The results Of HALLOWEENNNN

Halloween was a blast! With snow on the ground and candy in the air...the kids witnessed their first Halloween! Videos and Pictures

Happy Snow O ween?

Sorry again for the lack of internet access and due to some traveling for conferences the lone post for the month. Here it is...Halloween. I awoke this morning to find Snow....yes snow on my porch...Have a feeling this winter will be cold! No fear I did find a pumpkin to carve! I also made masks with the kids at the school yesterday and today they will carve their very first pumpkins...somewhere...I didn't anticipate snow. Will see. Should be interesting none the less. Things are starting to get busy maybe? I will be teaching English class on Wedsnesdays as an after school program. I'm also working with the cultural center to work on a place for people to play cards and games during the winter! I'm also writing a bunch of projects that should hopefully grab the attention of the town and prompt some major "Hey that's a good idea, Jon..how can I help?" moments...I've been in country for about 6 months now...almost 4 months as a Peace Corps Volunteer. I opted not to go to the Halloween party because it would probably take a lot out of me, and well lets face it...it's snowing now. Plus I'd rather teach the kids about ruining their teeth even more by having a little trick or treating session! Hah! I'll update more pictures later today.

Here's pictures of the kids and their masks!



Here's my amazingly carved pumpkin!



Here's the veiw of snow from my balcony!

PDM, End of summer.

Well per usual I have failed once again to update you all with my fast paced life. Everyday I seem to be learning more Bulgarian (so I hope) and losing more English. This happens to be great for everyone speaking to me. My Bulgarian is coming along and my English just gets even more ridiculous as the days pass. I got a pretty sweet comment the other day though...I was asking the conductor of the train if the section I was in was either first or second class. He answered, then asked if I was Macedonian. When I told him I was an American. He was dumbfounded. We ended up talking and then went our separate ways. About 30 minutes into the departure he came back to my cabin and sat down and talked. He was so intrigued that in fact he was talking to an American in his native language. He also kept apologizing for mistaking me as a Macedonian (to me that's a compliment). Mind you this is the man that puts holes in everyones ticket as they board the train. To date while in Bulgaria I've been mistaken as Greek, Italian, Macedonian, and Bulgarian. What is next? Who knows...I'll keep a tally though.

So about the end of August I came down with either food posioning or a brief stomach flu. It put me out. I mean I was hugging the door of the Turkish toliet half the time. (Turkish toliets...well there's no porcelin) Anyways after about 48 hours I was great and dandy. Then about two weeks later at the PDM conference which takes me about 10/11hours to get to...I get sick again. But let me explain the PDM conference. First, it's a great time to see some of the other B25's as I haven't seen some of them since July, so there was plenty of reason to be merry and have a good time. Second the PDM conference was in the old capitol of Bulgaria. A fantastic, rustic city on a hill. Very Beautiful. The first day was raining so not much of sight-seeing could be done. Third the PDM conference is a conference with our counterparts (or our Bulgarian colleauges that we work with) so we can learn about grant proposals, projects, and different areas of interest. As that is all interesting and very informative on the second day/night of going out. People started not feeling well. In the back of my mind- I knew all too well. This stomach flu/food posioning was back. And back it was- with a vengence. I'd venture that myself included probably 50.60% of the people got sick. It was quite an experience. Having to travel 10 hours on a train then a bus, then walk 7 km when you're trying to recover. AWESOME time spent! Atleast you get to be very close with the people that were also sick, because hey...you don't get upset if they say..."Hey I'll be right back...where's the restroom again?"

Ah Peace Corps. How I love it. The end of summer is here, next week I start teaching my classes again and working on projects. Most B22's will be leaving at the end of next week. That's actually kind of sad. Though I know some will be back and within 8 months new volunteers will be here...the B26's. It's getting pretty cold here not going to lie. I have a wooden stove that keeps me warm though. I have an amazing shot that my friend took on our hike. This is what the end of summer (and every day) looks like from the top of the peak behind my apartment. (Takes about 1.5 hours to climb...but as you see it's totally worth it). Cheerrsss
Take care.

