Bulgarian Graffiti and Architecture of the Week: Earth Day
Tuesday, May 6, 2008

This may be a bit late in the game but just a couple of weeks ago (April 22, 2008) was Earth Day. This was a celebration all over the world to raise awareness about our Earth, the impact humans make and how we can be more environmental. In Karlovo, I organized two days of activities. The first was painting over the graffiti on our Tourism Information Center and planting trees, and the second day included 10 children from the local mahala creating bird feeders and seedling planters. On the second day, local High School students also came to help me paint a little Earth Day related graffiti on the side of the Information Center.

We came together to paint two pictures !.)Edelvise ( this is one symbol of the info center) and 2.) A tree with youth and a banner that says to celebrate the environment. The projects and the artwork turned out to be a great success and a wonderful experience to get the local youth involved in community beautification.

Take a look!


Posted byCindy Lou at 10:17 PM 0 comments  

Historical Bulgarian of the Week - Пейо Яворов:
Saturday, May 3, 2008

The day of this blog writing I happen to be in the beautiful city of Chirpan.

For this reason I chose one of the cities famous sons... and no I am not writing about fellow PCV Jimmy Wall

This weeks episode is one of Bulgarias most famous poets, Peyo Yavorov. He lived from January of 1878 until October 1914, living only until the age of 36.Yavorov lived a short and traumatic life, however, despite this most of his poems were romantic ones dedicated to his two greatest loves.

One died from tubercolosis and the other, whome he married, shot herself in 1912. Yavorov attempted to commit suicide by shooting himself in the head. Instead the bullet went through his tempal leaving him blind. Yavorov eventually took no precautions and poisoned and then shot himself in 1914.

Picture of the statue of Peyo in the town of Chirpan:Here are two poems of his, translated into English (Sidenote1- Not translated by me but I cannot credit who did as the web-site I found them had no credit attributed to this work):

COME!

Your eyes to starry skies I shall compare
Your hair to the transparent veil
Of a late evening, such is your hair!
The scent that lingers round your maiden mouth
Is fresh, invigorating as the South,
……A breeze that browses in a flowery dale.

So come, the day is cold and dead.
The moonlit night, hair tumbling round your eyes,
Lower your head
And breathe into my face,
Come, warm my chilly heart with your embrace –
This moonlit night, beneath the starry skies.

TWO SOULS

I do not live: I burn. In acrimony raging
Two souls are duelling within my breast:
The soul of a devil, the sould of an angel.
Their breathing is flame and it gives me no rest.

Not one flame bursts but two – whatever I am touching,
And in each stone two heartbeats I hear clash …
Whereever I go there’s an odious doubling
Of two warring faces, which vanish in ash.

And everywhere the wind that follows me is spreading
The ashes: all my footprints are effaced.
For I am not living – I burn! – and am shedding
A trail of grey ashes across a dim waste.


Thanks for tuning in... until next time this is Kashkaval Pane signing off.

Posted byPavel at 4:02 PM 1 comments  

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Bulgarian Transportation of the Week: Vacation!
Thursday, May 1, 2008

Празниц!

No post from me today; I'm on почивка and exploring this wonderful country. I'll be researching for up coming posts. не местете на друга уеб-страница!

Posted byJimmy at 11:54 PM 0 comments  

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Bulgarian Transportation of the Week: The Bus!
Sunday, April 27, 2008

Bus (автобус) Better late than never!
Buses are the most prolific of all transportation modes in Bulgaria. The highways are also filled with them. They are a faster and make fewer stops than trains. The downside is less room, more expensive and a potential wishy-washy schedule. It pretty much comes down to what you want-Time and a thrill ride or money, space and near 24 service. I say thrill ride because several buses drive, uh, quickly. This PCV has been on several buses that have arrived more than 30 minutes early and a few that have driven on the shoulder for several miles. It can be a hair raising experience.
The types of buses vary. The best buses are transnational whereas the most Soviet-looking ones are regional. Going from Sofia to say, Chirpan, the buses are all quite nice (and like trains, from Germany). Service to villages are usually old or microbuses.
Where do you catch these buses? Well in villages, you catch them from small bus stations like in Devin (left), really really nice bus station like in the capital, Sofia (middle), or shack.









