jobs1

A couple days ago I wrote about the "bathroom attendant" job.  Another job that a person could have here that is different, at least I think so, from what we have in the states is the money collector on the bus.  There's the driver and then there is usually someone else who takes the money.  Sometimes there's just the driver and he takes your money as well as drive the bus; I think it depends on the owner of the bus/the bus company.  Sometimes you pay when you get on and sometimes you wait until you get off.  Sometimes I feel so sorry for the people in change of collecting the money.  I've been on super crowded busses before where you had people standing in the aisle and yet you have to make room for someone else to get by you!  After awhile of traveling from your town to anywhere, the drivers and their collectors start to look familiar.  I don't know any of the drivers/helpers names that drive the busses I usually take but thay are familiar and we always talk.  I remember the first couple times I traveled to get my litchna carta I got off at a certain spot; Nargis was with me.  Well the next time I had to go for something else Nargis wasn't with me.  When I went to get off the bus the lady said "here?"  I said yes and got off the bus.  Months later I found out she was right, I was confused and should have stayed on the bus!  I'm kinda memorable and stick out so it's not hard to take notice of where I get off or other things I do.  One time I was riding a smaller bus, only going a short way, and it was HOT and the air unit on the bus didn't work.   The driver asked if anyone had a problem with him leaving the door open to get some air flowing  while driving.  At least I think that's what he asked, I could make out the word "door" and there was nothing else I understood, but I assumed he was asking about leaving the door open.   After he asked his question I heard the word "American" (99.5/100 times he's refering to me) and assumed he was asking me if I as ok with him leaving the door open.   Well tomorrow is going to be a non-blog day for me.  I'm going to celebrate my birthday with another volunteer, who didn't really get to celebrate hers either, so we decided to celebrate together!  Talk to you Monday or Tuesday!  Love and hugs from here!  Glad to hear family on the East Coast is doing well!

smores

I  made smores this morning for my neighbors!  I had to improvise a little because my stash of graham crackers went to making graham crackers and milk for breakfast, I had forgotten how good that actually is, and  I only have the small marshmallows, but we made do.  One of my neighbors was making lootenitza and had a fire going.  After the first one I made, using small sticks I found lying around to roast the marshmallows, Maria went upstairs and got me some shishkabob sticks to use.  Germs and getting dirty seem to be a big thing here!  The other day when someone very kindly gave me a watermellon I went to wipe some of the dirt off the side.  The man who was sitting right beside me pulled the waermellon away from me and told me not to do that, I would get sick.  I told him that's why I drink a lot of water!  I'm not sure what it is about getting dirty or me getting dirty.  The other day I went to lift the handle of the huge lootenitza frying pan and again my neighbor told me not to, I would get dirty.  I replied that I have a washing machine, my 2 hands for hand washing, and a shower if I get dirty.  Huh.  This morning after the smores Ivan, neighbor,  and I had a small conversation about the school system in the states.  He was asking me questions and I was having a hard time remembering things I did in school 25 years ago!  But I do intend to get him some more information because that's one of the reasons I'm here, for cultural exchange.  So I'm going to try to get on the site for the Indiana Department of Education and get him some information...in B.  The people who were sitting outside the Mayor's office that I went and visited the other afternoon want me to go visit today and I'm going to try.  Maybe this time if I take my water bottle full of water they won't buy me coffee!  We'll see!  My thoughts and prayers are with everyone on the East Coast!!  That was one of the first things out of Ivan's mouth this morning when I went down to chat; he was telling me about the earthquake that was felt from "Washington to Boston."  Love and hugs from here!

