A Chronicle of my Changing Times.

Fast Times in Haskovo

When reading other PCV's blogs prior to coming to Bulgaria I was always frustrated by extended periods of silence.  I vowed never to allow that to happen.  Of course the first week I finally have internet in my apartment and can actually begin posting again as I've wanted I don't make one single post.  Whenever talking to other people about posting entries to their blogs they make the comment that when nothing’s going on you have all the time in the world to post about nothing – and who wants to read that?  However, whenever you have things happening you usually don’t have the time to post.

The latter has been the case for me for more than the last week.  I vowed to get out and get to know as many people as possible, and rest assured that’s happened - almost to an excess.  A large portion of the people I’ve met are other internationals here in Haskovo.  It’s kinda funny, after being here just a small amount of time, you can spot the foreigners a kilometer away. 

One such foreigner is Barbara from The Netherlands (not Holland, there actually is a difference between the two).  She’s here on holiday and is investigating opening a business here in Bulgaria.  We’ve actually been virtually inseparable for the last week.  I don’t know who’s a worse influence on the other, but we’ve had a lot of fun meeting other people, chatting, closing down cafés/bar/discos, and generally staying out until the wee hours of the morning – many times watching the sunrise.

Other than Barbara, there’s Stan (aka Stanislav), a Bulgarian who Barbara started seeing this week after we met him a KDK (a nice café which has quickly become my neighborhood bar of sorts).  He’s actually going to college in New York and sometimes I think he speaks better English than I do.  Zdravko, another Bulgarian, is actually Barbara’s friend and has been wonderful to hang out with.  He was the one who first got me to go out – getting me to X (aka Exclusive – the best disco in town) on Retro night last week.

There are tons of other people I’ve met – I’ve easily managed to hold up to my goal of meeting at least one new Bulgarian a day.  People here are generally warm and friendly – but only after you’ve been introduced.  One thing the internationals in town have noticed is that if you’re not introduced many Bulgarians will ignore you; even if sitting next to you at a table of friends in a café. 

I guess the point of the rambling entry is that I think I’m blessed.  Haskovo itself is a beautiful town for the most part.  Well, at least by Bulgarian standards.  It’s large enough that there’s a fair amount to do and it has many people who come here to volunteer or occasionally visit from abroad.  I’ve spoke to a number of other volunteers and most of them are not getting out and meeting people as I have done.  Well, at least not to the degree I have.  Of course, this has a down side in that I’ve spent way too much money thus far.  But I also vowed to myself that I would take every opportunity to get out and about that presented itself.

That said, I’m truly enjoying life here.  My actual work is slow right now, but I’ll save that for another post.  I’ve included two pictures (finally!) this time.  The first is of myself (notice my PCV haircut) and Barbara.  It was taken from the enormous park (Kenana Park) whose main gate is but a 30 second walk from my front door.  We were entertained that evening by Stan as he played some Bulgarian songs mixed with a bit of Goo Goo Dolls on his guitar.  Outside of the mosquitoes it was a fabulous evening.  The second picture is one of my favorite pictures I’ve taken here.  It was from the field close to my host family’s house in Septemvri.  Now I'm off to pick up Erin, a PCV friend, from the bus station.  Later this evening we're dining with Claire, a french volunteer in town.  I'm looking forward to some wonderful home cooked French food.  Just another night here in Haskovo.

Posted by: mjmarble at July 23, 2005 10:19 | link | comments (5)

Comments:

#1  23 July 2005 - 10:52

 

Love the pictures. It's great to read about someone like Barbara and be able to see what they look like. And to see your new look! The landscape is beautiful also. The road less travelled...

TPorter2

#2  24 July 2005 - 08:27

 

Pictures, yay! It looks beautiful there. I agree with TPorter, it's nice to put faces to the names. Barbara looks so young to be opening a business there! That's what's great about being part of the international community there - many of them are doing something different and adventurous. Just meeting and getting to know them will help your own personal growth and expand your horizons.

Anonymous

#3  24 July 2005 - 08:28

 

BTW, that was me, Lucy. Forgot to sign the post - must be the TWoP training. :)

Anonymous

#4  24 July 2005 - 20:16

 

Sweet Mike - did ya get in her pants?

Anonymous

#5  27 July 2005 - 04:33

 

Looking good, Mike. You look really happy in that picture.

zithereen

Comments: