Discovering life at Vegetarium

Taking part in this volunteering project is part of a bigger dream I’ve had for a long time: to travel, discover new countries, new cultures, and meet new people. And in barely a week of being here, I already feel like I’ve seen and learned so much.

Before coming here, I had a lot of apprehensions. Since I’m a rather reserved person, I was afraid that I wouldn’t be able to integrate or adapt to this new life in a community. But surprisingly, taking that step was much easier than I expected. In the end, I could not have wished for a better first experience.

I was welcomed very warmly at Vegetarium. Everyone has been incredibly kind and helpful, which allowed me to settle in comfortably and feel at ease very quickly. While Océane kindly shared with me what she already knew, Joanna patiently explained every task in detail and always made sure I understood everything properly. I also feel like I have a lot to learn from Filip, both in terms of personal growth and in the way he respects nature and works within this environment.

Life here is different. We live in harmony with nature (at least we’re trying), and it is very different from my usual daily life. The work can sometimes be physical, but I’m happy to be able to contribute to this project. It makes me feel useful.

Being surrounded by nature and everything it has to offer is also very inspiring. It brings out my creativity in ways I did not expect. Back home in France, I would never have imagined wanting to carve a spoon out of a simple piece of wood found in the forest. Yet here, that kind of thing feels natural. Little by little, Vegetarium is starting to feel like a second home in Bulgaria.

Here, everything seems to work through exchange: you give and you receive in return. In only a few days, I can already feel how much this experience is bringing me. Little by little, I’m learning to disconnect, to refocus on what truly matters, to open myself up more to others, and to stop being afraid of the unknown. And that makes me even more excited for what is still to come. 

Zoé