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.