I wake up to the sound of the staff singing. I have no idea what time it is, but it doesn’t really matter. “Breakfast in 30 minutes!!” someone shouts across the field after ringing the bell. We sit in a circle and I look at the sleepy eyes around me. Luckily, it’s not too hot yet in the early morning. We warm ourselves with bowls of warm porridge and apple. Someone passes around her little bag of cinnamon that she brought from home. I rarely find this kind of peace in everyday life. And here, we have two whole weeks to enjoy nature and each other’s company. A true gift from heaven.
This was already my third year at IYC. Since I had taken a little break, the entire group had changed. I wasn’t quite sure what to expect at first. But, just like in previous years, everyone was so open and welcoming. When I think back on it, it all feels like a dream. Continue reading…