Sometimes, you have to flag the bus down on the side of the road. In order to catch a ride from the Central Bus Station in Sofia to Dupnitsa, you have to find a bus driving south through Dupnitsa and haggle with the bus driver to convince him to top on the freeway to let you off. I'm sure they all wonder, why on earth would you want to go to Dupnitsa!? On the way out of Dupnitsa to the Central Bus Station, you have to stand on the side of the free way and wave the bus down. They will, more often than not, stop (at least, this PCV has yet to have any problems).

So there you have it, the автобус: Fast and thrilling.

J-Dub "The Duke" Paperstax

Posted byJimmy at 9:27 PM 2 comments  

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B-22 Interview of the Week - Hello Joan

What led you to join the Peace Corps?

Actually, this is something I thought about doing about 20 years ago ( still older than you guys are, even then). I have always been interested in doing more with my life than just work and then retirement. This just happened to be the RIGHT time for me and after the LONG process of being accepted, finally am getting my chance.
What were your initial reactions to hearing you would be going to Bulgaria?
Well, I was first told I would be going to Asia and working in the health sector. Then I got my invitation that said Bulgaria and business. I felt a little let down since I had really been looking forward to doing something other than what I had done for more than 35 years. But, didn't want to look bad, so said sure, I'll go to Bulgaria.
Have these desires been met? Do you feel that your Peace Corps experience is fulfilling the reasons you wished to join?
Actually, I don't have many desires any more. I have had a very fulfilling life and just want to hang around on this planet a little longer to watch others desires be met. My Peace Corps experience will be what I put into it, and so far, so good.
What exactly do you do?Where do you work?With how many people?Tell us about the structure?What do you do?How long is your work day? Weekends? After hours work?What is a typical day like?
I was placed in an archaeological museum in Veliki Preslav...probably because they didn't know what else to do with me. I work with anywhere from 8 to 20 people, depending on who shows up each day. I get up every morning about 6:00 and start my daily routine. By 8:30 I am out the door and walking a beautiful route to the museum (except Friday's, which is my community service day off). My work day is from 9:00 to 3:00, because that is what I choose to work (I also do work at home, you see). During that time I am usually working with the curator's doing translations or whatever else they want me to do...right now I have a SPA project written up that I will be submitting. Between the months of April and October though, I will have the opportunity to work in the [digs]. This is what I am really anxious to do...outside and working out, versus inside at a computer. Evenings I either have an aerobics class or a dance class, also Bulgarian language class, of course. Also, I spend time with the kids from the orphanage when I can, and meet with the vice mayor every week or so. Week-ends I spend time walking around town, meeting with friends, and working with a local women's ESL group. Not a very exciting life, but definitely integrated (PC's favorite word). I really don't travel out of site much, but when I get the opportunity, I like to travel to another site and visit the volunteer/volunteers there.
Tell us something that you often tell your friends or family back home about what you are doing (work-related)?
I usually tell them I am still patiently waiting for the dig season to begin. Otherwise, that I am trying to be of service, wherever and however I can, to the entire city, not just the museum.
If you bumped into an American on the street of your town and they asked your advice on what to do/see what would you tell them?
Remember PDM? If you saw our skit, you would have an answer to this question.
Is there a song that comes to mind when you think about where you live now?
Well, a teacher here in town asked me what song she could have her students perform in English for an up-coming event...it needed to be short and easy. I suggested Old McDonald Had a Farm. Does that tell you anything.
In contrast, is there a song that reminds you of home?
Any Beach Boys songs will do.
Where are you from? How is it different from where you are now?
I am from America, isn't that enough to say.
What industry is common to your town/region?
My town is known for it's wine making. In fact, the Preslav Wine has received 22 gold medals from the competitions held every year the last week of March in Plovdid!
What do you eat?
Not much...that is why I have lost 30 pounds and gone down 3 pants sizes.
Do you have a common meal for dinner? Lunch? Breakfast? What is it?
Breakfast is yogurt and cereal...I don't eat lunch or dinner except maybe once a week.
Do you cook your meals, have someone else cook for you, eat out most of the time?
What do you think!
What is your favorite meal?
Food is not a priority for me.
Do you eat alone? With friends? A baba? With the television?
Once a week I meet with Susan for dinner, otherwise camo az.
