Good morning volunteers!

Almost three month ago we arrived here so it was just on time to participate in the Arrival Training for European Volunteers:) This event was held in Candelaría (slowly I spend more time here than in La Laguna), in a 4 starts hotel. I don't remember when was the last time when I ate so many delicious things namely we had full board: all you can eat breakfast, lunch and dinner. Yes, I know Marci, it would have been your heaven:)!
This made it very easy to prepare the perfect birthday breakfast for Marie (which happened to be on the last day of this "holiday"). From my many German friends I have already learned that this is an essential element of a good birthday. 

Marie's Birthday Brunch Table

We prepared lots of surprise for her during the day including the inevitable video about her with some embarrassing pictures:) 

Here she is trying to understand our birthday wishes which we all wrote in our own languages to make it a little bit more difficult for her:)

During this week I had my third visit to the Teide National Park which is always a big surprise. I have never seen this place twice the same. This time we had cloudy weather next to the ocean but glare above the clouds at the foot of the volcano.

Above the clouds

The coldest sunshine ever:)

I have to write a few words about the organizers who made this event so special. I have to emphasize that this was not a holiday (even if it felt like:))!! This meeting had important aims and most of the topics really made me think. One of my favourites was when we had to make a city based on the European and our own values. It is always a great pleasure to think about something new which I have never had in mind before. And to design a city (and also to build it) is definitely a thing like this.

Finally it became a little bit utopian

At the end of the week we made a lot of new friendship so the bridge has been built between the volunteers of Tenerife and Gran Canaria, hopefully we can mutually visit each other in the upcoming months.
Finally we had a random salsa class...to make the experience unforgettable! 

In few words: fantastic people, incredible food, super cool activities and such a great weather!