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Departures, returns and removals

I use to be an organized, responsible and consistent person, but sometimes I like to make spontaneous decisions and risk as well. I believe that everyone needs a little craziness in his or her life.

That is why on 2nd October I woke up at 6 am and went with my luggage towards Benalmadena train station. Since then, everything has gone quite quickly and a bit nervous: train, plane, flight from Malaga to Berlin, bus from Berlin to Szczecin (my hometown), car, luggage change, train from Szczecin to Poznan...

Finally, around midnight I got to the unknown city, pulled my bike out of the train, put my trekking backpack and with the priceless help of Google Maps app I reached my new apartment in Poznan, which I had never seen before, to start classes the very next day at 8 am. Now I can proudly call myself a student at Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznan and a new resident of the city.




But let's get back to the point of departure. What was I doing in Benalmadena?

As a Master's student in Spanish, I am an absolute fan of Spanish language and I am always looking for the opportunity to return to Spain, which I consider my second home. This summer I have done something completely new. Me, a backpacker loving to sleep in a sleeping bag, tire and sweat, walk long kilometers on foot, I went to Spain to work in one of the seaside hotels in the animation team. Here you can find some of my impressions:

Animation is apparently not serious work but in reality it is similar to any other.There are moments of sweat, laughter and tears. There are people who make us move up and down.

Costa del Sol, in turn, reflects all the natural beauty of Spain and all its tourist kitsch. It is the world of skyscrapers, residences, apartments, travel agencies, guides, stars, TripAdvisor recommendations  and complaint sheets.

The division between the natives and the 'guiris' (not a very kind synonym of 'tourists') is current.

I discovered a 'hipster face' (previously unknown) of the country and a hotel environment spreading rumors, scandals and news that separate the world of sun loungers, swimming pools and pool bar from that of the staff's intensified life behind the department door, behind one's back and on Instagram.

On the other hand, there were always some people by my side precisely when I needed them. There are people that I miss now, since they made my days more beautiful during my stay in Spain. There are people who gave me moving memories and much empathy.

Most clients are authentic and grateful for every little thing, they allowed me to hear and enter their stories. But there are others who come and leave the hotel dissatisfied with life.

There are hundreds and thousands of faces, conversations, personal confessions, honest and courtesy smiles; games, jokes, performances; casual meetings after hours, confidential advice and wishes, spontaneous thanks. And this is the most beautiful part of the job- giving the best part of myrself to people I do not know and will never see again. Do not judge, avoid or ignore, but be available and kind to everyone.

My traineeship in Benalmadena were two months quite intense, rich in meetings and confrontations and finally the time spent there made me keep the hotel in my heart.










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