So its almost 1 am in the morning and I just got back from my first night volunteering. The organization is called "solidarios para el desarrollo" which I think means solider for the unfortunate or something along those lines. There were 5 different things I could choose from and the one I picked was to help with the homeless. The volunteers do this every weeknight but my night is thursdays, from 9 pm to about 11:30 pm which means more like 12:30 am spanish time haha.
But what we did was were broke into two groups and before we went on our "routes" throughout the city, we made hot chocolate and walked around the city and gave it to the homeless along with some cookies. We would just chat with them for a bit and listen. I was surprised at how talkative they were but then again I'm not. They don't really get to talk to anyone so I'm sure when the opportunity is at hand, they take advantage.
One man that we met at the bus station was missing teeth and had something wrong with his voice so none of us could really understand him (even the spaniards!) but I more or less understood the conversation. I played a more observant role in the group, but I was fine with that. The man though kept saying how I reminded him of his old wife or girlfriend or whomever and his daughter who live in Germany and the last time he saw his daughter was about ten years ago and she was pregnant. So I felt bad but then again fortunate.
What I really loved was that the ladies I was with, all in their 30's, had been doing this so long that they actually are friends with the homeless and are laughing and chatting and kissing and it was really great to see that kind of connection.
&& I was surprised at how happy they all were, without jobs or homes, all the people we met were smiling and thinking positive which was good to see. Overall it was a very humbling experience that makes me grateful for what I have and what I am capable of. I can't wait to go again next week, but now I must go to bed, I'm going hiking in the morning!!!!
Man, I can't believe its April alreadyyyyyyy..... !¡
