Going on picnics

“Six months ago, I was very busy with work, and I found myself exhausted and in a rut. So I scheduled time for a picnic on a Saturday afternoon after my volunteering engagements at a local non-profit. I went to the park, found a quiet spot under a tree, and spent 5 hours there snacking, reading, and reflecting. Because it was a relatively small town, the park was almost empty. I was mostly alone except for one instance where a group of men came into the park, and one of them came to ask me “If I needed company.” He continuously asked me for my phone number until I became irritated and snapped. My response sent him on his way, and I enjoyed the rest of my picnic. When the sun was setting, it looked so pretty, so I took a couple of photos and went home.”

“Having missed the first picnic from FRNCi, I was determined to join the second one. Therefore, on this warm and sunny Saturday, I rode my bike to the middle of Daan Park, next to the amphitheater, and went to meet the group already settling down on the grass. The organizers divided us in 4 teams, trying this way to get the same ratio of locals and foreigners in each team and also separating friends in order to make everyone really interact and speak with new people and not stay in its comfort zone. [...] It was a pleasure to enjoy the good weather by chilling in Daan Park and meeting new and interesting people, all curious from other cultures and willing to share as much as possible.”