How cold is it??

The frigid weather brought down from Russia's cold front has blanketed much of Bulgaria. The temperatures have fell to as low as minus 17 degrees Celsius (or 1 degree Fahrenheit) in the northern parts of the country..and that is in the sun. The strong tornado-like winds make it seem even colder.


It has been so cold here that many schools around the country have closed their doors in fears of the harsh weather, but hopeful that the cold wave will pass by Monday. My school is one of them. Although I have a mere eight minute walk to school, many of my students and colleagues live 20-30 minutes away by foot. As they walk into school with their red and wind burned faces, you can tell they failed to get a taxi. So thank you Russia for yet another few days off.

In the meantime power consumption has rocketed sky-high, as many people (including myself) resort to electric heaters. I don't remember the last time I unplugged it. Good thing I don't pay the bill. I am still trying to figure out a way to bring my heater to bed with me. Until then, I will have to rely on my five layers of clothing, the seven blankets on my bed, and my warm kitty all nestled together in my smallest room. I don't dare try to cook as my kitchen is so cold I cant feel my fingers after about 5 minutes, not to mention I can see my own breath. Wow..thats cold!


Forecasts say daytime temperatures were to ease no earlier than Thursday. But the temperatures are still down, and the cold weather has already claimed several lives including a six-month-old baby who froze to death here in Stara Zagora. The infant was brought frozen to the local ER where it later passed away. Also, an unidentified female body was found in the neighboring town of Kazanlak. The woman was found frozen near a housing block.

So, needless to say, I am bundled up next to my radiator that I like to pretend is a cozy fire, and I venture outdoors only when need be. So for those of you in California...please..soak up those warm rays for me.

Bomb Alert in US Embassy in Sofia, 2 Arrested

From the Sofia News Agency:

A man and a woman have been arrested over a tip-off about a bomb planted in the United States Embassy in Sofia, police said.

The two, aged 32 and 38 respectively, admitted they threatened to blow off the building of the United States in the hope that it will be closed.

On January 24 at noon an anonymous caller, a woman, told the diplomatic mission that an explosive device has been planted in the building.

After receiving the tip-off, police found the woman called from a street telephone at "Cherni Vruh" boulevard in the capital.

The perpetrators, whose names were not disclosed, had borrowed money from people in the town of Blagoevgrad with the promise to get their US visas issued. By causing the embassy to shut down, they hoped to skip the chance to give them back the money.

From the New York Times....

Bulgaria: Coming in From the Cold, Slowly

By DENNY LEE
Published: January 22, 2006

Much has changed in Bulgaria since it shook off Soviet domination in 1989. Free elections have been held, and its economic and political capital, Sofia, is thriving. But as it emerges as a tourist destination, mostly in the beach resorts along the Black Sea, Bulgaria is also showing that it is a nation that can celebrate a refreshing lack of progress.

Hidden throughout this big and fertile land in remote gorges and on craggy hilltops are dozens of astonishingly intact painted monasteries that are centuries old. They offer visitors a rare chance to see Europe as it once was - before the euro, before World War II, before electricity.

It is a bit like castle-hopping in Tuscany, but without the postcard kiosks and hordes of foreigners who block your photo opportunities. Of the former nations of the Soviet bloc, Bulgaria has been among the slowest to come in from the cold, which means that much of the country remains off the tourist map.

But some luxury tour operators like Abercrombie & Kent have added Bulgaria to their list of 2006 tours. Highlights include a guided trip to the flamingo-pink Rila Monastery, some 70 miles south of Sofia, as well as a private dinner in the SS. Peter and Paul Monastery, near the university town of Veliko Turnovo. There are also some 600 mineral springs in the country, and a few luxury spa resorts are in the works.

Bulgaria has nine Unesco World Heritage sites, including the Srebarna Nature Reserve, a marshy breeding ground for birds. In fact, much of the countryside remains wild. You can explore caves in the Balkan Range, ski at Borovets or hunt for red stags and brown bears from rustic camps throughout the country.

Tell me again...why wouldn't you want to come visit me???

My Quick Jaunt to Greece...

Where to begin? It all started many months ago when the fabulous Peace Corps Medical Staff informed me that I had a medical issue. They told me what the situation was...and I freaked. I have always been a healthy person minus that Mono I had freshman year of college (but everyone gets Mono in college). So they reassured me that I simply needed to have a biopsy and do a few tests. Okay. So it wasn't as bad as I thought. After I went to a doctor in Sofia that specialized in the procedure, I thought I was good to go. But unfortunately, this Bulgarian doctor proved not up to par with her skills. Thus leading me to have the biopsy repeated.


