This is my world online. A place to share my thoughts and feelings...A place for you to get a glimpse in my inner world:)
Tuesday, September 01, 2009
unpredictable ;)
I love the unpredictability of life. It is just so amazing! In the past week so many wonderful things have happened to me out of the blue... going to the seaside having a very strange chat/video conversation charged with loads of smiles and love lying on the grass in front of school, watching the sun set behind vitosha being invited to some magic lantern evening and to lazy sauna saturday and to a walk in the park with a magical couple :) And the big event on Friday looks good...
I am all vibrating with excitement, love and gratitude... and can't stop myself from smiling :)
Sometimes a single line written by someone close can make you happier than thousand words.The simplicity and sincerity of it makes me love him so much! Sometimes...you just need to make some space. Clean and rearange the closet. To let new experiences in.
Why do always the most beautiful souls find love so hard?
question asked - answer given
"Because they just LOVE in another way, like level up. They can sacrifice themselves but not Love principles. They call with the word Love only the Love itself and nothing else. They love because they do - not because they need to. That is why."
i dunno if it is the wrong or the right answer I just know that you were my saviour when I had lost hope now it is my turn to be yours and that what goes around really does come around
inspiring day(I think I told u, there is something in the date of 23rd) :) slumdog millionaire, controversial as it is, won 8 oscars an indian friend invited me to a wedding i am so happy for her and excited to think this is a good reason to buy a new saree, and learn to put it finally :) i might be getting my visa and flying to delhi in a week i had an amazing talk with the most unexpected person on the essence of happiness and how to find it in life outside work and how doing the things we love attracts the right people in our lives i had a lovely chat with a treasured friend. totally random, yet free and cheerful after a long time of some tension hanging in the air. ideas forming in my head. plans for trips buzzing. i think i need to get down to execution :)
- I do not want to stay in India. I can't. I am not really free there. How can I be happy if I cannot be myself... - Then...why do you want to come back? - To search for beauty, inspiration,love, wisdom...To learn.
Sometimes the paths we need to go are longer. But they always lead us to where we should go.
Moving in the black and yellow Ambassador around the evening streets of Delhi. Saying 'goodbye' for a while...God knows how long the while will be. I will miss the place. Although it is dirty and crowded with human bodies. With sorrows and struggles. I have started loving it. One year in India has gone by so quickly, yet it is so full of intense experiences that, when I turn back, I cannot see anything negative. I see faces of people that have grown dear to my heart and that I will always remember and mention in my silent prayers, even if I never see them again. I see lots of love given and recieved.Lots of valuable lessons learned... Maybe this is the reason that I have the sun smiling in my eyes lately...
I would like to thank God for this year, cause it has been, truly, one of the most amazing years of my life. I saw and experienced so much beauty in every form of it - in places, in people, in music, in colours,in tastes, in aromas, in moments. I discovered that I am capable of loving again. And suffering the pain of love. I learned lessons about the world, about life, about love and myself. I was up and down, I laughed loud and cried so hard as if my soul was torn apart. I made stupid, painful mistakes. I forgave people, and loved them, despite circumstances. I hoped and I prayed. I may be got a step closer to the Divine self... Thank you, God, for bringing all this my way. In the new year, I wish for good health for me and my closest people. I wish to find the stregth in me to be a better person. I wish to find the inspiration to create beauty around me and inspire smiles on people's faces. I wish to always find a good word to say to warm a heart. I wish to find the love for life and for people and the excitement of meeting every new day with a smile and new hope:) Happy New Year to everyone!
Woke at around 4 in the morning. I could hear my soul wailing somewhere far. Metaphorically. In fact it was only the street dogs. Suddenly I felt at peace and happy. Woke up and decided not to wait for the others but head for Delhi straight away. Dressed. My Bulgarian tee, the favourite green and white duparta,the hat that is not exactly mine. And the black coiled earring. Just one. As a statement... Went to Landmark and bought a thing i love for a person I love. I love giving presents :) Got on the bus to medical. Listening to Ostava. Started reading "Shantaram" and loved the style. Peeped into the book of the girl sitting next to me. Maths. I had to meet Ricardo and Pauline at Dilli Haat. Was wondering where to go, then the idea just sprang up in my mind. Of course we should go to Dilli Haat. Waiting for them in the sunlight, jotting some names in my gift-list for home...trying not to forget someone and visualizing the meeting with these people. Then, Ricardo and Pauline came, we strolled around Dilli Haat. Devouring the variety of colours and shapes. Scarves, wood, fabrics, leather, kites,jewelery, paper...a see of beautiful items that have caught the spirit of India. I thought of how much I will miss India when I go... We had lunch at one of the restaurants. Huge portions we couldn't finish though I shared mine with a very fat cat and a skinny dog. Remembered how Neeraj told me how he loves the place.*Inner smile:) Remembered how I went there first with Andre and was fascinated. *Inner smile :)We moved to Sarojini market...the familiar crowd and mess, and the memories of waiting for Julie to do her last minute shopping. Pauline bargained furiously for a pair of earrings.We saw a belly-dancer costume. Remembered Pondy trip and the hilarious "dancing night" at the hotel. I really need to learn Indian dances, I made a point to myself. Then, we headed to CP...said goodbye to the guys. Knowing I will meet them someday...somehow:) Walked on the road where we walked together last Sunday. Remembered how beautifully confused and excited u were...Indulged in the pain of the memory. Thought about what Vesi said..."let yourself be sad". Strolled around, listening to Niyaz, thinking of the time we will spend with Vladi when I am back. Simply being happy of where I am. Got into a Coffee Day, ordered a latte and opened Shantaram again. Observed people around as I love doing...Saw that the B8ulgarian lady - Mariana had called me. She happened to be in CP as well...so can we meet for coffee? Thought how much I love accidential meetings. They just make my day :) Mariana was with her husband - the Austrian diplomat and the two kids - a 9-year old girl and 12-year old boy. Pleasant surprise that they greeted me in Bulgarian:) Then - the excitement of speaking my mother tongue to someone I meet for the first time, but I know I connect to. Conversations about life and love and India and Delhi. Where will I live next? Cairo? Istanbul? Funny I never thought of Istanbul in this way :) Sharing pleasant moments and a sinful chocolate cake with this amazing family that has lived here and there... I had to go back to Gurgaon...so I got into an autorick...The driver was nice. Tried to explain me where the cabs stop in Hindi. I believe I should learn a bit of Hindi. As a part of my endeavour of digging deeper into the great Indian soul:) Would be nice to talk to people just like that... Then, I was quite anxious if I will manage to catch the right bus but luckily it came very quickly :) Sat down and had a random (but pleasant) conversation with an Indian boy. I like conversations with strangers in buses and trains :) Just a perfect day...and the happiness of the moments is still lingering in me...
