Well...where to even start for this entry! Life is crazy. We have been running around everywhere for the last couple of weeks...and its only going to get busier. When I first signed up for the Peace Corps, I knew that I would have to learn a language and deal with cultural adjustments. I had no idea how many assignments the Peace Corps makes you do. We have technical assignments for Youth Development, we have cultural assignments, we have safety assignments, and sometimes we just have random assignments! I feel like its more homework than any time in school! But if what the other volunteers say is true, after PST things will get a little easier, we won't be "babysat" as much by Peace Corps, and you start to feel somewhat like an adult again. I'm looking forward to it!
This last weekend, the 22-23 we went to a place in Bulgaria called Rila 7 Lakes. For those that want to see pictures (cause I am still unable to send while at the internet clubs) or read more, there is info online. Anyways, this hike, when you get done, is the highest mountain on the Balkan Peninsula.
For those of you who know me well know that I may like doing such things, but I'm not exactly the most in shape motivated of people. Well, needless to say, I whined A LOT! To start with, Mark and I had to catch a 6:30 train to meet up with the rest of the group for shuttles up the mountain. We were then dropped off at a place that was located just a little ways above where we stayed when we first came to Bulgaria. We then proceeded to hike, with 50 volunteers, all of us carrying backpacks (mine only had food for Mark and I, my sleeping bag, water and a few layering things since it would be cold....but I think it weighed about 50 lbs!!!), up the mountain for about 3 hours. So we were told that the hike was a mild-moderate hike that would not be that hard. I was in the back of the pack with a 66 year old volunteer, who at times was kicking my butt! When I can send pictures you all will see more, but not just due to the fact that I'm out of shape, the hike was really hard. The inclines were really intense, and on a lot of it the terrain was huge rocks and boulders. Needless to say, I arrived at where we were sleeping with a group of about 5 of us, long after the others had already had lunch. Mark was not happy though because I had all the food and he had to wait for me to get it! :)
Anyways, after this hike, we had a short break and then hiked to the 7 lakes. Even though there was no backpack this time, the hike was still really hard. As I said earlier, it is the highest mountain on the Balkan Peninsula, so you are going up hill the whole time! Anyways, despite my whining and complaining, I succeeded in making it to the top. Wow, was all that difficulty worth it. There are some things that happen here that you cannot even explain. As I said earlier, we are all really busy right now with so many things, that when you reached the top of this mountain, look down to what we climbed up, it puts things into perspective! To be able to have a break from all the language and assignments, to see something in a country that many people don't have the opportunity to see is such a great thing to experience at this time. It really reaffirms again, why we are here doing what we are doing. When I can, I promise I will send pictures.
Sadly though, that weekend also was a trigger for us losing another volunteer. Our 4th now in our group. We started as 40, and are now 36. The guy that left was from Portland and was a pretty good guy. He had moments when he had a tendency to piss people off, but when it came down to it, he would have done a really good job with the kids. The night after the hike, we stayed in the mountains and everyone was having a really good time and relaxing. No administrative staff was there from Peace Corps, so it was the first time we have felt like we had a little freedom. This guy got really drunk and ended up being a loud obnoxious drunk, which is a shame because everyone else was having a really good time. At some point in the night, he fell out of bed and split his head open above his eye. At that point Peace Corps Medical Office was called, he was taken to Sofia, and through a couple day turn of events, he was sent home. Its really hard because at this point when people go home we know them a lot better, so you lose people you care about and like. It just hits home and is reality that anything can happen while we are here that they feel you need to go home for. So...we are all adjusting to one less group member.
Anyways. I know I have written a lot here, and I just want to end on a couple last things. Right now in Bulgaria the teachers are striking. They get paid about 200-300 leva a month. Which to put in perspective is less than we get paid as volunteers, and the dollar is about 1.40 more than the lev, so they don't get paid much. Its really interesting but also hard to be here during this, especially since my host mom is a teacher...its not fair, but for us, there is nothing we can do. So, just some info from Bulgaria's news.
