Sitting in a Vacuum

I don't know if you have ever experienced this... but some days just feel like I am sitting in a vacuum. Nothing happens and they just pass by. It's almost like they didn't exist. This happens most frequently when I am traveling, especially cross-Atlantic. The day of travel is like a day that didn't exist. The time difference makes the whole experience even more confusing. Usually I enjoy those days when I fly, especially longer distances because it gives me time to think and be by myself with my thoughts, desires, dreams. I rarely fly with someone else, so I am truly undisturbed most of the time. For those X hours of travel, I can forget about daily cares and problems and focus on the big picture.

I kind of feel like that right now. I am not traveling per se but since I am in a place where I have no responsibilities or daily routine (I am currently in Brussels where my parents live) and no real need to sightsee (since I have been here several times before), I feel like the days pass by quite uneventfully. Actually, I haven't even thought about big-picture stuff either. I guess since I am close to making another somewhat big change in my life, I am currently at the stage of "semi-denial" where I try to push all thoughts on serious matters out of my head. On the one hand, I have enjoyed these last few "carefree" days; on the other, it almost seems like there will be nothing to remember them by. Does that mean they have been a waste?

You Laugh a Little, You Cry a Little

Some of you already know this, but I have decided to share it here with everyone who reads this blog, given that all readers, especially the regulars, now share in my life somehow. My stay in Bulgaria will be coming to an end in 2 months' time...for now, at least. The reason I finally decided to share this here is that I feel torn. But let me back-track a little bit to tell you the full story.

I had applied to graduate schools (International Relations and Public Policy) and was supposed to start school in fall 2006. But I decided to defer for a year and return to Bulgaria instead, promising myself that I would indeed end up going to school the following year if I got accepted to my first-choice school and received enough financial aid to make the decision rational. In the meantime, I wanted to discover for myself what Bulgaria was like, what it is like to live here, and make my own conclusions as to whether I could and want to live here. After 9.5 months, the answer is a very definite YES. So definite, that now I feel somewhat sad that I have to leave for the States again. Don't get me wrong, I am very excited about graduate school, being a student again, and being surrounded by brilliant people, but I will miss Bulgaria, my life here, and everyone in it tremendously. But guess like that poem about the penguin states, I have come to the realization that no matter what, I will always miss something from the other side of the ocean. It is inevitable when I have spent so much time in both places.

What I feel happy about though is that I no longer feel scared of the prospect of ending up here...in fact, at this point in time, I would prefer it, but we'll see what the future has in store. And before bidding Bulgaria farewell for the next two years, I plan to take full advantage of the remaining time (and to document the interesting points here, of course). And no matter where I am, I will continue to write about the things, people, places and happenings that leave an impression. I do hope you will continue reading.

I will be back and forth in the coming weeks, so apologies in advance if I don't update this as often as I usually do.

Extra Costs to Car-Ownership in BG

The last few days I have been running around trying to take care of things I should have done a long time ago. But since they involve dealing with Bulgarian bureaucracy of various sorts, I have been putting them off for a while. One such chore--renewing my driver's licence. Turned out that it wasn't all that hard, but getting to the traffic police office was a pain (there is only one location where you can get this done in Sofia), especially in the heat we have been experiencing lately. I actually went twice. Once, to find out what documents I needed and the second time to hand my documents in. Not that bad, given that I was done in under 10 mins both times. However, both times that I went there was looooong line of cars waiting to be registered. The line actually continued for a kilometer or more. Turns out that people sometimes wait for 24 hours or longer to register their car. I have heard horror stories of drivers starting to line up in the middle of the night, often sleeping in their cars, in the hopes of being able to go through in one day. I can't imagine what that must be like. And I also can't believe that there is only one location in all of Sofia where you can register your car. Thankfully, I have not had to go through this myself... but it kind of makes me think twice about the prospect of getting a car. The only upside I can think of is that you bond with other drivers and get to meet new people by hanging out in the shade together. :)

The Invasion of the Metrosexuals

I paid my first visit to the long-renovated Yalta Club on Saturday. My boss (who, btw, is a huge fan of house music) had free passes from a friend, so a bunch of us from work went. This time around the DJ spinning was not a big name (as has become the norm at Yalta where during the span of 2-3 months the likes of Pete Tong, Steve Lawler, Hernan Cattaneo, etc. graced us with their presence every weekend). The music was OK... but what I couldn't help but notice was the crowd...and, more specifically, the guys.

