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.