Veseli Praznitsi!

Happy Holidays!

The Christmas season is in full swing in Preslav! There are flashing colored lights everywhere you look, kids are excited about "Diado Kolada" (Santa Claus), there's a definite winter chill in the air... The only thing missing is a Walmart having a huge sale.

Tonight was the tree-lighting ceremony in the town center, which rain threatened to cancel. Luckily, by the time all the speeches were said and songs were sung, the rain had cleared up, allowing the members of the obshtina to flip the switch on this beauty after all:

Doesn't look like too much here, but it's a real pine tree right off the courtyard in the center, and it's huge. Pretty awesome sight when coming in to town, especially with the other buildings on the center lit up as well (the chitalishte, church, town hall, and obshtina building)...

After the lighting ceremony some huge fireworks were set off right next to the church, pumping everyone up for the series of Christmas events the town will be coordinating...

Apparently they do Christmas big here, with a lot of events announced in the coming month, including a wassail in the town hall, countless concerts from kids and adults alike, and a gigantic banitsa making competition which was really hyped up to me by my sitemate. I love me some banitsa, so I'm looking forward to it (food post coming later).

I've gotten into the spirit myself with some decorations laying around the apartment. I just happened to find a nice little fake Christmas tree which I decorated today in honor of the tree lighting in the center. All that lie underneath right now are a couple of chocolates, but perhaps at some point I'll have some legit gifts haha.

Aside from the tree I have some random garlands strung around, and the most outlandish and ridiculous light I have ever seen (left to me by the previous volunteer) hanging from my terrace. It's star shaped and flashes like a strobe light in different colors. What better way to spread Christmas cheer than to blind any and all who dare gaze upon this amazing decoration?

Until next time...

Cribs - Bulgaria Edition

Hey everyone. Ever wonder what life in a former communist blok is like? I know I did before I came here. Now I’m living the dream in one of my own! All kidding aside, it’s actually a pretty nice place and I’m liking it so far. Here’s the tour... in video format!

The grand tour is also available in picture form on facebook...

Right now I’m still settling in to my new place, but I start working at the orphanage on Monday. There's a lot of kinks to work out - all the normal ones associated with moving to a new place, and then there's also some extra little surprises thrown in the mix since of course "this is Bulgaria" (a favorite phrase of Bulgarians). All in all I'm having a good time, and it's nice to finally be out on my own.

On a different note, I'm on Skype now, so you can call me for free if you have the internet and a microphone. My skype name is pretty easy: greg.herb so drop me a line sometime. Just remember I'm 7-10 hours ahead of you. I'm also on AIM (moxwax) still.

Until next time...

Dom Sweet Dom

Hey everyone... just a quick update. I'm all moved in to my little bloc apartment here in Preslav. Settling in here will be a whole different beast, but I'm looking forward to it. I'll get a more detailed post up later, but just wanted to let people know that I did in fact make it out here. I also have regular internet service now! Woohoo! If you want my address, shoot me an email or a facebook message.

More coming soon.