Kate in Bulgaria

Experiences as a Peace Corps Volunteer and some adventures on the side

sorry

 So sorry i haven't posted in a few weeks but schedules, lack of internet and a week in bankya have been keeping me busy.  I don't really have time right now to do it, but I promise an update on Monday. 

Bulgaria is still good, it has warmed up and i am enjoying weather that doesnt' freeze the hair in my nose.  Not a good experience, believe me.  Sorry again for the delay, but i am indeed still alive and doing well.  Until Monday, have a great weekend.

posted by: ksension at February 25, 2005 07:44 | link | comments (1) |

 Snow has invaded Bulgaria.  It is everywhere, in every nook and cranny and on absolutely anything that will hold it.  It's not up to my chest yet like i was warned, but it's not for the lack of trying.  I'd say it is up to my knees on the flat areas and almost waist high in the drifts.  It is certainly pretty and gives Letnitsa a whole new look, but boy if it isn't messy.  I have met what they call "black ice" and we do not like eachother much.  The dogs have taken to sleeping in the big garbage box because it is the only place without snow and even the Babas are holding hands when they walk.  All I need to see now is a sleigh being pulled by a donkey and it will make the Bulgarian Winter expereince complete.

I arrived in Sofia on Friday afternoon, lots of snow and freezing temps that just yelled "go sit by a fire."  I went to the PC office for a bit, had to pick up some books and talk to the nurse.  I got grabbed in the hallway though by one of the other nurses and she informed me that  I had some how missed one of my vaccinations during PST.  So off to the shot room i went, under duress mind you, but what can you do.  So 4 books and a very sore arm later, I am off to the Hostel to check in and meet up with some other PCVs.  It is always nice to see everyone, not that I don't love my sanity weekends in Pleven, but a little change is always nice.  About 10 of us ended up going out to an Indian Resturant for dinner.  It was delicious and a nice change from the Lentil Soup that has taken over my kitchen.  I wonder sometimes if the food I think is so good now is really that good or if my taste buds are just so happy to be trying something different they convince themselves that it is the best meal they have ever tasted. 

After dinner we walked around a bit, it was snowing like crazy and all the lights around the city were on.  We walked over to the huge Bulgarian National Cathedral, it was gorgous.  It’s moments like those when you really just get hit with the fact that you are in Bulgaria.  There were the 10 of us, standing in the road, snow everywhere and coming down harder every minute, behind us is the Nevski Cathedral like something out of a Russian Fairy Tale and I don't think a single one of us could have imagined being anywhere else at that moment.  Now as if the night couldn't get any better, it did just that.  Our next stop was to an Irish bar that was playing live music.  If you have ever been to Eastern Europe you know what Chalga music is, if you do not know what Chalga music is, count yourself fortunate.  This bar was Chalga free and the little trio that was playing actually took our requests.  And the best part of this bar, they served Corona.  Now I am not a big drinker, but i do like Corona.  I have not had any since before August, so this was a wonderful treat for me, even if they didnt' have the lime to go with it.  I was informed by the English speaking Bulgarian bartender that this was Bulgaria, they drink their Coronas with a lemon.  How can I argue with a English speaking Bulgarian man tending bar in an Irish Pub who is about to serve me my favorite Mexican beer, with a lemon.  Guess what, I'm in Bulgaria.  

There was also the thing about us walking to the McDonalds only to find it closed but being told we could go through the drive in.  But 8 slightly inebriated Americans pretending they are a car, with 8 steering wheels, and "driving" through the drive through is just one of those "you had to be there" stories. 

Habitat For Humanity was great.  Freezing cold, but an awsome time.  There were about 15 of us there from my group and a few from the one before us.  There were about 4 or 5 Bulgarian men there also, I think they are the ones who are doing the work during the week.  It looked like they had just started the project about a month ago.  The walls were up, but not not covered, the windows were in but hadnt' been framed yet, the frames around the doors still had to be spackled to get rid of the gaping holes.  Come to find out, they have been working on this building for a year.  The building consists of 8 rather small apartments, 4 on top and 4 on the bottom.  But for a years worth of work, it seemed ridiculously behind schedule.  I was a spackler and an insulation cutter.  The knife i had to use to cut the  insulation was about 50 years old and had "tetnis" written all over it.  We did have a lovely surprise around lunch time, can I get a cheer for SUBWAY!!!!!!  I didnt' even know that Subway had a store in Sofia, but oh my that white sandwich wrapper has never looked prettier.  That Tuna sub was the best thing i've eaten in months.  I was right sad when I realized I only had one bite left, but the memory will carry me through the rest of Winter. 

The rest of the day went by pretty fast, and by 4 o'clock we were all exhausted.  I somehow managed to get spackle on all 6 layers that I was wearing, haven't quite figured out how.  On Sunday I headed back to the bus station.  The bus i was suppose to take in order to get to Pleven in time to catch the last bus to Letnitsa didn't show up. So i had to spend Sunday night in Pleven with Wendy, not something i mind at all, but on the way home on Monday, my phone was taken.  So now i have to go get a new phone.  It is the first time I have been the victim of a pick pocket, but it was bound to happen at some point.  Oh well....

This Saturday will be the 6 month mark.  I can hardly believe I have been here for 6 months, that is half a year.  It seems so unreal to me, I mean I feel like I was just home, helping Rachel with wedding stuff and stressing at how in the world I was going to pack for two years in two suitcases.  Still not sure how i managed that one. 

The new office is still good, Tanya and I are seem to be getting along better this week and I found carrots at the store last night.  Life is good, and Bulgaria and i seem to have settled into each other pretty well. 

posted by: ksension at February 01, 2005 09:10 | link | comments (2) |

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