doing the potty dance

I've written several times in my blogs that jobs are a little hard to come by here.  While that is true there are some jobs here that we don't have in the states, or if we do I'm not aware of them or they aren't very prevalent.  One of them is a bathroom attendant.  I remember one time when I was in high school and my youth group from church was having a fundraiser for one reason on another.  One of the things we did to raise more money  was have a "pee fee."  We just put a sign up on both the men's and women's restrooms stating the amount and put a collection box by the door.  Over here unless you happen to be in an airport, hotel, restaurant, or any other more public place (not counting bus/train stations) it's going to cost you to use the toilet.  Not much, maybe 30 or 40 stutinkie (like our cents) but sometimes it's totally worth it!  Not only does this person sit and collect money, they also give you toilet paper.  Also over here you have to assume there's no toilet paper in the toilets (the bathroom, banya, is a place with the sink, the toilet, toiletna,is the place with the toilet) which is usually he case.  But the price comes with toilet paper, as well as a very appreciative bladder!  During our PST we were told to carry toilet paper with us just in case.  Another important fact, the toilet paper doesn't go in the toilet, it goes in the waste basket beside the toilet.  I'll stop right there on that one.  So that's one job that people can have in B.  It's another hot day here, like 34*C.  Yesterday I think I set a record for cups of coffee, yes that's right-coffee, in a day.  Now the cups aren't that big and when I say a cup I'm talking about maybe 1 and 1/2 dixie cups.  When I was headed back from the market I ran into some people I had met the previous Monday and they called me over and asked me to have coffee, so I did (#1).  Then yesterday afternoon, this was something I really enjoyed and I felt good about, I went back and to that same spot and talked with some of the same people and again was treated to coffee (#2).  I, literally, just finished that cup when another guy from the morning came to talk with us and he gave me a cup (#3).  That's kinda what you do here though!  That last cup was probably at 4:15 pm; when I was lying in bed trying to get to sleep at, most likely, 12-1am I couldn't help but wonder if that was part of the reason.  Of course the fact that I live above a bar has nothing to do with it I'm sure!  Love and hugs from here!

"Hey you! Come here!"

Say you're walking down the street and see a friend of yours and would like to chat with them (in the states).  You proobably yell for them to come see you, something that's not done here, and maybe motion with your hand while yelling.  Ok, take that hand motion and do it upside down and a little sideways, so your arms are making a "sweeping the street" motion instead of pulling the air to your face motion.  When someone wants to get my attention, or anyone else's, they make that motion.  It took me a good while to get used to it, I still hesitate, but that's what I see when someone wants to get my attention.  To me I think of "shooing" someone away instead of "come here" when I see that but am used to it now.  I can't remember who I was with the first time I saw that but I do remember being confused, in fact I think I started to leave and that person had to call me back!  Of course the hand motion is accompanied with "ella!" which means "come here" but it still was confusing at first for me, like getting a mixed message.  I was thinking "here they SAY come here but MOTION for me to go away.  That's not it at all!  Like the head nods "yes" and "no," the B way is backwards from the states way,  or the states way is backwards from the B way; whichever you prefer.  Being  Monday, it's market day.  So I went and bought 2 tomatoes (I still have some from Meliyan's baba),  3 cuccumbers, a bunch of bananas, some carrots, and peaches to make compot, to can, with my neighbor's help.  When I got back from the market I had 7 tomatoes, 5 cuccumbers, the bananas, the carros, the peaches, a watermelon, and some peppers.  I know everyone is cleaning out their garden but I think it's nice they think of me!  This afternoon I'm going to play "Connect 4" with a bunch of men who sit in front of the Mayor's office speaking Turkish and doing nothing.  We'll see if they like it!  Sugarland, Maroon 5, and Train; God bless you for caring so much about Indiana!  (Yes I know the bands are NOT reading this but still)  Love and hugs from here!

