly digital and I really craved to be in a rural environment, engaged in harvesting, gardening and other outdoors activities. We also participated in making wine in the traditional Italian way and gained experience along with knowledge.

As the holiday season approached, we made Christmas ornaments from natural materials and had a lotof fun in the process.

In addition to that, we embraced the local culture and attended the Tambourine and traditional dance classes by Isidoro and Rafael, we also hosted a Pizza night and got to know the Italian cuisine in an authentic manner. I really felt like I was no longer a spectator, but a genuine part of it all, fully engrossing myself in the present and appreciating the unexpected gifts of life. Most importantly, all of the experiences involved teamwork with high-spirited people. During our free time, we visited a lot of charming places, from Mount Vesuvio to the beautiful town of Scala. The memories that we made will last for a lifetime and will be my favorite time to look back to with gratefulness and a sparkling heart.
I’m truly thankful that I didn’t take a different turn and I ended up exactly where I was supposed to me.
Among all the genuine things I’ve gained, I also got to know myself a lot more and set another major
step towards my self-growth and self-realization.

I brought a snow globe of Amalfi, which has the significant cathedral inside, along with other special details that encompass the beauty of the place. I shake it and gaze at it every time I miss my magical experience. Yet I know how lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard. I’m incredibly thankful for all the love and beauty these two months have brought in my life. I will forever hold on to the memories under the shimmering stars, fluffy clouds and pink-tinted sunsets with love.

 

Mariam CHIKOVANI, volunteer in ACARBIO