Ok...this is what happened to me in the last week... On Saturday I was a model, ramp-walking in front of all Alcatel-Lucent in NCR employees and their families (around 2500 ppl). Being groomed, dressed up etc etc. It was so much fun!:) I had late conversations with what i believe is a God-sent ambassador. He saved me from ruining the happiness of someone that means a lot to me.Made me realize once again how hard it is to really love. And how far I can go for love... Emo, my ex-team mate from the Bulgarian MC called in and we met and chatted for this and that. People we know and their lives around the world. Our own amazing lives...Feels good to meet someone that u have shared so much with in the past :) I had a wild Friday night out with some colleagues. Almost went to extremes...I needed that! Today I met Alcatel-Lucent global CEO - Ben Vervyaawen. Very energetic and charismatic man! Had breakfast with his wife who is so nice :)No star-attitude, very pleasant to talk to... I also made a decision to move to Delhi. Try to shift my social circle a bit. A friend of a friend from Bulgaria called. She is gonna live in Delhi for the next 4 years. And she seems quite a nice person. So exciting I am going to have someone that speaks my language here :) All in all...pretty amazing :) Now what is left - to get peace of mind...seems to hard at the current state of affairs. I am more and more learning how to use mind control over feelings...Let's see how long I will manage...
I do not believe in happiness as a constanta... Happiness is a fleeting sensation. You need a great skill to make it a state of mind. Every day when I stop to think I realize how blessed I am to have what I have. I realize that I have been to places for which people only dream about. I am hanging aroud with a vibrant young crowd of amazing people from across the world. Maybe I am a bit careless - not worrying too much about the future, not hurrying up the career ladder, not searching for the one to build a family with...not even sure what I want to do for a living. Yet someone said - it is not important how you will feel in future, but how u feel now. Live for the moment! The picture above is from the Indian ocean coast. Spent 3 days there with a bunch of very cool people.Some of them I might not meet again. But the happiness that I felt will linger on :) When I turn back and explore these 9 last months in India...I see a string of such beads of happiness...And a circle of people, spread around the world that I know will always treasure and share this beads of happiness with me. Thank you for being a part of my life!
This is officially our new favourite song. Anca's and mine that is... Enjoy :)
How I wish you could see the potential The potential of you and me It's like a book elegantly bound But in a language you can't read just yet
You got to spend some time, love You got to spend some time with me And I know that you'll find love I will possess your heart
You got to spend some time, love You got to spend some time with me And I know that you'll find love I will possess your heart
There are days when outside your window I see my reflection as I slowly pass And I long for this mirrored perspective When we'll be lovers, lovers at last
You got to spend some time, love You got to spend some time with me And I know that you'll find love I will possess your heart
You got to spend some time, love You got to spend some time with me And I know that you'll find love I will possess your heart
I will possess your heart I will possess your heart
You reject my advances and desperate pleas I won't let you let me down so easily So easily
You got to spend some time, love You got to spend some time with me And I know that you'll find love I will possess your heart
You got to spend some time, love You got to spend some time with me And I know that you'll find love I will possess your heart
You got to spend some time, love You got to spend some time with me And I know that you'll find love I will possess your heart
I will possess your heart I will possess your heart
Just spent the most amazingly lazy Sunday in my life so far. Anca and me whent to Bisha's house for dinner yesterday... Got totally high on wine (and a bit of Baileys). Bulgarian rakia was the absolute hit, everyone taking shots (although i told them they should drink it slowly)...the alcohol in it being around 50 degree...it is easy to grasp that everyone was so happy and smiling and high in no time ;) Then...after the alcoholic devastation, we woke up at around 1 and were about to leave...but then we had lunch...then chai and sweet conversations ranging from matrimonials to what are our plans for the near future and from Indian sweets to politics and Dracula (Anca is Romanian after all) and business plans. Then, when I almost believed we are starting back for Gurgaon, we decided to have dinner...Ridz's cousin Suhil who is working in a hotel, made this amazing mutton with coconut juice...All in all this guy was pretty much spoiling us - making pancakes, tea, chicken soup :) All in all - we did nothing but chill the whole day... It was probably the first time that I have had such a lazy day...and I loved it :)
The colourful kites in the fading Jodhpur sky. Freedom re-defined. Marble as thin and subtle as a whisper. Simple daal and rice eaten with fingers and thus so delicious. Blissful mornings with coffee and meaningless conversations with meaningful people. The colours of Rajastan. Melancholy of fading splendour. Being tired from too much beauty. These people. Their smiles, their gestures,their words. true moments of fleeting happiness I just managed to catch :)
On a Saturday morning, a list of 45 things that really make u happy...
