Experience of the work camp - Tyler
I came across this trip looking for the cheapest trip to Germany I could find. Meeting people and contributing to something bigger than myself were factors in my decision, but the true reason was to get the fuck away from where I was for a while. I was freshly heartbroken, and beginning to burn out in my everyday life. I yearned for something completely new. Something I could possibly even reinvent myself with. So, I bought the plane ticket and started counting down the days. My excitement was palpable.
The journey was a long one. I was able to climb aboard my first plane with ease, but the trouble began when I touched down in Boston. After about 30 minutes of wondering around, I realized my terminal was on the complete other side of the airport. I ran as fast as I could and managed to make it in time, but once the plane took off, I immediately began getting sick. I couldn’t possibly tell you how many times I apologized to the poor old woman next to me. Things calmed down once I lost consciousness and arrived in Paris. Exhausted and sick, I stumbled my way to the terminal and fell asleep in a waiting chair.
Thankfully, the flight to Germany was a short one. It was only two train rides after it, and I finally stepped foot in Hildesheim. Looking like a tourist as much as I possibly could, I rolled my suitcase down the street with directions in hand. I came up to a gigantic brick building where a man stood in the doorway, staring at me. This must be the place, I thought. I strolled up and asked if this was the workcamp. He confirmed my suspicions, and was very friendly. We walked inside, and I was completely surprised by my new abode. An abandoned schoolhouse.
Empty hallways and rooms, graffiti-ridden bathrooms, this place had it all. I had no idea that this is where I would be staying the next three weeks. Honestly, I was very excited about it. I came here for change, right? This is as different as could be. I head upstairs and met a couple of my housemates for the next three weeks, and excused myself for a nap. I could barely stand any longer. Upon awakening, I head downstairs and finally met everyone. I tried to be as charismatic as could be, so everyone could get comfortable with me from the start. I was brimming with joy. At long last, my adventure could start.
The days started to pass by, and I was completely in love with my temporary hometown already. The street signs, the cars, the shops, everything was so fresh in my life. Being the only native english speaker amongst us proved to be a bit challenging, but once I started to slow my speech, things became a lot easier. I was getting along with everyone in my workcamp, and everyone else with each other. It was perfect. We began exploring the city, from pubs to cathedrals to nightclubs. I drank and was merry, and everything was right with the world. I never wanted to leave. This was my nirvana.
Work began a few days after arriving. Artists and locals prowled the building, helping us work and directing us on things to do. They seem so thankful to have us here. We painted, constructed, cleaned, and feasted. Working never felt like a chore. This place even makes labor fun, every bit of it up to tonight, as of when I’m writing this, the opening night for the festival. Asses have been busted all around in our efforts, but we are finally seeing the fruits of our labor in action. I don’t think a single person here isn’t proud of themselves and each other. We did it.
Although we may be having the time of our lives out here, that isn’t to say we didn’t hit a wall or two in the process. Really, our only problem affecting the group was the drinking, even if it only was a couple nights out of the two weeks we have been here. One involved a handful of us with way too much to drink, and the other involved a trip to the hospital. Before you worry, everyone is ok, and the hospital visit was only a precaution to a concern that didn’t happen to be true. Our group remains resilient, though, and we came together as a team to address the problems and quickly eradicate them. Through this stumble, I believe we became stronger as a whole.
As far as personal fulfillment goes, I could not be any more satisfied. I met people I will love and cherish for the rest of my life. I developed feelings I didn’t think were possible as of yet. I learned an incredible amount of things. I worked hard, and felt rewarded for every single second of it. This trip is everything I dreamed it would be, and so much more. I’m going to miss this town and the people in it when it finally comes to leave, but I won’t be sad for myself. All this positive energy is my fuel to return to my life with the motivation I needed. It’s safe to say, if you’re ever considering a workcamp, I highly suggest it. You won’t regret a thing.