1. The Holiday Police
 |
| (Pictured Right) Confusion (Pictured Left) even more confusion |
I was walking home from school one day, minding my own business, when I happened upon a gaggle of my primary school students heading towards the culture center. After a brief conversation with my teaching colleagues, I deduced that there was some sort of event going on. However, I could not successfully comprehend "Praznik Policia" which literally translates as "Holiday Police". Regardless, I went in because an event with the police must have some semblance of normality, right?
Anyways, we all watched this fascinating presentation about internet safety, a nice performance from local dancers (because, in Bulgaria, even something as important as an internet safety powerpoint requires a little fanfare), and, finally, the "Praznik Policia". I wasn't exactly sure what was happening, but these men in historical uniforms came trotting out and showed off their weaponry. Quite a sight. The meeting was finally adjourned, and we all headed outside for peace and quiet . . .
AU CONTRARE! The police surrounded the building with their vehicles, blared their sirens, and brought out the hounds! It was a sensory overload I hadn't felt since eating cinnamon-flavored gum. The children were delighted (as were the officers), and the spectators (including myself) were a little terrified.
Amid the madness, I found a gun in my hands and a group of middle aged reenactors around me. Funny how life works. To this day, I'm not totally sure who they are, but, from my understanding, they are kind of like war reenactors. They were certainly interesting, anyways!
2. The day I joined an Esperanto Club
 |
| Me and the ladies |
One of my colleagues had invited me for coffee with some of her friends, and I just couldn't say no. So I went, chatted, gossiped, etc. and I was, henceforth, sworn in as an honorary member of this group of older ladies. However, one of my newest (or oldest depending on how you look at it...) friends invited me to a birthday party on Friday night. Now, I can't say Galabovo (pop. 7,000) has a bumping nightlife, but, clearly, this party was the event of the century. I accepted the invite, donned my finest wears, readied the horses, and trotted off into the night.
Upon arrival, I discovered that this said party was for Pepa's (the youngest member of the Esperanto Club) 60th birthday. What a treat! Of course, the other treat was happening upon an Esperanto Club. Apparently, Galabovo's Esperanto Club has been around for over 40 years and they regularly meet to practice the language. Furthermore, I discovered that I can comprehend a lot of Esperanto! The language was created in order to create a global mother tongue for all to easily acquire fluency. However, Esperanto is more than just a language; the concept of global cooperation is at the forefront of the culture! With the amount of food and rakija (Bulgarian liquor) flowing, I certainly felt it!
Now, I find myself a regularly attendee when I can. They even game me a textbook and reading material. It's been a trip!
Mi lernas Esperanto; mi estas Esperantisto!
 |
| The Esperanto Club's school room is a delight! |
3. I spent Thanksgiving at a Coal Power Plant
2 weeks ago, I had the pleasure of going to Galabovo's 2 main attractions: Contour Global (my corporate sponsor), and AES coal power plants with my students.
At Maritsa Izstok 3 (Contour Global's power plant), we had a lovely presentation about the process of creating electricity followed by a brief go-around to the control room. We passed near the turbines and I definitely could feel the heat!
AES was very similar with all of the gadgets and gismos. Overall, I would highly recommend checking out the process of creating electricity!
 |
| Halloween was a little late this year.... |
4. The Key
Because Galabovo is not strange enough, another interesting attraction happens to be a giant key outside of one of the hotel's in town. It's been advertised as the largest in the world at around 7.3 meters. Whether or not that's true, I digress! What's important is that it's here! I had some friends come over for Thanksgiving and they had to 'touch the key to unlock your dreams'. I kid you not; that's what the plaque says.
 |
| "The key to friendship is with a literal key" ~ John Locke (Hahahaha) |
5. The Nod
In Bulgaria, they actually indicate a negative affirmation by moving their head up and down while a positive reaction is a shake of the head from left to right. Essentially, Bulgarians' "nod" and "shaking of their head" is the opposite to American gestures which can lead to a little confusion. One time, I asked the bus driver if he was stopping at the bus station. He shook his head 'no' so I got off. Here to find out, he actually was saying 'Yes'. Luckily, I wasn't too far from where I needed to be #Blessed.
Alas, you Stranger Things's fans might be disappointed. No one disappeared, and there wasn't any drama. But the quirks of Bulgaria are kinda like a multidimensional monster; you never know when culture shock is gonna get ya!! AHH! Only joking! Mi amas Bulgaria! Danko!
This site FulbrightBlogaria.blogspot.com is not an official Fulbright Program site. The views expressed on this site are entirely those of Keegan Scott and do not represent the views of the Fulbright Program, the U.S. Department of State or any of its partner organizations.
