Hi blog!!

It's a lovely evening in Budapest, and as stand here on the balcony enjoy the warmer breeze of spring, writing this post fills me with an overwhelming sense of nostalgia. I find myself reflecting on the bittersweet realization that this may be one of the final updates I share about this beautiful experience.

May started in a wave of sentimentality for the sudden realization that this is our last month here. It may seem banal but ever since I arrived the time in front of me seemed so long and now that the last has arrived I wish I had more time to spend here. 

It's remarkable how rapid the days have passed, each filled with new adventures and memories. However, in the frenetic daily life, the passage of time seemed so slow, as if it stretched out endlessly before us.

Now, however, as the last month has come, there's a sense of urgency to capture every last moment. What in the past months felt routine now holds a profound significance, as I realize just how much we've come to love and appreciate this place.

Today, while I was checking donations with Vilma, with our playlist on the background as usual, I realized how far we’ve come. It’s hard to believe that not long ago, in the cold embrace of winter, we were just beginning to get to know each other and figuring out all the secrete corners of the shop.I don't even know how to describe what I feel realizing that soon this little tasks and moments won't be part of my everyday life. 

In these day my heart as filled with gratitude for countless experiences,  faces, memories and lovely relationship i experience during the journey. 

BUT now enough with the sentimentality!!!

These last weeks have been really funny, especially thanks to the visit of my mother and my brother. Finally I was able to show them around, but most importantly I discovered a lot of new places here in the city, and this leads me to the final point of this post. Before our flatmate and former volunteer Giuliana left, she created a poster in the kitchen for me and Vilma titled "Before you leave": the challenge for our last month here is to complete the bucket list that we created along our staying and even more ;) (Vilma, if you are reading, we are in this together!!). 

Even if I still need to "get over" this nostalgic feelings, I will make the best out of May!!

See you soon

Alessandra :)

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Feeling lucky

I do remember the day I took the flight from Milan to come to Budapest whom I fell in love with many years ago. It’s been a year since I've been living here, and I couldn’t be happier about the fact that I don’t have to take any flight back to Italy. This year surrounded by the decadent beauty of the city, by the treasures I find in Filantrópia Charity shop, by the people I met who’ve become very close and good friends, by the bridges, by the lights, by the fun nights, by the usual 10000 steps per day, made me realize I don’t want to leave all of this behind me.

The most incredible lesson I’ve learned this year is that it’s so important to recognize how lucky we are, to live a life we choose, to meet with friends, to be able to count on people, to be able to realize that life is just amazingly beautiful. There is no more fulfilling awareness than recognizing how full of treasures life is, and that the most beautiful of all is that we are alive and have a world of possibilities around us. Around me I see people who have moved from other countries to start another life here in this city, which makes you feel free and alive, and which always surprises you. Budapest makes you fall in love with the unpredictability of life. Some time ago I was at the post office, I had to run an errand for the shop, I was waiting in line with my headphones (as always) and my weird socks (I seem to remember they were with donuts, but I'm not sure now). A lady behind me touched my shoulder and I turned around thinking she was complaining about the volume of the music, and instead seeing me dance on the spot waiting for my turn had put her in a good mood so we started talking and she told me everything about her life, which she had lived in many places including Italy, in a small village in Tuscany and I really thought that with the right attitude you can really do many things. Being born and raised in a small town that I have never liked and that I have always found too tight, the feeling of being able to seize new opportunities and see things, faces, people, dogs, cats, bars, streets, squares every day simply makes me feel full of life.