daily recap

So nothing that I wanted to do today happened.  I wanted to talk to a man about my washing machine and he wasn't at work.  I did meet a bunch of new people though so I guess that is good.  There were a bunch, maybe 6-8, men sitting outside the Mayor's office on benches when I went to talk to Nedzjmi and this one made a comment on the dogs following me...that aren't mine just usually with me.  He asked me the dog's name, Sara, and then asked me mine.  We talked for awhile; it's always good to meet new people, just don't ask me their names!  Then I went to get my hair cut but the lady who cuts my hair wasn't home.  Her husband told me to come back tomorrow.  So I took a little walk.  One of my goals this year is to do more at the mosque here, learn more about Islam.  I've been there once but need to experience and learn more.  While walking I saw a grandpa outside his house, he waved at me:), wearing a black "cap" or headpiece Muslim men wear.  It was a little while before I said to myself "this is a good chance!  Ask him if he speaks B and then ask him if you could go with him to the Mosque or what time is the service on Friday or ANYTHING about the Mosque!"  Continuing the discussion with myself a little birdie reminded me "it's not 4:00 yet and not a proper time for gostis."  Another little birdie countered;  "they won't care!  You need to do this and this is how you meet people and therefore learn!"  So I finally decided to walk a couple houses back and ask him.  All the arguing I did with myself, probably only about 1 minute went by, cost me the awesome oportunity!   He was inside when I went back.  Next time!  So I went back home and was in my comfortable apartment clothes when I remembered my baba goes to the Mosque.  I ran down to her apartment and asked her if I could go with her if she was going tonight.  She wasn't going and asked me why and I told her I wanted to go and was wondering if I could go with her.  She told me no and then, after talking about that for awhile, she told me I needed to have a child.  I told her I don't want a child but she told me everyone needs to have at least one.  My (imaginary) boyfriend that I broke up with soon after we started dating is still in her thoughts and she keeps telling me I need to go to him.  I tell her I don't want to, that I have things to do here, but that doesn't seem to matter.  I told her we broke up because I don't like decieving anyone, no matter how big or small, and going along with this didn't sit right with me, So I "ended" it and told her we broke up.  Only it doesn't seem to matter because she is still fixated on the imaginary boyfriend I broke up with, that I didn't love by the way.  So  that was my day.  Prayers are with my family and the people of Pakistan who suffered a horrible bombing of a Mosque today that killed 40 people and injured many more.  That, I think, was part of the reason I wanted to reach out today.  I still might.  Love and hugs from here!

the thief of peaches

I am so sorry!  I totally spaced my blog yesterday and then when I did remember it was too late!  I almost did the same today!  I was looking over the topics I have written down to blog about and nothing really stood out for today's blog but I got another idea just now talking to Nargis.  This is something we, ok I guess I can't generalize, I haven't thought about until now.  The reason I notice it now is because I am reading a book in B.  Every year my tutor, who is also the literature teacher at our school, gives books to students in certain grades to read over the summer.  She gave me the book that she gives to the 8th graders.  I have been gone and doing other things I haven't gotten around to starting to read it but opened it the other night.  Out of maybe 2-3 nights of reading I am proud to say I have read...... (drumroll please).........a total of 4.......paragraphs.  I have a longer list of words I have looked up then the actual paragraphs takes up space in the book!  But everyone tells me it's a great book, and I want to prove to my tutor I can do it, so I will continue at this pace of reading 4 words and looking up a word and so on.   So as I was reading and noticing how many different words Emiliyan Stanev uses that mean exactly the same thing I started to think about English novels...and how WE do the exact same thing!  Do English authors use the word "cold" everytime they want to convey that feeling?  No, they use "brisk" or "chilly" or "freezing" or other descriptive words that aren't coming to my mind right now.  Depending on the mood the author wants to create and the feelings they want to convey, the word choice varies.  I'm sure authors don't consider  "well someone who wants to learn English will be reading this book so to make it easier for them I'll stick with the word 'cold' throughout the book."  It would be so much easier for a reader who is learning the language but, let's face it, BORING!!!   Take the words "raining" and "misting."  Both words mean water is coming from the sky.  When I think of "raining" I think of staying inside because, well, who really wants to go out in the rain if they don't have to? (I said IN the rain, not AFTER...who didn't love to jump in puddles when they were younger?)  When I think of "misting" I get the feeling of dampness, being in a hurry so you don't get too wet; I think of outside.  2 words, same meaning, 2 different feelings conveyed.   I understand the authors point of view of choosing different words for different situations, I'd do the same thing, but it sure doesn't do any favors for those readers trying to learn the language!  Tonight, paragraph #5...and it's a long one!  Love and hugs!