1. Falling in love. 2. Laughing so hard your face hurts. 3. A hot shower. 4. No lines at the supermarket. 5. A special glance. 6. Getting mail. 7. Taking a drive on a pretty road. 8. Hearing your favorite song on the radio. 9. Lying in bed listening to the rain outside. 10. Hot towels fresh out of the dryer. 11. Chocolate milkshake (vanilla or strawberry). 12. A bubble bath. 13. Giggling. 14. A good conversation. 15 The beach 16. Finding a 20 dollar bill in your coat from last winter. 17. Laughing at yourself. 18. Looking into their eyes and knowing they LOVE you 19 Midnight phone calls that last for hours. 20. Running through sprinklers. 21. Laughing for absolutely no reason at all. 22. Having someone tell you that you're beautiful. 23. Laughing at an inside joke with FRIENDS 25. Accidentally overhearing someone say something nice about you. 26. Waking up and realizing you still have a few hours left to sleep. 27. Your first kiss (either the very first or with a new partner). 28. Makiig new friends or spending time with old ones. 30. Having someone play with your hair. 31. Sweet dreams. 32. Hot chocolate. 33. Road trip with friends. 34. Swinging on swings. 35. Making eye contact with a cute stranger. 36. Making chocolate chip cookies. 37. Having your friends send you homemade cookies. 38. Holding hands with someone you care about. 39. Running into an old friend and realizing that some things (good or bad) never change. 40. Watching the expression on someone's face as they open a much desired present from you. 41. Watching the sunrise. 42. Getting out of bed every morning and being grateful for another beautiful day. 43. Knowing that somebody misses you. 44. Getting a hug from someone you care about deeply. 45. Knowing you've done the right thing, no matter what other people think.
A lot of friends are leaving these days. Closer friends, or just people that I like. People that have become a part of my life in a way. Torill...Nata...Isabel... soon Neeraj...Francois...Henk...Julie...Peter...Burcu...Jenny... Our "home" in Gurgaon is constantly changing, and I am trying to keep a stiff upper lip, cause if I start to cry about everyone who is leaving, the monsoon will look like a drizzle. So many people leaving made me think about all my friends I have around the world. And brings back so many sweet memories, but also raises the question... Will I be able to spend quality time with these people again? How much have we changed? Will I be able to call them friends? It will never be the same again... But why does it have to be the same? You tought me one important lesson - live for the moment and cherish every single second you have spent with the people you love. Now this lesson is back to remind me I should learn to let go. Neeraj said something really beautiful:"I want to be happy and to be sad, to enjoy every minute of the happiness and sadness, cause only then I will know I have lived" We meet people for a reason...maybe this is the answer to a long-posted question.
In India I have met another fairy. She is subtle, tender, almost transperent. Just as I would imagine a fairy to be. Today she made me a miraculous massage. Just like that, without asking for anything, saying it is a pleasure for her. I have never been a physical person (mening that I have always considered myself body-less and more spiritual, but the massage made me think of a communication on a different level. What if your hands can speak? What if they are your universal language to getting to know someone? Could you understand people just by touching them? I felt in another dimention. It had nothing to do with the physical touch,it was the tenderness of a fairy tale. Merci beaucoup, ma cherie :)
Yesterday we celebrated Holi or Festival of Colours. It is a holiday all across North India that marks the beginning of spring and it is among the most colourful and amusing of all holidays in the country. On Holi everyone here plays with the colours of the rainbow. Coloured powder is available for 10 rupees everywhere, so are water-guns that people fill with coloured water :) To be prepared for the colourful war that was about to burst during the day, we put some old clothes and put some coconut oil on our bodies so the paint didn't stick ;) Unfortunately our landlord and his brother took us by surprise and ...you can see what we were like before we even left for the real party :) The real party was in a farmhouse near Delhi...with a nice lawn and pool. We had drinks and food included in the entrance free and a DJ...so it was the party anyone could dream of. Of course it went mad at some point, after we had "bang" (lasie with marijuana) served. The pool was full of people dancing and the water had the incredible colour of...something indescribable :) (i don't dare to think what the chemical elements in the water were :) ) Well...I don't believe I am going to play with colours again...it is a bit too messy. Yet it was a life-time experience I would recommend to everyone :)
...simple things. Long conversations over a huge cup of Mocca with a German girl that I didn't know a month ago (Thanks Kat:)) Hearty laughs over the stories of a Spanish guy I just met. Driving back home on a bike. Writing an e-mail to my friends on the balcony, with the wind blowing. My new set of bangles. The challenges at work. Having spent 1500 Rs on books (Lonely planet guide on India and Love in the time of cholera). The anticipation of reading Khaled Houseini's "A thousand splendid suns". Not knowing what will happen to me in one year and still being sure I have so many oportunities. Having seen Jodha Akbar- a naive 3-hour long love story, I didn't understand any conversation in, as it was all in Hindi. Learning something new every day. It is so simple and beautiful. Then...why do we go and make it complicated.
Well, I admit I am guilty for not writing here, but well...I got so addicted to my Bulgarian blog that it is hard to switch :)Besides, Being on Facebook, Twitter and everywhere else is quite tiring sometimes.One has to keep addictions in a certain limit :) I don't want to end up blogging all day, instead of doing something more meaningful. Hm...I have some stories to tell. Lets see where I can start and K.I.S.S. (meaning I will try to keep at short and simple as possible)
Been to the beautiful Budapest in the middle of October. Wonderful Central European city. Magnificent autumn. I would love to go again, along with my collegue Assya, who lived there for a year. She will be the best guide to some nice unexplored places:)Oh, and it is really unnecessarily expensive! Some pictures:
Started Yoga classes. It is fun. I can feel my back again. I realize that I have muscles:) The exercises are simple, but effective. I feel relaxed after. Megan says that there are also some side effects ( Hope she is joking actually;) )
Been two AIESEC conferences
I guess you realize when you are going old when you start going only to the parties of the AIESEC conferences. Well, I went for two - at the Local Introductory seminar of Technical University and at ACT. Actually I was one of the organizers of the alumni party at ACT. Surprisingly so many people came - around 50 alumni! Good try for a first time, I should say ;)
Applied for my first AIESEC internship It is the position of Communications executive with Alcatel-Lucent in India. Passed the first intervew and I am getting more and more excited :) Is my life going to change so drastically? I want it, but in the same time I am a bit scared. It is surely a challenge!
