So this weekend was fun. Friday night one of the other volunteers, Shantay, came to visit me. When went out for a bit to a local bar/club. I was actually surprised at how nice it was! It looked like a place I would see in Atlanta. Plus, they played American music and the atmosphere was really laid back. The next day we went to the capital, Sofia. I really like the city. The first time I went I wasn't that impressed, but I think part of the reason was because I was with people I didn't really care for, the entire day was really rushed, and then it poured on us. This time was totally different. Really relaxed, and I went to a different part of the city that I really liked. I saw that movie, Hancock, with Will Smith. It was really good. I hadn't even heard of it before, but it was funny/sweet. I wanted to see Sex and the City, but the earliest time we could see it was around 7, and I had to catch the last bus home before that. Next time though. We made a pact to go to the capital and grab lunch and a movie or something once a month.
Anyway, half the reason I am writing this is because while I was in Sofia, I experienced the funniest moment thus far in Bulgaria. So before Shantay and I went to the movie, we went to grab some lunch. McDonald's, if you are wondering. I actually do not miss McDonald's, but we were in a bit of a hurry. There were actually some other much cooler restaurants there, but service in Bulgaria is a bit lackluster, to say the least. And like I said we were in a rush. Back to the story. So Shantay and I were sitting there eating our McDonald's, minding our business. Now, Shantay is black. I have to mention this point, because it is critical to the story. So, we are sitting there eating when a little boy, about 5 years old, walks by our table, but as soon as his eyes fall on Shantay he just stops... right next to her... and stares. The look on his face was PRICELESS. It was this confused and almost disturbed look, as if to say, "who are you and what are you doing here in my country?" Now if it was an adult, it would be offensive, but since it was just a little kid, we just started laughing hysterically. And once the little boy saw us laughing so hard, he started smiling too. But he still didn't leave. He just stood there for a solid 3 minutes, watching her, until his dad (who was busy carrying food and what not) finally pushed him along to their table.
I really wish I had had a video camera to capture the moment. It was one of those "you had to be there moments," but it kind of made me think after the fact. As Americans we are just so used to seeing people of all different colors, shapes, sizes, etc., but Bulgaria is really not like that. It's the most homogeneous population I've ever seen in my life. There can't be more than 20 people in the entire country who are not Eastern European. And the ones who are here probably work for the American Government. The whole moment kind of reminded me of that movie "Blast from the Past" with Alicia Silverstone and Brendan Fraser. After being stuck in a bomb shelter for twenty odd years, he finally sees the real world.... and when he first goes outside he runs into a black lady and declares, "oh my stars... a negro!" I guess it's just hard for me to imagine a world where seeing someone different would be such a novelty and/or shock. If the peace corps does anything for me, it just makes me more and more thankful to live in America, a place where we have the opportunity to experience different cultures and be exposed to different people. It truly is a melting pot, and I have never really thought about how cool that really is.
I guess that's all for now. I start teaching my summer class tomorrow. Wish me luck!
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