Lastly. As I've been here for 2 months, life is definatly different than what I imagined and what I have experienced before in the states. There are times when it would be so easy to leave and go back to all the comforts, but to make it through this will be an experience of a lifetime. The thing I wish most for you all when reading about my time here, is to just take a minute and really appriciate what you have there and what you are doing. It is so easy to get tied up in the day to day activities that you forget what you have. Some things that I took for granted in the states that I would like to have now is just a nice, long hot shower, toilet paper (yes I said toilet paper, when at cafes, we have gotten in the habit of carrying our own, because most places do not have it), ordering food, or just holding conversations. I feel so many times that there is so much more that I want to say to people and I don't want them to think I have the mental capacity of a 5 year old because all I can say is "yes, okay, good" and other basic things. So, just please all take some time and appriciate the things you can!
So....thats it for now. Things are getting a lot busier, so I don't know if I will write for a little while. I head to Dolna Banya on October 18th and the next adventure will start! I will write soon! Hope you all are well!
Michala
Friday, September 28, 2007
Saturday, September 15, 2007
Dolna Banya
Well, as many of you might have guessed, that is the name of the town I will be living in for the next two years! For those who want to see pictures of it, and maybe read a little more you can go to http://www.dolnabanya.net. I do not know much about the town, but I was very excited to hear about it. It is about 2-3 hours from where I live right now, so I am excited that I will be able to visit my host family. I am also near other volunteers, an hour or so that I enjoy and will be able to see them more. The two volunteers I live in Radomir with live farther away though, so that will be a hard adjustment for the 3 of us, since we spend every day together.
My job is going to be working with a NGO developing programs for youth in the community to work on healthy activites and social skills. The idea is to focus more on prevention as opposed to dealing with the problem after it occurs. There is also an orphanage located in town that I will work with. I believe in that, the idea is to just be a positive role model/support for these kids and to do various activities with them.
I am very excited about the possibilites of these projects and living in the town for the two years. Its beautiful and I think it will be a good size and location for me. As you can imagine though the language continues to be a very difficult obsticle. I spent the last 3 days in the town meeting people, and on both sides, not understanding what the other was saying. There was an environmental volunteer that lived there and left right before I came, so when I would introduce myself as a Peace Corps volunteer, the towns response was..."Ahh, Thomas...ahh, he spoke Bulgarian very well!" I understood this much from my very limited Bulgarian skills. When you are in that situation you get used to a lot of awkward silences, staring, smiling and saying "DA, DOBRE", which mean yes and good! So the language and skills continue.
It was very nice to come back to Radomir though because at this point it is some sort of safety bubble. My host parents greeted me at the bus station, (they drove an hour into another town, as they did not want me to wait another hour to take the train on my own). My host mom barely let me get off the bus before hugging me a lot, and saying "my girl." Its very nice to have a family that I feel very comfortable with here. In all the forms of relationships you are forced to get to know people a lot quicker then in the states. Whether its a co-worker, someone in town, or a friend of someone you know. Usually you are embraced very quickly, kissed on both cheeks, or pinched by the baba's (grandmothers) and they say beautiful, sweet, or just stare and smile! Bulgaria has some great people.
So as my adventure continues, I hope to keep you all up to date on important, exciting and funny things. It is very difficult to describe everything, as most things you have to see for yourself. Just one thing before I go.
As I think I have said before, I have a 13 year old host brother here who speaks very little English. Well before I left last week, I had a conversation with the family and mostly him about cars in America. I have no idea when or how he got it into his head, but for some reason he thinks I know a lot about motors, speed, fuel, engine size, and various other things that have to do with cars and motorcycles. No matter how much I tell him that in America most girls do not know about such things, he still asks me how many Mercedes, Hummers, Dodge Vipers, Feraris and other fancy cars I see in Idaho. Its a fun process to try and describe these things for me, especially when it turns into some form of sheraides and you feel as though its game night and someones about to win! Anyways. That is just some of the fun things that go on at home, and in general in Bulgaria. Keep reading all...there will be more to come!