The year I spent in Filantrópia taught me that people are generous, often for no apparent reason, that this city, despite an adverse government and a system of thought that would lead you to think otherwise, is full of generous people, who give to others. At the beginning of the experience I often wondered "but why don't they sell all these things they donate?", now I have the answer: because if you decide to donate something that will be reused by another person, who you potentially do not know and you'll never know, it's something money can't buy. Donating to recycle, to give life back to an object or a dress that is no longer used, without any gain, is something that will always amaze me and that gives me hope for the future, for future generations and for the life on our planet. Although I may seem like an eternal naive and hippie, the little daily wonders really make me smile and I have learned that it's okay like this. Another thing I learned during this ESC is that working in a group and for a group tests you every day, helps you to compromise, helps you learn to say your opinion in respect of others, and it is extremely fun. I wouldn't even be able to name all the moments I laughed to tears with the girls, all the disasters I made, the faces of Kriszti, the strength of Sara, the stories of Zsuzsa. From the walk in the forest of the first weeks (first and last for me since I am extremely lazy and I am afraid of any insects), from the bath in the Danube (first and last time for me), from the Christmas lunch at Orsi's house (Orsi please invite me more often, at your house I’d gladly come back), at dinners in the hills at Zsuzsa's house (here too, food and atmosphere always excellent), to all the nights out (for aperitifs and events I am always available, who guesses where I spend my free time wins a free beer haha), up to a year later, in which we were able to create a solid, sincere relationship and with the awareness that we can count on each other. I know for sure that on August 31st I will not say goodbye to our charity shop, we will see each other a little less but I will come to find the girls and the treasures that will arrive on the island of Filantrópia. To the new volunteers I wish to learn a lot, to have fun and enjoy every moment, to bump into all the bags and corners, to meet crazy and kind people, to have the responsibility to take on a task, to ask for help, to do things with their own mind, to meet new friends, to try on a lot of clothes and get crazy dressed every day, to drink coffee all together, to gossip, to ride the new Bubi, to build muscles with all the bags to check, to experience generosity, to be curious, to experience the city to the fullest.

P.S.: just a couple of tips, when Sara says that a place is near and it could be reached by walking, guys, NEVER, believe her. Second of all, download the app of Bolt, it’s a must-have, taxis will always save you.

Ciao belli, I’m sending all of you lots of love.

Ale

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Winter, spring and more to come

It’s been a while! Sziasztok mindenkinek, hogy vagytok?

Months have been passing so quickly since the last time I wrote something! What have I been doing during all these months? Christmas, NYE, my birthday, the lockdown, and now spring is finally here! We opened the shop after a month of general closure and I just hope life will slowly blossom again. Seeing the usual customers coming for the reopening was a very warm welcome back for ourselves, people writing a lot of messages to support us, a lot of them made donations, these things are just fulfilling our hearts. Thank you to all of you.

For this blog I’ve decided to use more pictures than words so you’ll see what my eyes have seen.

Meditating with Kriszti: we both took part in the online arrival training in November, offered by the National Agency. It was a very nice opportunity to meet the other volunteers and to get all the needed tools to live this experience at its best nevertheless the current circumstances: we are all in the same boat and we have to cope with that, so let’s take a deep breath and focus on our goals and perspectives. Being a youngster isn’t as easy as it could seem, we all have fears and we’re living in a society that wants us to be always ready and fast, able to make quick decisions with no regrets (and second thoughts and I’m very bad at not having them). We live in a place where everyone tends to be focused on its own ego and when we see something we don’t like we just turn the head to the other side where the sun is shining and problems don’t exist. Too easy, too stupid. Why don’t we take time to think, to reflect on ourselves and the world we’re surrounded by? With a common strength we can change what we don’t like in our society and we have to make our voices heard.

Ps: and dare mighty things.

The Budapest walking tour is still ongoing! These pics were taken during a long walk from Pest to Buda on a very cold December’s day. I think it’s pretty easy to see how much I love yellow lights and majestic bridges. The Danube flows slowly and even though I’m scared of water, looking at it makes me calm and it gives me a peaceful sensation. During Christmas time the city was enriched by all those lights all over and it was really beautiful and I spent a very good time during the winter holidays here in Budapest having fun with my friends. Everyday I try to achieve my goal to make 10000 steps per day, so I should better move on up! Spring is here and all the parks and secret corners I haven’t seen so far are on my top list!

Mimì. She's our family dog and she’s in Italy with my mom and my brother. I’ve missed all of them a lot and I’ve had the chance to visit them in March for a few days. Before going home I stopped in Padua to meet my friends and the time I spent with them was amazing, like the old good days. Living far from them isn’t easy because you’ll always miss the people you’re used to relying on for years, but making new friends along the way is just beautiful as all the new adventures are! Even if it’s only been nine months since I’ve been here, the people I spend my time with give me the feeling that I’ve known them for a long time.

