| Dear Family and Friends, It was time to get out of Panagyurishte for the weekend and we all knew it . . . we were ITCHING for it. Our host families are all so wonderful, but a TASTE of independence and smaller meals was incredibly tempting. All of the people in the community ecenomic program were on scattered field trips across Bulgaria and our Environmental people (Ecologs) were on a big field trip to Sofia, our capital, so what's a little TEFL to do? So, in light of this, some of us TEFLs decided to meet up with the Ecolog group in Sofia for a weekend of fun, freedom, and independence, not to mention celebrating two birthdays. We left school a little early (with PC permission, of course!) and hopped on the last bus bound for Sofia. Now, the bus ride was an experience in itself. Upon boarding on a hot Friday afternoon, I actually felt like a real live Peace Corps volunteer. The buses were small, cramped, and hot, with our only breeze coming from two small vents. We winded through the small Bulgarian roads, hanging on for dear life to keep from falling from the small seats. The green mountains rose up around us and tall trees shaded many of the rutted roads. We sweated and bounced around, our heads swiping the ceiling of the bus for two exciting hours. And, as we arrived in the huge city, the rolling green mountains turned into large industrial buildings and communist block apartments. I decided that I would much rather be stationed in a smaller village! So, we stumbled off of the sauna of a bus and hailed a cab (thanks to the help of our city-wise New Jersey boy!), which took us to the Peace Corps Office, where we were able to finally see where we are located as well as experience a surge of genuine Peace Corps pride. After our grand tour, we met our Ecolog friends at--where else!--McDonald's! Yes, we are deprived Peace Corps Trainees! Hey, this is like a big treat for us! Our friend Jake took us to the hotel we were all staying at, which was a small run down building with few rooms, that we crammed into like sardines. There were three rooms on one level and we filled each one, with 5 or 6 people in a room, sleeping on small twin beds, squeaky cots, and the hard word floor. Oh, it's great to be in the Peace Corps! Our Saturday night was spent celebrating two birthdays, at this Irish Pub and at this Dance Club. The Irish pub was packed full of Americans, most of whom are probably here for some sort of job. We even ment two young army boys (who couldn't have been more than 18!) who are stationed in Kosovo and who were visiting Bulgaria. It was great seeing other people who spoke English and who were from the same country since you don't see much of that here! We had a great, fun night and stayed out very late, and then walked though this city on Saturday, experiencing the culture around us. We stumbled along broken sidewalks and dodged cars on busy streets as they, as usual, refused to give pedestrians the right of way. The city was bustling with Bulgarians as we explored every amazing crevice. I also realized part of my calling as a PCV in Bulgaria, perhaps a secondary project. The Roma people (Gypsies) are the minority here in Bulgaria and they are a huge problem as the beg for money and pickpocket. They can be spotted a mile away and they try every strategy to get money from unsuspecting victims, though they are the minority and are so ostracized that it is almost impossible for them to find work. They are a problem in Panagyurishte, but the problem is obviously worse in Sofia. In our journeys, we saw a little boy and his older sister wandering through a park. The little boy was probably about 1 or 2 and his sister was about 5 or 6. The little boy didn't have a shred of clothes on and his frail little body was covered in tatoos and the little girl was basically in rags. We also saw many other Roma kids on the streets, one little boy (about 8 or 9) sleeping in the middle of a sidewlak on one of the sidestreets with flies covering his little body. We also were faced with a Roma women with a fussy baby, who was begging for money with an empty bottle in her hands. If I would have been alone, I probably would have gone and bought her some milk. It totally breaks my heart. So, while I am here, I really hope to reach out to this community especially and possibly even teach in one of the Roma schools if there is one that requested an English teacher. So, we'll see. Anyway, things are great and I can't believe I am about to enter my fourth week! Only 7 weeks of training left! We actually start our model school (a mini-student teaching) at the end of this week and we'll find out our sites and visit them in just a few weeks! I am making great friends in my training group and in the other groups of current PCVs and I am still having a great experience. So, continue to pray for me and I love you all! I hope all is well and I hope to hear from you all soon! Love Always, Chantel |
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