| Visit to Karnobat 10th March, 2003 |
| I just got back from one of the best weekends I've had in this country. I went back to Karnobat for a visit, and I don't think I can describe how wonderful it was. I arrived on Friday and met Dimitrina at her apartment. It was so strange to get off the train in KT and take a taxi to my old block, it felt like I was coming home, like last year. The town looked pretty much the same, no noticable differences right away. On my way upstairs, I paused by my old door, and felt like I should take my backpack inside before I went up to Dimitrina's. I guess old habits die hard. I met with Dimitrina and we had a quick lunch before heading out into town. I think I was pretty nervous, but I can't really explain why. We stopped at the post office and the bank, and every where I turned someone came up to me to say hello, they missed me, and they were glad to see me. It was so nice, and I realized right away the impact I had had on my small community which I had loved so much. We ran into a couple of students, and since the visit was a surprise, they seemed to be in shock. They ran off to tell everyone else, and we made a point to arrange a meeting for the next day. That evening Vallichko wanted to take Dimitrina and I out to dinner, since the next day was International Womens Day. It was great. We went to a cafe, where it turns out all the school teachers were. They requested songs to be played for me, and we all danced and laughed for hours. It was so nice to see all of them again, especially as a surprise. It was great to see Tanya's face light up when we saw each other--she is the one I team-taught the 1st graders with. The next day I went to the center to meet with the kids, after Dimitrina and I had a chance to walk around the town to see all the changes. The center is beautiful, and there were so many new things around, it almost seemed like a different town....almost. Seeing my students was amazing...I can't describe it. Unfortunately their current Engligh teacher knows less english than they do, so they seemed pretty out of practice. After an hour or so they warmed up though, and we practically took over my old hangout, the "Zaharno Petle" Cafe, right across the street from my school. I'm so glad that I was able to visit my old home, it made me remember all the friends and great times I had there last year, and made me wistful of my time there. I hope you are all well, S |