I am sure you have all heard the term metrosexual, used basically to describe guys who are really into their looks and take the time and spend the money to look good. Well, Yalta was PACKED with them and I am not exaggerating at all. In fact, I don't think I saw one "regular-looking" guy, apart from the guys from work. It was pretty ridiculous. The clothes, the hair, the sunglasses... even the moves on the dance floor. It was a bit too much. Suffice it to say, that I am not really into guys who spend more time and money on their appearance than I do :) (And the funny thing was that the women weren't the dressy/preppy type at all.)

What I found amazing though in thinking about this is that this type of phenomenon did not exist a few years back. Bulgarian guys prided themselves on looking macho and being "manly" so to speak. In fact, they would have reacted with disgust to seeing such men amongst themselves. Times change I guess.

Though I would add the caveat that these guys are probably predominantly part of the house/clubbing scene; they haven't overrun Sofia quite yet :). Thankfully, I don't see many of them at the other places I like to hang out, like Toba&Co, Alcohol, Cabaret and Mojito.

Unexpected Encounter

I was sitting at a cafe with my dad when I heard someone say, "Excuse me." I turned and saw a young, somewhat disheveled man standing next to our table. He was looking at me. He then added, "Is your name Denitza?" It was hard to hide the look of surprise on my face. I had thought that he would ask for money, try to sell us something, or something of the sort. After confirming that my name is indeed Denitza, he waited for a few seconds. I guessed that he was waiting for me to recognize him, but I really had no recollection whatsoever. Instead I apologized that he did not look familiar. He said, "We sat at the same desk in 4th grade." I was embarrassed. Normally, I am really good with both faces and names... but I had no recollection that I had sat next to a boy in school, let alone what his name was. Turned out it was Anatol. I slowly started remembering things. But he looked so different to me. Plus, I had only been at that school a year and 1 month. That was my excuse to myself (a poor one, I agree). My dad invited him to sit with us for a bit, which he did. He proceeded to tell us how he had recognized me right away, at which I laughed. Guess I haven't changed at all since I was 10? It was strange to be on uneven ground though - here he was knowing full well who I was, whereas to me he was still a complete stranger.

How is it that some things we remember full well whereas others we seem to have erased completely from our memory?

Bush's Visit, Part Two

From the American flags adorning the road from/to the airport, one would almost think we were in the States. Well, I guess with one small difference - these flags are much smaller than any of their counterparts in the U.S. We are paying our tributes, but in small doses, I guess :). I wonder if it was this way when Clinton visited. (Fortunately or unfortunately, I wasn't here then.)

Bus lines were rerouted yesterday without any prior notice or an indication of the detours. I don't think anyone is really surprised. Oh, and supposedly in the area dubbed as Security Zone #1 (= most of the city center), all mobile communications will be cut off. I find that hard to believe. Seems like some crazy rumor, but have to wait for someone living in that area to confirm. In the meantime, I will just enjoy my day off work... although I won't venture into the city center.

Wishing you all a good work week!

Bush's Visit (or the Semi-Chaos Surrounding It)

George W. Bush arrives in Bulgaria sometime this weekend. His official visit is set for 10-11 June. This is not the first time that we have had high-profile visitors in Bulgaria (there were the visits by Clinton and the late Pope John Paul II), but it seems like the first time every time. There is a whole lot of confusion about which part of the city center will be blocked off, how traffic will be redirected, and what the hell that means for us ordinary citizens who need to get to work or home in a semi-normal fashion. This time is no exception. That is why our company has decided to take the day off and just avoid all the hassle altogether.

