Monday, February 7, 2011
(baby) I'm the lucky one!
Once again you'll have to excuse me from teaching about B today. I wrote this over the weekend and just had to share. So I'm sitting (again this was Friday) on a bus that will take me to a place where I will be a gosti (a guest) for the weekend and it occured to me how lucky I am. I'm traveling on a bus from place to place IN A FORIEGN COUNTRY. To do that is a dream for most people! I get to do it...and not on my dime (directly anyway)! I'm in a country where, after a couple hours outside in the (not so) cold the 1st thing that is said to me is "come in and have a cup of tea and be in the warmth" (more or less and of course in B). I'm a Hoosier and Indiana is known for our "hoosier hospitality" but I am humbled quite often by the "Bulgarian hospitality." I am surrounded by people, in the states too but it's just different, who drop everything when I, or anyone for that matter, goes to visit. And that's another thing! I go gosti, I get food, I get served tea, and I get gifts; they put out all that but yet that's all I have to do to make someone's day. Go visit them. I'm in a place where the lengths people will go to help someone amazes me! And I consider myself a helpful person! For example: I was asking someone on the street the other day directions and he didn't understand me (go figure! As hard as I try my American accent is still with me!). So the 1st guy I asked stopped another guy for me to ask, they talked and then the 1st guy walked me to where I was going. And how many people can say they love their job??!!?? Of course a volunteering job never works unless a person has an unlimited supply of money or is funded like me. I have a "job" to do here and I take that very seriously!!! But part of that job involves going gosti, having people laugh at me (that never happens in the states :) ) while I'm trying to sew, playing UNO, and traveling! I have coworkers who would, it seems like anyway, bend over backwards to help me. I love my job and am SO extremely blessed and lucky to have been given this once in a lifetime opportunity!! I have to wonder why I was given this amazing chance! I have said before and know people are getting sick of hearing this from me but it's true. Living in B for 27 months is no sacrifice for me!! Maybe that would be a little different in other countries, I don't know. “Not having access to family and friends in the states?” Technology is amazing! I "see" my sister's family in Seattle more now than I did when I lived in the states! "Different foods than I'm used to?" Not really; if someone is hungry enough they will eat and I have an awesome family who makes sure I don't forget what Am. food tastes like! "Needing to learn a different language, not being understood, and being in a new situation with new people?" I like learning about other cultures and people are people anywhere you go! As long as I am willing to try, so are they! Let's not forget learning new skills are good for the brain too. Believe me! Being here is no sacrifice. I miss my family but I miss them anyway; it doesn't matter where I am. I have a wonderful support system (and a webcam) of family and friends, both here and in the states. I'm the lucky one! Love and hugs!
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Lisa, you have such a positive attitude. You inspire me.
ReplyDeleteAnd yes, I did get the inspiration behind the title of today's blog.
ReplyDelete