From June 18th to August 3rd, I did a volunteering project in a village called Mindya in Bulgaria that turned out to be way more than I expected.
We stayed in this cosy guesthouse, and there were seven of us in total—four Armenians, including me and three Turkish volunteers. Now, here’s the thing: being Armenian, I knew our countries don’t exactly have the best relationship. But honestly, bonding with the Turkish volunteers became one of the highlights of my time there. It was surreal at first, but as we spent more time together, it felt like we were breaking down barriers, just by hanging out, sharing stories, and making memories together. It was such a powerful reminder that personal connections can sometimes do what politics can’t.
The main project we were working on was making composers out of old wood. I never thought I’d get so into building composers, but there I was, hammering away and loving it. It felt good to be part of something meaningful, knowing that what we were creating would have a lasting impact on the environment.
We did have a week off in between, and we didn’t waste a second of it. We travelled all over Bulgaria, from Plovdiv to Burgas to Sunny Beach… You name it. We hit up almost all the seaside spots too. Each place had its own vibe, and it was amazing to experience so much of the country in such a short time.
Looking back, this project was unforgettable. It wasn’t just about the work we did or the places we saw; it was about the people I met and the friendships that formed despite the odds. This experience taught me that sometimes the best memories come from the most unexpected places.