4ao.

It's September, potatoes and mushrooms.

It's September now. Wow. Really? I finished up my last class of summer school refresher courses this week. Well it wasn't a failure like I thought, and kids enjoyed it. I have a feeling my time here will go by very fast. It's never a dull moment and even when it seems as though I'll have a dull moment, something exciting happens. September also means- time for potatoes, and well August means Mushrooms here. So the town has been busy picking both. With the addition of gathering wood for the winter it's exciting. Everyone moving. The potatoes here are super sweet. They make delicious french fries. Yes. I make french fries. I eat them with vinegar and sometimes I make honey mustard.

I've been researching a few different things for other small projects recently and I think I found some kids interested in an ecology/geo-cache club.
Another volunteer about 50 km North and I may collaberate on it so that his kids and my kids could go on hikes together and such. We met up yesterday to discuss possibilities. We'll probably talk more about it next week as we have a conference to go to, but we figured it was a good way to get to meet up and see each other, it's been about 5 weeks. Well when we met up in a town equally far (about half way for each of us) to our surprise we hardly spoke any English. Um...it was weird. I couldn't quite put my finger on it at the moment but- you know someone speaks English, yet you look at them talking in Bulgarian it was very mind-boggling. We talked for about 2 hours on logistics, interest, and just the ideas of how it could work. We also were able to catch up on other things as well.

This weekend is the town holiday and hopefully it should be good. I'm hopeful the weather will hold out and that maybe my internet inviting (per the request of the Mayor) worked. Even if only 20 people come, well I'll consider it a small victory. From no internet presence 2 weeks ago...small steps. I was waiting for a ride yesterday (which can sometimes take a while) and I snaped this photo that I though was glorious...yes glorious.





PS. Ravens are 4-0 in Preseason...the last time they did that was in 2000. Was that the year they won the Superbowl? Oh that's right it is. Coincidence? Pure Skill? I'll go for the latter.

Pictures soon...I promise.

Ok, it's been about a month here in my lovely village. I have been taking lots of pictures, situating into my apartment, and kind of getting the handle on the working bit. Frankly- I'm working a lot! It's a good thing...believe me it is. I've been teaching summer refresher courses for about a month now. I don't want to say I'm amazing or anything at so called teaching- but when you hear kids use the English you taught them- let's just say I have a sense of accomplishment. I teach about 15-20 kids in my first class and about 14 kids in my second class. It rounds up to about 10 hours a week of teaching. Crazy right? I walk to the caves and surrounding towns by eco trail- gathering information for the wikipedia site when ever I get the chance. Soon- I think I'll get the ok on the translation I provided for the wiki page and I can load it up. I've been working a lot on the web presense for my town as the town holiday (Praznik) is in 2 weeks. They wanted me to create a poster but when I found a poster already made...I just had to find the source. With a little help and some finger pointing (to the poster) I was able to get the actual jpeg file. Perfect. Saves everyone time and improves consistancy right? Right. It's starting to get really cold here- I love it...But would love to have a few more hot nights and days ahead of me before I have to bundle up. Next couple months will be busy for sure.

Ok back to work- I'll update this when I can link my camera up to the computer. For now, here's a picture of part of the peak I climbed (and continue to climb) when I have a free moment. That's my town below...p.s. LOOK HOW GREEN IT IS! ...



Bulgarian Lesson of the day: Чести Рожден Ден! (Chesti Rojden Den!) Means: Happy Birthday!

