The time finally has finally come for me to get the heck out of town and start my Fulbright year in Bulgaria. “Good riddance!” says the New York Times; “I thought the day would never come!” complains the Wall Street Journal. After an exceptionally smooth trip over, the first hiccup of my journey to this fine new country greeted me at the Sofia airport, where I showed up, but my luggage did not decide to do the same. Real independent thinkers, those suitcases can be. As a result, my first two days were marinated in a little frustration. The travel-weary and physically grungy version of myself— who had been either in an airport or on a plane for the previous 20 hours— was not quite zen enough to be alright with the idea that everything I’d packed up for the next year of my life was currently missing. Of course it wasn’t permanently lost. At the time, though, that little voice that lurks in the corner of my mind reserved for worst-case-scenarios was chanting in my ear, as I washed my one and only outfit in the hotel sink, that I’d never see any of my stuff again and would somehow have to get by regardless. And to pour salt in the suitcase-shaped wound, we all woke up the next morning to several emails about how to dress and what to prepare for orientation, a Fulbright reception, and host family dinners coming up over the next couple of days, and despite efforts to distract myself, I was very much aware of my necessitous and garment-less state. I despise the feeling of being unprepared, so having nothing but the two-day-old clothes on my person and a couple spare t-shirts from my backpack felt like a mini-doomsday. But to fast-forward, my elusive luggage did make its way to me in the nick of time, and I have since stayed busy exploring Sofia (fully clothed) with fellow Fulbrighters as they all filter in. So far it has proven to be joyful. They are an interesting and diverse group of people— 32 ETAs and 6 student researchers in total— and I will know a lot more after spending the upcoming (very long) days with them during training. The city is a great place to be as well, and has greeted us with nice weather and lots of scenic parks/churches/streets to walk around. Some other highlights included a free food tour, where a sprightly guide led us to several spots to sample Sofia’s best traditional foods, and a Museum of Socialist Art, to where most remnants of Bulgaria's communist era have been moved. It seems like a mature compromise— preserving the history, yet still moving the statues and memorials of communist leaders from their former places of prominence/reverence throughout the country. Perhaps something can be learned. Our training starts tomorrow and supposedly covers everything, to include language, managing a classroom, language, getting around the country, safety, a taste of folk dancing, language, and also language. SparkNotes version: Am I going to find any good memes out here? I don’t know, but I’ll keep you posted. наздраве (cheers)!
2 Comments
Catherine N
9/14/2017 04:55:14 pm
So happy for you that the suitcases were not lost forever!! Think they were just going thru a rebellious phase.
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Jo-Ellen Doranzo
9/17/2017 05:25:56 am
Amanda. I feel like this trip will be an opportunity for me to get to know you!!! I will absolutely look forward to reading about your journeys!!! Be safe. Love you! Auntie Jo
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