plovdiv

so i visited a new city yesterday. it's name is plovdiv, and it is the secondest biggest city in bulgaria (after the capital, sofia). many people (especially bulgarians) that i've talked to, have told me that they prefer plovdiv to sofia. there is a university there as well as many churches, museums, and galleries.

i went on a whim with the other volunteer in my town. she had a bad day and just wanted to get away for a bit. so after talking to her on skype at around 11:00 pm, we decided to take the bus to plovdiv the next morning at 5:00 am. getting up that early is no joke and i barely slept during the ride there, but i was suprisingly fine the whole day. the city wasn't quite as big as i was expecting. maybe population wise or square-mileage wise it is the second biggest ctiy, but in my opinion sofia has a much bigger feel to it.

the city does have a very cute "old town" section, which is where all the touristy destinations are. i enjoyed most of the museums... loved the gallery! there was one art shop that had the greatest pieces... especially glass and pottery, but it was so expensive! and alas, i am a poor volunteer these days. i did a teensy bit of shopping though. bought a few souvenirs: post card, magnet, jewlery box (which will be a cute gift), and for me: funky earings and a really cute top for only 10 leva - steal! i saw the mummy 3. it was good... i liked the others better, but the son in this movie was gorgeous.... which is aways nice :) haha.

overall i had a good time, and i want to see as much of the country as possible, but i don't think i would go back unless i was simply catching up with friends. (most of my friends/volunteers are a lot closer to plovdiv than to sofia). in general, sofia remains my favorite place thus far.

oh, and i stayed at a hostel for the first time. it wasn't too bad. basically just a place to sleep. although i must say that i would never stay at a hostel for more than a night or two. there's just no privacy... and it's a little ackward to be thrown into a room with people i've never met before.

finally, my mom arrives in three short days. i remember talking about her visiting when i was still living with my host family. it's crazy that she's going to be here! i'm a little nervous, because life is pretty boring... and while it's not a big deal to me, i want to make her stay as interesting as possible. the quality time will be nice though (plus all the goodies she's bringing me! haha)

all for now. i'm super tired from the long trip!

beaches, brits, and babysitting

So, two weeks till the beach!! If I am able to go that is... there was a little scheduling problem, but it turns out it might not be a problem after all? For now, I will cling fast to the dream that I will be on the Black Sea in only 12 days.

I recieved some VERY interesting news the other day. An American friend of mine (who was a volunteer and now works in Sofia) called to tell me that there is a British girl living in my town! She is my age, and she works at his organization. She was volunteering, but now she is staying indefinately. I just got her number last night, and I actually tried to call her today, but no answer. Either way, I'm really excited to meet her! I hope we become good friends... it would be amazing to have someone I get along with (and who's my age/on the same page as me) so close! Plus she can help me plan my future trip to London.

And speaking of London, I am 99% sure I will be there for New Years. I am planning about a week long trip with another volunteer. We want to buy plane tickets this month before the price goes up. And that way, we are basically forcing each other to commit! Although, I have no problems with making/solidying plans. I have been bound and determined to go to London since.... I don't know, birth? Anyways, I'm super pumped that it's becoming a reality!

I spent last night in Sofia again. It has fast become my favorite place to go. There's just something so comforting about it. It's really nothing like Atlanta, but it's the closest thing to it... and some of the districts are actually quite picturesque. Plus, I discover something new every time I go... this particular time, I discovered Bulgarian karaoke. I must say that it was pretty typical, except that it was even more hilarious than in the states, because it's Bulgarians attempting English songs. But it was cute and I had fun. AND, i ate sushi!! A whole plate!! It was tuna, a more mild fish... but those of you who know me, know this is a pretty big deal. I have to admit... I liked it! And I didn't die, so that's good.

Then tonight I went to a "rock concert" here in Kyustendil, which is basically code for cover songs by local bands. I met yet another American who is living here in Kyustendil. (The running total of native English speakers {including myself} in Kyustendil: four americans-- three being volunteers, and one brit). This lady seemed interesting. She is a young mother with two precious daughters, and she's married to a Bulgarian man. I'm not really sure what their plan is... how long they are staying, etc. I don't think they know what their plan is. I offered to babysit though, and she quickly took my phone number!