My apartment building is located right next to the boulevard that leads to the airport (aptly named Brussels Blvd); my apartment faces in the direction of the boulevard. Last week, when I came home one night, I found a few notices posted downstairs warning us that from 9-12 June, there should be no repairs done to the building's facade, all exits to the roof should be locked off, etc. Basically, taking security precautions because Bush is going to drive by. That's all good, but it's not like anyone is going to check what everyone who lives in the apartments facing the boulevard is up to during those days. So the signs, in and of themselves, seem a little pointless.

This morning on TV I tuned in to a discussion of how Bush would be protected during his visit. The discussion centered around whether or not Bush would try Bulgarian food and wine. The news anchor asked the very "intelligent" question of whether Bush will be trying out rakia while here. What does it matter? I can't believe people waste time discussing what he will or will not eat. The only thing I learned from this discussion was that supposedly Bush quite likes Bulgarian feta cheese and that all food/drink he will be consuming while here will first undergo some chemical analysis to ensure there are no poisonous substances in it. That must be quite a hassle to go through at every meal while abroad, but guess that's the price you have to pay for being President of the United States.

Bottom line is: people are mostly annoyed by the fact that Bush is visiting, myself included. And although we may not greet him with booing like the Czechs, we still would rather that he come and go as quickly as possible.

Back to the Municipality

For those who remember my last experience with my local municipality, here is a continuation. This morning I took back my completed form (filled in with a typewriter :) ). I didn't want to be late for work so I went early to make sure I was one of the first there. They open at 8:30; I was there at 8:05. While waiting, I witnessed the cleaning lady bringing out a large bag filled with discarded folders; she proceeded to spill out the contents and select the folders that were best in shape. When the security guard asked her what she needed the folders for, she replied that she sings in a choir of 29 women, and they need the folders to keep their music in. Good way to recycle, I say!

Finally 8:30 came, I went into the administrative office but of course the woman who was responsible for signing my form hadn't arrived yet. A few minutes later she came and proceeded to complete all the necessary paperwork. I thought I was done (and so quickly too), when she gave me the bad news that the cashier wasn't there yet and I had to wait to pay my 10 leva. Otherwise, I wouldn't get my form. So I waited... almost 20 minutes. In the meantime, I overheard one of the women working there complain that her computer wasn't working and she couldn't do her job. (Happens quite often I am sure.) The funnier conversation though was one in which one of the women told another one that she couldn't wear jeans to work. The second woman (the one being accused of wearing jeans) retorted, "In the U.S., jeans are considered completely respectable attire for government workers." The first woman did not buy that and said, "That may be so, but we are not in the U.S."

I laughed to myself. First of all, I wonder from where the jeans-wearing woman had the information that U.S. government workers wear jeans to work (American movies, perhaps?) And I just loved how she pulled that random fact out of her "bag of general knowledge" in her defence :)

At 9:05, I was done - signed form in hand and everything, and I had also had some early morning humor. What more could I ask for?

A Day at the Office

There are many things that you can do during the course of a work day. But I think there are even more you can do when your workplace is in Bulgaria (and you work for a small company, which is over 90% of companies here). Today our whole team of 15 cleaned the office, and I mean, really cleaned. As in scrubbed bathroom walls and floors, dusted all shelves, threw out unneeded papers, cleaned the fridge and everything else in our kitchenette, and so forth. Who would have thought I would ever have to do this as part of my job? But it wasn't that bad; it was almost like a team-building experience. And if this "work day" sounds strange to you, then the fact that an acquaintance of mine (and his whole team) is being asked to come into work to re-paint the office would probably sound absurd. But, hey, we are all multi-skilled here :).

Btw, I just wanted to note that today as I was riding the marshrutka home and got up to tell the driver where to stop, he actually beat me to it by asking, "Where would it be convenient for you that I stop?" That quite surprised me, in a good way of course.

And lastly Happy Children's Day to all those who are still children deep inside!