Какво Става с Мен

Now that I'm trying to catch up on my blog entries, I'm at the point where I can fill you all in on the present. My work is going very well. My new counterpart is a very smart man with great project ideas. He is very interested in sustainable tourism in Karlovo. Currently we are working on a SPA project for alternative energy systems for the five huts in the mountains surrounding Karlovo. We want to add Solar panels, composting toilets and composting of organic wastes for each site. We have until August to have the project written, but still a long time to go as far as creating the budget, securing funding from the municipality and planning out the timeline. My counterpart says "Има време" - There is time!

Last Monday Peace Corps came to visit my site now that I HAVE AN APARTMENT, and now that I have a new organization (with a sweet counterpart!) This was a very productive meeting because I was able to express any concerns I had about our working situation and he was able to explain more ideas he had about projects, future events and how he wishes for me to be involved with the tourism information center. Eye opening! I had a good idea about what he wanted and now I feel even more confident about being busy with projects and activities while I work for this organization. Yeah for having work and people who want to work with you!
When the Peace Corps came they brought with them a package that had been sent to me in December 2007. This is not the norm for packages to take quite that long.........sometimes I wonder if the pony express is still in use but not three months. When I received the package I saw what had caused the delay. My address was illegible and the only information that could be read was my name, Peace corps, Bulgaria and 4300 (my town code). With this limited information this package, even after three months made its way to the Peace Corps office in Sofia. Someone out there went out of their way to find out where the Peace Corps office was in Bulgaria. In the box, I received some Christmas socks, ginger cookies, wire art, "Grow a pet" (a plastic pet that grows 600% its size when in water for 72 hrs), a very pretty Chinese fan and an American magazine article about cosmetic companies in my region. Very interesting contents. Certainly made my week!

Outside of my organization I continue my efforts with local schools and some social groups. With the other volunteer in my town, we have been assisting in the planning and preparation of an American cultural day with the local English school. The children will be presenting everything from historical events, famous people, holidays and even one about Mcdonalds and Kentucky Fried Chicken. In addition to the projects, some children will be participating in extra activities such as traditional dances, readings of famous poets, skits, plays and preparing traditional American food. As far as food, my site mate and I will be preparing some dishes and hopefully with the help of other volunteers. We would like to serve macaroni and cheese, apple pie, lemonade, hamburgers........ This Saturday they had an end of the year party named "Fashion disaster." It was a great time with dancing and games. At the end of the party I provided the teachers with American country music that I would be using to teach the students how to country line dance. After the party I went with about 15 little girls to our cultural center where I dance every week, to teach them the electric slide. It was more of them jumping around and giggling.......So cute and lots of fun!

I have dance practice three times a week. My group is preparing for a dance festival in Spain this summer. I will not be attending but it gives me more opportunity to improve my skills and practice my Bulgarian. My group will be performing for the Rose Festival at the end of May and early June. I have yet to be asked to participate but I have been told my dancing is improving and its good fun just to be active with the group. Once a week I climb on an indoor climbing wall with a local high school student. He is ranked 13th in Europe for his climbing skills. I have been working with him for the past month on preparing a resume of his placements and a cover letter to request funding from companies throughout Europe and in the US. These were sent out last Thursday, I hope they return a response so that he can continue in his competitive climbing. This is a large part of who he is and I would hate to see him have to give it up because he is unable to find the resources to make it possible.

Last week I planted trees with the municipality. We planted at least 75 trees. With my site mate we plated about 10-12 trees together. These are located in what was an open grassy area next to several bloc districts. The area does seem more pleasant. This was a great opportunity to interact with the municipality workers outside of their office and do some physical work outside. I can only hope that the municipality and the neighbors to to these new trees keep them maintained and healthy.

My English group is going very well. We have had 5 meetings so far and each with a very good turnout. Some of our topics of discussion have included the issues facing Bulgaria, the youth in Bulgaria, lack of employment, environmental issues and homosexuality. Not only does this provide this with a relaxed environment to practice their English since many of them are preparing for their final certificate, but it also allows them to discuss topics not normally discussed in school or in their homes. These students are very bright and have become not only windows to the youth interests in Karlovo they have also become my friends :)

For the last two weeks I have been so tired. This is beyond being difficult to get up when I hear my alarm, I'm not hearing my alarm and sleeping well past when I am supposed to be at work. Not good!
I know I have been going to bed late and eating later. The Peace Corps Medical officer suggested to take vitamins ( I have been bad about this since I was a kid), going for walks in the sun, going to bed earlier on a regular schedule and not eating late. I have removed caffeine from my diet and trying to cut down on salt and sugar. Im not trying to go on a diet but trying to see if a changed and improved diet can help my sleeping problem, otherwise the PCMO has suggested I may need to be tested for anemia. I had blood testing in December and there were no issues then but if my changes dont show any results I will see if this is a possibility.
I have been asked to join another Blog, Blog Stars! I will be the only female posting. My topic is graffiti art and to allow myself other options I think I will also expand my topic to Communist Art. My first post will be tomorrow.......You will have to wait till then!

