I am a currently-serving Peace Corps Volunteer in Bulgaria. The views on this blog do not necessarily reflect the views of the Peace Corps.


Saturday, June 19, 2010

Room Service





Here he is. The one who left me a plate the other night. Such delicious food.
I love this kid. He is bigger than books and teachers let you believe life can be. One day we ran up the mountain together; he excused himself half-way up because he had to shovel some manure and we caught up for the run down the mountain. He was wearing flimsy rubber shoes, less than a Ked. He's super smart but not the kind of smart that people easily recognize.

Thursday, June 10, 2010

Kindness of Neighbors, I Think



Walked outside to buy some bread. 2 minute walk to the shop. Ran into friends Elza and Zlatka. I told them that I heard that Danielle has a black rose in her garden. They said I was correct. She has a black rose. She has maybe 200 roses. Pink ones, white ones, red, purple, champagne and a tall black beauty. After admiring the flowers I walked with Elza to her garden and we picked strawberries and ate them. Then I ran into Nasko and he told me his sister is in town. He had just run out to buy smokes. I ran and bought bread then joined his sister and him at the cafe. After a few hours I came home. There is no light in the stairway leading up to my apartment so I pretend I am walking through a cave every night. Tonight there was a treasure. Someone, I have no idea who, left me a still hot dinner.

I hit the bag with the door as I opened it. There was a bowl full of grape leaves and cabbage leaves stuffed with rice and maybe meat of some sort. They were delicious. There was also baklava, delicious. I feasted! Nothing like stumbling upon a home cooked meal. I'm sorry for Justin Bieber because in an interview he said that fans often send him candy and food but his mom doesn't let him eat it. He has 187 million views on Youtube for that track with Ludacris. Guess you have to protect yourself at 187.

Just a ramble for a second before I do the dishes. With the end of the year national tests taking place, I had to use the computer room, instead of my regular room, to teach English today. I was alone with the 8th graders. It was fun. I let them look at whatever they wanted. One kid played Justin Bieber, 2 Live Crew and Twisted Sister videos. That is amazing. How does a 14 year old boy, living where he lives, know 2 Live Crew and Twisted Sister?

Wednesday, June 9, 2010

Village Newspaper


I am happy to say that I made the first issue of a village newspaper. I'm proud of it. And, people like it.

Two days after printing, the mayor called in an order of ink, and everyone knows how expensive ink is, and an entire village jumped on board.

We did three interviews and one 8th grade girl wrote an essay about the environment. I wrote an essay and hyped up my partners. Just wanted to let you know. I'll scan it in later. It's all in Bulgarian but I'll translate.