Cover photo: Robbert van der Gaag
Text: Debra van der Lem
Edit: Mike Dent
When you leave the International Service Team (IST) campsite and cross the street, you reach the main entrance. You will find a steep area on your left that flattens out until you reach the sea. Things have changed rapidly here, as only four days ago there was nothing but grass. Now there are big tents, they are finalising the last plumbing to the toilets and showers at the top of the field and tractors are delivering equipment to a waiting team.
There is a bustling vibe; tents are being filled with stock, an old wooden box gets decorated, floors are cleaned and items for games are being put together. The German team has worked hard and has got to the final stage of putting together their Black Magic construction. The Dutch are working hard to ensure being able to host several activities during the IST days on 24 and 25 July. It’s starting to look very cheerful with the orange flags and music in the background. At the same time a Service Team is putting up WiFi and taking care of electricity. The Swiss have everything under control and cleaning, painting and creating dietary lists for the kitchen go hand in hand. The Cypriots are busy helping out somewhere else, as their foodhouse is used as much needed storage space and it leaves us in anticipation of what it is going to look like.
The Plaza hosts foodhouses from four countries and each foodhouse has a different style. The Dutch have a large tent for games and entertainment, but they will also serve snacks which are prepared on the spot, like poffertjes, kibbeling (battered pieces of fish with remoulade sauce) and oliebollen (fritters). It is even said they want to try out a breakfast oliebol with bacon in it.
Hang out at the bar and enjoy the local food, accompanied by coffee, some soda or alcohol free beer. When you are in a hurry you can also find crisps and sweets for the road.
If you are really into cheese, the Swiss foodhouse is the place to visit. They serve hot dogs, garlic bread and pataclette (potatoes with raclette cheese). Have a drink with a view on the Matterhorn and linger around for a game or make a friendship bracelet.
If you haven’t had enough cheese yet you can also visit the German Black Castle where you can share Käsespätzle (cheese noodles) with your friends or treat yourself to some Serviettenknödeln (bread dumplings). Before you leave for your next shift you can pop into the Cypriot Foodhouse for a frappé.
Although the Plaza is worth a visit already, the teams aren’t quite ready yet. In the Roverway app you can find out about everything that goes on in the foodhouses. The Dutch and German foodhouse have activity programmes throughout the camp, so spending your spare time will be easy.