Where to even begin? Finally, the Young German Naturefriends‘ Youth
exchange in Gran Pino, Cecina, commenced. After a warm welcome by
the lovely trainers Pari and Pablo and the entire Gran Pino team on
Sunday night, the project officially started. 12 participants from 10
countries will form the group for this week, filled with many
informative and fun activities.
After some team-building games, we took the time to share our
expectations and needs for the upcoming week. Everyone
contributed and we were able to create a group agreement that will
guide us through the week. Then, feeling both excited and exhausted,
it was time for the first night’s sleep in cozy, shared rooms.
Hence, we were able to start well-rested into the first full day of the
project: Today’s agenda included an introduction to our unique venue
here in Tuscany and some more teambuilding and cultural exchange
and, of course, first water-full activities and reflections!
On the right, you see us after sharing some insights about
our home countries Iran, Argentina, Hungary, Finland, Latvia, Poland, Romania, Ireland, Germany and Spain:
We learned interesting facts about wedding culture, food, education and
religion in the different nationalities. For example, did you know that Irish
people love their cows so much they’ll care about their well-being above their
personal well-being and that Polish and Romanian weddings go on for multiple
days?
After lunch, we learned that the Gran Pino is actually the oldest Naturefriends
house in Italy and that it, therefore, holds a very special value to the movement:
Many Italians come here already for three generations. Rightfully, there is the
saying „Gran Pino forever“. You can even buy a T-shirt.
If you are interested: https://www.granpino.it/it/news/la-dispensa
Then, Pari and Pablo had prepared the first reflection on the many
meanings of water: A brainstorming excercise on the connections of
water with fertility, life, motion, purity, circulation, power and
mystery.
Greetings from Cecina beach (a 5-minute walk from Gran Pino)
We are excited for what is to come!
Copyright: Hotspot's Water Flows in you(th) media team.