All for now. It is getting late. One last thing. I tried an aerobics class and I really liked it. Finally something I can get into! And stick with.

the way life should be

Well, it was another fabulous weekend. I went to a party in Sofia last night. It was probably the most fun I've had since I have been here. They grilled hamburgers (a treat in Bulgaria). Actually, that was my first hamburger since I left the states. It was delish (that's short for delicious). Anyhow, there were some great people there. Some ex-volunteers, current volunteers, people from the embassy, people from the city's rugby team... etc. Also, there was a really fun couple who invited Shantay and me to the beach with them at the end of the month!! I can't wait to go. Although I will pretty much have to fast for the next two weeks in order to be bathing suit ready.

Last month was sooo slow. So I'm just so glad that this month is looking up. I want to go into the new school year with high spirits. And speaking of school, my English summer course is finished. One of the kids got me a present. I guess I pretty much rock as a teacher.

Finally, I was informed the other day that there is a pool RIGHT next to my apartment. All this time.... all these hot summer days... I just now find out! But later is better than never. I checked it out and it's amazing! Brand new pool with lots of space to lay out, and NOT lots of people (even better!) I mentioned the pool to a couple Bulgarians and they had no clue it was there. I guess it is the best kept secret in Kyustendil. I hope it stays that way. I swear, if it is not in their daily routines, Bulgarians have no clue about anything in life.

All for now. Just a short little bit, because I'm in a good mood!

a tale of bulgaria

The book A Tale of Two Cities starts with the opening line, "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times." I think that will pretty much sum up my experience as a volunteer. Very often I use this blog as a venting outlet to complain about things not going so well, or missing friends and family. And sometimes it really does suck being here, but then I have a good day and think, "this isn't so bad after all."

This weekend, I went to Sofia with my fellow volunteer, Shantay. I love hanging out with her, because she is more like my friends back home. We have the same sense of humor and directness. We finally saw the new Batman movie. I have to admit, that it was the most intense movie I have ever seen thus far in my relatively short life. I did not like that Maggie Gyllenhaal played Rachel though. She's not cute, and she looked a little coked out if you ask me. Other than that though, it was very compelling. I wanted to see Sex and the City soon too, but it's not in theatres anymore! Movies come and go so fast nowadays. Oh well, I guess I will wait to see it on DVD.

So, after the movie, I spent the night in Pernik, Shantay's city/town. It wasn't bad. For a big city (bigger than my site) it didn't have too much though. Kyustendil has way more cafes and stores in general. But even hanging out and doing nothing was nice! There is another volunteer at her site, Brian, and he has some device... I forget what it is called... but it allows him to watch his friend's TV back home in the states. It's the coolest thing I've ever heard of... I gotta get me one of those!! Somehow we started talking about football, and he said I could come watch the Georgia games at his house! Wa-hoo! It really made my little week. Chad had mentioned that I could watch the games via internet for a small fee on CBS sports, but it will be fun to watch some of the games with someone who actually likes sports! I kid you not, there is not ONE person in my group who watches college sports. What is the world coming to? Girls, fine... it's stereotypical, but true. In general, girls aren't into sports... but the guys... I guess it's kind of sexist of me, but I just think something's not right if a guy doesn't like sports.

Basically, I finally had a good weekend. I think I'm going to start pinching more pennies during the week so I can start traveling more on the weekends. I pretty much have to in order to maintain sanity. This weekend, I am planning on returning to Sofia for an ex-volunteer's birthday (or to clarify, a volunteer who finished their service and now live's in Bulgaria). So that should be fun. And it will give me a chance to meet more people. Always a plus.

Lastly, I have had a really strong showing at my summer class. I only have one week left. It's only a three-week course. I am undecided if I will continue it or not. I am quickly running out of ideas on how to fill two hours of class time, four days a week. And it's funny how often this happens.. but Thursday I ended class a little early. I wasn't feeling well, and I thought the students would be happy. But when I told them we were done for the day, one girl was like, "oh man..." and I asked her what was wrong? She said, "well this is my last day, because I am going on vacation..." I was just amazed that she enjoyed the class, because she never wants to participate and I always have to snip at her for talking while I'm talking. I figured her parents were making her come, but wouldn't you know, she was interested all along. That very thing happenened during training in Dupnitsa too. It's always the students you think could care less, who seem to be geniunely intrigued. I guess kids are kids and no matter how interested they are, sometimes learning/concentrating is just hard for them.