like the birds

My parents, or at least 2 of the 4 of them, don't appreciate the cold and snowy Indiana winters.  I admit the ice is a pain.  Of course now that I'm here my dislike of ice has only grown!  Anyway every year in the fall they leave Indiana and do like the birds do; "head South for the winter."  Of course they make trips back and forth from Florida to Indiana during the wintrer but to escape the harsh, some years, Indiana winters they head where it's warmer, down south.  That's not the case here like it is in the states.  Here the more south you go the colder it gets.  Why you ask?  The answer to that is because of a little thing called the Start Planina mountain range, referred to as the Balkans quite a bit, and even further south are the Rodopes, another mountain range.  The Balkans divide B into north and south, they stretch the length of B; from Serbia to the Black Sea.  Since I'm up north, pretty much anywhere I go, unless it's mid summer and it tends to be hot all over, I can expect it to be cooler.  A couple wks ago in Varshets one of my volunteer friends forgot this fact, so did I but I wasn't planning on wearing shorts or skirts anyway,  and was kinda chilly.  Not sure how else to elaborate on this just to say that, living in the north where it is generally warmer, if I get cold...I'm in trouble!  There's no where for me to go (ok yes I can go to someone's house that has a wood burning stove but that's not my point) and I won't be visiting my parents in Florida at least for another year!  Well, it's time for a hair cut (it may be a few days before I actually make it to the "freezyor") and I have to go pay my water bill this afternoon.  Love and hugs from here!

filler up!

Before I start I just have to say my thoughts and prayers are with everyone in Indianapolis  and especially those effected by the tragic event at the State fair this past Saturday!  One of my jobs I quit to join the Peace Corps used security personnel and at least 1 person who worked at my old job also worked security at the fair.  A former coworker of mine told me one of the victims also worked at my old job.  I hear he had 2 children and saved a little girl.  Just goes to show anything can happen at anytime and life is short!  From what I saw and have read there would have been a lot more deaths if concert-goers would not have helped the injured and people trapped.  Now on to today's blog.  A couple things I have forgotten to blog about until now, well more that a couple but I just happened to think of these, came to my attention while visiting my host family last week.  Again it's something I'm exposed to on a daily basis but have gotten used to it and didn't think to mention it.  Cars are driven on the right side of the road over here same as in the states.  The steering wheel is also on the same side (except on some imported cars I think).  Gas here is full service like it used to be in the states and probably still is someplaces.  When I was little I remember going to get gas with my mom and when we got to the gas station my mom, or dad, would tell the attendent how much gas we wanted and that person would pump our gas while we waited  in the car.  I was surprised to see that service still happens the first time I was in a car and we stopped to get gas here!  Today is another hot day.  I went to the market today and got my fresh veggies for my salads and some bananas too.  I spent a lot of time this morning talking with Marie and Ivan, my neighbors.  Maria has a name day today and was giving out chocolates.  Besides being rude to turn down chocolate offered by someone on a name day or birthday, who would want to?  Love and hugs from here!  Please think of and pray for those effected by tht events at the fair!

"Look ma! No hands!"

I saw something while in Varshets that reminded me of the a time when I was a child.  I'm sure most people reading this remember learning to ride a 2 wheeled bike.  I have some pretty interesting stories that I don't think I'll share here! Let's just say that if there was an obstacle in my way, I was attracted to it.  NOT around it, past it, or by it; TO it!    Including bodies of water and especially things much igger than me!  Anyway, learning how to ride without training wheels is like a rite of passage for kids.  My parents worked and worked with me, and I'm sure got pretty frustrated at times, because, I'm kind of assuming here because I don't really remember, unlike my younger sister I was not blessed with the "third time's the charm" ability, my gift is more like "try and try again and when that doesn't work, try again."  (Love you Steph!)  No matter who teaches you, a sibling, your parents, grandparents, or someone other than family, it's something that every child goes through.  So this past Saturday night was the night for the traditional horos, the dances in B that the majority of the people here "just know," kinda like riding a bike.  There I was with my host mother and sister and her friend ready to do some dancing(yes I dance!) when out of the corner of my eye I see a baba at the end of our line with her grandkids.  She was teaching them how to horo!  Like learning to ride a 2 wheeled bike is passed from adults to their children, learning the different horos is passed from adults to children here.   It was interesting for me to see and I did immediatlu think of the times when my parents worked with me so diligently, thinking that "maybe this time she'll get it."  Of course after a few moments of "look at them!  That's so cute" (to myself) I had to stop concentrating on them and start concentrating on what I was doing so I would not step on anyone's feet!  When you think about it, I'm kind of in the same boat as they are, just years older.  The rain the other night and part of the day cooled things down and it's not quite as hot as it was.  In fact this morning, ok-11:00 is  not really morning, when I saw my neighbors downstairs and went to talk to them, Ivan put his jacket around me because he thought it was a little chilly and I had on short sleeves.  How nice!  I just had some students over to make rainsticks.  It was about 12:30 and so I asked them if they wanted some macaroni and cheese (and it wasn't just because I wanted some!)and they said they would eat some and so we had mac-n-cheese.  The rainsticks didn't quite turn out as I would have hoped but they work, it sounds like rain!  I tried something different for the blog comments so could I ask someone to comment please so I can see if it works?  Love and hugs from me!