Art and hope. It was an usual day doing some outdoor tasks for the shop and I jumped on this beautiful openair gallery all along the park in Hunyadi tér. I’m very passionate about art and as all of us know museums, libraries, theatres, cinemas are still closed. I personally think it says a lot about the importance we give nowadays to the field of culture and to our self empowerment given by that. Money simply can’t buy that. Along the centuries intellectuals and writers have said culture makes you feel free even if you are imprisoned, I couldn’t agree more. It just feeds your brain and I’m more and more hungry.

Time to say goodbye, see you soon.

“ψυχῆς γὰρ οὐδέν ἐστι τιμιώτερον.”

“Nothing is more precious than life.”

 Euripide, Alcesti (438 a.C.)

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Autumn in Budapest: an inspiring love story

 

 

October went so fast I can’t even realize that. It was a busy month and we did a lot of activities in and outside the shop, let’s try to make some order in my memory.

First thing first: there were still sunny days and me and the girls went rolling around Pest and Buda, taking long walks and riding bikes (how heavy is the bike you can’t even imagine), so we spent very relaxing and refreshing days. I just want to tell you when we went to a bar and a picture caught my attention: it was about sharing tampons and other useful objects. It was the first time for me to see this kind of “social” manifesto in a bar's toilet. Tampons are absurdly expensive and they’re costing more and more money, what about women who can’t afford them? Tampons are fundamental for our life as women and it’s unbelievable that we have to carry the costs on our shoulders.

Speaking about women empowerment, we all took part in a photo shooting for the shop and it was amazingly great! We all used clothes from the shop and a professional photographer took some picture of us: who knows me well knows that I don’t fancy being in the center of attention but the little “I love myself” part won the game against the “please I’m shy don’t take pictures of me” part and I enjoyed a lot, it was a real good shot for my self- esteem! The atmosphere all in all was warm and exciting: looking at girls helping each other finding the perfect look or the craziest accessories and empower ourselves – women are so powerful. And speaking of that, I find myself thinking about women and about one of the most precious gifts we have: our brain. A brain that thinks, a brain that makes us speak (as loud as we want), a brain to choose. I joined a demonstration in solidarity with Polish women, for what they are suffering on their bodies, for choices made by a government which would like to kill our faculty of choice and take us (back?) to the darkest hour of submission under men. Freedom of choice defines us, women and men, it defines us as human beings, it defines us as different from one another, it makes ourselves looking at the mirror, sometimes proudly, sometimes sadly. Whatever is my choice doesn’t concern you and at the top of all we cannot let anyone steal our right (seen as one of the fundamental human rights) to choose. You may not like what we choose, or the fact that we can choose, well our answer is: we will keep choosing our freedom and we will not let men take it away from us.

Taking my mind back to Aradi utca, we have celebrated the birthday of the shop! Happy 5^th birthday Filantrópia!! Wish you all the best….donations 😊 That day was funny, a lot of costumers came and enjoyed the day with us. It was so beautiful to be there for that special day and getting to know a bit more about the history of the shop, from its first moves to the magnificent island it is now!! It’s so inspiring looking at what you Profilantrop people have created! Okay the food part is coming.. of course Sara made pizza, crazy good as usual, Kriszti made an original cake I’ve never tried before, Zsuzsa made the best pogácsa I’ve ever had so far, and I made a savory plumcake (if you want us to prepare you a dinner please feel free to contact us). Food part is not done yet -don’t open this post if you’re hungry or after seven if you don’t have anything in your fridge- because the four of us and Orsi also took part in the “zakuszka day”, a typical sauce from Transylvania at Zsuzsa’s parent’s house. Basically what you need is a super big pan to put on the fire, peppers, eggplants, tomatoes, onions – and if you are one of those who cry as babies while cutting onions, please be prepared with a lot of tissues. Truth to be told, I cried worse than babies dealing with their first teeth.

