Hey I am still alive!!

Too many things to say…

This past week the other P.C. volunteers and I stayed in a ski resort to learn the preliminaries about language, safety, feel the repercussions of jet lag (ugh), what our schedule is like, technical things like that…

I am in my host home right now and I must tell you I think I am in love. Have you seen the movie Chocolate? Remember the stairwell that is a wide spiral made of concrete but has this rug like material over it?  It looks a lot like that. pretty.

My first impression of my host family was generosity with natural curiosity of who I am and having patience for what little Bulgarian I know. I cannot wait to get to know Bulgarian a lot better so that I can hold an actual conversation rather than staring at each other trying to figure out what the other is saying. There is a lot of pointing/hand motions. My Bulgarian dictionary is my best friend right now.

So here’s a cool fact. One of my host sisters knows English so we talked all the way in the cab ride home. We talked about family, friends, traveling, my hometown, her hometown, college, and it was so nice to share a curiosity about life with another person. She went to Greece this weekend with her school friends so I have been hanging out with my host mom, Antoaneta. She is soo funny and has a genuine laugh. It’s the kind of laugh that makes you want to laugh with her. She is also so very curious about my life- family, school, friends, etc. I showed her pictures today and she got so excited. She also really liked the pictures from my graduation parties and thought that the little cousins look fun and funny Antoaneta works as a tailor and her husband Dimitar is a technician. They have a beautiful garden in which have been eating our food from it. It taste soo good and fresh. They grow tomatoes, potatoes, apples, cucumbers, lemons, and I think that’s it. Antoaneta is a very good cook. The first night I arrived we ate rice pilaf and butter with baby sheep. I have never had it but I really liked it. Dimitar grows his own brandy (common in Bulgaria). He said it was about 45% proof. Wow. We had it with dinner. Very good. It’s also common to make your own wine. Good. good.

In the mornings I wake up to the sound of the roosters but lay in bed and journal/ read/ listen to music/ look at pictures, etc. Like right now I’m listening to the music Daniel gave me before I left. It is very beautiful. I especially like track number 14 I think its Exile to Elba? Man he is sooo good. Music is my muse and my sense relaxation right now. Some of the other volunteers have given me some good recommendations for some music. Can’t research it right now because my host home does not have Internet. Everything is so chill here. For example, today Antoneta and I went on a walk to the local store to get towels. We took the “long way” home and stopped by one of her friends homes. She has two grandchildren that I was able to play with the cutest one year old and a rowdy 5 year old. We drank coffee and ate watermelons for at least an hour. I love this place… 

Oh! I am staying in a small village called Cry- nitch-si. It is spelled Kraynitsi.  I am in love with it. I cannot wait till you see pictures. I think it is absolutely beautiful. Bright colors, gardens, horses, chickens, mountains, bright stars, smiles, and a natural curiosity as to why you are there.

Don’t know what else to really say. I want this to be short enough so that you will read it and keep some interest.