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Articles
A White Stork – not just a fairytale creature
Anna-Maria looking into bird houses 13.04.2009 A White Stork – not just a fairytale creature
I am a 26-year-old woman from Finland. At the moment I am doing a work practice in Slovenia under the Leonardo da Vinci Program. I study in Savo Vocational College (owned by Savo Consortium for Education) to graduate as an Environmental Operative. My studies consist of Vocational Qualification in Natural and Environmental Protection organised as a preparatory education for adults.
I arrived to Slovenia in the middle of February and will stay until the end of May, all together 14 weeks. So far I have been in Kozjanski Regional Park, Park Jeruzalem and Landscape Park Goričko, and I shall continue to Soča valley to The Walks of Peace in the Soča Region Foundation.
Before I came I didn't know Slovenia very well, mostly something about the history. But I started to gather information about the country, about the landscape, culture, people and the nature. I also saw photos, and decided that I want to see and experience these views by my self. I was very curious to go and investigate a country where everything would be new to me. I was also very impressed about the fact that Slovenia is a small country by area and by population, but still independent with own language. I wanted to get to now these people who managed to keep their culture and habits under many different invaders during the history. Before I arrived I also read that one of the nicest things in Slovenia is the people, but of course you can't trust on something like this before you experience this by yourself.
And how do I feel about Slovenians? The friendliness and helpfulness that I have had here I couldn't have imagined. And it's the right kind of friendliness, not the overwhelming type that finally gets on your nerves but honest. I can trust that if somebody says something it's going to happen. Already I know a few close persons that I know that if I would be in trouble I could get help. Good example is also my experiences on the foot paths. The paths often go through a farm, and normally there is somebody working outside. People always start to talk, and when I reveal myself being a foreigner and knowing only few words in Slovene, we still find some other language to communicate, the final solution being the body language. I have been invited to houses for a drink, to fill my water bottle and have a snack. People are also concerned about my route, where I stay and if know my way back home. This is typical for the countryside. Also one place for a venture in a foreign country is always the trip to the grocery store where many products are unfamiliar. Sometimes if I have language difficulties with the sales person, other costumers see my distress and gather around and together we find a solution.
And the nature? I’m happy to spend the spring here which is my favourite season. When I arrived the trees were without leaves, but gave the possibility to see further. On one of my evening walks I spotted my first snowdrop, and took many photos of this individual thinking how lucky I was to see it. And in the following days I learned that they were everywhere, together with crocuses and primroses. And this was just the beginning. In the forest I don’t know how to choose where I want to look because there is so many things to see. I feel I can’t get enough of the landscape. I remember one clear day in Bohor. We hiked to a top of the hill, and we saw the Alps and the Triglav Mountain. It felt unreal because I knew that we were at the one side of the country looking across the whole land.
As for fauna I will mention the white storks, which just came from Africa couple of days ago. So far I have seen this bird only in children’s books, so it is like a fairytale creature coming to alive. Other animal seen very often at this time is the deer. But bigger surprise to me was to hear them. How is it possible that this beautiful animal can produce such a … indescribable voice?
But okay, no story is convincing if there are only positive things mentioned, so I will add something that troubles my thoughts. I try not to think that I have to leave in a month and a half. For this first time of my staying here.
Anna-Maria Holmstedt
Photo: Goran Novak
summary in slovene language
...checking the nest-box.JPG | Anna-Maria above the ground....JPG | Spending the evening with the hosts of Pod figo, accomodation.JPG | They seem to get along with each other.JPG | The Little Owl league.JPG | | | | | | Some people know the white storck only from fairy tales.JPG |
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