That's all for now...I hope I will find why blogger wouldn't upload my pictures :(
This is just to give you a tiny hint of the crazy party I went to yesterday night. It was a double birthday party:) I think that maybe 30 or 40 people came and we were dancing like crazy :) Just great!
This weekend I really felt the summer for the first time here in Sofia. I mean summer in its "chill out" sense. I listened to nice music - Arabic chillout, Gotan project and Chambao. I read two e -mails - from Emo (who is in Dubai) and from Mimka (that one reminded me so much of my visit to Krakow). They made me happy :) I made a small present to a friend. I met some friends and we went to the wonderful places like Coffee house where I drank delicious Ice-vanilla. I drank Mojito in the late afternoon. I went to Mediterani and sat there, on the leather sofas, in the coolness of the cellar, listening to relaxing music. I strolled to the park (Borisova garden) and walked barefooted on the grass. I found a bench and sat reading there. I was observing the people. Writing. Listening to music. I went to drink mint and sprite with some friends at a very nice part of the park - Lodki. It was as if the time had stopped and I was not quite sure we are in Sofia, actually. Then I took the long way home with Mitko. We walked for about 30 minutes through dusky and almost deserted Sofia boulevards. Amazing :)
You might be wondering at the strange post and who is the girl at the picture and why is the picture mutilated like that.
The answer is simple: I consider this blog my own space and I do not accept anyone, even closest friends to censor it. My feelings are really very positive, but one cannot accept me to agree to remove a certain picture from here just because "I do not want my picture to be on your blog". Or at least - demanding in this manner is not the right way to do so. How about politely explaining why you wouldn't like your picture to be there (is it insulting for you?) instead of just giving orders... I removed the picture from this post, as, however furious I was at Zayo qualifying me as childish etc. and no matter that I really feel that she acted very agressively in this case - I still respect her. I hope she will not protest against the other picture I put in the post, anyway... If she does, I will be careful not to put any picture of a friend here. Problem is, I still do not understand what the problem with the picture was:)
Yesterday I was invited to a gay bachelor's party. I dunno why immediately when I heard the invitation I pictured myself among 20 gays and lesbians and one stupid man-streaper. It gave me the shivers just to imagine that:) And I am not homo-fobic. Let's just say - enough is enough for now with gay friends!
The following video is the exam performance of a very ambitious young guy I happened to know through Internet. He is studying in the National Academy for Theatre and Film and wants to be a director. Recently he won a prize for a new, unpublished novel. He also enjoys making photographs. Here is the video, which I think is quite fresh :)
Well...here I am, back from that amazing journey in the wonderful Krakow... I knew nothing about the city when I started my journey, now I am full of stories and beauty:) Indeed, the pictures are here. What should I say - Krakow is one of the cities that make you feel at home almost immediately when you get off the bus. It has a wonderful atmosphere - of something ancient, historical and in the meantime - bohemian and cosmopolitan. Lots of tourists (especially British hooligans, whose sole goal is to get drunk:) ) so the people of Krakow avoid the Ryinek Glovny (the Main Square) and its surroundings. Anyways, as I had to explore it by myself, I should say - these were wonderful days of discovering beauty at expected and unexpected places. Things I will surely remember (and some of them deserve a separate post here): - The city is very compact - if you know the main square - you can get easily to any other place in the centre:) - Lots of parks, accessibility for bikes and 24-buses - All the time - life is burning and sizzling everywhere in the streets. Maybe because it was the 750th anniversary of the establishment of the city...Or maybe it is always like that. Especially at the Ryinek Glovny - action is always around in people dancing, performing, singing or playing some instrument. - Nice little streets with nice tiny cafes where u can just sit with a book and drink a cappucino , forgetting about the time - Interesting museums ( I only visited three though) but guided tours are preferrable (in some museums, like the Museum of Krakow history almost all writings are in Polish, which, excuse me, is a VERY tough language!) Well,I really cannot say it all in one post...but if I have to say it in one sentence it might be: I LOVE KRAKOW :)
Today was one of those days... You know what I am talking about - the days that are all full of little nice surprises and accidental meetings that make you happy:) Well, going out to the office (as today is a normal working day, as tomorrow will be) I saw on the front door that my first postcrossing card had arrived from Finland:) Yupee! I walked a bit down the street and just bumped in an old friend I have lost completely track of:) It was great to get her mobile number again (last time I tried to call, some guy picked up and insisted that there is "no such girl here") :) Then, I had to work a bit...well, I really do not like working on weekends, but my trip to Krakow has to be compensated with an extra workload obviously. After work I met a friend and we visited the "book fair" in the National palace of culture. I bought five (yes, five ;) ) books - mostly children's books - Karlson, who lives at the roof, one Bulgarian book, Winnie the Pooh's Dao and Pigglet's D and one 'serious' book by Haruki Murakami :) I decided to visit some friends in Studentski grad and while travelling met one of the sweet salsa instructors. I have never talked to him much, so it was cool to discuss books and stuff. Actually on the bus back I met him once again, which was rather funny :) I realized that the Placebo concert will take place on the 18th June (not 15th as I first understood), so...if my bus comes back from Poland in the right hour, I might be able to get to the concert! I want it so much... Then, on coming back home I found another postcard from an unknown girl lying on my table. A beautiful photo of Lisbon (which I want to visit so much). I love such days - they show me that sometimes things just happen. When you need them to.