But, you’re getting to know me more and more, and as you could have seen I can be very emotional sometimes. After two long months of absence, lack and abstinence, although I have never forgotten you and never my heart will be able to do it, finally I found you again and you made me spend wonderful hours in your company, so here I am gratefully thanking you, thank you Campari Spritz.

Yes, guys, I found Campari in Budapest, and it’s perfect for our aperitives on the cozy homey balcony since we are still facing the pandemic and everything is closed!

Time to say goodbye, raise your glass and egészségedre to everything that makes you feel good and powerful!

Sziasztok!

P.s.: just a tip, take your phone and put as loud as you can “You don’t own me” – I picture myself as a dancing Diane Keaton and I honestly feel so cool (sometimes we all need that feeling no?).

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Ficánkolás Filantrópián

 Az emberek meg én

Filantrópián sok mindent tanulok: türelmet, türelmet és még több türelmet,
meg, hogy mennyi féle ember erre járhat, kelhet.
Tizenkettőkor nyitunk, addig még fél óra van, a padlónak fel kell száradnia.
Elnézést, de hatkor zárunk, már mennénk mi is haza.
Adományt ideiglenesen nem fogadunk, írja az ajtón, a közösségi oldalakon,
mondjuk élőben és telefonon.
Na jó, ha már idáig elhoztad ezt még elveszem,
de novemberig ne hozz mást, folyton kérlelem.
Kedvességből nincs hiány,
van, aki kiadó lakást ajánl.
Más a fűtést szerelné,
Őket ki ne szeretné?
Ne haragudj, ennek mennyi az ára?
Szerinted a harminchatos is jó erre a lábra?
A vérnyomásmérő működik?
A piros vagy a zöld szebb? kérdezik
Ez férfi vagy női? Mit lehet darálni ezzel?
Ó nincs húszasom, majd behozom egyszer.
Van egy mérőszalagod?
Ezt holnapig kérlek félrerakod?
A napom fénypontja, hogy bejöttem!
Hozom a cuccaim, van már egy nagy öllel.
Labda gurul, matrica ragad.
Matyika, fiam jól érzed magad?
A karkötő több mint száz forint. Bocsi rosszul mondtam.
A tükör és a törpe nem eladó! Az esernyőm, az hol van?
Van-e maszkod? Légyszi vedd fel.
Várj egy kicsit, sok bent az ember.
Ez mit véd? A gerincet vagy a térdet?
Kipróbálhatnánk a hajnyírógépet?
A kirakatból azt a bigyót ki tudod venni?
Szépnek szép, de a fogyásra nem lehet építeni.
Anya, már egy grillcsirke vagyok!
Uram, ön épp az én táskámban matat, ha nem zavarok.
Újra és újra fél hatkor, fülemen egy kedves hang megpihen.
What is the discount? And any new item? 

Az olasz lányok, az otthonunk meg én

A lakótársak gyöngye vagyok, ez vitathatatlan.
A mosógép majdnem élete utolsó napjait látta miattam.
A hűtő sem úszta meg, ajándékul retek szárat kapott,
de két hét után már senki nem bírta ezt a szagot.
Só és cukor, a különbség mit számít..gondolhattam magamban, majd összeöntöttem a kettőt.
Szemenként kiválogatni jó móka lesz ez, eltöltök vele pár esztendőt.
Pókháló leszedés, íme itt vagyok.
Kivéve, ha az ikeás szék alattam összebugyog,
s én a földről már csak ennyit hallhatok:
Kriszti, are you fine? Sure, sure, csak a térdem egy kicsit sajog.
Ó te kis paradicsomleves, főzésedkor szinte felgyújtottam a konyhát, s vele együtt magam.
Nagy lett volna, ha egy hónap után: viszlát gyöngyház utcai konyha, viszlát hajam.
Ha valaki még oly tudatlan lenne, mint én, azt tanácsolom,
lángoló olajra semmiképp nem a víz, hanem a födő a nyerő, úgy bizony!
Nem fogsz ki rajtam parileves, harmadjára sikerült a rántásod.. nagy nehezen,
A betűtésztáid is szétfőttek, sebaj, legközelebb túljárok az eszeden.
Sara, Ale köszi, hogy megtűrtök, haha ezt most nem is értitek,
De olyan jó, hogy itt vagytok, s veletek lehetek.
Szeretem, hogy tökéletesen toljuk együtt a perfect éneket.
Hogy a bubit tekerve együtt küzdünk a kettes és hármas váltás között a Duna parton,
vagy épp éjszaka táncolunk a gangon.
Nem számít, hogy techno parti, lomizás vagy fagyis, filmes este,
jól érzem magam ezekkel a lányokkal, tutto bene, tutto bene. 