A Place to Call Home

After five months I have my own little space. Since October of last year I have been hearing from my local Municipality that they are working on my apartment and will have it ready "soon." Soon has a new meaning for me, so does "wait a little."
After a while I was under the impression I would be living with the other volunteer in my town for the rest of my service. Every month or so the Peace Corps and my Municipality agreed on new deadlines for my apartment to be completed and every month the date would pass with no change. When I was finally told it was ready I came to see for myself what it looked like...........it was great! I had freshly painted walls, wood floors and a complelty new bathroom, but........it was empty, no furniture or kitchen!
I went back to the municipality to ask when this would be completly finished, they replied that this is as far as they can go because they ran out of money. Uhhh What? I was told they only had 500 lv left for me to spend on all the necessary items Peace Corps requires in each apartment. This would have covered maybe 2 or 3 items on a list of 15. After several phone calls and the Municipality handing over the responsability of my apartment to the Deputy Mayor it was completyly furnished in 2 weeks.

Many people didnt understand why I needed my own apartment. Almost every person in Bulgaria lives with a realitive or girl/boyfriend. Living is too expensive to live alone, so for me to have my own space seemed unuseuall and maybe even unnecessary. Its required by the Peace Corps for each volunteer to have their own living space, even if it is with a host family........there must be certain space dedicated for the volunteer's use.

I have a modest little pad. My one room apartment is within the tallest buildings in my town. I live on the first floor and have a great view of the Balkan Mountains. Slowly but shurely with the help of several workers from the municipality and sometimes their family, I was able to get my place in order. It reminds me a bit of a dorm room.......small with pleanty of storage.
The apartment was previously lived in by an old Roma woman who I believe died in it........lets just say it adds to the character. The apartment building (bloc) is located far from the town center and closer to the mahala just next to the stadium. This means that I have a reason to have long walks when the weather is nice and I'll never miss a town football match. Its so nice to have a place to hang your hat and call

your own, it was worth the wait :)

Spring Holidays

Saturday March 1st was Baba Marta Day in Bulgaria. As I explained in my last post, this is a day to pass out bracelets for good luck and good health. I spent the whole day tying on bracelets, wishing good health and enjoying the amazing weather. I might of gotten carried away with warmer temperatures. I decided to sport a sun dress and flip flops. When my first counterpart saw me on the street she said that I would cause the weather to change and we would have cold rainy weather.........since my outfit was premature. Right up until the end of the day I was exchanging bracelets. Since this took place on the weekend, the entire town was exchanging for most of the week.

Monday March 3rd was the Bulgarian Independence day. I had been invited to join in on the festivities that took place in the center. The Municipality leadership and employees as well as the local military and my dance group came together in the center to celebrate their freedom from Turkish rule. The next day represents a morning of those who died for the freedom of their country.

I just happened to have a meeting in the Municipality that day to discuss my apartment situation. Before the meeting I was shuffled into the main entrance where all the Municipality workers stood with lit candles and the local monks cleansing the building for the new leadership/new year and also to remember the dead..............like our memorial day, only just after our independence day.

Saturday March 8th was Women's Day (March is women's month). This day has alot of symbolism. Not only does is it a day to recognize all the efforts of women but also it follows the continuation of holidays in Spring that celebrate new life, a new start and good health. Women give life and maybe even one can connect women with keeping the family / children healthy. This day began with a festival in our center to with Kukerie dancers. Five of our villages were represented in the National Kukerie festival only the weekend before. All 8 of our villages were represented with their kukerie groups this day. Amazing costumes and kukerie of all ages and size filled the town square and the whole town was there to watch. The last group to perform had 10 and 15 foot head dresses made of owl feathers.

Being that this was women's day, I (being female) had been invited to a little banquet at the tourist hostel. The owner had prepared salads, fried potatoes, Bulgarian meat and lots of sweets. I was at least 1/3 the age of most of the women there but it was so much fun. We danced the horo, ate till I thought I would never move and exchanged spring bouquets with each other. All the women were grandmothers and being that I was the only one without a family, I was asked repeatedly about my plans to start one and if it would be with a Bulgarian who would convince me to stay and keep me barefoot and pregnant. I just smiled (holding back my chuck reflex) and said I have plenty of time for those things.

The next day, March 9th was the national day of forgiveness. This is a day celebrated with the family. The younger members of the family as for the forgiveness of the older family members. An egg is given to those asking for forgiveness........again symbolizing new life and a new beginning. This past Sunday was Easter in the United States though Easter for the Eastern Orthodox is not celebrated until April 27th. The traditions seem to be similar. They also incorporate painted eggs and an appearance at the local church. The next big holiday that I am aware of is the Rose Festival. This begins the first week of June. Preparations will begin long before. I live in the Rose Valley and our city has a large role in this holiday. Rose oil will be put into our water fountain filling the air with an amazing smell of roses. I have been told by my dance team that I will be dancing with them in the center for the whole town at the Rose Festival..........insert biting fingernails. Should be worth a photo or two!