Estonia... The land of the Tall and Blonde

Every time I leave Bulgaria and come back I have to adjust to the culture all over again. This time however, it was a lot easier for me to adjust although I did experience some culture shock in the Frankfurt airport. When I first landed I was completely surprised by the level of diversity. People of different shapes, colors, religions, and economical status where all around me. I felt alive and like I belonged in this world of color! People accepted me as a normal part of society and they were not staring at me. In fact, I found myself staring at people and their differences.

Wow Estonia was absolutely amazing! I was there for a training on being creative while working with youth. The training when extremely well and I hope I can implement alot of the things we learned there with my organization. The landscape is completely flat, which is one of the reasons why people bike, run, and walk so much. Being physically active is a part of the culture so I felt right at home running to prepare for the Greece marathon.

Estonia is somewhat like Bulgaria but not really. It is a formerly Communist country but they are a lot more advanced than Bulgaria in a lot of ways. For instance, one can find wireless Internet throughout the entire country with little problems. Services at the bus station, airport, and grocery stores are more up to speed like in other western countries. The country is also very clean and orderly. Even the small village (population of about 1000) that I stayed in for a couple days was extremely clean and orderly. Village life is also different in Estonia. People use green houses to grow food and some people might have animals but this is not the norm. Estonia also has the very famous block apartment but they are kept up a lot better.

The people in Estonia are of all sizes but the people seemed to be a little taller than what is considered normal for other societies. Also people are very white with blond hair and blue eyes. Even the “dark-haired” people do not really have dark hair but hair the color of a potato. I also was able to find an African Restaurant, a Tai Restaurant, a Mexican Restaurant, and of course McDonalds. Unfortunately, I did not get to try any of these restaurants because I really wanted to try traditional Estonian food. The food is completely bland (Sorry Estonians but it is true). Almost every meal was with some form of potatoes and salad. Also they don’t use much favoring in their food. I found myself wanting Bulgarian food, which is a lot more flavorful, compared to Estonia cuisine. The salads are also much fresher in Bulgaria.

Overall the trip when extremely well. I enjoyed every aspects of the culture and people. Don’t get it twisted… just because I visited the country for about 10 days doesn’t mean I understand the culture 100%. I have been in Bulgaria for 10 months and I still don’t completely understand the culture.

Its lunchtime right now so I am thinking about eating,

Updated pictures are at the link....

Crystal

Busy week and so much more

I am going to Estonia this week, which is exciting and nerve wreaking. Its exciting because I have never been to Estonia. Its nerve wreaking because I have a ton of things I have to do for Peace Corps and my official assignment before I leave. So much work and so little time. This trip is supposed to teach me how to work creatively with youth.

Saturday I went to the area in Veliko Turnovo where the Roma/Gypsy people live. I visited with a girl that is about 13. My purpose in going to this area was to see how I can help the Roma people in my town. Its funny how human suffering is the same where ever you go in the world. The Roma girl's apartment reminded me of the project homes that are in the ghettos of Chicago. Literally I swear that the coach from the 1970s that was in this girl's apartment was the same couch I saw in my friend's apartment in the projects. There is something about human suffering that gives me a purpose in this world.

Speaking of purpose I watched "The Pursuit of Happiness" today and cried throughout the entire movie. I can't stand to see people suffer and struggle the way Will Smith struggled. I know it was just a movie but I know real situations where people struggle and they die in their struggle. Not everyone has the same oppurtunities as Will Smith had to "pull himself up by his boots straps". It is funny how we, Americans, take for granted all the oppurtunities that are available at our fingertips...

I feel like my head is going to explode. Too many things going on in my world! Ahhh.

Things are really picking up at the office. We hired like 17 new people to work in our new youth crisis center! The best part is that alot of the the people they hired are around my age. My Bulgaria is getting better because I am forced to talk to this people all the time. It is freaking hilarious hanging out with them. Last week I got a couple people to go running with me. They were pretty sore the next day so I dont think the will run with me again. Hhahahahahah

Crying about the injustices of the world,

Crystal

Ooo yeah one more thing. I decided to change my hair again. I will post pictures when I actually do it.