Ok Lack of Internet- Sorry

So a lot has happened since my site visit. I swore in! I am officially a volunteer. I have a pin of my own. The build up of anticpation, excitement, nervousness was all too familiar and was something I had been looking forward to for a very long time. On July 24th, 2009 around 10:30-11:00, 62 trainees became volunteers. After a small reception and a few interviews with radio and television crews it was time to pack up and leave. Most of the newly sworn in volunteers had opted to stay the night with their respected host families. However another volunteer and I had other plans. Due to the remotness and lack of consistent weekend travel we had to depart for our new homes literally 1 hour after the receiption. We had a 1:30 bus to catch. First I had to go to the first VAC meeting (Volunteer Advisory Committee) and introduce myself and promptly leave. We had a 2 hour bus ride to Sofia. Caught a mini shuttle and then walked to the South Station of Sofia. We had a 5 pm bus to take us to what is considered relatively close to our sites. ( I was still a good 40 minutes away) I arrived to the bus station around 9pm and had my Mayor and collegue waiting to pick me up. I arrived into my apartment around 10pm. Speaking of which this road goes through a gorge ...and the road is so narrow...once I get better internet I'll post a picture.

My town is about 600 people and in the heart of the Rhodope Mountains. I'm about 15km from the boarder of Greece and pretty far out in terms of other places. The village is at the top of a mountain valley tucked away. Every morning I see clouds/fog that even the best pictures don't do justice. Every night the sky is so clear that I've counted 26 shooting stars in a span of about an hour and a half. The town is translated (literally) "Strawberries" and that is because of the wild strawberries that grow in the forests. There is also word of a few ancient Roman soidler burial sites. Which I may have stumbled on. I am going to have a man from the town come and find out if this is indeed what I have found.

Then the next couple of days were filled with more awkwardness, you know those long pauses filled with charades and "what are you doing here?" questions. After about a week, it was aparent that I thought I had learned enough Bulgarian to get me around and was sort of at a loss of words. I couldn't figure out what they were saying...why? Well. The Rhodopian dialect is only spoken in the Rhodopes so I'm essentially learning all over again. It's pretty amazing.

Lots of work ahead. I have begun to get to know the area by hiking almost every eco trail and making maps/notes of what certain things could be used for at a later date. There are 2 cave systems very close to my town and they are gorgeous! I have begun translating and getting to know "who's who" in the community. Once that has happend people put aside that they don't understand me and put me to work. I already had my first English class and have continued to set up more...for the principal. Then I will be working closely with the lady that runs the cultural center for our town holiday which is September 6th. In which on September 6th representatives from a town in Serbia with the same exact name are coming. I think they want to set up a sister/twin city...which is exactly what I wanted to do for the tourism development side of things. So there could be a possibility that I'll be traveling there shortly.

I think that's a good month update. I'll fill this in later.

Another Post

The eve of finding out where I’ll be living and who my counterpart is…the next two years of my life. Not necessarily set in stone, but definitely flexible. I love this. I’ve always been a happy person but I wake up every morning and know that this amazing adventure is put forth in front of me. I’m honored, humbled and of all I want to be here. Where could I go I have no idea. This is truly exciting. Everyone back home is probably just as anxious as I, or they have no idea. Who knows. The day had arrived and everyone is feeling the same way. Let us know! It was good to see everyone again at the HUB. About 10:30 we all headed over to the other school across the street and went to the concrete school yard. There on the ground was a massive chalk drawn map of Bulgaria with a bunch of names of towns spread out around the map. Wow…Bulgaria seemed so small before, but seeing how spread out the towns where was really something else. In groups of five all 63 trainees slowly started to fill up this map on the concrete. My name was called. I had found out where I would be going to be calling home for 2 years. I was heading to the mountains. I’m in the South Central part of Bulgaria in a small mountain village closer to the Aegean Sea than the Black Sea. This is a short post because I will update later.

One for the books...

