Now before I get into the feels of Orientation, I must tell you a short story about my departure:
My mother (yes, I'm well aware Brooke will read this) dropped me off at the airport like the wonderful human being she is. Prolonging our goodbyes and the inevitable water works, my mother and I people-watched those going through security (we have some fascinating hobbies, amirite?) when she noticed a couple in front of us crying and waving goodbye to their daughter. Brooke jokingly said, 'That'll be me in a few minutes'. (Spoiler Alert, that was her in a few minutes). After all was said and done, I went through the initial security checkpoints, and, when I turned back to wave my final goodbyes, I was besides myself to find Brooke chatting away with the aforementioned couple! Fast forward to the Munich airport where I meet the daughter of this lovely couple who also happened to be a Fulbrighter, and Mari and I have been pals since!
Anyways, back to Orientation! If I had to describe my introduction to Bulgaria in 50 words or left, I physically cannot! I LOVED Orientation, Bulgaria, and the cool peeps I met a long the way. Here are some highlights to condense an already growing blog post.
Arrival: Restless sleep
Day 1: A bunch of us went on an awesome food tour around Sofia! This is where my love for Litunitsa (somewhere between ketchup and salsa) began.
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| Litunitsa a la bread |
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| The two guys in the bottom left wanted a pic |
Day 2: Busy Day. Briefed by Embassy. Bulgarian Deputy Director is unintentionally hilarious. Bulgarian Lessons. Folk Dance. Fire Walking. Looks painful. Its lit. Literally.
Day 3: Faith (everyone should meet Faith) shares the story of being at the airport and going up to security and saying 'NE BAGAJ' which very literally translates as 'No. Luggage.' (She did get her luggage later).
Day 3 (continued): The Fulbright commission set us up with families around Sofia to dine with for an evening! Erica, Aaron, and I had the pleasure of an evening meal with Maria and Nikolai!
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| Fam photo! |
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| ~1st course~ |
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| The main course . . . (JK, this was actually dessert, but it was amazing! Baked apple all dressed up!) |
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| Rila Monastery taking up all my camera time (rightfully so) |
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| Kids these days! |
Day 5: This was such a fun evening! We all dressed up and headed to Muzeiko, this swanky children's museum (I never thought swanky could describe a children's museum). Sponsored by the America for Bulgaria foundation which also sponsors many of the grantees here in Bulgaria, Muzeiko had a very nice reception and we got to enjoy the really interesting exhibitions throughout the establishment! We were like children in a candy shop, but, instead, we were adults in a children's museum.
Day 6: No surprise to anyone that I absolutely love my Bulgarian lessons! Gendered nouns and the many rules that accompany them are a little confusing!
Day 7: I actually forget which day I did mine, but one of the coolest ideas the lovely returning ETAs (English Teaching Assistants) had for Orientation were mock lessons!
Day 8: Our mentor teachers arrived! Darina is an absolute gem! More about her later :D
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| Darina and I! |
Day 10: Departure to our homes for the next year . . . To be continued *dramatic music in background* *lights go dim*
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| Sad to leave... |
Glad to hear everything is going well. As if it would be any other way.
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