A Little Uneven

Bulgaria still maintains a lot of it's "naturalness."  Many gardeners do not use pesticides or chemical fertilizers on their plants.  Much of the work is still done by hand - pulling/hoeing weeds from sidewalks; scything crops; laundry, and so many other things I've mentioned previously.  Part of the naturalness is lots of uneven surfaces - dirt roads, paved roads with many potholes and patches, uneven stairs - different sizes in a single flight; sidewalks made with 12' tiles which over time have settled every which way, different surface levels on patios, entries or buses with no identifying features to warn someone (me).  Since arriving I have stumbled, tripped and almost fallen so many times, it almost seems normal.  It's just as normal to walk looking down at the ground - a lot - one has to - I have to.

Today, however, was the first time I fell.  I was out for a leisurely evening walk around the village and I didn't do anything unusual - I just looked up at an unfortunate moment.  With the next step my ankle twisted and then I was doing a tango move all the way to the ground.  I'm o.k. which is the good news but it is unsettling to feel that body-to-ground contact. I'm taking a homeopathic remedy called Arnica to help ease muscle soreness from the bumps and bruises. If I had a tub, I might take a bath tonight but all I have are buckets - all too small for me. 

As I was heading home, I passed a woman's home who I've met through the other volunteer who was here before me and who is in one of my English classes.  She invited me in to her garden and fed me a small bowl of fresh bean soup.  She also offered me a white substance which she cut into small, small pieces (1/2" x 1/2" x 1/4" thick).  It almost looked like fresh (mature) coconut meat with a little of the skin on it.  I took a bite and it was quite salty.  I asked what it was - veggie?  meat? what?  Note to self - next time don't ask Patricia.  I think the answer was that it's pork belly.  She smiled when she told me.  I think she enjoyed it.  :>)  Fair enough - I smile when I serve someone some weird tofu dish and they make a face.  She too, was most generous and sent me home with purple grapes, green peppers and 3 figs she picked from her garden as she was giving me a tour.  Once again, thank you Bulgaria for your kindness.

Now it's time for rest.  Good Night.

Bulfrenglish

I'm happy to say I'm operating at about 90% wellness.  I've had two "more normal" days and am grateful for my health.

Yesterday I had a very interesting language experience. After I arrived at one of the villages I visit, I had a little "free" time so with new resolve I began looking at my Bulgarian vocabulary words and was pretty focused.  Then a woman showed up and asked for me by name.  She asks me if I speak French.  I said a little.  She's a lovely woman in her early 70s and when she was a young girl in school the only foreign languages taught were French and Russian.  She can communicate in both in addition to her native Bulgarian.....and she knows a few words in English.   For the next 30 minutes or so we attempted to have a conversation in French.  This is where the fun begins.

My brain was doing somersaults English-Bulgarian-French-Bulgarian-oops-English-French. Oh my gosh - it was like a Keystone cops routine in my head or a re-play of Abbot and Costello's "Who's On First."

Before coming to Bulgaria, I was working on brushing up on my French, and in my first few weeks in Bulgarian classes, it was easier to find French words than the new Bulgarian ones I was learning.  Now however, I had to dig deep to find my French vocabulary.  She reminded me of words I forgot and I managed to know a few she forgot.  So we had a conversation in Bulfrenglish  or Frenbuleng.  I was laughing so hard in my head at what my brain was trying to do!  For people who are fluent in multiple languages it must be like a dance moving from one to another, mixing and matching words.  It could be fun - but I think the key word is fluent. 

Then it was time to teach English - ahhhhh.  But yes, I need to use as many Bulgarian words as I know to answer questions people have.  The women in this class are delightful and I enjoy it very much.

A little later Jordanka and I went to visit Lela (Aunt) Marie, an older woman with an enormous garden and heart.  I visited her a couple of weeks ago too (but this time I avoided saying hi to the pig and its population of fleas)!  However, I am posting a photo of me holding one of (she has 30) her favorite chickens.

She has many, many grape vines and her green grapes are some of the largest and sweetest I have tasted.  And she sent me home with a generous portion.  I think I may try drying some in the sun so I'll have raisins to enjoy later in the fall.  She also gifted me with a lovely bowl and plate with a design I have seen frequently in this part of Bulgaria.  And lots and lots of embroidery and lace/tatting I'm sure she spent many winters hours creating.  Oh my gosh....such plentiful gifts. I feel blessed by the generosity of so many Bulgarians - fruits and vegetables, acts of kindness, enormous smiles and oh-so-much patience with learning the language.

