Keeping Up with Parco

11 August - 24 August

Heeey

This week started as a holiday for me, since I took a few days off. The girls were working until 13th August, mostly focused on creating the Vitality call. From 14th to 18th August,the office was closed.

The first few days I just chilled at home while a heatwave hit us with high temperatures. Then I went on a four-day trip to Annecy, France — a city with medieval roots and canals almost like Venice, leading to Lake Annecy, which is surrounded by mountains. I wandered the streets, read by the lake, sketched moments around the canals, and went on a hike to see the most beautiful view of the lake.

I also celebrated my birthday there. In Italy, they celebrate Ferragosto on the same day — the biggest holiday of the summer.

• Ferragosto is a major public holiday in Italy. It originally dates back to Roman times, marking the end of harvest and honoring the emperor Augustus. Today, it combines religious and cultural traditions, also coinciding with the Assumption of Mary in the Catholic Church. Italians usually celebrate by taking vacations, going to the beach or mountains, enjoying big meals with family and friends — and most businesses close for the day. •

So no one works, everyone is on vacation — and so were we! I was in Annecy, Beatrice was in Genova, and Ebru went to Greece with her boyfriend.

Beatrice and I returned on the 17th, so on our last day off we went for an aperitivo with our local friend Sandra. Since almost everything was closed, we explored a new bar in Camerana, a nearby village.

Back at work, we started reviewing applications and talking with the applicants.

One morning, Beatrice and I also went to the streets of Monesiglio to record a reel for the volunteering call. It was a challenge, as neither of us is used to speaking in front of the camera.

Another day, we joined Italian class. In exchange for a bit of work, we helped Giorgia install mosquito nets on the windows, chop some wood — and then off we went to study. A bit of writing, a bit of talking, a bit of reading.

As almost every week, we had knowledge sharing and closing in Bergolo.

This time, the knowledge sharing was led by José and focused on exploring gravity — how it affects us and how we can work with it — as well as the concept of trust. We worked in pairs to find balance, first standing shoulder to shoulder, then walking together.

It reminded me of Siamese twins.

José uses this exploration in his dance practice to make movement easier and more effective. For us, it was a new way to connect with our bodies.

As we were leaving Bergolo, our dear car, Punto, got a flat tire. But with Veso’s help, we got it fixed and made it safely back to Monesiglio.

The weekend we spent chilling at home — because it's important to remember to rest.
See you next time,

-Natália