Weirdo at my door

Today maybe about 5 hours ago the weirdest thing happened to me. I was changing clothes to go run at the stadium when I heard my doorbell ring. My doorbell never rings and I wasn’t aware that it worked until that very moment. I ignored it and figured the bell was not for me. It rang a second time but again I ignored it because I figured the person did not realize their mistake. I quickly got dress walked out my door and ran back in to drink a coupld gulps of water before my run. As I walked down my stairs I had a weird feeling in my stomach. For some reason I knew someone would be downstairs waiting for me that I would not know. I cautiously opened my door and guess who was standing there? The weirdo guy that I thought was homeless about a month ago. He started saying things in Bulgarian really fast and I could not understand him. He actually looked nervous which in turn made me a little nervous until I saw the Baba (old lady/grandmother) get up from her usual seat in front of my house and walk towards us. She caught my attention because she called my name “Crystal, Crystal that is your name right?” I said “Yes”. I was actually pretty impressed that she remembered my name. Then she said “This guy was looking for you and I told him your name and the bell to press”. At that point I am thinking urggh why did she tell him my name and exactly where I live. She than went into her apartment and left me with the weirdo! I think she thought he was my friend because I have had at least 20 PCVs visit in the past 7 months and she thought she was being helpful. The random guy starts going on and on about a CD with music on it. He than asked me if I want to purchase one of the CDs. At that point I am thinking “listen I am on my way to run, can I talk you to about this later?” Instead I asked him the cost and told him I was going for a run. He realized that I was busy and told me he would see me later and walked away.

Ok maybe he is a nice person trying to make a buck, but he does not need to knock on my door. I do not know him and it makes me feel uncomfortable that he knows where I live. I am going to talk to Baba tomorrow when I see her. I am going to ask her about who he is and to keep a look out for my apartment. The Babas here know EVERYTHING and EVERYBODY.

Trying to safe in a dangerous world (dramatic, yea I know)

Crystal

Finally a four day weekend!!!

This past weekend was a holiday something like Labor Day in the United States only better because we have a four day weekend. I slept and mingled with people in my town all break. Saturday I had an engagement (hahaha haven’t used that word in a while) with this American guy and Bulgarian America guy. Hangin with them made me feel like royalty. Let me explain. Peace Corps volunteers really, how do I say this, become a part of the society in which they live. Well we are supposed to be living at the standard of our colleagues, which is difficult when you come from a consumer society. Actually I am always broke by the middle of the month! Living in a medium size city on a small budget is difficult. People (foreigners from 1st world countries) that choose to live in underdeveloped country (from my personal experience) never experience the struggle of trying to scrap pennies together for their next meal. They don’t even really mingle with the locals unless they have to do business with them. In my town foreigners stick with foreigners and wealthy Bulgarians. The entire time I was with them I felt like I was a part of this secret society of the upper class/ rich people. Everyone had a named car, western clothing, and spoke English fluently. When I told them I was a volunteer in Bulgaria, they laughed at me and I was the butt of jokes all night. I will admit that I was a little envious of their carefree way of life and their ability to pay for things without worrying but I enjoy being a Peace Corps Volunteer. I am learning so much from just talking to the people here and getting to know their way of life.


Ok what else has my life been like? Monday I braided that kid’s hair again that I am always talking about and I had six PCVs at my place. The PCVs needed somewhere to crash because they were stranded in my town so I housed them. First of all I don’t have space for six people but we were able to work everything out. Four people slept in the two beds that we put together and two people slept on the floor. Fun time, fun times. PCVs are vagabonds!

This was a busy holiday but I enjoyed myself. I realized that I am my happiest when I have a very busy social life and I am free to make random plans at the drop of a dime.

Ohh one more thing. I saw a black (well mixed Bulgarian and African) girl in Sofia this weekend. She was absolutely gorgeous! I did not notice her at first but she waved at me so I waved back and we smiled at each other. Its funny how I speak to every black person I see in this country but when I am in America I barely recognize the blacks around me. I just thought of this right now but maybe I should start talking to the blacks in this country about groups or organizations that they have for Africans in Bulgaria. Do you think they exist? If not, maybe my next side project will be unite Africans in Bulgaria.

Ideas are flowing,

Crystal