What is your favorite desert?
Don't eat desert.
What is your favorite food now that you had never eaten before you came to Bulgaria?
How about a dooner (English spelling?)
What food do you miss the most that you cannot get here?
Actually, if you read up a few lines, you can see that food is not a priority...I eat enough to survive. That is pretty much how I lived in the good ole US of A too. Guess if I had to say something, it would be seafood (crab and lobster are pretty good)
How do you feel you have been most useful to your community?
Since I am a pretty ambitious person, I try to be at all meetings, events, performances, etc., as well as doing direct work within my community. They know I am here and available for anything and everything.
How do you feel your community has been most useful to you?
My community has been very receptive to my presence in town, and whenever I have gone looking for something, they have been extremely helpful...like the local shoe repairer who works out of his home and has no sign to indicate his business. Or, the shop keepers who put up with my bad Bulgarian to accomodate my every need. Just the fact that they include me as a resident here, makes my day.
At this point in your service, what do you look forward to bringing back with you to the States. (i look forward to making shopskas and showing off my baba socks)
I don't plan to be in the states that long after COS since I will be re-upping next April for another Peace Corps service area. During the interum period, I would hope to enlighten others as to what it is we are doing here...not like the brochures and ads offer, but true experience sharing.
Are there any projects you are working on at the moment? Tell us about it.
I have written a SPA for a new room to be constructed in the museum...for display of artifacts presently stored in boxes. Actually, I wrote it quite a while ago and am still waiting for my counterpart to give it back to me for submission. I have a pen pal program set up between two 7th and 8th grade classes here, with classes in the states. I work with a local women's group to improve their English. I have contacted several organizations regarding book/computer donations to our local library, and try to work with the children from the orphanage (so when Susan COS's, I will be there for them). I also have joined the local aerobics class and two dance classes.
What one thing do you wish you had now that you do not have?
Some of Stefan's cherven (English spelling again?) vino.
What do you do in your sparetime?
Lots of puzzles (Sudoku), read, but I usually finish a book too soon...like in 1 sitting. Take walks, exercise, write in my journal and to friends via e-mail, talk on Skype with family or friends once a week.
If you read, what book are you reading now? Would you recommend it?
I read whatever I can get my hands on, but usually pick them up at the PC office when I go to Sofia.
If you watch TV, what is your favorite show? Would you recommend it?
I am really getting a kick out of Music Idol...way more drama than our show back home.
What did you use to do in the states during your free-time that you cannot do now but wish you could?
GOLF, GOLF. GOLF
Have you been to any cultural activities that you would like to return to and bring more friends to?
Yeah, I would say that if you haven't seen Jimmy dance yet, his next performance is something you must attend.Don't know if I would recommend the Kukeri festival unless you refrain from eating the local food...at least that for sale in the streets. It was a great time until I contracted food poisoning and ended up sick for 2 weeks, black tongue and all. It did help me lose some more weight though and give me something to talk about with Dr. Georgi when he came to visit.
Is there any advice you wish you knew, would like to give, to a pcv going through training now?
Don't believe everything you read before signing up...but do keep an open mind. What you expect it to be, and what it really is, may be totally different...but still rewarding.
Anything else you want to share?
I have really gotten used to 2 and 3 hour lunch breaks when there is something to celebrate. Of course my sister thinks I am going to go back to the states an alcoholic (she says PC will have to take care of my rehab). I don't eat that much you see, but I never turn down a drink. I just celebrated my 59th birthday and had a catered lunch brought in to the museum, as per their custom here, They gave me some beautiful gifts and a VERY large bouquet of flowers. Just having them remember this day and treating me as a fellow resident of their country (one of the gifts was a button that said...I am not a tourist, I live here), makes it all worth while.April 24th till May 3rd I will be in Germany, Austria, Slovenia, and the Czech Republic, traveling with my sister and a friend,,,hope I remember how to drive!!! May 4th,,,Kiro and Dessi's wedding in Boboshevo
What do you most hope to accomplish by the time you go home?
I would like to feel that when I leave, a piece of me stays here with the people as a good memory of my time spent in their city. Also, I figure by the time I go home, my Bulgarian might have actually improved.