Today I accidentially decided to go out for coffee with Stassy. Should have guessed that she is going to bring some Erasmus students along... So here we were - me, Stassy, Galya , Jasmina (Austria), Sebastian (Germany) and a Spanish girl (whose name I forgot, but she was sweet). We went to Apart:mental - it was rather nice, seemed that the teens don't go there so much already. I drank coffee with some liqueur - I do not know what do they do - but it is always marvelous! We talked a lot about traveling, well...let's say already I have some kind of ideas for travel plans for the summer...Istanbul, Budapest and Belgrade were the first three destination. No it is all a matter of organizing ourselves.Which...indeed is not so easy, but we have to manage! Then, we went into the nearby garden of "Ugo" where we met Mareike with two other Germans. The girl happened to write a thesis on Media issues and she had met two of my collegues!The world is really so small:) Then, Vladi promised to drive us home with his car. Yet, he is not a very experienced driver and not without the help of Stassy we got lost 2 times:) It was great fun though! Tomorrow I am leaving for Turnovo:) I intend to explore some of the streets of the old part of the town I haven't been to...Keep fingers crossed for good weather and expect pictures :)
Today we made an improvised visit to Bonjour shop and Stel4eto bought a box of chocolate truffels. I love chocolate, and truffels are one very nice way to consume chocolate... Obviously - it was the same with Sevi and Stel4eto - so in less than 5 minutes the truffles were gone and we were covered with chocolate :) Here is a short photo-story of this notable event!
Let us see what is in the box...
Sevi: "I hope this doesn't have too much calories in it..."
This weekend it was labour day. In fact - 1st of may was Tuesday, but we had 4 days off (Saturday to Tuesday). I spent the Saturday writing...It took me 9 hours to write a Profile of a person - I never imagined it could be so time-consuming. Now I understand why writers are so self-contained. Then, Sunday I went back home, as Mury came to visit me. It was rather strange, as just a few minutes after getting on home ground, I met Alx4o, then Kremba, Lili and Velislava. Obviously - Turnovo is a small town and everybody comes back for the weekend. In the next days I met Nasko and part of AIESEC VTU, one girl I had met on the BWB Enterpreneurship classes, one collegue of my mother and Ogi (Megan's friend). Maybe I am missing someone... Well, indeed it was crowded in Turnovo - it seems that my hometown is becoming a popular tourism destination. Which on one side is good. But from another point of view...not so much so... The first day (Monday) we went to drink coffee in my favourite Turkish coffee shop - there coffee is prepared on hot sand. It is really nice, and the host is a very welcoming lady. After the great coffee, we went to the popular "40 marthyrs church". It has been renovated recently and the bones of the Bulgarian tzar Kaloyan have been re-buried there. I was quite surprised that the entrance to the place costs 5 levs (I think the last time I went to the museum it cost only 1 or 2 levs). Anyway - I wouldn't be so frustrated if the money we paid was worth it. But indeed, besides having the Omurtag column and some icons...it was a strange thing that the builders decided to leave the electricity sockets visible...As a whole - it was made too modern. And...as anywhere in Bulgaria...not much information boards. Then, after the Church, we passed through the Vladishki bridge - a wooden bridge I was once very scared to approach.I thought that it might break and I might fall in Yantra. Well...I almost overcame this...not fully it seems. We reached the other bank of the river, near St Dimitar Church. It was really nice and calm, but also a bit sad...as there were a lot of houses fallinga apart. I dunno why I really feel sad when I see a beautiful old house falling apart:( After our walk we tried to find a place at the "Shtastlivetza" restaurant, one of the most famous Turnovo restaurants with wonderful huge salads and a beautiful view towards Asenevci monument and the old part of the town. But...of course...no places left. We went to another place, but what made us a great impression was that instead of enjoying their meal together people were making scandals, pushing the waitresses to work faster (as if if you cook at home, it will take you no time). It was rather unpleasant. Then, pretty tired, we went to the Asenevci monument, where the previous night there was a concert organised by one of the Bulgarian political parties. It was rather disgusting, cause obviously nobody cared to clean after... On coming back home, we watched "The march of the emperors".Mury obviously didn't like it...Well..some movies are not made for everyone :) The next day we went to the Central mall (I am almosta specialist on malls, I just had to show our mall to Mury ). Rather boring...I really do not like the mix of shops there... Then, we finally found places in "Shtastliveca" and happily had lunch...then we made a little walk down Gurko, making lots of funny pictures (Which can be seen on Flickr) It was a rather nice weekend...Thank you my dearest Mury for the nice time spent together:)
Yesterday I was invited to the birthday celebration of one of the people I appreciate most in AIESEC - my first "boss" Petia. When I first met her, I wondered how it was possible for such a tiny fragile girl to be so firm and straightforward! I have been wondering ever since. She is such a nice person and I hope she is lucky in life:) Just a short note how we spend her birthday... First we went to "Krivoto" ...ah, it was so tough to resist all these delicious things.And...well, finally we didn't resist. We were only women with just one guy - Johnny. It was Petia, Megan, Sevi, Liana (the sweet Armenian trainee), Maya and Stassy. Stassy gave Petia a very well packed present:) Here is Petya trying to unwrap it... Step 1: "Let's see what is in here" Step 2: "C'mon, open up!" Step 3: "Finally:)What a nice surprise!"
After that, we went to "Bar at the end of the world" to dance at some retro music. It was rather nice, especially as John behaved as a real gentleman, and ordered champaigne for everyone. I will be waiting for some pictures... When we were saying goodbye something Petia said something that warmed my heart. "Thank you. My friends are my happiness". What else do I need to be happy than making some other person happy!
