Next Stage: Permanent Site
August 2, 2010[Note, there are some cool pics below, I just want to make a note that I'm not taking credit for taking them, as they're from a stock set of Nikopol photos from the municipality]
A lot has happened since I last posted regarding Bulgarian food. Recently, we have ‘sworn in’ as official Peace Corps Volunteers and taken the official oath of service [here is the text, although we aren't uniformed].
We had an official ceremony in Vratsa [Враца], including the U.S. Ambassador to Bulgaria, and two Ministers of the Interior from Bulgaria. The next day we moved out of our training villages and left our host families to live by ourselves in our permanent sites. This is where we live and work for the next two years, I’ll be in Nikopol, in North central Bulgaria on the Danube river, along the border with Romania.
It’s a great town, here are a few photos:
Birds eye view of Nikopol, the small cliffs and green hills which border Nikopol give the town a unique feeling as there are not such hills in the surrounding area. I didn't take this, it's from a stock set of Nikopol photos from the municipality I'm using to build the http://beautifulnikopol.wordpress.com/ website
This is the municipal building for Nikopol and the surrounding smaller towns. I work here, and in the summer these fountains work, and local event happen here. I didn't take this, it's from a stock set of Nikopol photos from the municipality I'm using to build the http://beautifulnikopol.wordpress.com/ website
The Danube river at sunset, looking up the river and into Romania. It's great to be near the water, Nikopol is a great spot. I didn't take this, it's from a stock set of Nikopol photos from the municipality I'm using to build the http://beautifulnikopol.wordpress.com/ website
When everything gets a bit more settled and I’ve gotten into some projects, I’ll write about what exactly it is that I’m doing here. For now, it’s just about getting to know the town, and becoming familiar with the people.
My biggest victory so far is playing soccer with a group of men that play most evening around 6, and getting my foot in the door of familiarity through sweat. It’s great to communicate and work together without having to utter more then a whistle or shout to pass the ball.
This is awesome! My wife and I were just recommended for service in Asia in the English Language programs. It’s still a long ways off (june 2011), but it’s great to find volunteers blogging on here! I’ll be following along on here throughout this year. GOOD LUCK!!
hi, thanks for the encouraging words, it’s quite an experience, great choice to go for it. if you have any questions or anything, send them on over!
Bulgaria is amazing !!! I like it !
Thanks so much for taking my question! The PC has been on my heart for about three years now and I am so glad my wife and I are doing this finally! I do have a question, though. I know the process is a bit different with married couples, but I think the competitiveness of a volunteer’s application is the same for both individuals and couples. What did you do to make your application stand out or be more competitive? We will both be certified English teachers by the start of the program so I think that is a nice feather in our caps, already being actual educators in an education program, but are there other things we could be doing you think?
That shot of the Danube is great. I’m linking to you on my blog now, hope ya don’t mind.
Thomas,
Sounds and looks great! It seems that you have landed in a good place. That picture of the sunset over the Danube was spectacular. I have just come off two beautiful weeks on Block Island, off the Rhode Island coast. I think of you often and am glad to hear that you are safe and happy. Do enjoy yourself as you serve the people of your new town.
Roger