Saturday, 16th of August

Culture night made all of us really tired so we slept almost till noon. After getting up we cleaned up the house as we are leaving the following day. In the evening we went to Britt-Marie's house as she invited us to crayfish party.

For same of us it was the first time of eating crayfish, but luckily we were given the lesson how to do that. Apart of eating crayfish we could fish and take sauna. It was beautiful ending of great two weeks.

Thank you for your hospitality!

Agata & Jan

Friday, 15th of August

In the morning we started to prepare evetything for the fashion show. We put up the benches and tables. After the luch we all went back to the house to rest a little. At 6 p.m. we came back to Emmaus. Same of us were helping in the kitchen, others were selling books and helping in the shop.

There came about 2000 people, which made same of the models quite nervous. At 9 p.m., after a few music performances, came our time. We had the great fun during the show. Everythig went according to the plan. After the show we could rest cleaning after the Culture Night. We finished after midnight and went home in our Scooby van.

Agata & Jan

Thursday 14th August

Today when we set off for work Rene was not very well, he had a bad headach, so he did not work today.I latter gave him some painkillers that helped.When we came to work Steve,Jan & Evelina were bailing, Gerd & Agata were making the sign for the 2008 summer work camp, and Nico was in the kitchen making the food. In the late morning Steve & Jan went with Mats to get the tables and benches for the fasion show on Friday. Also the stage arrived for the show and Steve & Jan helped to set up the catwalk. At coffee time in the morning we found out that it was Anna's birthday and so we sung happy birthday to her in English. After work in the evening, we had another rehersal for the fasion show and after we went back to the house and relaxed. Also when we got back Rene was feeling a lot better.

Steve

Wednesday, 13th August

After yesterday’s rehearsal we all felt really tired. Luckily, when we got to Emmaus in the morning we found out that we don't have to work in the afternoon. Having eaten the lunch we visited the Åland Islands Peace Institute where we found out about projects and research carried out by this organisation.

In the evening one of the girls from the Institute - Justina visited us and told us what Emmaus movement means to her. She also elaborated on one of the projects concerning human trafficking. The subject of the discussion was getting serious and rather depressing, but everybody cheered up when Steve served delicious hamburgers.

Agata

Tuesday 12th August

Today it does not rain, the sun shines and we are working in the courtyard.Mats and Rene clean rain drainage, it's not so nice work, but very useful and necessary. Steve clean up the herbs in the courtyard.

Agata and Jan finish paint the windows and door of the shop. Nico tries to store the different things we recieve, but the work is without an end. He is very good. Carina has decorated the courtyard with flowers. Gerd made 3 'pie', but one has disappeared. Perhaps the wasps have the dinner?

All participants make the dishes very good taste, it is not the work camp is the restaurant. The evening was the first rehearsal of fashion show.

All are trying the clothes with excitement and listen to instructions of the choreografie. It is quite difficult and is not so funny for me and Rene. But everyone support each other. The evening dinner was quite late with sandwiches and cosy disscusions near the candles.
Evelina

Monday 11th august

Monday morning when we were sitting in the car, Chris decided to go home to Bristol. He was borded among other things. Later on, we found out the he´d lost some money in the house and didn´t want to stay among us anymore. Carina set up a meeting for us to find out what had happend. We all tried to understand and support Chris but he was determind to go home.

We all felt a bit sad and miserable about Chris leaving, but continued to work. Painting windows and doors, gardenwork and like the other days sorting and bailing.

In the evening back at the house we found out that Chris had changed his mind and was staying after all but in Carinas house.

After dinner we watched a film " Katyn" made by a polish producer - Wajda - A sad film on a sad day.

Gerd Holmer

Sunday, 10th August

After the whole week of work everybody awaited Sunday. We all slept a little bit longer. Nico and Rene went on a scooter trip on the island whereas the rest of the group decided to see the highest point in the area. With Jan as a driver and the rest as the pilots we had a lot of fun trying to find our destination point. I must say that cartographers still have some work to do here as there are houses on the roads drawn on maps. But the view from the hill was worth an effort.

Having seen Orrdals klint we decided to go North. The weather was surprisingly nice so we stayed there for a while sunbathing and playing football.

Our Scoobe van didn't dissapoint us.

The day finished with delicious dinner at Carina's place. (picture at the top)

I hope that after the day of fun and good food everybody got new energy to continue our work next week.

Agata