You know sometimes how you feel like you could be in the final scene of Hannible Rising? You know the part where Anthony Hopkins is on the plane and starts to eat human brain? Then a kid asks for a bite unknowingly to his knowledge that what he is eating is actually a human brain? Well…sheep’s brain is quite tasty especially with almost a full ounce worth of Texas Pete’s Hot sauce on it. Good god. Really? I just ate brain. How do I know you might ask? The fact that brain is unmistaken able when it is oven cooked. Maybe the fact that I saw my Baba break open the skull. Or maybe the fact that she took the time to find the English translation in the dictionary for me and try to pronounce it in English. None the less it was quite good. It’s like mashed potatoes with a hint of meat taste. Really? Did I just describe my brain eating experience? I’m at a loss of words. My side dish. French fries. They were great. The twist….they were served on top of sheep intestine. How do I know this? Well the fact that my host father was slurping this substance up like spaghetti was one hint. The other was the fact that my grandmother kept saying “baaaaa” every time I said “what is this” in Bulgarian. The last piece of meat I had gotten through probably one of the toughest meals in a long time. This beats asparagus by a long shot. I dipped my last piece of meat in my hot sauce and flip it over. It was the eye. Yes, a sheep’s eye. My meat was staring me down. I took a bit of moonshine to numb my stomach and took the last bite. Followed by a good amount of wine to wash it down. What a meal. Mom. I love your cooking, but nothing beats my best meal ever.

Ибан.

‘Do some good son’, my father said with a deep sigh as he locked me in a hug that I’ll never forget. I’ve rarely seen my father cry; I knew this was a moment that I hope to share with kids of my own someday. My father was shedding tears, something I couldn’t understand. This true love, the ability to let me go and continue to grow on my own is very hard. While I know it will be difficult, my family is here. I couldn’t do half of what I do if it was not for them. I must say that seeing my father choked up rattled me quite a bit. The night before staging in Washington D.C. and packing for last minute things let alone trying to gather my sanity for the next couple of weeks was already spinning in my head. I got hardly any sleep due to insomnia and excitement. I wish every Peace Corps trainee has the same feeling I had. Waking up at five and continued to pack. Around six my brother came up and said goodbye for one more time before went to work. My father came around 6:30 am and said goodbye again. I think this was harder than the previous night. Regardless on no sleep I finally got my gear and headed into my mother’s car for the drive down to Georgetown to drop me off at staging.

Fast track 3 days later.

“18 kilometers”, Dani, the language coordinator said. I felt like I was getting ready to jump out of a plane. Waiting for the green light. I had my family info in one hand and my camera in the other. Coped with this I had what my best knowledge of Bulgarian was from about a week of just pure language and policy. We’re here. Orientation is over. The real fun is beginning. You’re all wondering did I have that awkward moment of meeting my new family. Boy did I. I loved it. I found my Baba Tatyana and my Drudga Vasil as well as my cistars Yoana or Yo and Vladimira or Vladi at the hub training center in Vrasta. “Zdravete, Tatyana, Vasil, Yoana и Vladimira. Az sum Jon. Az sum ot Amerika ot Maryland ot Severna Park. Az sum ot Korpska na Mira. Az razbiram malko balgarski”, I said my first true sentence to true Bulgarians. No English. They responded and I have no idea what they said so I just kept saying, “minogo dobre” (Very Good). Followed by a bunch of random phrases that probably did nothing that confused us both. It came to the point that we all looked at each other and shrugged our shoulders as if we were a synchronized swimming team. It was amazing. How does one get out of this? You smile and laugh it off. We all started laughing at the lack of communication we had. I followed up with, “Pryaten me a” which means Pleased to meet you. At this point Vladi was hugging me, Tatyana was choking with tears, Vasil was doing a mixture of smiling/laughing and smoking his cigarette, while Yo was laughing while touching my hair. It was official; I was apart of the family. After a short drive we arrived to their house where the house warming really occurred. Before my bags were out of the car I’m pretty sure there was a shot of liquor in my hand and a bera in the other. “What have I got myself into?” for a brief moment I thought to myself. Mom, Dad not to worry though, I sipped the drinks over my very long meal. Not only this but over the course of three hours I ate like a champion. Chicken, potatoes, bread with chili pepper all from the home garden and store. AMAZING. Doesn’t sound like a lot right? We’ll my Baba definitely put two more scoops of food for every one scoop of food I ate. So no English speaking people. They have a corner store, a garden, they distill their own Rakia (Vasil said this is ‘Balgarski Whiskey- Johnny Walker- Minogo Dobre/ Bulgarian Whiskey- Johnny Walker- very good”). Essentially Rakia is moonshine. Anyways they distill that, make their own wine, have their own cherries, pretty much eat off the land. It’s simple. It’s amazing. Vasil showed me around the property and it looks like I’ll be working in the garden on my Sundays and becoming a mason to help him build his outside kitchen. How cool? Yo, is a student in secondary school and the English she knows is non-existent and consists of quotes from the ‘Twilight’ movie or lyrics from the band Paramore. She wants to learn English. Vladi is so adorable. I gave her the crayons. It’s her first set. Never in her life has she seen them. I had to show her how to use them and essentially told her that it was like painting a picture but with out getting wet. Once she saw this you could tell that I was her new best friend. At this moment I know I’ve chosen the right path. My path. These little things are what will get me through the tough and sometimes arduous times in this training. But knowing me in nine weeks, I’ll be swearing in as a Peace Corps Volunteer and I’ll be taking memories with me. Even though they are here on the weekends right now, they will move in when summer starts which is about three weeks.

