| 12, August 2001: Site: |
| So, I found out on Monday, August 6th that I will be living in a small town called Karnobat (��������). I apologize for not getting this information up here sooner but things have been pretty hectic around here. Site announcement day was pretty much just one big party. On Tuesday the 7th, we all found out more information about our site, and then on Wednesday we were off. At 6:45 am we left in 2 buses, one headed for Plovdiv, and the other for Sofia. I went to Plovdiv, and from there got on a train to Karnobat. The train took about 3 hours and Lisa and I were met at the station by each of our counterparts. We were taken straight to the town hall where we met the vice-Mayors, and we all went out to lunch. After lunch, I went to my new school with my counterpart and the Director. I saw the computer lab, and I can see that my work will be cut out for me! They definately need some new equipment. There is also a school for mentally handicapped children in my town, and my counterpart knows the director. I am very excited about this opportunity, I think it will be a great secondary project. I know there are a lot of things in this town to keep me busy. My apartment is huge! It has a great living room, a huge bedroom, and a study room. I feel like I'm going to get lost in there. But there is a lot of work that needs to be done to it in the next three weeks before I go to site permanently. I can't believe there is only 3 weeks left of training. We have all become sort of a family here, and it's sad that we are spread throughout the country. But, I'm already planning a Halloween party, because Lisa and I are in the same town. It will be easy to accomodate everyone! My town is fairly small, about 22,000 people, and is very much Panagyurishte relocated to the eastern part of the country. I guess that's nice because while I was gone I was a little homesick for Panagyurishte. The peple seem very nice, and like I said, I will be kept incredibly busy. I'm told I will be teaching 2 8th grade classes 9 hours each week. The tricky part is that I will be teaching phonics. I have no idea how to do that! I guess that's why they call it "the toughest job...". There is also an orphanage just outside the town and I think I will be spending my community day and part of my weekends there with the kids. Somehow I know that my reason for being here is for the kids. I just can't wait to get started. The swearing in ceremony is on August 30th, at noon, and I'm told that there is a good cance the President of the Republic will be there. Ambassador Miles and his wife will come, along with the mayor of Panagyurishte. And because it's the 10th anniversary of Peace Corps in Bulgaria, Simeon the 2nd has been invited. There hasn't been word from him yet, so nobody knows if he will show up, but we are all very excited. Well, I guess I should head out now. Keep those letters coming, and if you ever feel the need to send me peanut butter or anything else American, you have my address!!! I love you and miss you all! Love, sarah |