Now, it is high time I said Happy Easter, I guess :) Apart from all the Eastern -Western traditions that are mixing right now in Bulgaria, I really like Easter. Maybe I am not so convinced in the existence of the Easter bunny (and I really do not know what is the role of the Easter bunny, frankly)and I didn't take part in the colouring of the Easter eggs this year but... I LOVE EASTER Because it is a spring holiday. It is a feast of resurrection and renewed hope. It is a time of the year when beauty blossoms all around. You should not feel sad at this date. Everything is colourful, everybody -smiling :) And I am back in my hometown, taking all the incredible atmosphere it has to give me. From the Christian point of view, Christ's resurrection is even more miraculous than his birth. It is also a time of spending precious minutes with the family and closest friends. And for self-reflection. Have I been good enough? Am I doing my best? Is this what I want to do? Am I not envious sometimes? Questions questions questions crossing my mind all the time... Sometimes I wonder what questions other people ask themselves...Are they the same as mine?Or completely different?
Today I just thought... what if I decided to go travelling a bit... well...I could go to so many interesting places where I have some friends doing an AIESEC traineeship... ...Belgium - I can visit Gery and Belha and of course Maggie ...Poland - Mimka is having so much fun in Krakow it is contageous ...A4o - he is going to Marceille and then to Italy ...Drago - is in Bon, Germany and Emi - in Prague. Well, Adi is a bit too far away in Sri Lanka...but there's always a way:) Tony is going to London soon... Yep, I guess the promotion message that was on one of the AIESEC posters is true: The world REALLY IS our playground!
I just came back from BLDS 2007. It was really a wonderful experience I will surely remember for a while. First of all, it was wonderful, because I was invited to speak in a panel with some of the people I admire most in AIESEC - former MCPs that shaped this organisation in Bulgaria and also great personalities. I felt so honoured to be there among them. Another reason I was happy was that I saw friends - old and new ones being there, smiling and having fun. I always get so excited when I see so many great people at one place! I just wanted to hug and kiss everybody, to talk to everybody...Unfortunately time is never enough at AIESEC conferences to do that! I wish I could keep the spirit longer. And I should say that... Thank GOD that I enetered AIESEC and met all these amazing people! :)
I hate being so emotional. Every time I loose a friend I die... And I feel so desperate... I guess it hurts even more knowing that you cannot do anything about it.
As I mentioned in my previous post, I went on a trip to Plovdiv for the weekend. I just needed to get out of Sofia, to collect my thoughts, so I can take one very important decision about my career. Well, I dunno if I managed to decide. But for sure I had fun and I am inspired. Yesterday morning I managed to wake up at around 8.30, shower and pack my bag with basic survival stuff - you know - towel, toothbrush, camera and MP3 Player, a book and a sketchbook (it seems I will be back to drawing) some colour pens (I didn't have much time for that, though :( ). Boris was really kind to meet me at the bus station (frankly didn't expact that someone will bother to meet me...)We had lunch and a fast walk-around the old part of Plovdiv. I really like the atmosphere of the place, yet I cannot get rid of the feeling that the old part of Veliko Turnovo is more well-preserved, more tourist appealing than this one. After that Angel drove us to Boris's place, where we had nice coffee and I finally met his so-much-talked-about (or famous) dog Uma. She is rather sweet, just the type of dog I like - not very small, yet not a huge one. Angel and I went to the "Education fair" and I saw (finally) the famous Plovdiv fair. I really liked it - it looked like an University campus or some big open-air museum... We walked around a bit, then met with Tony,Svil, Desi and Boris and had dinner. Then - we headed for Angel's place to watch a DVD. The choice of the film was rather...hm...strange "There is something about Mary". Quite a stupid one, yet we had fun. Angel has a nice white kitty, but I think the poor animal is a bit stressed by him. He is too anxious and she feels that. I took her and I tried to stay calm...so she calmed down too.I like cats falling asleep in my arms:) Angel's place was really so cool...and the bed was lovely...eeeh... But sooner or later you just have to wake up and go to EB elections.
These LC plovdiv EB elections were a bit unpreparied, but I stayed only for the LCP speeches. Both candidates seem to me wonderful people, but it made me a very bad impression that their speeches were rather too short, lacked structure and profound message. Anyway. AIESEC for sure is not what it used to be. Sadly. Then, I made a wonderful walk alone. I explored the Old Plovdiv ...as you can see by the pictures.Nice place. Feels like home. Angel asked me what do I like about old house so much and I said - I guess their history and atmosphere, the stories they tell... I managed to get to the bus stop at around 3,30...and while I was wondering how the crowd of people is going to fit in the bus...I thought I saw Gery standing some meters away from me. No, it was not possible!I must be halucinating. Gery is in Belgium, on a traineeship, not in Plovdiv...Such an accidential meeting couldn't be!Well, it seemed it could!It was her, and we travelled back to Sofia together. She had been to the wedding of one of her friends in Plovdiv and is going back to Brussels on Tuesday! Oh, I love meetings like that so much... Now I am home, preparing mentally for the working week, trying to take a final decision on the question that is bothering me, willing to draw a picture or two, listening to Madredeus (very nice music), trying to upload some pictures on flickr ( which wouldn't upload, I dunno why). Ah, back to reality, but everything seems so different. Like a rebirth... Enjoy your week:)
It has been a nice week:) I had the usual dose of stress at work but I didn't care so much. There were two Bulgarian holidays - the first of march (Baba Marta) when we all tie up the red&white strings (martenitzi) and make wishes. As far as I know there is a tradition like that in Serbia...Correct me if I am wrong, please. Also, the 3rd of March is the Bulgarian liberation day. So, I had the reason to be in a festive mood most of the week (especially the later part of it)... Another good reason - the OSTAVA concert I went to on Friday eve. I accidentially met Katya - a very crazy girl...and the night ended at around 6.30:)Britpop and after that eating "shkembe chorba" (sorry, no translation to that, but anyway - you have to tast it - it is impossible to be explained) with lots of garlic - luckily I didn't eat that. Some hours ago I watched The last King of Scotland - a deeply moving picture, telling the story of an African dictator in Uganda, killing more than 300 000 people while ruling the country. Some things made me happy... -> I watched Irka's pictures from IPM. I love them!!! -> I tied martenitsi to almost all of my collegues :) -> I learned that Adi is going on a traineeship. We'll have a party - yupeee:) -> I saw one friend with his girl. She had that long blong hair...so sweet -> I decided to apply for a faci of an AIESEC seminar -> I learned that, even though at work my direct boss doesn't show much appreciation of my efforts, there are people that consider me valuable and would like to work with me if possible And some things made me sad... My Dad has serious heart problems.That scares me so much! Some of my friends are so far away from me.I have no idea if they are all right, what is happening... I still do not feel at peace with myself But still - I am waiting to see what this week has got in store for me! Have a great, sunny and smiling week everyone :)
Sometimes you have a feeling for things before they happen... Today I felt quite retrospective. Remembering IPM in the Netherlands. Thinking how time has flown for me. 365 days have passed since my first post here - I found that while searching the archives.