Reflection

I take a moment to look out the window, peering at the uneven building right across the alley. It’s raining cats and dogs in the middle of Washington D.C. and I reflect. In five weeks to the day I will depart on a 2-year journey to become a Peace Corps Volunteer serving in Bulgaria. For one day a week since the end of August I have been coming in for an internship with the National Peace Corps Association. Coming home from Europe and not having a clue of how long the Peace Corps process would take, was something I was prepared for. What I wasn’t prepared for was the job market to be pretty much non-existent.

Regardless, I have had an extraordinary experience working with NPCA. My knowledge of social networking platforms such as Facebook and Myspace has enabled some really exceptional work and experiences to come out of the ten months of interning. Working with a bi-partisan non-profit with very close ties to the Peace Corps, there was never a dull day. From working throughout the elections trying to get both candidates to vouch for more Peace Corps, to helping in the launch of an online Peace Corps Community, valuable knowledge has been acquired. Even if it seemed slow, someone would always talk about their service and get everyone motivated to work more. I know it did for me. When waiting for my invitation to serve, any conversation about other’s service made me want to serve even more.

Working with the NPCA and the network of returned Peace Corps Volunteers, I have a better appreciation for what my service will be about. Regardless of what I end up doing as a Business Volunteer, I know I will have a completely different understanding than a lot of the other people in my training class. I have no expectations, but I’m aware of how anything I do will ultimately promote positive change in some way.

At NPCA I have learned to accept small victories, such as the on going goal of trying to convey that “Peace Corps THING” that every volunteer has an inner yearning that is hard to describe. It’s exactly that. A ‘Thing’ that only people of the Peace Corps would understand. As I see the other interns come and go over the last ten last months, I feel great knowing that I have met them and know that they will do much good for years to come. I feel that the people that I have met and worked with through the NPCA have only cemented that I will indeed enjoy the line of work I hope to have.

Seeing first hand how the NPCA operates and how they are THE resource for RPCV’s connecting thousands of people on a daily basis. Being able to hear stories, gather information, learn new things, and make great friends are all wonderful reasons why I keep coming back to NPCA. Well that and they haven’t asked me to leave yet. I know that I will continue to keep in touch with everyone as I will update them with my whereabouts and what I am doing while serving.

