Few days after the training in Sicily, I woke up not feeling so well. I have never felt it before, that it’s very hard for me to describe it. I tried to go to the bathroom but the feeling just got worst. I didn’t know what to do. It got me to thinking; should I call someone? Maybe I just need few more rest? What if my parents find out I am in the Hospital, too far away for them to reach out? This could be the last day of my life, and if it is, I know there is no way to turn back the time. Regrets will have no space. Have I done enough? That was my question. The moment felt that the best thing to do then is to let go. I lied down, closed my eyes and let God. I fell asleep for few more hours. I woke up a feeling a little bit better.
The days proceeded realizing I am alone in many ways. That I didn’t have the warmth of my mother, the security of my father and the assurance from my brothers when I get sick, that I have to wake up and eat alone, unlike in Sicily where every table is filled with volunteers and conversations, that the place I revolve in has become so familiar It feels like there’s nothing more to see or do. I AM MISSING HOME.
Even without telling this to anyone I felt relieved that Vale tries to join me on dinner even if I cook strange pasta dishes like Pesto with Bacon, seafood with pomodoro and cheese and meat balls in pasta (they don’t cook pasta with meat balls here). Emanuela also cooked dinner for us one evening and we watched a series until 1 am. Antonio brought us to Villasimus, one of the most beautiful beaches in Sardinia, the sand is white like in Boracay and the water too is clear and deep blue in color. Those moments restored me. Nature and warm people always give me comfort and strength.
In the mid of this “Home sick” feeling, my holiday was scheduled in Rome. One of the best things that you will learn in European Voluntary Service Program is to SAVE for a holiday break. We are entitled to get two-day holiday for each month or a total of 6 days for the whole duration of EVS. There is no limit to where you can go in Europe or what you would like to do as long as you take responsibility for your safety and of course, EXPENSES.
I’ve been to Rome before, a couple of times actually, but not beyond the airport.
I felt so excited to explore the Eternal City but even more because I will see my friend Lhai after being apart for 15 years. I was welcomed with a lunch in a Filipino Restaurant named “Sarap” meaning delicious in English. I ordered my favorite palabok, pasta with special sauce, pork cracklings, egg, and onion leaves. Then, we headed to Vatican where luckily , I was able to witness a mass, I also saw a Red Cross Ambulance outside, on standby for any emergencies. We headed to Micheal Angelo Castle , Piazza Navona, Spanish Steps, the Colosseum which is the largest amphitheatre ever built, the beautiful Trevi Fountain where I threw a coin and made a wish, Piazza Venezia, Villa Borghese, Dondolo, Pyramid of Cesuis, and many churches. Each structure is beautifully detailed you will admire Roman skills and ideas. As for me, it felt like I was in movies or travelling back to the beginning of civilization. It’s admirable how much they value their culture and history here.
The feeling of missing home fade away as Lhai introduced me to her family there, I even attended a birthday party that felt like fiesta (festival). During my entire stay in Rome, I was filled with Filipino dishes like monggo, inahaw na baboy, crispy pata, pansit, bicol express, and leche flan. Yum!!!!
If not for the Roman structures I have seen, I would probably think I arrived sooner in the Philippines because of the Filipino hospitality and the warm weather.
I went back to Cagliari with great memories from Rome, Lhai made me feel so secured and loved while I was there; well, she’s been like that even when we were still in high school. 😉 It has always been good to wake up next to her and her baby Hya, eating with them is a joy especially that the food cooked by Etoy was sumptuous; staying up late,chatting to end the day is just worth it. I also had good laughs with Kheng, Anne, Karen and their family. If I could stay longer, I would.
My holiday continued when Dir. Elena Brugger visited me from Switzerland, she immersed with my EVS program like attending conference, having meeting, sleeping with me in the apartment, going to the market, cooking for our dinner, trying mirto, throwing responsibly our garbage, catching up the bus, walking a lot and going around Sardinia. She booked a jeep tour towards the south so we saw three different beaches, and the cork forest. After the conference the next day, we headed to the North, this time, Ma’am Elena herself was the one driving. The GPS led us to the longer way so instead of arriving in the destination in three hours, it took us almost eight hours! You can probably imagine the stress of sustaining the energy on that long drive. She kept her still and we enjoyed the nice view along the way instead. Every time we accomplish a difficult way out (roundabout is just so confusing), we turn the music higher, sing and just laugh.
The humility of this woman despite her success is just amazing. Our journey was filled with conversation too about life, love and food. J
In Costa Smeralda, specifically Porto Cervo, we dined with the view of luxurious Yacht, in Phi beach we were impressed with grand rock formations; we also passed by the Alghero, the walled city and met Allesandro, a very nice Sardinian guy who is very much into Asian Culture. We would have been missing a lot if we gave up in the middle of that long journey. Good thing we didn’t.
In between those holidays, I uploaded some sources for the Digital Library, finalized the fundraising guidelines, attended two conferences, submitted ideas for 2017 calendar and attended meeting for EuroAsi follow up project.
Rona, EVS volunteer