My job is going to be working with a NGO developing programs for youth in the community to work on healthy activites and social skills. The idea is to focus more on prevention as opposed to dealing with the problem after it occurs. There is also an orphanage located in town that I will work with. I believe in that, the idea is to just be a positive role model/support for these kids and to do various activities with them.
I am very excited about the possibilites of these projects and living in the town for the two years. Its beautiful and I think it will be a good size and location for me. As you can imagine though the language continues to be a very difficult obsticle. I spent the last 3 days in the town meeting people, and on both sides, not understanding what the other was saying. There was an environmental volunteer that lived there and left right before I came, so when I would introduce myself as a Peace Corps volunteer, the towns response was..."Ahh, Thomas...ahh, he spoke Bulgarian very well!" I understood this much from my very limited Bulgarian skills. When you are in that situation you get used to a lot of awkward silences, staring, smiling and saying "DA, DOBRE", which mean yes and good! So the language and skills continue.
It was very nice to come back to Radomir though because at this point it is some sort of safety bubble. My host parents greeted me at the bus station, (they drove an hour into another town, as they did not want me to wait another hour to take the train on my own). My host mom barely let me get off the bus before hugging me a lot, and saying "my girl." Its very nice to have a family that I feel very comfortable with here. In all the forms of relationships you are forced to get to know people a lot quicker then in the states. Whether its a co-worker, someone in town, or a friend of someone you know. Usually you are embraced very quickly, kissed on both cheeks, or pinched by the baba's (grandmothers) and they say beautiful, sweet, or just stare and smile! Bulgaria has some great people.
So as my adventure continues, I hope to keep you all up to date on important, exciting and funny things. It is very difficult to describe everything, as most things you have to see for yourself. Just one thing before I go.
As I think I have said before, I have a 13 year old host brother here who speaks very little English. Well before I left last week, I had a conversation with the family and mostly him about cars in America. I have no idea when or how he got it into his head, but for some reason he thinks I know a lot about motors, speed, fuel, engine size, and various other things that have to do with cars and motorcycles. No matter how much I tell him that in America most girls do not know about such things, he still asks me how many Mercedes, Hummers, Dodge Vipers, Feraris and other fancy cars I see in Idaho. Its a fun process to try and describe these things for me, especially when it turns into some form of sheraides and you feel as though its game night and someones about to win! Anyways. That is just some of the fun things that go on at home, and in general in Bulgaria. Keep reading all...there will be more to come!
Will hear from you all soon I hope!
Saturday, August 25, 2007
Another week down...7 more to go!
Well, I have officially been in Radomir for 2 weeks now. I think it has been closer to 2 months though. The time flies by, but with out much changing in between in seems like a lot longer.
I am still here, and still hanging on, but it has been difficult because of the weather. I have yet to figure out the Celsius to Farenheit conversions, but it has been I think around 38 degrees celsius. Whatever it is, it is miserable. Without having air conditioning in most places, you are in old buildings with sweaty stuffy people. It proves to bring about good moods. This last week we have been overwhelmed with meetings and had whats called our first HUB, which brings together the other 38 volunteers. We have meetings regarding our programs, mine being Youth Development, and safety, cultural diversity and whatever else they feel is important. So just to give you an idea, the meetings are in fairly small rooms as size goes, with us 40 some volunteers, plus some because of trainers and anyone else, we are obligated to wear business casual clothes, which usually means long pants and stuffy shirts, and then the 38 degrees weather. It is MISERABLE! It is really a surprise that more people aren't passing out or getting sick, because the days are so long. Anyways, I'm back in Radomir and although its still hot, I can at least wear more comfortable clothes and not be stuck in stuffy rooms.
