12-03-01

Pigs. They're cute, and pink, and they oink. Or so I thought. Then, I go to a pig slaughtering in Bulgaria, and realize that pigs aren't very cute when they're being cut open, it was just a mess of weird meat that I would later be made to taste (including weird organs and such), the pig wasn't pink either. Once the hair was burned off with torches that appeared to have been made in the early 19th century, the pig was quite white. Maybe a little tan, but definately not pink. And, if that wasn't enough, I discovered that in Bulgaria, pigs don't oink. They "Gru Gru". Not quite sure what that noise is, but I'm told that's how bulgarians make the sound of "oink". And I thought this language stuff was easy!

We arrived at the village around 9am, and the pig had been killed right before we approached the house. I'm kind of glad I missed that part. I've been told pigs make a horrible scream when they are dying, but then again, I don't blame them. The pig (which by the way was HUGE!) was lying on it's side on a table out in the yard. Approximately 10 men were doing something around the pig...cleaning it, burning the hair off of it, or even brushing the burnt hair off with a dull knife. It was well coordinated, and you could tell that they were all professionals.

I walked over to the area where the pig was getting ready for the slaughter, and was given a warm glass of homemade white wine. I have never had warm wine before, but it was nice and sweet, and since it was FREEZING, I accepted it graciously, and drank quickly. Not only was it warm, but the alcohol content was also helping to warm my frostbitten body. I didn't know it could be that cold and still not have anything fun like snow. It was just downright cold. I began to warm myself next to the huge kettle of boiling water, which was also used to clean the pig.

One of the women (I hadn't noticed any other than myself until this point) invited me into the house to drink some coffee and warm up. I felt bad leaving the men out there all alone, but I figured I was just getting in the way anyway. I just didn't want to miss the slaughter!

Thank goodness I had to go to the bathroom, because when I walked outside the fun was beginning. They had already cut off the nose and feet (which I'm glad to have missed) and the 2 Vetrinarian Surgeons went to work or taking out the precious meat and organs. Each piece was delicately removed and set on the table, where someone would cut it into smaller pieces and put it on a grill and straight on the coals, after coating it with some coarse salt. These pieces were tasted by all, with the plate being passed to me many times. I had the opportunity to try many things, although some I wish I hadn't known the origin before eating. I tried nose, ear, skin, some regular meat (which was delicious-so fresh) and then another item which was incredible. As I was finishing the last bite, I discovered it was the adrenal gland. I'm not sure how I feel about eating a gland, I can only say it's something I've never done before. But, thankfully it was good, and I didn't have to eat anymore. The nose and ear was really hard to eat, and I gave most of it to the cat. The skin wasn't so bad, but I don't think it was cooked, and come on, I knew it was raw pig skin. Very strange.

When I couldn't handle the cold anymore, a few of us headed indoors to drink some more. It all turned into an 8 hour "na gosti" where we drank homemade wine and rakia, and ate some incredible food. I drew the line at organs. I just can' t eat liver or kidney or heart. YUCK! I was exhausted by the end of the day, but I had an incredible time. It was definately a boys party though. I was the only female for the majority of the time, and that made me somewhat stick out, although I was ok with that. It was an incredible experience, that I'm not going to forget anytime soon. I'll put pictures up as soon as I can!!

Love, Sarah