my dyado

My dyado, grandpa, from my family in Varshets died this past December or January.  My parents from the states and I had just spent time with him when they came to visit last October and it was hard for me to believe he passed away because he seemed fine!  So when I visited my host parents in Varshets the beginning of August and they went to his graveside and asked if I wanted to go along I decided to go with them.  The plots are just like in the states with cement headstones with the person's name and birthdate and when they died.  The plots come with a chest high aluminum or metal table with the width of 2 2x4's and about 20 inches long (I'm guessing and I'm not very good at measurments).  When we got to the graeyard the table was covered with a "tablecloth" and all kinds of food was put on it.  Fish, banitza, zucchini, salad, a  banana, fresh bread, and other food I have forgotten.  Then my baba, grandma, started putting some of everything on a plate and then put the plate of food on his grave.  There was also a little holder to put candles and like an incense "cup.  A candle was put in the cup to light it on fire and then my baba made tiny circles in the air with the cup over his grave and over the food that was breakfast.  After each completed circle they crossed themselved like they do in the Catholic church.  Thinking about it now I'm not sure if they went to the left shoulder or right one first.  From what I remember the Greek Orth. church does this too but the opposite side first than the Catholic church.  So when we enjoyed our breakfast, he also had a plate of food.  It is also customary to bring a small bottle of water and a small plastic bottle of wine to the graveside.  Again it's the same idea, when you take a drink you also pour some of the liquid on the grave.  My family had water and wine but also beer, a carbonated lemonade drink, and of course rakea.  I was encouraged to light a candle and drink and then to pour a little of the beverage on his grave.  Here I am thinking "it's 10 on a Saturday morning and I'm drinking rakea and beer with my family" and trying to eat enough that the little bit of alcohol doesn't go to my head this early in the morning; rakea is pretty potent stuff!  Since the graveyard is kinda just out in the open and not in a more formal, set-aside place like in the states there is no one who really works there.  Because of this out in the open area situation, and the fact that B has many animals just roaming free, many families put up a gated area around their graves, no one wants cattle grazing on the weeds closeby their loved one or, worse yet, a dog to...I'll let you finish that thought.  Every Saturday morning my baba, host parents, and my aunt do this same thing.  After we finished and packed up everything my baba washed the marble(?) walkway around his grave with water.  I thank them for letting me see this tradition!  As I sit here typing this I think the rain has stopped.  It started raining, not a downpour the whole time, yesterday at about 5pm and continued all night, at least it was raining when I went to bed and when I got up this morning.  The rain helped to cool things down a bit and that is a welcomed relief!  Love and hugs from me to you all!

