Patricia on Nusa Penida: it was a pleasure to be there, to give and to receive!

Patricia during her English classes on Nusa PenidaIndonesia.

Patricia Perelló kicked off 2018 in a way she will never forget: with a solidarity trip to Bali. In January, she collaborated with a NGO which aims to environmental protection. Monitoziró is a white-feathered, blue-eyed bird in danger of extinction. One day, he sat waiting for the rain to stop on the project's terrace, and by the time he realised, five hours had passed! "I learned to live in the moment," he explains.

Why did you choose Nusa Penida to volunteer?

Because I like Southeast Asia and I knew I could bring a lot to the project. Nusa Penida is a beautiful island, very unspoilt, jungle and lush, with beaches and coral reefs. I think that's what Indonesia was like years ago before the influx of mass tourism. The people are charming, humble and welcomingThey offer you everything even if they have almost nothing. The food is very good, lots of fruit and vegetables, some fish and well seasoned... delicious!

How was your journey to the island?

As I leave from Mallorca, I had to go through several airports to get to Bali. I had to spend one night there. From there, in the morning, I took a shuttle to the harbour. I had to wait for a place on one of the boats and... I had the bad luck to get off at the wrong port in Nusa Penida! In the end I spent three days until I reached my destinationThe local people helped me to find the NGO!

What tasks did you carry out in the project?

The tasks to be performed are simple: monitoring birds, gardening, teaching English, etc.and whatever is needed. One day sweeping the road. Another day I went to remove plastics from the beach..... I really enjoyed doing everything. It was... I don't know how to explain it, it just was.

You monitored an endangered bird, which one?

The Bali Sterling. The first day it was difficult for me to get used to its colour, but the second day my eyes were already adapted to its white colour and blue eyes and I could distinguish it very quickly! It was very beautiful! We could even see that one couple was already with offspring. It was a very cool moment.

What do you take away from your trip?

I had already travelled a lot in that area, so I didn't learn as much as I did, but I will remember knowing how to be in the moment. A rewarding and unthinkable moment in Europe was one day when we were supposed to go to class and it started to rain. The coordinator told me that we would see if we could go down to the village and I sat down to wait on the terrace. I sat there watching, smelling and listening to the rain.... When I realised that five hours had passed and it seemed like a second... That was the moment!

 

Did you meet other volunteers?

No! It felt weird at first, but then I really enjoyed it. This way I got much more in touch with the local people! On the last day another volunteer came but she arrived very tired and I hardly saw her.

Do you recommend a solidarity trip?

Yes, I recommend everyone to go on a trip like this. But it's important not to get the wrong idea that you're just going to help. Travel with honesty and knowing that you are going to do your own personal work has given me a lot!

In fact, the coordinator asked me if I would come back and I told her that I would.... It was a pleasure to be there, to contribute and to receive!