And that brings us up to present day. Peace Corps then informed that I had two options... Bucharest, Romania or Thessaloníki, Greece. I opted for the latter. Greece it was. And I was off! Matt and I left on a 7 am train from Sofia. A lot of conversation, a few snacks and even fewer minutes of shut eye later, we arrived in Greece. I was 1 pm. Thats a long train ride. I only wished I had my travel scrabble.

It was a very strange feeling to be thrown into a city where you have no idea what is going on. You don't know your surroundings and more importantly, you don't speak the language. But, we managed to find our way around, enjoy the sites and enjoy some really delicious food. After all, we are self-sufficient Peace Corps Volunteers. We knew what it was like to be thrown into an unknown land.


My impressions of Thessaloníki were amazing. Being the second largest city of Greece, Thessaloníki kept up its end of the bargain. There were soo many cars with even more mopeds whizzing past. The waterfront was a very refreshing feeling with the clear water and few boats. The city itself seemed rather unique with a lot of history. (Unfortunately, places closed by three and we ran out of time.) But I do plan to go back this summer, for a longer, more relaxed journey.


Now, Matt and I are peacefully back in Stara Zagora and I couldnt be happier. A few days after my second biopsy the test results came back. And they came back great! There were no significant signs of abnormal cells and I am back to normal. I am considered healthy again. And I got a free trip to Greece in the process.

Gift Ideas for Friends...

Are you stuck on ideas of what to get your friends and family for their birthday, anniversary, or just because. Tired of the same old sweater or pair of earrings. Then I have just the thing for you. Hand crafted scarves, hats, sweaters...You name it, they knit it! Check it out today. These same ladies are even teaching ME how to knit. Who would have thought!

The following is a message from one of my fellow Peace Corps Volunteers and site mate:

For the past year I’ve been working with a group of disabled women living in the Home for the Handicapped in Stara Zagora (a city in central Bulgaria). The women are craft knitters and, as a part of a SPA Project (SPA = Small Project Assistance; this is a grant through the Peace Corps), we have created a web site to sell their products online.

Each woman’s short biography is posted along with our catalog of offered products. Our intent is to personalize the buying experience as much as possible. Upon receipt of an order, the customer will receive a confirmation letter (email) telling them which woman will knit their product and when it will be shipped. The customer can ask for modifications to the product and can correspond with the knitter by email. We accept all major credit cards.

Shipping to America is FREE via BulPost and we have an overnight service available, at the customer’s expense, with lower rates than DHL, UPS or FedEx.

Our web address is:

www.handknitcrafts.com

Regards,

Larry Gemmell
Community and Organizational Development,
Peace Corps Volunteer
Stara Zagora
lhgemmell@mac.com

Holden and Costa...

Just killing some time on a random Wednesday afternoon. But these are my two beloved cats.

Holden, about 3 years, is my cat from college. We like to call him the little guy although he weighs in at about 16 pounds and is quite an attack cat.

On the other hand, Constantine or Costa for short is my kitten here in Bulgaria. And he has somehow taken after Holden leaving my friends with bloody scratches up and down their arms.


Cant wait till they meet. I wonder who would win that fight.

The Best State!!!!

You're California!

In many ways, you are larger than life and almost defy description. You certainly love to shake, rattle, and roll with the best of them. You have a generally sunny disposition, but are capable of resorting to harsh extremes when pressed. You are more likely than most to become rich, or famous, or perhaps both. While you have the golden touch in so many regards, your respect for actors is a little over-zealous. This endless faith in actors needs to be terminated.

Take the State Quiz
at the Blue Pyramid.

I really am from California!!!!

Happy 2006!

Good friends. Games. Champagne. Fireworks.

It was the perfect setting for a New Years celebration. And that is exactly what it was. I spent the eve with my great site mates Matt, Alex, and Larry and a friend from out of town, Jennifer.


We enjoyed.... One home cooked meal of Indian. One game of Yatzee. Two card games, Asshole and Bullshit. Three different types of beverages: wine, champagne, and rakia. Lots of laughs. And even more fireworks.

The evening was spent at Larry's eigth floor flat with a beautiful view of the entire city of Stara Zagora. And noone in a few mile radius of the city could be mistaken that the clock struk midnight and the new year was upon us. From every direction loud bursts of fireworks were set off from the streets, rooftops and even the apartment baloconies. It was quite a sight..


It was a very different New Years but unique and unforgettable nonetheless. Happy 2006!