going home...pst home#2

So I left Varshets Monday morning and traveled home with a friend of my host sister.  We arrived about 30 minutes late for my bus back home, still about 1 hour away, and the next bus wasn't for another 3 hours.  After awhile of "do you know where your bus station is?" and "what are you going to do for 3 hrs?" I decided I should probably stop with the "if you have things to do I will be fine by myself" and "I'll bet your mother really is anious to see you" and said "yes, I would really like it if you hung out with me for awhile."  I kinda figured that's where they were going anyway.  It is a good thing I hung with them b/c now I know from where my bus originates.  I had always caught it from a bus stop but I found out where the other bus station is located.  So instead of being a latecomer on the bus on a Monday evening after the workday and having to stand, I was the first person on the bus and had a nice chat with the driver!  After we got that taken care of, thanks Veli and father, they took me to Nikolovo.  It's like a woody area with a zoo, or the reminants of one.  There is a nice big pond/small lake where a guy was fishing.  He had 6 poles in the water and hadn't caught a thing, nothing was biting.  As a fishing lover, I know how that goes!  Anyway, we had some drinks in a cafe with water misters around the roof line and that felt super nice!!  After taking in the nice scenery sitting for awhile we went into the woody area.  There was a small pond with lily pads and the flowers that go with them.  There were cement blocks to the other side of the pond and we crossed.  We saw frogs,more lily pads, and even some fish.  Then we walked further to the zoo area and saw a brother and sister bear and goats.  I found out that years ago there used to be more animals but the lack of money and food contributed to why there are only 2 bears and a couple goats now.  It was a fun couple hours and now I have someplace else I can highlight on my wall map saying I have been there and not just at the bus stop!  Love and hugs from here!

going home...pst home

So I got back last night from visiting my (host) family in Varshets.  It brought back many memories of my time there, being with my training group, how hard we worked, and our teacher Toni.  She was away from her family for 10 wks so that we could get a good start (the more that people tell me that my B is good for only being here 1 year the more I think I owe lots  of the credit to her) on the language and to begin to feel comfortable in this (not so) foreign culture.  I thought I was going back for their town holiday, the day Varshets became a town.  I was wrong.  This whole last week was the festival of the water and the Balkans, or the Stara Planina mountain range.  I'm not exactly sure what all that means but they partied!  There were political people from the municipality there, sports stars, and tv stars.  I have to say my favorite night was Saturday night!  That was the night of the traditional dances (more on that later!) and I'm really beginning to love this part of being here!  Of course some of my volunteer friends go to competitions with their town dance group or have special classes on traditional dances.   I don't and that's fine by me; I've got plenty of teachers!  I would not do this blog justice if I did not mention my friend Jez who taught me one of the dances, it's Greek-but still, in the airport in Rome while waiting for our flight to go see her sister this past Christmas.  I'm sure we got quite a few stares!  Now, we were all in the sea of people dancing in the street, basically, but on the stage there were dance groups who know more what they're doing and, I'll speak for myself here, dance much better then I could ever dream of dancing!  Everyone in our little group was tired from dancing after several dances (this is where I can tell that I've been working out.  Not much by any means but I have to say when they were clutching thier chests breathing heavy and saying "I have to stop"  I was eager to begin another dance!)  and we left...WITHOUT having danced the Bella Rosa, much to my disappointment.  The next night was singing.  The whole week, I only experienced Fri, Sat, and Sunday, was full of different events and people selling things from t-shirts to candy and everything in between were all over the center (the center is basically just that, the center of the town with shops and a walking area where there are no cars).   2 of my pst sitemates were there also and I got to spend some time with them which was nice.  We went and had drinks at the very place Naoma, another sitemate, and I ordered our first meal to practice ordering.  New magazines, shops, have opened up which is good to see!  I had an awesome time the short time I got to spend there with them and have to thank them for everything once again!  I almost forgot!  One night I was in the car with Dani, host mom, and wondered aloud what time it was...IN BULGARIAN!  Dani reminded me that I just thought in B and I have to say I didn't believe her at first and had to ask her several times if I really said "what time is it" outloud to myself in B.  I was so excited I called my tutor a few minutes after that to tell her that I thought it B, something she told me I had to do several months ago.  That's all for today I think!  Love and hugs from here!  Everyone go out and have a nice glass of wine or beer or mixed drink for me, except if you're underage!  Better yet, a nice and big piece of cake or pie!

I'm hungry!

