Sangria, Sofia, and some life lessons

It's raining here in Blagoevgrad and it seems that the weather has turned to nastiness. It snowed over the weekend while I was in Sofia, which I'll get to in a second. One of the main points of studying abroad is to meet people and make connections all over the world. Which definitely does happen and that is what set the stage for the sangria party I went to, put on by some of the Spaniards here; they are super nice and definitely know how to party and definitely know how to make good, strong sangria. So drinking starts about 9-10 here in preparation for going out around midnight. The party was really great and I mingled and had a drink or two, got tipsy so slowed down on the drinking even though it was quite tasty. But it was nice to meet new people and be a little crazy with friends that I already knew that were there. Let's just say that a conversation did happen in a British and Indian (not Native American) accent; and yes, I was sober, I just think it's fun to talk like this and for the people who know me they will back me up on this.

I don't drink ever at home so when I had a friend get a little to friendly with the sangria and had to help them home, it was definitely a new experience. They, like me, don't drink a lot and so I learned quite a bit from Keegan, who is in a sorority back home and for sure knows what she is doing when it comes to the protocol of taking a friend home. It was good so if you ever need me when we get home, I will be equipped with my new mastery of the art of designated walking and home care. So life lesson number one is a handy thing to have in my pocket in case the situation ever arises again. But just don't get that far people, it's not cool and you aren't fun and it kills the mood for everyone else. Drink to be social, not to get drunk. That is one thing about here, people know how to hold their liquor because they have been drinking for so much longer than us in the States...maybe we should take note America?

I also went to Sofia with a group of girls that I've been hanging out with. We left on a snowy morning and arrived in Sofia around noon and then that is where some of the problems started. We had 7 people so that was problem number one. We had booked the Art Hostel, which is really cool so if you ever want to visit Sofia and are looking for hostels check this one out (it comes with a bar and breakfast is included), we just needed to get there, which leads to problem number 2. Too many people were trying to figure out how to find the hostel and I was just like whatever floats the boat people, I'll follow on this one. So we eventually found it and checked in to our room and please people, book before you go. It just makes things that much easier. Spontaneity is wonderful, but have some of the logistics worked out.

                                             bar downstairs

                                                       the beds...and my awesome friends

We went to this Moroccan restaurant a block over and it was delicious! Eat like the Moroccans do because it was so good. Especially the tea. Even if you don't like tea, you would like this tea.

So that was good and having full bellies for 7 girls is a very smart move. Then, shopping. If you know me, they will all tell you my attention span for shopping is about 2 seconds before I get bored so trying to find the mall was a hassle, to be honest. So, if you want to see something specific, find directions beforehand; either do it yourself or ask your hostel about it. That was problem number three. So after no luck trying to find a taxi I suggested changing the plans and staying in the neighborhood to shop, which turned out great. Zara was close so we went there and because there were 7 people, we split and did our own thing for the afternoon which worked out wonderfully. If need be, split up, that way people can do what they want instead of targeting certain people and the others having a crappy time because they are pouting about not doing what they want. Solution.

My friend Mary is Catholic and Sofia happens to be one of the only places that has a Catholic church, and though I'm not Catholic I did need some quiet time and gladly went to mass; it was a really nice excuse to get away from the "real world" and just sit and pray and slow down from the two weeks of being here. It was refreshing and calming and just completely what I needed to refocus on what I was doing and why I am here and how I am treating and acting around people. It was a nice slap of reality, something that has been hard to come by here because everything has been distorted, especially time. A thing about study abroad, time drags and moves really quickly all at the same time. You are stuck in time, which you always are, it just seems more noticeable here rather than back home. So keep that in mind too.

The weekend ended well except I am just tired of bad Internet. Sometimes being cut off from the things that you thought you needed are really just an excuse that keeps you from other really amazing things. But it was good catch up with some friends I hadn't talked to in a while, but at the same time I hate that Facebook is the only real way of communicating with people. Oh, the things our society has come to. But that is life, and I keep learning something new every day, which is the point, right? Because why then would I be half way across the world if I could just discover all this stuff at home? So get out and explore, even if it's just your backyard, because chances are you will find something totally new and unexpected, either about yourself or your surroundings or your friends, and those are the things really worth living for. Study abroad, experience all that God put out there for us to see, and then be amazed at the fact that He put this all here for us. Love.

Strikes and Gutterballs....Bulgaria Part Two

So, part two....and go. 

Well, I received a warm welcome on my first day at the university to a lady barging into my room, speaking fast Bulgarian which was then followed by a man who came to check the smoke detector. At least he said good morning. It was pointless going back to bed, so I got up and vacuumed which was great and disgusting all at the same time because it just is. My room, just to give you a view. You walk in and on the wall with the door is a bunk bed and next to that on the next wall is a desk, the door to the bathroom, and closets/ drawers. On the connecting wall are two huge windows with blinds (thank God) and a bed and then on the last wall are two desks and a closet. It's nothing special, three girls to a room, no big deal. But what I love is the bathroom. It's three rooms...yes, rooms... for the sink, toilet, and shower. I couldn't believe it when I walked in. There are about 6 light switches, which are huge, to light it all. But the shower is its own room; and it pours from the top so right over your head, not at a slant in the states. The water gets hot really fast and it's wonderful.

I went to lunch with the group from the van and then we walked around Blagoevgrad for a little bit and it was really great. Everyone is really nice so it was a fun group.  People on the streets don't smile and then give you the look-over when you do smile at them; it's hard but I'm working on that.  It was nice to see that I wasn't the only blond; there are some blond Bulgarian women and though I still stick out like an Eskimo in summer, it made me feel better. Blagoevgrad is really pretty in an old city kind of way. The buildings are somewhat old and dusty looking, and they are painted many colors that have faded, but it's just a really cute city; I'm looking forward to keep getting to know it. It's definitely bigger than Kirksville, that's for sure, but that's not too hard to accomplish.