Lela Maria's Grapes and Jordanka

Lela Maria's favorite!

This may be strange to anyone who lives in a country setting - but this is the first time I have held a live chicken.

Lovely Bulgarian flowers.

Lots of interesting plants and flowers which are new to me.

and more.

Only a partial view of all the grape vines in Lela Maria's care.

Lela Maria's tomatoes

This day I had two hiking companions.

Early Autumn colors - now this part of Bulgaria looks more like California than the midwest in my mind's eye.

Coming Out of a Tailspin

All day yesterday and half of today I spent resting in bed with a running nose, headache and sore throat.  It's time to re-set my thoughts and behaviors. I've tried along the way, but apparently the trying never manifested into a shift that changed my behavior.  So the Universe provides the catalyst for change - getting sick.

The past several weeks I've been in an unproductive and frustrating loop around planning English classes.  I've spent way too much time researching and not enough time getting a plan on paper.  For instance - taking 5 hours to plan two 30-minute classes. Part of the problem for me is that I wasn't sure what to level of English to expect from some of the students who have studied it before.  Another part is that I'm teaching young children, older children and adults.  So I was trying to "over-prepare" for multiple levels and contingencies.  I also have unrealistic expectations for myself.  I need to embrace that this is new to me and it's o.k. 

After my first week of classes, I realize that I was trying to do too much.  But I continued anyway.  This frenetic behavior and worry wore me out.  Over the weekend I felt I was coming down with a cold.  Sometimes I can redirect it with Vitamin C and liquids, but this time I ended up in bed feeling miserable.  Rest is good.  And it certainly gives me time to think.  Of course there is a certain amount of whining at first, but then there is a shift.  Taking deep breaths and knowing that things will get better is some of the best medicine.

Today midday, I had a shift - I have more energy and I'm more relaxed about preparing for classes.  I want to remember this space and if I get obsessive again about something, I want to begin the deep breathing and re-directing myself before I get sick. And I want this to be the enjoyable experience I know it can be.  I'm looking forward to getting to know the kids and adults in my classes.

Names and Such

Yesterday was the first class for my 4 advanced beginner women here in my village.  They asked me what the short names are for Patricia.  Everyone here uses nicknames for their formal first names. (And they always introduce themselves with 3 names.  There is a lot of commonality between first and last names, family names are traditionally passed on to new generations, so the middle name is usually a distinguishing factor in introductions.  There may be 20 Nevena Petrovas but only 1 Nevena Dimitrovena Petrova.)

Anyway, the ladies wanted to know if I ever used a short version.  After going through my name history of marriages (2)  and a chosen name change  for 10 years (all of which they thought was hilarious) we talked about nicknames for Patricia - Pat, Patti, Tricia, Trisha, Patsy, Ricia.  I said I had been Patti (which in Bulgarian would be Pati (they don't use repeating letters often).  The laughed because Пате (Patay) means cute little duckling.  Awwwww - maybe it's time for a new nickname.  I like it.

Fleas - again

This morning I once again woke up with a few new flea bites.  I stripped my bed and washed (by hand) the sheets, duvet cover and two blankets covering the chairs in the room.  I mopped the floor and I sprayed the mattress with a product called "Bio-Kill."  Everything hangs outside on the clothesline in the Bulgarian sunshine and breeze.  This evening I put the clean sheets on the bed and lie down to meditate........I see a flea on the sheet. AAAArrrghhhhh.  What to do???? (After flushing the flea, of course).

Is this a test - focus on the solution, not the problem?  Don't Sweat the Small Stuff (my welts don't feel that small)?  Chicken Soup for the Annoyed Soul?  Sh*t My Dad Says - stop scratching!

Captions for Newer Photos

Due to technical difficulties (not sure if it's the technology or the operator) here are some comments for the most recent photos.  I couldn't post captions below the photos.

A rose at the Chicken Soup Festival in Kozarevets, 10-Sept-11
Two photos of the winning soup chef and soup preparations.  Her garnishes included croutons and roasted peppers and fire-roasted okra (photo)
Singing Babas from a nearby village.  Notice Petur playing the bagpipes as the accompanist.
Another vegetable carved floral arrangement.