March was busy...sorry for the Delay!

So March was a busy month for me. Goodness! Following my last post I had gone to regional village for one of the biggest village kukeri festivals throughout all of Bulgaria. This kukeri festival is considered pagan and it's to bring the end of winter with spirits and what not. Men in costumes are elaborately dressed and dancing with cowbells. It was quite intriguing.

Here's some pictures from that event.




Then the following weekend we had a seminar with one of the EU funded projects in my municipality called the Leader Program. They held the seminar in my village. Which was great. It was like a epiphany for people in my town. For all those PCV's out there. It was like a PDM conference but only in the language of Bulgarian. The PDM conference is Project Design Management. It was interesting. But here's why it was especially good for the people of my village. About 80% of the ideas I had mentioned in my previous 8 months at site...about brochures, creating a logo/crest...website, homemade souvenirs....make your own yogurt...village and cultural tourism just to name a few, my town had laughed probably saying oh...cute ideas Jon but seriously....these are what you're suggesting? Well these highly regarded EU program facilitators came into the meeting and said just about every single one of my ideas. I kept my mouth shut. When one of the facilitators asked why I was so quite, a collegue interjected and said..'because you've stated his ideas already'. It was an eye opening experience for my village. The play makers in my village instantly took notice that I may actually know what I am talking about. And that's when I got busy. Taking note that I have mentioned and that I am on the same mindset as this EU funded program. I would say my schedule is looking mighty busy!

After that I had spent most of my time in the village cause I have English classes. Let me tell you. Things are starting to pick up. I have my one adult class on Thursdays but after a few classes in February, not only did I gain a student but they wanted to have it 2 times a week. PUMPED. That's great! So now it's a Tuesday and Thursday routine from 6-7...but it usually runs till about 7:30. Now I had been having my art classes on Wednesdays but I found out that the kids only have that one day as their free day. So I've made it optional. Instead I've been teaching English every week, 3 classes. First class, is from 2-3. Second and third class is from 3-4. and 4th and 5th class is from 4-5. With the art/environment club from 5-6. I'm really excited about the classes today as my partner school in Maryland has sent me letters for myself and the kids. I spent last week teaching the kids how to form their basic knowledge of questions to write letters. They seem discouraged but they will have my support. They know it. They have all the peices of the puzzle. They are excited about it. Hopefully it will help foster long lasting friendships with Americans with them.





I have also been working on creating a logo for my village. I am very excited about this as I have been working with a bunch of people to grab their input. In addition to this logo I have been asked to make business cards. Working on making a brochure (still in the process)...this is a slow process because trying to make it as cheap as possible and well as visibly enticing. I still need to work on some of the translation.

Here's the Logo. Unfortunately since my town is so small I had to blur the name out for you all.





Then after that...I had a tourism resource exchange in Sofia for a day with other PCV's throughout Bulgaria. This was something I had been helping plan and whatnot. Using each other for resources I find is very important. The ideas and exchanges we got was great. Especially in time for tourist season!

Then onto the next post. Macedonia!

It's March. 4estita Baba Marta and much more!

As I take a break from preparing my night class (as I mentioned before I have a night class of English to one of the Tour guides in the cave and his wife), I take time to reflect on the last couple of weeks. With the weather heating up, the snow melting, and the birds starting to sing their songs. One thing that has occurred to me. I've survived my first winter here. Not that it was brutal or anything. In fact I love the snow, and this winter was weak in the Rhodopes. Pretty sub-par by my standards. Granted it could just be an off year but I wanted more. Regardless I've made it through.

So I have had my art class for the last couple of weeks and I think I will take it to the next level and sign up for Paintbrush Democracy. It should be a good tune for the kids to see other works of art. I am also coordinating with my WWS match in Maryland to do something similar!

The start of March also signifies "Happy Grandmother March" day 4estita Baba Marta. This day (in my town really isn't much) Although all of the martinitsi (these small red and white braceletes are handed out signifying good luck. I was able to recieved 3. (everything works in threes).

Then 2 days later on March 3rd was Bulgarian Independence day. It's like our 4th of July. Although on this day Bulgaria regained it's independence from the Ottoman Empire so it's definitely a huge day. On Weds. I arrived to my office with some coffee and to check email. I was 'hollered' out side. Thinking that I would take the offroad jeeps up to the mountain peak for the celebration, my mayor said that those were for the race. To my surprise the peak that usually takes me 2 hours to hike up casually was an all out race to the top. Utterally underprepared for this escapade. I ran upwards. I reached the top of the mountain in about 40 minutes. I was beat. Someone was at the top handing me some warm tea and water. It was fabolous. That's when the real celebration started. With free food, skara (like a bbq) drinks, music it was a jolly time. Then as we headed over to the other peak, we sang songs and danced. We finally reached the destination. We got in a circle, stated the history of my village...and with a moment of silence we all got down on the ground kneeling. It was quite amazing. Then with the cannon, we lit it and enjoyed the festivities. It was an all day event. If that's not enough, I have one day rest...one day...as I head into the nearest town tomorrow for a meeting with a tourism agency. These people were at the Tourism Expo in Sofia. They had told me to come to their office for a meeting. Hopefully soon. If not tomorrow. Soon. This weekend is a Kukeri (Kookeri) which is another festival in the Rhodopes not too far away. It should be a good time. I will say. I love the Rhodopes. I love the people, I love the history (however confusing it may be), the surroundings everything. It's truly great.

I also started planting my garden. In my room. I figured the greenery will help the inner air quality (it's already good as is) But I like plants. I planted some sweet peppers, tomatoes, carrots, and Bell peppers. I will move them outside when the weather gets nicer at night.

I'm also working on some Tourism exchange possibilities between neighboring PC countries, so if any of you reading this. In and around the Balkans and the Black Sea work on this particular assignment feel free to contact me.