We went on the first shopping trip for essentials at Kaufland, the new Walmart for the next four months. It was big and it went well but it was just different. Everything was in Bulgarian, obviously, and so finding things that looked familiar was interesting. Nonetheless, I did get everything I needed for a mere 66 leva. Cheap. I'm telling you people, it's a great vacation destination. So come visit me! 

Sabine's birthday was on Tuesday so Esra, Mary and I went out with her to the bowling center (though we didn't know that at the time) near the university's main building and had dinner. I swear I've had pasta every day since I've been here....I didn't know I was in Italy. It's good pasta though so I'm not complaining. I had this spinach pasta with a white cream sauce and it was really good. Ordering is sometimes a shoot in the dark but surprisingly a lot of restaurants have English menus so that is great. Anyway, had dinner, ordered cocktails (I had an orgasm- kahlua, bailey's, and cream or something of that variety) and started bowling. If you know me it takes me forever to actually warm up and this night was no exception. Three games of bowling- 6 leva. Legit. We had a great time bowling and I wasn't the worst one, although I did have my fair share of gutterballs.  Sabine was really good actually, I think she might get into professional bowling; okay...I doubt that, but she did really well. And it was a really fun time. 

After that we went back to Skapto and Esra surprised her with a caramel cake which was really good, pretty sweet so one piece was definitely enough. She had also bought party hats and they were the greatest because I think it said happy birthday on it in Bulgarian so that was fantastic. Afterward we just talked for a while and then hit the hay. I froze overnight because my heater isn't functioning properly so that has been great sleeping and waking up uber cold. Showers are the only way I'm not freezing to death in the morning. And there is some exaggeration in this so parents, don't freak out and call the university, I've asked them to look at it. I'll be fine. I like the cold anyway. It's just more of a hate-hate-ish relationship right now. It was a much better day than the hysterics I threw myself into on the first night with only Stainer and Kirk to comfort me. Oh well, it has gotten much better and I really do love it here.

I Was Almost Out of My League...Bulgaria Part One

Holy crap, I'm here. Well after not having internet for four days, of course them being when I first arrive, I have a book to write; so strap in because this is going to be a long ride for the both of us. Welcome to part one: the flight.

I left on Sunday around 11am and didn't get into Sofia until 130pm on Monday. The flights went really well; no glitches and they were on time with the exception of the hour wait on the Munich runway, but I was on the last flight so I didn't care at that point. And over the course of the travelling, I did 23 sudoku puzzles. A wonderful use of my time I think. But yeah, I got to the airport, had a surprisingly non-tearful goodbye with my parents (weird) and boarded the smallest plane I've ever been on. For real people, three seats with an overhead bin the size of a peanut. Come on. The flight was good and we got into Newark with no problems. I had some time to kill so I walked around in hopes of tiring myself out but I think I just looked crazy walking in circles, but whatever. There was another girl, Mary, from the program who was also flying to Munich so we met before the flight and it was nice to not be alone and there was of course that awkward meeting so I'm glad we got that over before actually getting to Sofia.

The transatlantic flight went well, considering it was my first. I had the pleasure of sitting by a Norwegian on a business trip who lived in New Jersey. He was really nice and gave me some tips for flying, such as I needed the two-pronged ear jack to hear the tv movie or to buckle your seat belt on the outside of the blanket when you sleep so if an attendant comes while you are actually sleeping they don't wake you. Stuff like that. It was pleasant and the food wasn't terrible either. Chicken and wild rice for dinner and a croissant for breakfast...not too shabby. I drank a lot of water which was good and bad and the bathrooms are about as big as a shoebox which was wonderful. And the need to pee came in waves for the plane in general because at certain times there would be a line and at others no one would be waiting. It's funny how our bodies sync like that.

I got to hang with Mary for a little bit in Munich and it was really great to have someone to talk to. She is pretty awesome and it was nice to know someone who was going to be there with me. The last flight, besides the wait, was short and sweet. They served this raisin bread which was tasty and strange because we always get pretzels; it was a nice change of pace. We landed, I got my suitcase and met the van driver from the university. We rode back with three dutch girls- Esra, Sabine, and Tessa- and two Americans like myself- Stephanie and Celeste. We actually had to turn around after 20 minutes of driving out of Sofia to return to the airport to pick up Celeste. During that ride we got to know the girls from Holland and they seemed really nice (which they are!) and it immediately raised my spirits about being here. The ride from Sofia to Blagoevgrad was beautiful. There was snow and gorgeous trees and mountains and it was just really nice, although the lulling of the ride didn't do anything for my fatigue and jetlag. 

We arrived at the university, finally (!!), and checked in at Skaptopara II, Skapto for short.  I'm going to be honest here, I was a little taken aback by the fact that the room was dirty. The floor was disgusting and I vacuumed the next morning, but it was not the greatest experience of my life. I explored my new home for the next four months. It was weird though because the room was basically empty so I kind of felt out of place because my roommates had reserved certain pieces of furniture. It was a little jolting but hey, this is what I signed up for so I can't really complain, but I just did, so...

I went to dinner, took a shower to wash away the traveling grime and then sat on the bottom bunk and stared at a picture Anna had given me and then I lost it. I cried. I don't know but it was just hard and at that point you just start questioning why you are even here. Which is what I did. And I just prayed really hard and journaled and it felt relieving to cry since I hadn't done it since finals week. After that there was only one thing to make me feel better: She's Out of My League. A piece of home and hilarity to help put me to bed on the first night on my Bulgarian excursion. What a two days. And that was just the first night. More to come....