Canning Baba's

(Originally sent out as a mass mail)

I am finding out that Bulgarians drink a lot of espresso and Beer. I have had more Beer and espresso in the last two weeks than I have in my entire life and I don't drink Beer or Espresso. He he.

Right now the neighborhoods are stacking up on fire wood to prepare for winter. And the Baba's (grandma's) can be seen canning produce in front of their homes. They do it by building a fire outside and placing a huge calderen over the flames to boil the jars. All this is making me
worried. I don't even know where I will be living for the winter, but I do know the town will be covered in snow. Produce for January, February, and March are not reliable if existent. I guess I will have to learn how to can when I get to my site. Where's mom when I need her? lol.

I have had the oppurtinity to shadow a current PCV (Peace Corps Volunteer)and see how he lives and what work he does. Next Friday I find out where I will live and what work I will do.

I attached a couple more pics. Both from my first week in Strelcha. The first pic I took on the first evening when we went on a hike. We considered it a symbol of good luck. Later on in the hike we found a horse shoe. Looks like we're getting off to a good start. TTYS.

My Host Family

(originally sent out as a mass email)

Whats up everyone? I finally found a way to email you guys some picture, so I though I would send them.

Most of you know by now I am in Bulgaria. I have been here for about three weeks. The first week all 59 new Peace Corps Trainees (PCT's), including me, stayed in Strelcha for general orientation. Now we have split off in to groups of five and moved to other cities. I am in Peshtera. I will be here for three months learning the language, training for my job, and adjusting to the culture.

I live with a family in their apartment. The mom's name is Yordanka. Her son, Lanko, lives there too. He's 20 years old. We've hung out a few times going to the local Cafe's and Disco.

The pictures I attached are from my first week in Strelcha. The first picture is a shot of the small town. The second picture I took when I was on my way into town. The horse is in front of a small chapel. The last picture is in front of the hotel we stayed in. These three girls greeted us with bread that is dipped in a mixture of spices. They are dressed in Bulgaria's traditional garb.

Hope you like the pics. I'll send more later. TTYS.