24/08/2021
so today (24th aug 2021) marks the end of my epic trip. I shall be on a bus to the airport by the time this post goes on FB, i have a 3hr bus trip and then 12hours at the airport before my flight home (there is no later bus to get there), we're hoping there's somewhere we can leave luggage and go out for a bit.
Over the past few weeks i've spent my time working as a volunteer at the Kuterevo Refugium bear refuge in Croatia. This has been a brilliant experience and great time. Not only has this trip been useful linked to animals and my future in veterinary or zoo work but it has been character building and developed me as a person. I'm grateful to the " Everything is Possible" organisation for giving me the chance to do this. I would highly recommend it to anyone.
I was welcomed to the bear refuge and the spirit of the sanctuary, where I was given a handmade bear necklace (see different post). My mum was convinced the welcome ceremony was going to be marrying me off to someone! which didnt happen.
I have been painting signs (and fixing them in place) to help visitors find their way around the refuge (and at times got more paint on myself than the signs!!!) I've worked in the visitor centre talking to visitors about the refuge and the work it does and how the bears come to be here, talked about the bears themselves; as well as manning the souvenir shop inside it; this has been good as I like being with people as much as animals.
Myself and the other volunteers have helped with general tidying of the area and keeping the paths clear, we’ve fixed fences and done general maintenance. I have helped sort food that has been donated from the local village (a lot of food comes this way at the end of the market) and fed the bears by throwing food over the fences to them (as we're not allowed in the enclosures).
Whilst on a trip with the owner to get sawdust in his vehicle, it packed up and we had to walk back to the village, which was about 30mins and very high sun. I only had a vest top on and burnt badly, i had blisters like anything and wasnt able to do anything for over 2days.
i've taken my turn and cooked meals for all of the staff at the refuge; as everyone eats meals together, i've made the fire 1st thing in the morning ready for breakfast, i've set the table and washed up (again everyone takes their turn at these tasks) and I’ve washed my clothes in the washing up bowl by hand!
I spent a few hours with the owners niece talking to her and helping her with her English (which was pretty good to start with).
There has also been many things that I haven't been able to do in the UK due to cv19 etc. I've been to a music festival a long way from home, drank loads, tried different foods and drinks including local dishes and the village made Rajika brandy; I hitch-hiked to the local town as buses are few and far between (apparently this is a regular thing from the young volunteers at the refuge). We have had lessons and learnt some croatian. I've been to the beach with the other young volunteers of the refuge.
I've attended camp fires of an evening with the volunteers and scouts who are staying at the refuge and even been complimented on my fire making skills by them. I also sang songs round the fire including doing a solo. i've met some lovely people and became good friends with them.
This really has been a great few weeks and 1 i would never have got the chance of in the UK. If you are lucky enough to get the chance to do something like this go for it. I certainly would do it again, but maybe for longer.
(there will be some more pics upon my return to the UK.)
