This weekend I went on an “Excursion” with 8 members of the
Woman’s Club in my village (and one very helpful husband). We traveled by car
about 1½ an hours from my village Saturday morning. The rural roads tend to be rough with
potholes and uneven pavement in many locations. We made a few unplanned stops due to two
ladies who got carsick - not very much fun for them. However, I was pleasantly surprised that there was much laughter by all, including the ladies not enjoying the car ride. When I’m feeling
nauseous I don’t feel like laughing.
The roads are also scenic and curvy.
And Bulgarian drivers do like to drive fast, Dancho slowed down once the ladies started feeling woozy and he responded right away
when they asked for emergency stops.
If I were at “home” in Arizona right now, it’s most likely
that I would be the one in the driver’s seat.
I haven’t driven at all since arriving here over 7 months ago. I love driving and usually when I move
somewhere new, or visit somewhere new, I can’t wait to go exploring. That usually includes a car getting me from
point A to B to C…. I look for cool places to go walking and hiking; I look for
grocery stores and/or farmer’s markets that carry what I like; I try new
restaurants and I just drive around to get to know the new area. Obviously that’s not happening here now. The odd thing is, is that I don’t really miss
it. So many aspects of my experience
here are new that I’ve been pretty engaged just being wherever I am. I’ve had my share of bus journeys and once in
a while a train or someone driving me.
Once in a while I imagine where I might go if I was able to drive, but
generally I haven’t missed it. This is
surprising to me.
We stayed in a guest house just outside a tiny village named Miykovtsi. I’m uploading photos. It was lovely. An elderly couple run it and it’s
meticulously clean and comfortable. As
soon as we arrived and dropped off our bags in the bedrooms, some of the ladies
got right to work in the kitchen. Bread (Pitka)
was made, meat made into meat patties for the grill. Lots of delicious Bulgarian food – canned
goods from summer gardens (peppers stuffed with pickled cabbage, pickles, hot
peppers, eggplant, green beans).
I looked for places to offer help, but everything was moving
along very well without my help. It’s
like a big family gathering where everyone knows what needs to be done, only
I’m the guest here and as I watch – the routines and food are not familiar to
me. I don’t know how things are done, or
dished up or put away afterwards so I watch and learn. And of course, washing dishes is helpful in any language.
After a lot of eating and chatting, several of us went for a
walk to the center of the village. It’s
about a mile to a mile and a half away, and a bit lower in altitude. It was a beautiful autumn day and the walk
felt good after a big feast. We found a
café for beverages. One thing I love
about the Bulgarians I’ve met is that they love to socialize. They chat, they laugh, and they laugh some more. Even though I’m still understanding only
a few generalities, and a few details (not necessarily in the same thread of
conversation) I love watching the cheerful interactions.
We walked back and spoke with the owners a little
while. We were given apples right off
the trees and medlar as well. I still
haven’t tried a medlar – they aren’t quite ripe enough yet.
Someone pulled out a deck of cards and they were playing gin
rummy (or rummy – I‘m never sure what the difference is.) I recognized it and jumped in at the next
hand. But as I went along I discovered
there are different rules than I’m used to here. You can’t lay down any cards in runs of suits
or numbers until the score you would have is at least 44 (face cards being
10). And they play with the
jokers. You can use a joker as a wild
card and down the line if someone has the card the joker is substituting for
they can change it out and then they get to use the joker (but this can only
happen after they’ve laid their first cards down totaling 44 or more).
I excused myself after a light supper and went upstairs
around 8:45 – very early on a Saturday evening.
I was tired and my brain wasn’t doing a great job listening to Bulgaran
any more today. I did a little reading
and settled in for a snooze to the rhythm of the coversations and laughter in
the dining room below me. It was an only
partially successful endeavor. Around
midnight, everyone called it a night and we all headed off to sleep.
Sunday was a new day.
I was up by 7:00 and headed out for an early walk. It was peaceful. Being in nature soothes my soul. I feel connected. Breakfast was homemade Pitka or Banitza again
and very tasty – similar to layers of phyllo dough with feta cheese, although
the cheese they make here in Bulgaria is called Sirene (sear-a-nay). More chatting and sharing – Soduko, Crossword
Puzzles (none of us knew what the river in Brazil is that has only 3 letters). Another walk exploring the hills around
us. And there were many apple trees rich in fruit. Everyone enjoyed picking apples and I was the beneficiary of about 10 pounds of apples. Time to bake! Then another meal before packing up
and heading home.
It was a delightful weekend.
Yes, I wish I could communicate more with the people around me, but for now
I am mostly an observer and the 3 or 4 word sentence queen. And every day I practice
making peace with being where I am with my language skills while I continue to study
and practice little by little. One day soon, I expect all the little pieces I've learned and have in my head to come together and flow freely out of my mouth! He-he-he. Until then I am very appreciative of everyone's patience and assistance.
Enjoy the photos!
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