And then I thought...: August 2010

What a week and a half it has been!

Hard parts I have faced so far:

After I unpacked everything, reality sank in. I mean, I was fine during training, and then SMACK! Two years came and punched me in the stomach! I am not going to lie, I had my own personal meltdown, that unfortunately my Mom got sucked into. Pity Party for one please! I think a little of the meltdown was that my apartment was in the exact condition I left it in when I came for my visit, meaning no fridge or stove! I had to fight off some serious doubts and emotions, but I can tell you I am stronger for it. Also, don't worry not only do I know better than to look at this as two years and to just break it up into chunks of time, but I learned my lesson about not doing that.
The language is just not coming fast enough. I can understand a good portion, and luckily I am observant enough of people and their body language even if I don't understand everything I get the jist of it. But seriously, I would like to talk at some point and have confidence that what I am saying isn't just a jumbled mess of words that I know, that may or may not make sense to the person hearing them.
Mosquitos! Seriously, I think the amount of blood I have lost in this country to fleas and mosquitos is the equivollent to the amount I would have donated at a blood drive. To bad I don't get a pin saying a "I saved a life today".
Washing machine. I did not and do not expect a washing machine, lets be clear, I realize there are people all over the world that wash their clothes by hand, including other people and volunteers in this country. My problem comes with the fact that I have a bright, shiny, brand new washing machine sitting in my apt. just asking to be hooked up! Lets hook that baby up!!! PPPLLLLLEEEAAAASSE!

Amazing, fantastic things that have happened:

My counterpart is just amazing! She is funny and very hard working. She is fun to be around, and I think over the next few years we are going to have a great time (especially as the language comes.)
The family who is renting me an apartment on their "compound". They are so generous and it just doesn't seem to stop. They saw I had purchased some veggies from a local stand and 10 minutes later they were at my door with arms full of fruits, veggies and eggs from their garden and chickens . They also told me not to buy them any more and to just help myself to the huge garden that provides me with an amazing view to wake up to. I will probably still buy them though, since it not only gives me language practice but gets me out in the village.
My work. I have a lot to look forward to with my work. The door is essentially open to me, to do what I can and as I please as far as activities and programs to start up.
First Sunday here, I met up with some other volunteers one other B26 and a married couple from B25 group. They live in Plovdiv and were wonderful giving us a tour and giving us the details we needed to have! I was able to pick up a map of Plovdiv that has the bus routes on it. That will come in VERY handy!
My first weekend here (not including the unpacking weekend) I went to this amazing International Folklore Festival in Plovdiv. It was free and at the ancient roman amphitheater. There were groups from Belarus, Georgia, Moldova, Ukraine, Portugal, Serbia and of course a local group from the Plovdiv area. It was as amazing and cool as you are picturing, and probably even a little cooler than that. It is an annual event so if anyone is interested next July would be a good time to think about a visit.
Also in my first weekend here, I maneuvered myself via public transportation to Plovdiv all by myself and met with a big group of volunteers (without getting lost). We even saw "Inception" in english and air conditioning at a mall! =) Less than a dollar gets me into the 2nd largest city in Bulgaria! Location Location Location....
The dance group I am still holding out hope I will be able to join soon. We were actually supposed to meet, but when I got there they were sitting at a cafe and there were only 3 of them so not tonight, maybe next time? I was happy to get out tonight. I was able to see the real activity of this town. I am mostly only out during the days since I kind of live a bit outside of "downtown". I got to say hello to a whole new group of people.
The people in this town have been so nice. They enjoy hearing all that I can tell them in my limited Bulgarian and seem to want to hear more when my language gets there. Today as I as walking home a woman who sells tomato's and cucumbers on the street stopped me, mind you while she was in the middle of selling some cucumbers, and gave me two to take home with me. It was so sweet! Random acts of kindness like that happen all the time here, and I can tell you as someone who is away from all the people and comforts of home, those acts completely make not only my day, but days, and maybe even week! As soon as I start baking (which may not happen till it cools off!) I plan on sharing some goodies with her.
I have been promised rain either tonight or tomorrow which couldn't come soon enough it is VERY hot here! I do love the rain..

Below are some pictures of the festival. Enjoy!

This is actually the end of the Festival. These people know how to have a good time.

This is the group from Bulgaria. They also dance at the Festival my village puts on in June.

I believe this is the group from Ukraine. They were one of my favorites.

This was Georgia. They were my other favorite. Their dances were amazing!

Portugal. The women had baskets of what I assume was flour balanced on their heads for much of the dance. It was amazing. Not one of them dropped it and I only saw one girl touch her basket during the dance!