A lot has changed. I feel AIESEC quite distant now. I am working a completely different job from I had imagined - yet quite challenging and interesting. I was disillusioned. I am excited. I will not be at this IPM , but still I am really excited. Cause some people I can call friends are running for AI. Cause my successor has chosen the difficult path of building something from scrach. Cause Egypt will gather 200 great people at one place and the feeling will be amazing.
Like it was at our MCP "crying" session in the Netherlands. I remember everyones face. More than 50 people and almost everyone with tears in their eyes. Grateful tears. I am so happy to have been there. And I am quite sure these people have stayed as great as I knew them. I sincerely hope they are all OK, no matter where around the world. Among friends, who could not be OK :)
Previous night at two a.m. one of the leaders I admire most in AIESEC in Bulgaria - the MCP in term 2001-2002 Pavel Panov (Pafo) became a father for the first time. His sweet wife Dony gave birth to a daughter - Gabriela. I really wish her to have a very happy and sunny childhood and ...who knows...maybe when she grows up she will become an AIESECer as well:)
Well, I have been a bit lazy this week in blogging.But I will try to sum it up in one post. It has been quite a strange week for me - without a proper desire to work- i guess there are times like that that you can heardly concentrate. Yet, seems it was good in terms of my job - as I understood from my boss my salary is rising (just a bit:P) and this - in a way - means they are satisfied with my work. I also understood that in future I will have to write extensively in the i-net isssue and keep a real estate blog. Seems like a great challenge to me, so I am gonna give it a try. I was a bit disappointed with some stuff happening in the office, but, as I talked to friends they all told me that it is like that everywhere... But, my word was not for work though.
Social life:) This week seems to be quite full, compared to previous one. And really nice. On tuesday, I went to a very pleasant Cuban night in one new place - Tea house. It was like a dream come true - Cuban music (not only salsa),Cuban food ( i ate ham with caramel and pineapple:) ) and ...of course RUM! No pics of course, I was too busy to enjoy!Just one, made by my collegue - to give u an idea of what the place feels like. Then, to skip the working week ...friday night was an experience - we went with a friends to eat Chineese. I once again thought how much I love the Chineese people for that wonderful food:)After, we moved to a place that I cannot call exactly a bar, as it is a bit too underground. It is called "Hambara" (something like a "Barn)and it lit only by candles. I met some people I haven't seen for a long time.And we had a few nice drinks and talks.
Later, we moved to a disco - "Alcohol". It was cool, though crowded and the music was strange - too much techno.However - we really had a good time there as well. Saturday was tres legere - again walking around, shopping, eating sweet stuf ...mmm:) And today - a wonderful ending of the week. I went to drink coffee at one of my favourate places - ONDA. Met a friend there,whom I thought gone abroad. The evening was full of beauty, as we went to watch the Bulgarian ice-skating champions - Albena Denkova and Maxim Stavisky. They were marvelous!So much beauty and grace...it was as if I was in another world. Besides them there were some other couples - an Italian one (these guys, I can bet, were born on ice!), a Russsian one (he was swinging the girl in such a dangerous way...I couldn't watch), an Ukrainian one ( they did amazing acrobatics, I have never imagined that someone can balance on ice like that). There were also some other Bulgarian skater - they were also pretty talented. And two funny French guys. One of them danced pretending to be a 3-year old girl.He had this pink ballet skirt - so funny:) Of course, my camer was not good enough to make proper pictures, but soon I hope to receive some from friends I was with. But just if you have some time...and to give you a very little idea of the experience I had - see Albena and Maxim perform their free dance at the 2006 olympics. Enjoy! And have an inspired week, full of beauty:)
44 people applying and so many people I like and care about on the list:) It seems I will have to read lots of applications (thank God they have some limits to their writing:) So - PAI candidates Hm...Nice surprise with Jarda - I think he is a very smart and balanced guy so - he is a strong one:) Go CEE!!! Gabica - well - that is cool - I dunno when AIESEC had a woman president for the last time. Ryan - I don't know him very well, but my impressions from the IPM 2006 presentation and talks during the conference - he is also a strong candidate. Dey - no comment. I cannot say i am surprised. I always believed that repeating mandates contributes to sustainability in AIESEC :)
Directors: Some people - I knew they were going to run for that - Deniss and Ali.I already wished them good luck, I will do it again now. But Ioana, Ivan, JC, Lars and Tamer were a surprise:)
Vice-presidents: Here I cannot be objective:) especially in the ER field. Irka, I believe in you, I wish you to show the best of you at the presentation. I know that if you wish for something really strong - it happens :)
So- good luck to all. I am really sad that I won't be able to see the speeches, cos the ones on IPM 2006 held some of the most inspiring minutes in my AIESEC career.