Posted byWil Dalton at 8:14 PM 0 comments  

Historical Bulgarian Of The Week - Hristo Stoichkov:
Saturday, April 26, 2008

If you are wondering why out of thousands of years of history that this country and this land has to its credit why I choose to write this weeks blog on a footballer then you have never been to Europe.

Football, or soccer to our American readers, is the biggest game in the world and if you live in any country other than America you are surrounded by it daily. In my case I think I talk more football than politics with Bulgarians. For that reason, here is one of Bulgarias most famous and historical figures, Hristo Stoitchkov.Hristo Stoitchkov ("Христо Стоичков Стоичков" in Bulgarian), also known as "Itso", was born in Plovdiv, Bulgaria in February of 1966 where he "was born with a ball between his feet." His father played goalie for a local team by the name of Maritsa, Hristo would play Forward during his entire professional career.

Stoitchkovs love for football (футбол) like most Europeans, began at a very young age when he was ball boy for his fathers team. By 1977, at the young age of 10 he began playing for the same team as his father! Shortly thereafter he attracted CSKA, one of Bulgarias best teams, where he played from 1986-1989.In his first full season they won the Championship Cup of Bulgaria. In 1989 he won the Golden Boot for Top Goal Scorer in Bulgaria with 23 goals, helping CSKA reached the semifinals of the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup (also known as the European Cup Winners' Cup).

In their semifinal game they lost to Barcelona, however, Barcelona Coach Johan Cruyff was signed Hristo to a five-year contract worth $4.5 million!From 1990 until 1994, Stoitchkov scored over 100 goals for Barcelona helping them win the Championship of the Primera Division in everyone of those four years. In international competitions he was playing for the Bulgarian National Team where they qualified for their first World Cup!

In 1994, Parma from Italy paid $15 million for his rights from Barcelona. He played for them for only one year. I was unable, despite intense research, to find out why so if anyone knows I would love to hear why. Returning in 1997 to Barcelona they won many titles; the Spanish Championship, Spanish Super Cup, Spanish King's Cup and the European Cup.
Five times he was voted Bulgarian Football Player of the Year, and from all accounts he became a national hero! The big awards were in 1992 and 1994 where he won the Golden Ball for "Best Football Player in Europe" once, the Golden Onze for "Best Football Player in the World" once, finishing second another time and FIFA awarded him the Silver Globe for the "Second Best Football Player in the World" in 1992 and 1994.
Stoitchkov, like many Bulgarians, moved to Chicago to join the Major League Soccer team the Chicago Fire in 2000. He has helped the Fire win the MLS Cup Finals and to a two US Open Cup title in three years being named to Soccer America's Team of the Week 6 times!All this while only standing 1.78 meters (5'9" for our American readers) and weighing in at 165 lbs. I think, however, Hristo, despite all his success would have meet his match had he faced the PCV team that assembled in Chirpan recently named in Bulgarian "I AM MAN":

"Soccer is simple…. Your movement on the field is important, and you have to have the right mentality, fighting in every game, in every practice, for every ball." - Hristo Stoichkov.-Kashkaval Pane

For more information you can go to Hristo Stoichkovs Official Web-site LOCATED HERE
For highlight video of Hristo CLICK HERE

Posted byPavel at 8:11 PM 2 comments  

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pop! of the week: artmospheric
Monday, April 21, 2008

Artmospheric not only kicks ass at web design, but also seems to have a completely awesome program of minimal electronic music, outdoor art, workshops, yoga, drum circles and more all located in the beautiful Bulgarian countryside. (The countryside, by the way, is absolutely popping green and beautiful right about now) 



Check it out!

Thanks Barb!

Posted byshizzaun at 11:40 PM 0 comments  

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