So, you're sitting at home, in the states, and want to snack on something.  Maybe chips, crackers, nuts, or raisins.  When my sister and I were younger after school for our snack sometimes we ate pickles (my sister had some other interesting snack options!).  Maybe an apple or some carrots.  Over here I've learned that the first snacky food item people turn to are sunflower seeds, and over here they have the shell and all.  Nargis, my counterpart, and I like to go for walks, when her daughter lets her out of the house unaccompanied and I don't have anything else that demands my time right at that time.  Not long after we have started walking does she pull out a bag of sunflower seeds, open it, and offer some to me.  When it comes to eating them I don't quite have the knack yet!  Most people can put the whole seed in their mouth, after they crack the shell with their front teeth, and then spit the shell out while keeping the inside part to eat.  I do not have a Bulgarian sunflower eating tongue.  I have found one brand, they are thicker, that I can crack with my front teeth but then I have to open the seeds with my fingers.  When you go gosti there are usually sunflower seeds, in addition to cookies and other things to eat and drink.  Back in May when we went to the Bulgarian version of the Indy 500, kind of, we all sat down and out came the sunflower seeds.  They are one of those items that could definitely be sold in bulk because everyone goes through them so fast!  I haven't quite gotten into the sunflower craze yet but usually have some around.  A couple months ago I went to hang out with my good friend Jez and a friend of hers from her school.  We went on a hike and then, towards the end, got tea and coffee at a little cafe.  We sat down and before I knew it Jez had pulled out sunflower seeds!  They are everywhere and a very popular snack!  Sometimes people don't worry about the bag and just stuff a handfull in their pockets!  I'm learning!  I'll talk to you all next Tuesday, that's the plan, after my visit with my host family.  Love and hugs from me to you!

May 6th

Another day that is important here in B is May 6th.  This day is called "Gergovden" and it is a combination of the male name "Georgi" and "den” which means day.  This is an old B holiday.  According to Orthodox Christionity saint Georgi Pobedonosetz is the protector of the army.  In old times people celebrated by decorating the town/village/city with green flowers and wreathes, played games, and make swings for young women.  The most important thing was to roast a lamb.  The soldiers and officers also organized a parade and sanctified the soldiers’ flag.  Today, anyone with the names “Georgi” or “Gergana” celebrates because they have a name day on this day.  If you have a friend with one of these names you have to wish them “happy name day."  This is also a day you can go "gosti", visit them, and give a little gift if you want.   If you have a colleague with one of these names you have to collect some money and buy a little gift for them and they will treat everyone to chocolates and drinks.  The B army organizes a parade and the B patriarch will sanctify the flag.  As far as I can remember the only person I know named Georgi is one of my PST site-mates' host father and I didn't even know him all that well.  Speaking of my PST site, I'm going back there this Thursday until next Monday.  The town has their town holiday and I wasn't able to attend last year because I wasn't able to travel.  This summer I can and look forward to seeing my host family again!  It's funny to think that when it came to meeting them I was pretty unsure, not nervous that much but unsure, and now they are family!  So if I forget to tell you all I'm going to have to take another "blog break" after tomorrow until next Tuesday.  This is my actual summer vacation!!!  h, and again thanks goes out to Ivan Hristov, Dani Adamova, and Brian Fassett for this information out of the book Bulgarian Language and Traditions- part 1.  I almost forgot, Love and hugs from here!!

the future

It has been awhile and again sorry about that!  My blog today is going to talk about what I experienced this past week at the Life Skills conference.  For those of you in America reading this think of a time when you had a chance to be around young leaders and how impressed you were.  I'm having trouble thinking of how to express myself (that happens) right now.  But basically what I want to say is that I got a glimpse of the future of Bulgaria this past week and was very impressed!  This was a conference on sexual issues; how to take precautions and basic information.  More of a taboo subject here depending on where you are in the country and definitely not easy to talk about.  The high school students that attended this conference (Maybe about 20 ranging from 15-18)were so eager to learn, ask questions, and acted in a very mature manner!  No giggles were heard from the back of the room.   They spoke up and took charge!  B is in a transition state right now and times are hard.  I have to say based on what I experienced this past week, the future looks very bright!!   The young lady I took with me read a book given to her on the subject the whole trip home!   It's so refreshing to see young people who are ready, and excited, to be leaders no matter what country you are in, but it was especially refreshing for me to see this in B!  Love and hugs from me to you all!