This whole experience has been going well. My host family is great and always wants to take care of me. They have a 13 year old son, who is fun to hang out with, but for some reason he has it in his head that I know a lot about motors, cars, and speed. I keep trying to tell him that most girls from America don't know about that sort of stuff. So instead, he has me play WWE with him on the computer! The other 3 volunteers in my group are good to hang out with. There are 3 of us, me, another girl Amber, and a guy named Mark who get a long very well and hang out a lot. The other guy, Matt is difficult to tolerate sometimes, so it has been a difficult adjustment but we are trying.
The food here is great. There are fresh vegtables and fruit at most every meal. We eat a lot of chicken, pork/beef type meat balls and a bunch of other interesting food. I definatly have not been going hungry. Its nice to have someone else coming up with food ideas and not have to cook, but my host mom has started to let me make the salad and other side dishes. It will be interesting when I leave the host family to see if I still cook their type of food, or if I will start reverting back to American food. I had pizza for the first time since I've been here at our HUB, and it was nice to eat something I know. Its really weird though because there are a lot of people who put ketchup and mayonaise on their pizza here! I'm glad we do some things the way we do back in America!
I have been very surprised at the lack of smoke and smoking I have experienced here. When I pictured myself walking down the street, I imagined a cloud of smoke following me all over. There is a lot of smoking, and in some situations you can't get away from it, but most the time you can, or you are outside. I am lucky that my host father is the only one that smokes, and he only does outside. Alcohol is also an interesting occurance here. It is typical to drink vodka, or whats called rakia with salad or soup as the starter drink. With the main course, they usually move on to beer or wine. When you are with your host family or at someone elses house, I have not had a problem with them respecting when you say no thank you. When we go to a kafe though, the beer is about 1 leva or so, which is less than an US dollar.
Well, I will close off for now. There is much more that I can tell, but I don't want to go on for too long! If anyone has any specific questions or thoughts, feel free to ask. I hope all are doing well, and I will try to figure out how to post pictures soon! Talk to you all soon.
Michala Golden
I am still here, and still hanging on, but it has been difficult because of the weather. I have yet to figure out the Celsius to Farenheit conversions, but it has been I think around 38 degrees celsius. Whatever it is, it is miserable. Without having air conditioning in most places, you are in old buildings with sweaty stuffy people. It proves to bring about good moods. This last week we have been overwhelmed with meetings and had whats called our first HUB, which brings together the other 38 volunteers. We have meetings regarding our programs, mine being Youth Development, and safety, cultural diversity and whatever else they feel is important. So just to give you an idea, the meetings are in fairly small rooms as size goes, with us 40 some volunteers, plus some because of trainers and anyone else, we are obligated to wear business casual clothes, which usually means long pants and stuffy shirts, and then the 38 degrees weather. It is MISERABLE! It is really a surprise that more people aren't passing out or getting sick, because the days are so long. Anyways, I'm back in Radomir and although its still hot, I can at least wear more comfortable clothes and not be stuck in stuffy rooms.
This whole experience has been going well. My host family is great and always wants to take care of me. They have a 13 year old son, who is fun to hang out with, but for some reason he has it in his head that I know a lot about motors, cars, and speed. I keep trying to tell him that most girls from America don't know about that sort of stuff. So instead, he has me play WWE with him on the computer! The other 3 volunteers in my group are good to hang out with. There are 3 of us, me, another girl Amber, and a guy named Mark who get a long very well and hang out a lot. The other guy, Matt is difficult to tolerate sometimes, so it has been a difficult adjustment but we are trying.
The food here is great. There are fresh vegtables and fruit at most every meal. We eat a lot of chicken, pork/beef type meat balls and a bunch of other interesting food. I definatly have not been going hungry. Its nice to have someone else coming up with food ideas and not have to cook, but my host mom has started to let me make the salad and other side dishes. It will be interesting when I leave the host family to see if I still cook their type of food, or if I will start reverting back to American food. I had pizza for the first time since I've been here at our HUB, and it was nice to eat something I know. Its really weird though because there are a lot of people who put ketchup and mayonaise on their pizza here! I'm glad we do some things the way we do back in America!
