Safe, Sound and Sleepy

All is well and I am in a retreat center in Bulgaria. We began this long day(s) with boarding the bus at the hotel in Philadelphia and busing 2 ½ - 3 hours to JFK airport via New Jersey. Most of the drive was uneventful, but there were a couple of times we got stuck in gridlock for a while. Good thing we had more than enough time. A few last minute glitches before leaving were ironed out and we boarded our Luftansa flight with great anticipation.

The captain told us that due to high tail winds, we would be arriving at 7:00am instead of 8:15 am. Wow. That was plenty of time to walk the halls of the Munich airport and for some, to get a mug of German beer.

We arrived in Sofia midday and was met by the "press" for photos of arriving PC volunteers. We were also greeted with bag lunches and water.....cheese, cuke and tomato sandwichs, crunchy granola bar, pretzels and an apple. I think just about all of us fell asleep at some point on the next 2 hour bus ride. I wanted to watch the scenery, but alas I gave in to head bobbing for a little while. It's still winter here - the trees are still bare, but there are a lot of trees! And I went for a short walk after arriving in my room, saw some purple crocus'. Nice!

We had some paperwork to fill in before having a buffet dinner....chicken noodle soup, yogurt and cucumbers, a mixed veggie stew, grilled chicken, meatballs and mashed potatoes, sliced tomatoes and cukes, and bread. Yum. A few staff introductions during dinner and then we were off to bed early! I went to sleep at 8:00 (1:00pm PST) and did well until I woke up at 2:00 for about an hour or so. The alarm went off at 6:45 am and our first full day in Bulgaria begins!

This afternoon I'm looking forward to the arrival of my suitcase. At the airport we were met by very helpful staff and current PC Volunteers who took our baggage for us. One bag was to go to storage for 3 months and the other to the bus we would be traveling on. Apparently both my helpful folks went to the storage truck, so I have had a day without my "necessities." I've made it just fine - my roomie lent me an extra toothbrush and toothpaste - what more did I need?

And yes, apparently our lodge has wireless!

Thank you Sedona!

Two years and two months after applying, I am on my way. I left Sedona on Saturday and have been having a day of rest before I meet with the Peace Corps tomorrow. I'm grateful for a day, but I'm so tired that I would have relished 2 or 3.

There are soooo many wonderful people in Sedona. I am in awe at the generous and joyful assistance I received from so many. If I hadn't had your help, packing and moving would not have gone as efficiently and sanely. And while I still felt a lot of stress, especially in this past week, the burden was lightened by many hands helping me.

Every day there have been miracles - things like running into people to say good-bye to, having my furniture and car sell so easily, people showing up on my doorstep or phoning to offer help cleaning, moving furniture, taking items to the recycling center and second hand store as well as heart-to-heart sharings and hugs. I am SO grateful for everyone's kindness and assistance. I could not have done it without you!

Now it's time to shift gears and move forward as I meet a new family named Peace Corps and a new culture in Bulgaria. I feel so blessed with this opportunity and move forward with an open heart and mind. I know I will be challenged at times but with the great sense of community I have with Sedona, I know there are many good people and great ideas in the world to be discovered and shared. I look forward to my personal expansion through reaching out to new people and a new culture to share who I am and what I know as well as receiving their gifts.

So....thank you to everyone who has touched my life in known and unknown ways. And now, time to move forward.

Hmmm........I think it's time for another nap ;>)

PC Bulgaria in the News

Hi,

I've been writing an entry in my head, but haven't had time to sit down and really write it....I will. In the meantime here is an interesting item on Bulgaria and the PC

Peace Corps Receives Presidential Medal of Honor from Bulgarian President Parvanov

President Parvanov Thanks Peace Corps for 20 years of Service with Bulgarian Communities

WASHINGTON, D.C., March 11, 2011 – On Wednesday, March 9, Bulgarian President Dr. Georgi Parvanov presented Peace Corps with the highest presidential honor given in Bulgaria, the Presidential Medal of Honor, in recognition of the Peace Corps’ 20th year of service in Bulgaria.

U.S. Ambassador to Bulgaria James Warlick, Peace Corps Regional Director for Europe, Mediterranean and Asia Helen Lowman, acting Peace Corps Country Director Michael Radmann, and other Peace Corps/Bulgaria staff were present to receive the award.

“I would like to thank the Government of Bulgaria for presenting Peace Corps with this prestigious award, on the occasion of Peace Corps’ 50th anniversary and Peace Corps Bulgaria’s 20th anniversary,” said Lowman. “Since 1991, Peace Corps volunteers have enjoyed working in cooperation with the communities of Bulgaria. This award not only honors the work of our volunteers but also honors the many Bulgarian colleagues and friends who have shared their culture, language and experiences with our service program.”

On Thursday, March 10, Peace Corps/Bulgaria kicked-off its 20th anniversary celebration, with an anniversary photography exhibition. Peace Corps volunteer Nathaniel Brokeman of Wayland, Mass., spoke at the opening of the exhibition in Bulgarian. Volunteers study the Bulgarian language intensively during their pre service training, and continue to build their language skills throughout their service. Since 2009, Brokeman has worked as an English teacher in a secondary school.

About Peace Corps/Bulgaria: Nearly 1,250 Peace Corps volunteers have served in Bulgaria since the program was established in 1991. Currently, 166 volunteers are serving in Bulgaria and working as English teachers, and in youth development and community development.

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This past week has been very full. I've received additional information from the Peace Corps which I have found inspiring. AND as of Monday, I have a plane reservation leaving from Phoenix March 26th -- this journey is now very, very real! How exciting!

I'm also operating on overwhelm - my condo is for rent, deciding what to keep and pack (not much) and what to sell (most everything), I'm working on taxes to get them done, address changes, what to pack in my suitcases that can have a total weight of 100 pounds, winding down my real estate business and (OMG) cleaning out my desk. Yesterday my car went in for maintenance and an oil change in preparation of selling it soon.

One of my most fun activities in the mix is visiting my dog friends. I've been able to visit many in these final days, and their hugs, licks and adoring eyes, always soothe my soul! :>) They help balance out my sense of overwhelm and a few make sure I get away from the computer and go for walks.

Onward....time to continue working away at my "to do" list. The real trick is to keep checking things off without adding new things!!