Interview with Caíque about his lockdown experience in Hungary
First time travelling out of Brazil and yeah, 2020 happened. Caíque recalls his experiences.
I met Caíque at Hostel Durres, Albania where he is volunteering.
Everyone has a Corona lockdown story in them and Caí's is truly an interesting one.
He was volunteering at the Repzootic Animal Center in Erdosmecske about 6 hours by train from Budapest, Hungary when lockdown was implemented!
Nomadic Backpacker: You told me that this was your first trip out of Brazil, tell me more about that.
Caíque: Yes, it was my first trip out of Brazil. I flew out on January 24 to Argentina for 2 weeks and then on to Europe. I was in Lisbon, staying with my cousin until March 10, when I flew to Budapest.
NB: Did you sign up for the WorkAway volunteer program before leaving?
Caí: Yes, I did that in December.
NB: And Repzootic was your first project?
Caí: Yes.
NB: How long were you there before lockdown?
Caí: Just 5 or 6 days.
NB: How many others were there, like yourself?
Caí: Initially we were 6 plus the 2 hosts but 3 left whilst they could to return home.
NB: How did lockdown affect you?
Caí: Erdosmecske is just a small town. We were pretty busy with the animals. On a daily basis we were not affected but we could not go any where for quite a while, the planned 3 weeks became 3 months but life was good so it wasn't a problem.
Everyone has a Corona lockdown story in them and Caí's is truly an interesting one.
He was volunteering at the Repzootic Animal Center in Erdosmecske about 6 hours by train from Budapest, Hungary when lockdown was implemented!
Nomadic Backpacker: You told me that this was your first trip out of Brazil, tell me more about that.
Caíque: Yes, it was my first trip out of Brazil. I flew out on January 24 to Argentina for 2 weeks and then on to Europe. I was in Lisbon, staying with my cousin until March 10, when I flew to Budapest.
NB: Did you sign up for the WorkAway volunteer program before leaving?
Caí: Yes, I did that in December.
NB: And Repzootic was your first project?
Caí: Yes.
NB: How long were you there before lockdown?
Caí: Just 5 or 6 days.
NB: How many others were there, like yourself?
Caí: Initially we were 6 plus the 2 hosts but 3 left whilst they could to return home.
NB: How did lockdown affect you?
Caí: Erdosmecske is just a small town. We were pretty busy with the animals. On a daily basis we were not affected but we could not go any where for quite a while, the planned 3 weeks became 3 months but life was good so it wasn't a problem.
NB: As a volunteer, what was expected of you?
Caí: We started at 8 am and worked until about 5 pm. They have more than 100 animals there. Dogs, wolf dogs, 1 100% wolf, a coyote, mink, snakes, rabbits, foxes to name but a few.
We needed to walk the dogs and wolf dogs twice a day and clean all the cages and sort out the food and water. Quite a workload but very enjoyable.
Caí: We started at 8 am and worked until about 5 pm. They have more than 100 animals there. Dogs, wolf dogs, 1 100% wolf, a coyote, mink, snakes, rabbits, foxes to name but a few.
We needed to walk the dogs and wolf dogs twice a day and clean all the cages and sort out the food and water. Quite a workload but very enjoyable.
Caí seeing snow for the first time:
NB: How were you compensated for your work?
Caí: Accommodation and 3 meals a day, 7 days a week. We were looked after very well.
NB: How long did lockdown last in Hungary? Did you stay on once you were 'free' to leave?
Caí: At the beginning of May the locked down was relaxed but we all stayed there until May 14.
NB: And then you wound up that project, where did you go next and how?
Caí: Yeah, I went to Budapest and then on July 23 flew to Tirana and onto Durres.
NB: And now you are volunteering here in Durres. How are you liking the hostel and the town itself?
Caí: I like it here. I like the vibe at the hostel. The owners are very nice. I am developing my English, I do my yoga on the rooftop and have a daily fitness routine. Plus I am happy to be near the sea.
Caí: Accommodation and 3 meals a day, 7 days a week. We were looked after very well.
NB: How long did lockdown last in Hungary? Did you stay on once you were 'free' to leave?
Caí: At the beginning of May the locked down was relaxed but we all stayed there until May 14.
NB: And then you wound up that project, where did you go next and how?
Caí: Yeah, I went to Budapest and then on July 23 flew to Tirana and onto Durres.
NB: And now you are volunteering here in Durres. How are you liking the hostel and the town itself?
Caí: I like it here. I like the vibe at the hostel. The owners are very nice. I am developing my English, I do my yoga on the rooftop and have a daily fitness routine. Plus I am happy to be near the sea.
NB: Thank you Caí for your time for this interview from Hostel Durres. Saúde or should I say Gëzuar e Faleminderit.
