First month shock; backgrounds

Exactly one month ago, almost exactly at this hour, after a whole day of horrible travelling, I stepped out of an old scary train to the train station of Bystrzyca Kłodzka. At that moment the station seemed just as old and terrifying as was the train. 2 weeks before that moment i had received an e-mail stating "Free voluntary position in Poland for someone who can leave quickly". I didn't actually know what I was getting myself into, even though I was planning on volunteering before. I just assumed I would go at earliest in 2014. But fortunately I took the chance and replied.

I had so little time to prepare myself for this journey I never even had time to get nervous about it. I just told my boss I'm leaving for six months, I said goodbye to my friends, hugged my family and kissed my dogs. I waved at my family after the safety check at the airport, I knitted some socks and did some crosswords on the plane and had my first polish encounter with some nice man on the train. But it was this moment as I stepped out of the train with my suitcase and my guitar case that I became aware of the situation.

 The first night I felt so alone and scared. I was shocked and the question "how did I end up here" was playing in my head all over again. It's funny to think back at that moment now. After a few days everything became easier and the first shock was diluted, mostly thanks to the amazing people I have met here. 
 

During the first week I got to know another volunteers and the city. Mostly I've been learning my way around independently or from older volunteers. I'm also eager to learn polish. I'm not even lying if I tell you that I'm studying everyday. In polish lessons, by myself and of course in everyday life situations, for only a minority of people here speak english (this was the first and biggest shock for me when I came to Poland. I was so lost at Wroclaw train station and not to even mention at the train, for as I told it was old and scary; no information anywhere and my polish pronounciation made it quite an adventure for me to get off at the right station). 

As I began to work at the integration school, which is my main project here, everything became easier again. I absolutely love my work, and will write more about that for sure.

Now time has passed so fast. I've enjoyed my time here so much - I'm not sure where the days went. I even feel a little bit sad to realize i only have 5 months left. During this one month I already travelled to Chech Republic, to Hungary, also a little bit in Poland, and have had an awesome time. Still it feels there's never enough of it. I'm still adapting to the situation and getting to know the country and the culture - and most of all getting to know myself.