Our trip up to Diva Grabvica in March was my first exercise of the year. Andrew was sadly resigned to leave Mostar - so I led the group on what was supposed to be an impressive memory of Hercegovina. Mathius, a music therapy student from Denmark and girlfriend Alea are keen to climb a real mountain.
In the middle of nowhere on our way up the mountain, pipes emerge out of a hill and provide the sweetest purist natural water for travellers. The ancient kings of Bosnia used to hunt in this area - as did Tito. BiH is abundant in natural, pure springs that bubble up from inside the earth. The water carries heavy deposits of limestone which is what BiH is - a huge limestone quarry!!
The end of March and the end of our two day workshop intensive to carers from all over BiH of special needs children. It went very well - and although this looks a bit excessive, we are celebrating its success!
I took this on new years day - 2007. The central park in Mostar is undergoing serious renovations, but what you cannot see are the two pitbulls that were running free from their muzzles and chains. If you visit Mostar today - the park is exceedingly beautiful and well used by families, children and youth.
Part of our team photo taken on the day of Musers 9th anniversary. I liked the captured moment in the faces of these three - Mahira, Toni and Mathius.
Danijel's reflective face uncovers something easily missed and not so easily interpreted. Everyday, we attend to the task at hand but in a small team in a remote and often forgotten part of the world, the staff put out what they can in the face of their own difficulties and past circumstances with the wars in BiH. I am mindful of just how difficult it is to care for others when one's own future and investment in life is unknown and at risk with changing laws and politics in this 'fatalistic' culture.
Nice - when you get one of the worlds most creative composers and gifted Bosnian actors performing just for the joy of it - the party after the party started here! And do they know how to party.... Our 9th anniversary on May 31 did not stop .... until June 1.
I took the team to 'The Land of Friendship and Peace' for team building exercises. Here we get a chance to reveal how we truly feel.... well, perhaps acting is just in the blood...
There was a little stress involved as you can see ...
Andrew's camera catches another moment - here at my place on Christmas day (last hours of 2006). Vega (Spanish), Oliver (German) and Erin (American) share some insights.... in english I think.
More posts coming in the near future.... more faces and more places in 2007!
