Chapter two: becoming locals (piano piano)

Two weeks have already passed since we arrived in Tramonti… or at least that’s what the calendar says. It feels strange: on one hand, time is flying, and on the other, it feels like we’ve been here for much longer. Maybe that’s what happens when you are in the right place, surrounded by the right people.

Little by little, Tramonti is starting to feel like home. Our group is slowly becoming a real family, and teamwork has turned into a central part of our daily life. From clean-up activities to everyday tasks in our shared house, everything feels easier when it’s done together.

Our free days have been filled with exploring and wandering through the streets of nearby towns, long days and nights at the beach, movie nights, endless food, and, of course, lots of ice cream!

Discovering the territory and local culture

During the clean-up activities, we discovered something fascinating: the old paths that people used to walk in Tramonti before cars and roads became the norm. Walking along these trails made us feel deeply connected to the history of the area and to the land itself.

As part of our effort to blend into the local culture, we also started Italian language lessons with our bellissimo professore Alessandro. Between laughs, new words, and funny pronunciation mistakes, we are learning much more than just a language.

One of the most special moments of these two weeks was taking part in the “Corteo Storico” a medieval parade where we had the chance to impersonate local noble families from the 15th century. The representation was organized by the local Associazione Gete and the Municipality of Tramonti.  In the few days before we went to try costumes together with locals to make sure that everything was ready for the event.

It was an unforgettable experience full of laughter, shared moments with the locals, and stories about the history of what has now become our temporary home.

The day ended with improvised dancing, an amazing panino and lemon sorbet for dinner, and, unexpectedly, learning traditional dances with professional local artists!

A Bittersweet Goodbye

A bittersweet moment came when we said goodbye to our peer volunteer Xenia, who left ACARBIO after 8 months. We celebrated her with a Spanish night, full of food, dancing, and discovering more about her culture. Saying goodbye was not easy, but it was filled with gratitude, memories, and smiles <3

This week we wanted to ask something to the volunteers: What have you discovered about yourself during these past two weeks?

• Gabbo: “This is the first time I’ve lived on my own. I discovered that I can be independent from my parents — I can wash my own clothes and cook my own food.”
• Ocean: “I knew I was brave, but I found out that I’m even more courageous. I also discovered that sometimes I can be quiet.”
• Arda: “Everyone has a different personality, and I learned how to adapt to each one.”
• Manti: “I actually know how to cook well.”
• Ana: “All my life I got bored of people very fast, but being with the right people makes it completely different.”
• Naiara: “I don’t need to have a plan all the time. I can adapt to whatever comes and enjoy it.”
• Miguel: “I discovered that to be part of something bigger, you have to let go of the control you’d like to have.”
• Emj: “I found out that to understand who you are, you need to spend more time by yourself — otherwise external opinions influence you too much.”
• Alessandro: “Even when you think someone might not like you, it’s often not true. The insecurities we carry inside can fade or even disappear when we feel accepted and appreciated for who we are. In a short time, in a new environment, I felt welcomed, stronger, and more confident. This experience helped me see myself differently and trust both others and myself more.”

 

In the end, we all agree that we are learning so much, and while it feels like far more than two weeks have passed, time has also flown by. What we know for sure is that these first weeks in Tramonti have already changed us, step by step.

And this, is only the beginning!

With lots of amore,

your international Make it Green volunteers 🙂