 

Az adománybolt meg én

Annyi kincs és minden kéne.
Hogy állítsam le magam, hogy ennyi, vége.
Nem kell az üvöltő, piros szemű plüssmajom. Nem kell a légy szemüveg. Nem a kell a fénykép egy izmos karról vagy az újszülöttről, a szerelmesms című műremek, a kaleidoszkóp. Nem kell a cipőre köthető görkori, a turbán, a balalajka, a tavirózsás káddugasz, a szinte jó rám pöttyös szoknya, vagy a sál, ami annyira szép színű, de iszonyúan szúr..kár.
Így győzködöm magam minden egyes nap.
Viszont te, aki a lila zöld susogós retró kabit adományoztad, imádlak,
vágyamat valóra váltottad, remélem érzed a hálámat.

Most már jöhetnek a következő hónapok,
Én készen állok és tovább ficánkolok. 

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Budapest Diary

It’s Monday night, I’m on the balcony wondering about myself and what surrounds me. It’s the perfect time to think and to write. Everything feels so calm, so right. Lot of inside questions though. Am I doing the “right” thing? Does the right thing really exist? Sometimes I don’t think so. Sometimes the right thing is what makes you feel a part of an everything, sometimes the right thing is what makes you proud, sometimes egoistically speaking is what it just feels good or appropriate for yourself. I’m in Budapest since few weeks and I’m overwhelmed by what surrounds me every day: the city, the people living in, my volunteer service at Filantrópia. At my eyes the city looks so big, so deep in its streets, its quarters: my head is looking at all the palaces, all the buildings, all the bars and shops, all the sunsets through the windows. I always wonder what people do in here, what’s their life, if they’re happy, if they’re sad, if they’re in love. The people I meet at Filantrópia are helping me so much I can’t describe, they offer me new points of view, they are opening their heart to me and I can’t be more grateful for everything they’re donating to me. I think “to donate” is the perfect verb and action to describe what’s happening in Aradi Utca 43 every morning and afternoon. One of my best way to be is being emphatic and I can’t imagine how much more I’ll be after one year here and at who I’ll be on the 31st August 2021. Everyday I check bags coming from donation (I told you, to donate is the appropriate action): what can be sold, what can be donate (once again) to homeless people, to other communities living in villages outside Budapest, to orphans, to associations helping dogs. My hands are putting clothes, shoes, and everything needed in order to help these people. My hands are helping and this is what it feels right at the end of every day spent at work. More than once I felt sad doing this job, it's sad to think about their situation and touching clothes to give to them makes me reflect about how they must feel and how lucky we are to have what we have but once again Sara and Zsuzsa gave to me the perfect words to see things form a different point of view. I’m a very good observer too, and my eyes are always projected to the details, especially in what concerns the people. In theirs, I see passion, commitment and an aim of life. I look at all the people coming to the shop, some of them communicate with their eyes: so far I can’t speak Hungarian so I’m trying to get in touch with them looking at their moves, at the way they move their hands, at what they look for, at their smiling eyes and their blue mood (we all have blue moods sometimes, let’s not hide it). But more than everything I see people with stories I don’t know anything about and still I keep wondering. I also look at the young smile of Kris, the other volunteer and I see the joy of discovering life and laughing together. Filantrópia is a masterpiece for what it offers and for what we can receive from the people. We never think enough about this, we are used to take it for granted: well, it’s a mistake. Budapest, see you tomorrow. Goodnight to all the people’s stories.

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