letter17

Dear Family and Friends,

You know you've been in Bulgaria too long when you start to recognize and
feel like you know personally the livestock in your neighborhood. I walk to
school every morning at the same time on the same road in the same little
Bulgarian town, and I usually see the same groups of goats out for their
morning walks. One goat particularly strikes me and I delight in his
exuberance every morning, never fail. The owner of this particular goat
follows quietly behind, with a stern, grim expression on his wrinkled face.
The goat, on the other hand, leads this duo with a bounce in his little goat
step, crying loudly for all the world to hear. With each step, he shouts
all the secrets of the world and then some, with barely a pause or quiet
moment. He yells with all that is within him, his mighty goat-roar ringing
through the quiet neighborhood. His human follows, without a flicker of any
emotion, without a sound being uttered from his tight mouth. The goat cries
throughout his walk, most-likely returning home with a hoarse voice and a
soar throat. I love that goat, though I don't think I would want to live
with him for the sake of getting some sleep at night!

Anyway, don't think that all I do is observe and comment on Bulgarian
livestock all day! My eyes have always been very keen, but it seems that
they have become extra keen in Bulgaria as I take it all in! I have
actually been VERY busy with Model School. We are all so busy and TIRED by
this point! The Education people are busily finishing Model School and
planning lesson after lesson, the Business people are stressing over huge
projects and practice proposals, and the environmental people are working
hard to help the Panagyurishte PCV restore the town park. Not to mention
all of the language, culture, medical, and administrative sessions we all
have to attend! We had a session on money today and it is going to be a
little tricky to set up and manage a bank account here! If I end up in a
very small town, I may have to travel to another town closeby to have ATM
access! There is just so much to remember and take in, I am actually going
to have to really grow up and be more responsible!

Last week, we have a mock language profficiency test (the real thing is at
the end of the summer) and we had "language simulation stations" in which
the simulated situations like a grocery store, train station, etc. Today,
we discussed the results with out language teachers and I did well . . . I
scored somewhere right between intermediate-low level to Novice-high, which
is one of the highest places to be for the people in the English Education
(TEFL) program. So, I guess my language is progressing and I'll manage to
survive at my site! Hopefully! I can't believe that August is Actually
here! Site assignments are on Monday!

Well, I better get home to see if I can finally take a shower. We have been
without a drop of water for the last few days, something which is not
uncommon throughout Bulgaria. It is not a big deal to go days without
water. So, we all pretty much stink. Welcome to the Peace Corps! This
weekend, I signed up to go to this Ethnic Festival to camp out with a group.
It should be great. Let's just hope I get a shower by then! I hope this
e-mail finds you all well and I really appreciate your responses! Love you!

Love,
Chantel