It is hard for me to realize that in five weeks I won’t be coming back once a week working on some sort of social networking site on behalf of NPCA. I guess that’s what is truly a Peace Corps moment; the instant connection people share. Even though I have not served yet, I feel as though I share something special with the RPCV’s I work with as well as the interns that are applying. It’s truly something that only so many words can explain. You can get a sense of this if you read many Peace Corps blogs, publications, and interviews. Whether these are coming from people in the beginning stages of the application process, someone like me that is on the verge of beginning training or an RPCV thirty years ago, we all share that same thing; a desire to make a difference.

Reading these stories, you have the opportunity to look at life differently. Little bits of information you may have picked up from your parents when you were young may be proven to be some of the best information you are able to give to someone in your community while in the Peace Corps. These little bits of information, these gems, are what I hope I can bring to Bulgaria among other things. It is this drive that I know I have, this inner yearning, that will lead me to become a successful volunteer.

I can’t thank the NPCA enough for allowing me the opportunity to intern with them by helping in any way, shape or form. The knowledge I will be able to take with me will only strengthen any project I do in Bulgaria. It is through my work at the NPCA that I have already had a crash course on what it means to fulfill the third goal of the Peace Corps. As I have seen so many member groups that are under the NPCA are currently doing so. In addition to these member groups, advocating for More Peace Corps campaign and through other projects of RPCV’s, I know I can help as well. I know what it will take on my behalf to not only continue the third goal but also be that catalyst for positive change.

Being apart of the Peace Corps community is something that I am truly honored to be apart of. Being given the opportunity to serve the United States I feel should be everyone's duty and helps create a better global citizen in everyone. This Peace Corps community that is constantly growing. Every day stories will be written, volunteers will be invited, people will apply and people will serve. When people come back from their service the questions pop in my head. How far are you willing to go? Will you tell people of your experience? Will you help spread the third goal of the Peace Corps? I know I will...but for now I have to wait couple of weeks, pack and actually leave.


Check out the National Peace Corps Association and create a profile :) Here

I have a blog?

Ok- Apologies again. I forgot I had a blog...actually I didn't forget I have been very busy! I have just over 6 weeks before staging begins! Oh yeah- Staging...which happens to be in D.C. couldn't leave me anymore stoked! I'm pummmpppeeed. Preparing is awesome I must say. I just got back from a two week excursion to say good bye to family and friends. While in Louisville, I met up with another PCB-25, Karina. She's awesome and was pretty open to having a shot of good fortunes of Vodka. "Nazdrave!" She also showed me a good KY porter. I loved seeing my family from Kentucky and I love how everyone thinks I'm headed to Bolivia. All exciting none-the-less! I can't wait to start this new adventure of mine. I don't know what to expect...really though who does? I am ready to be a sponge, ready to take it allll in. I filled out the survey for training and it got me more amped. Packing is fun. I still have some time and all but it's fun putting things in piles. Speaking of piles...I need to do laundry! Cheers!

Time continues.

So I have begun the almighty task of putting things in massive piles to help organize what can be given away, kept at my parents house, or taken with me. It is like goin going through time. It's really great where you got this or that. It made me fast forward and think of all the little tidbits I'll probably pick up along the way for my Peace Corps experience.

I have started to learn Bulgarian and have even started connecting with a few B-25's (my group) as well as previous groups such as B-22's, B-24's I don't know if I've connected with any B-23's yet. I've heard that my group heading over in May is supposed to be pretty massive...like 50-60 people. THAT's nuts! Should be grand traveling together.

The more I read information the more I am convinced that my placement officer really 'knows' me and found me a perfect match! I know I will love Bulgaria and the people. Everything! I also get extremely excited and well it's like a non stop euphoric state since opening my invitation packet.

I have 7 weeks of work left!!!! In mid-March I will find myself driving down to my brother's college to celebrate his birthday, as I have promised him I'd visit him while he's in school. (I know better late than never.) Then I will head West to Louisville to see my cousins- we have a family reunion on that side of the family this summer, so I'm sure the timing is perfect! Then I'll be treking alllllll the way North to Burlington, Vermont. See old friends and maybe see some of my professors!

