Честита Нова Година!

It has been brought to my attention by many of my friends and family that I am woefully lacking on an update to my blog. It’s the least I can do to keep you all informed on the activities of my life at least once or twice a month right? Well as usual, you all are right and I have no valid excuse except travel in my support. (Yes, I realize my evil twin brother is still more prompt than me, despite having no stationary home or reliable internet.)

The holiday season in Bulgaria has been an interesting and fun one. For Christmas I headed back to Boboshevo to stay with Stefan and Raina for three days. The days consisted of absurd amounts of eating, drinking rakia with Stefan, and heading to the café and disco at night with friends. (The disco being a Christmas first for me, as you can imagine.) Although it wasn’t quite like being at home for Christmas, I couldn’t have asked for a better holiday away from my friends and family.

New Years not only marked the coming of the New Year, but also the accession into the European Union for Bulgaria. The feelings of this accession by Bulgarians seem to be mixed. On one side, there are those who feel that joining the EU will be the saving grace of the country, raising employment opportunities, wages and stimulating the country’s economy. On the other end of the spectrum, there are those who are skeptical about the benefits which will come. Historically speaking, things very well may get worse before they get better. In many countries, for example Italy, who have yet to overcome this problem, the general cost of living can be expected to rise yet in the short run, wages will remain the same, thus exacerbating the current problems. In truth, the actual results will probably be a combination of the two view points, although only time will tell.

As for New Year’s Eve itself, ten volunteers including myself headed to the city of Plovdiv, the second largest city in Bulgaria, to enjoy the festivities. Highlights included an impromptu hostel room feast, much belot playing, and heading to the central square for midnight. Being as we were without reservations, or the funds for reservations at the restaurants and bars in Plovdiv, we were forced to take to the streets to ring in the New Year. This resulted in us standing, surrounded by thousands of Bulgarians, in the main square, bottles of champagne in hand, watching the dangerously close fireworks overhead.

Currently Reading: “Farewell Waltz” by Milan Kundera
Currently Listening to: “Canyoneer” by No Trigger