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