Again..I am in a euphoric state. I have been so motivated to work on this blog, start finalizing my website, work on my cafe press site, prepare my outlines for podcasts and v-blogs. Everything! I am currently looking for cheap means of travel throughout Eastern Europe, I know they are there, I just haven't looked hard enough!

I've also started back up at the National Peace Corps Association in D.C. I've been pretty busy so I haven't been able to get in. Whoops. Tuesdays it is! I've been helping with the Peace Corps Connect site and figuring out stuff like that! It's an awesome site for people of Peace Corps (Future Volunteers, Applying, nomination, invitees, trainees, staff, friends, family- everyone!)to use as a social networking platform!

March 3rd is the National Day of action, so I'll be busy with that on the Hill, but those that aren't in the D.C. area and want to help in some way can email me at commintern2@rpcv.org Even if you are D.C. and want to help in some way, feel free to email me!

The Countdown continues!

Less than 100 days until I leave for staging...but who's counting? I have begun to plan my two week travel vacation to see cousins and friends for the time being. That should be awesome.

I have been reading a lot about Bulgaria and the surrounding areas...I can not wait! I have read the welcome book cover to cover and I am working on the Volunteer book right now.

Anyways I know this blog post is syndicated to my Facebook, so I will ask those who read this as a note...that for anyone that has traveled in the Eastern European region or anywhere for that matter...

If you have good hostels, cheap travel, train, plane, bus and what you recommend...I'm compiling a list and it would be appreciated! Thanks!

Invited!

According to Webster's dictionary:

Main Entry:
in·vite
Pronunciation:
in-ˈvīt
Function:
transitive verb
Inflected Form(s):
in·vit·ed; in·vit·ing
Etymology:
Middle French or Latin; Middle French inviter, from Latin invitare
Date:
1533
a: to offer an incentive or inducement to : entice b: to increase the likelihood of 2 a: to request the presence or participation of b: to request formally c: to urge politely : welcome




I have been invited to serve as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Bulgaria. I leave for staging May 19th! I am ecstatic. I know that this does not mean I will become a volunteer but I am confident that with the training provided coped with my skills and dedication that I will be a volunteer after training! This day comes as a wonderful way to start off 2009. I am thoroughly excited and can not wait to step foot in Bulgaria and start training. I have so many feelings that it is almost hard to take in. The application process is done! I can not believe it! I have an invitation to serve! My calling! I am beyond myself. To even be considered for an opportunity like this is- well it's hard to explain how I feel. It's AMAZING!

The Finalleeeee- Dubai and the last bit of Cyprus

The closure of an amazing 5 months living in Europe and traveling!. This video part is a memoir of my time in Dubai, and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus as well as Aya Napa. Included is Ledra Street Crossing in Nicosia, where the UN buffer zone is. Cliff jumping. All the sights of Dubai! Also is the last bit of China with the Great wall- Beijing!


Then a special surprise at the end after the credits that the members of Gaia TEAM (The Environment Always Matters) made to help show the importance of recycling.

India and China- The Adventure Continues

This is the video part of my travels- India and China. One of my favorite places to visit and I will go back India. I absolutely loved it. Video starts about 16 seconds after black screen. This is due to the individual movie being broken up into smaller parts for loading purposes. I also put/moved the last part of China video into the next section because of the equal part sections.

I will have an further description in here of where I went and what I did exactly within the next week!

Enjoy

Romanian Adventure

This would be part 3 of my European travels. This is Romania, well some areas. Bucharest, Brasov, Rasnov and driving. Awesome!

Video of London/Paris

This is the second part of my trip- London and Paris. I'll put a lengthy description here at some point. Enjoy!

Also for friends who get this imported on facebook, you need to go to the site/this blog to see the video!


PS The video starts at 25 seconds in....So You may have to fastforward till then!

Finallly The videos of 2008!

Ok so I believe that these are the videos (posted individually)

The first is Egypt and Cyprus!

Enjoy!