I have been very surprised at the lack of smoke and smoking I have experienced here. When I pictured myself walking down the street, I imagined a cloud of smoke following me all over. There is a lot of smoking, and in some situations you can't get away from it, but most the time you can, or you are outside. I am lucky that my host father is the only one that smokes, and he only does outside. Alcohol is also an interesting occurance here. It is typical to drink vodka, or whats called rakia with salad or soup as the starter drink. With the main course, they usually move on to beer or wine. When you are with your host family or at someone elses house, I have not had a problem with them respecting when you say no thank you. When we go to a kafe though, the beer is about 1 leva or so, which is less than an US dollar.
Well, I will close off for now. There is much more that I can tell, but I don't want to go on for too long! If anyone has any specific questions or thoughts, feel free to ask. I hope all are doing well, and I will try to figure out how to post pictures soon! Talk to you all soon.
Michala Golden
Monday, August 13, 2007
A Few New Changes
Okay, first, I just want to say that figuring out how to post this was difficult in itself. I can see it now in English, but if for some reason it is in Bulgarian for you, I apologize. Everything else on the internet today I have figured out how to get in English, but for some reason everything on the blog is Bulgarian. So this is a trial run.
So some of the new changes with living in a different country:
First, yes and no are opposite here. Nodding your head means no, shaking your head side to side means yes. If you forget to say what you mean while using th motions, who knows what may happen!
As many of you know, I was teased about the bathroom situations. Well, I experienced my first shoot for the whole and hope you make it situation. It may be described that way, but until you actually experience it, you have no idea. Thank goodness that is not what my home bathroom is like, but that is an experience too. Showering, brushing teeth and going to the bathroom in one open room, without any windows.
The food is very good. Not as scary as I expected, but if you don't like cheese, bread, and fresh fruits and vegetables it would be very difficult. I love my bread but having 3 or 4 pieces put in front of you for breakfast lunch and dinner, really makes you think about not wanting to come back weighing that 300 pounds I was worried about.
In all seriousness though it is an interesting experience to say the least. So far I am very happy, but its hard not having the communication you are used to. The privacy is different, and being surrounded by a language you don't know and trying to figure out how to do things is very difficult.
I am with a host family in Radomir, Bulgaria for 10 weeks, and it is only day 3, so I am just trying to take each day as it comes. I am excited about what there is ahead of me, but also nervous about living up to the challange.
If this worked, then hopefully I will be posting more about my adventure here, and I hope to hear more for you all soon. When I understand Bulgarian more, hopefully I will be able to post pictures too.
Thanks for the support with everyone. Stay connected, because who knows what is to come!
Michala
week 2
So some of the new changes with living in a different country:
First, yes and no are opposite here. Nodding your head means no, shaking your head side to side means yes. If you forget to say what you mean while using th motions, who knows what may happen!
As many of you know, I was teased about the bathroom situations. Well, I experienced my first shoot for the whole and hope you make it situation. It may be described that way, but until you actually experience it, you have no idea. Thank goodness that is not what my home bathroom is like, but that is an experience too. Showering, brushing teeth and going to the bathroom in one open room, without any windows.
The food is very good. Not as scary as I expected, but if you don't like cheese, bread, and fresh fruits and vegetables it would be very difficult. I love my bread but having 3 or 4 pieces put in front of you for breakfast lunch and dinner, really makes you think about not wanting to come back weighing that 300 pounds I was worried about.
In all seriousness though it is an interesting experience to say the least. So far I am very happy, but its hard not having the communication you are used to. The privacy is different, and being surrounded by a language you don't know and trying to figure out how to do things is very difficult.
I am with a host family in Radomir, Bulgaria for 10 weeks, and it is only day 3, so I am just trying to take each day as it comes. I am excited about what there is ahead of me, but also nervous about living up to the challange.
If this worked, then hopefully I will be posting more about my adventure here, and I hope to hear more for you all soon. When I understand Bulgarian more, hopefully I will be able to post pictures too.
Thanks for the support with everyone. Stay connected, because who knows what is to come!
Michala
week 2
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