Bears, bears, and more bears. Working hard at the bear refuge. Much work to do from picking plums, packing bread, hanging bread, or filling honey jars (honey to sell not for the bears), cooking, greeting visitors, and minding the shop (store).
After touring with a group of around 60 Croatians… I’m just observing not talking. I ended up painting all afternoon, planks. It was nonstop and many planks, but we finally finished! Work is not hard, but a bit tedious. All of the work needs to be done, and the more hands, the easier. The bears consume so much food, and the work is endless.
The other volunteers left or are on a day off so it is just me and Slavko. I am in the shop all day long. It is getting easier to talk and greet others even if they are from another country. We got lots of visitors today from Germany. Finding it actually nice getting to know others from other places in the world. Met some from Malta so it was great to talk about the country where I will be visiting in November.
A couple from Germany was interesting as they quit their jobs and have been traveling for 2 years to visit different countries. It is very nice that people who live in the Schengen area can drive or travel through the area without a passport.
Makes it really easy to travel to various countries. No hassle and many do it in a camper. So we get a lot of campers/volunteers. There is a camper parking lot and they can camp for free and volunteer and get meals that we cook together. It is nice to meet people from around the area. Right now there are 6 people from France, and Belgium. The other long-term volunteer from France left today.
Aurelien was so nice. I will miss him as I will the other long-term volunteer, Elena, from Otocac ( the nearby town).
There is so much work to do. Nice to have strong young volunteers who can carry, bend over, lift, and pick up many things. I can do it, but I am very slow and can’t lift too much… but they found a job I can do. I am in the shop (store). I greet visitors and explain the refuge. When they don’t speak English it’s quite a challenge. Sometimes, I make mistakes when I talk to them, but I think I have it right now. I used to say there was a restaurant, but there is only a bar, and I used to say Bruno has been here for 20 years. Incorrect he has been here for about 6. Needless to say I get confused. By the time I get things right, I will be leaving.
Right now there is one other volunteer from Zagreb. A young lady who is here for a week. She wanted to get away from the city and be with nature. It is very quiet and peaceful here that is for sure. We went to bury a 6-month-old cub in the bear cemetery. He was in a plastic bag and very light. After digging the hole we covered him with dirt and a pile of rocks to designate his place. He was found dead, possibly due to starvation somewhere nearby in Croatia. They gave it to us knowing we had a cemetery for bears. He has been in the freezer till now. The cemetery is a very serene place. There are other graves for bears that have passed away.
We went to pick mushrooms. I still cannot tell an edible one from one that’s not. I rely on Slavko to instruct me. I sautéed them in cream, garlic, and a little shoyu. They were yummy. Saved some for another day.
We got some more mushrooms. This time I just sautéed in olive oil, garlic, and a little milk. It is so good. Can’t wait for the upcoming truffles in Motovun.
Children are children no matter where in the world they are from. The school visitations are fun. The boys are rowdy and the girls are reserved, somewhat.
Dream, Create, Inspire 