Hmmm! Let me think… July 2012 was a difficult month for several countries because of natural conditions. But there were also good
ones, for example Spain lifted the trophy of EURO 2012 (football) in Ukraine, which they in my opinion really deserved. I remember that time as great furthermore because of Spain being visitors of my country and later that month I packed my backpack and then begun to write my motivation letter, being confident about my own charisma.
They choose me… Why? I am not sure, but it happened and sooner than I knew it I was on my long long way to the small city of Burgos in the Northern part of Spain. What did I know already about Spain? Just in general, some writers, some historical dates etc. I wanted to start my trip on St. Jacobs walk (Camino de Santiago), maybe that was the exact reason to chose Spain as my SU destination. What happened later? I changed my view on Spain.
The smallest Antenna in Spain, just 2-5 active organisers, but they were filled by the powerful spirit of AEGEE! They became foster parents for 25 people from all over the Europe. They fed us, found the place to sleep; they were so kind in the morning while waiting for everyone from bathrooms.
I am just a simple mortal citizen of my country; due to my passport my number is 235686, just like this…
I cannot say whether this SU was good or bad, but I can say that I had no problems with anything. I spent a great time in the company of young and well-educated people. I think that maybe 68% of the spirit of SU consists of participants; the rest was due to bureaucracy with which the organisers had to struggle!
This summer I have done a lot of interesting things: we visited San Miguel brewery, walked one complete stage of Camino de Santiago, slept in the open air, spent some days in the mountains with huge nature, did risky sports, had sunbathe and swam in a swimming pool, visited a lot of historical villages and places from the old kingdom of Spain, where we even planted a tree! That way I left a small piece of myself in Burgos forever, in an activity that we did all day.
Why am I writing this? This is my third event, and I became cold hearted. But I wanted to show my appreciation for the team of which it might be the last SU. I told them thanks, but in private. I appreciate you, guys, your work and willing. I want to say thanks in a public place, maybe in such way my words will become more powerful!
My body already arrived to Ukraine, but my brain stayed in the cold and windy place of Burgos…
Maybe one day in the future we will meet again. For this reason I will not say goodbye but I will simply say see you soon.
I will never come back to Burgos again, because I have been there happy, and in my opinion one should never return to the place where you have been happy once.
Written by Volodymyr Reshota, AEGEE-Rive