Nevermind. Let the right people be at the right positions - to move AIESEC forward. Or to move the rest of the world forward too...
Sometimes a hug is what I really need. Like now... I am so tired of people being so artificial and official. That's why I want you to watch this and imagine as if I am giving you a big hug :)
I had a very nice Sushi XP with Boris and Angel :) I had a chat some time ago with Angel and he promised he will cook for me. To my surprise, he kept his promise and on coming to Sofia this weekend announced "I will teach u how to prepare sushi" And then, I was sent for products (it was too good to be true - a guy cooking and having all the products ready :P)I had to buy cucumbers, salmon and avocado. I went through the whole ciry centre without finding the avocado (and reseived a solid reproach from the cook afterwards). Then, the preparation was cool. Angel had brought with him some sticks and taought us how to eat with them ( my favourite part was me, dropping the food in the soya sause, as Boris didn't stop bulshitting:)- it wasn't a very elegant way of eating, anyway...) Indeed, what I think is needed for a good sushi might be the following: rice (special type) fish cucumbers special seaweed to stuff the rice in avocado (if u can find) a nice guy, willing to teach u how to cook (REQUIRED) another nice guy, doing nothing but making u laugh (PREFERRED) Well, I guess the "sushi" lovers already have 1000 reasons to hate me, so I will stop here. Just before I leave - a HUGE THANK YOU , guys, for the sushi XP ( better than AIESEC XP maybe :) ). I hope u enjoyed it as much as I did!
Well, as I seem to be tagged (or whatever it is called - i will be really thankful if someone explains me this:)as I am a new blogger)by Geri...so I guess I have to continue :) So, without further ado: I am thinking about... something I just read…
I said...to the person I really love in such a crazy way "Here is the lyrics of Post Blue by Placebo, just to let u know how I feel, just in case u care"
I want to...get rid of the part of myself that makes me too melancolic and prone to depressions and crying at times.
I wish....people took more time to get to know each other on a personal level.
I miss...my childhood days.
I hear... the lamps in the office whispering, my collegue arranging a beer with his friend on the phone.
I wonder...if I will soon meet someone that will be able to love at least with the half of the love I could give.
I regret…...that sometimes I am thinking too much for stupid stuff.
I am... just Sve - a whole tiny little world to be discovered. Anyone interested?
I dance...sometimes at home, sometimes in the office, on the streets when I listen to cuban music...and in discos.I usually go crazy. I was meant to be a dancer.Too bad I do not have the figure for that:)
I sing...in the shower of course. And on the streets. And love singing - it is a gift of God.
I cry...too much. And often, when I cry, I feel something just breaks in me.In a way that my soul hurts.
I am not always...sure I am a person that you would call "normal"
I write...to understand myself and the world around me. To ease the pain.
I confuse...well, last thing I confused was the name of a very important guy and his secretary called and shouted at me.
I need...a long break with the things that are part of my world. New and interesting people to know.
I should try...being more bitchy:) I finish...this post with the hope that I will be able to post interesting posts soon (no time...:()
My dearest Mury, a friend from my first year as EB in LC Varna is going away. I will miss her...And be happily surprised when I receive a postcard from a part of the world I have no idea of ...When she went to the ocean liner for the first time I received a message "I love u so much even in Sothhampton".Without a signiture. I was wondering who could love there...until she called and the mystery was solved. We are lauthing every time when we remember. Then, the postcards really came at the most unexpected time, when I was really overwhelmed with AIESEC work and problems. And they made my day. Good to have such friends, that you know will be caring for you even after a lot of years, even if you are miles away. Still,it hurts so much sometimes when u see that they are unhappy or confused with their lives and u know that u do not have the right to interfere...to give advice, to make decisions instead of them. As, I strongly believe, no matter how close you feel to a person, no matter how much you love and support each other, you are alone in your hardest times, the decisions you have to make that change your life you make them alone. That is the price of being a free man.
Since last Friday I am staying at a friend's place in Varna. This is a short break before I sign a contract which will allow me to go on vacation after...only 8 months...which means April 2007 the earliest:) And I am starting to plan from now to go on ISP in Croatia in the summer:P Yet, now , I am in Varna, before my final thesis on Friday and trying to enjoy myself... Me and Mury (my friend) are having fun - just relaxing, walking on the beach, talking...She will leave to work on an ocean liner for 6 months. I am somehow worried about her, as she is so fragile.I know she will handle it, but on the other hand I must admit that I wouldn't stand to go through what she has gone - be away from my family and friends, have a hard job and noone to lean on.
Walking in Varna, strangely, brings me memories mostly of my times in AIESEC. Maybe it is not so abnormal - after all my years at university were mainly AIESEC years. But the strange thing is that I almost do not have memories, or at least I do not feel so much for my 4-year relationship. The streets I am walking, the places I go to...I hardly seem to connect them to times, spent with my boyfriend. Sofia, on the contrary burdens me with memories, connected with a very painful emotional experience. Maybe that is why I feel so free here - no memories, no painful pictures, sounds and words.Only shadows of happy days, being satisfied with the love I had. What made me change this? Why did I run after a dream? Or maybe, I am always running... At least, I have the sea. It stays there. No matter where I may run...
Saturday was quite a nice experience. At first I woke up with a bit of an anxiety, as I had to meet with Cveti for the financial documents of the previous MC term. Financial stuff always makes me feel uneasy, as everything I do not understand very well...I guess it's normal, anyway:) It turned out to be a nice meeting (at least for me) - Cveti calmed me down and I felt that at least someone knows what is going on more profoundly than me. After that I went to see Sevi and we had lunch together:) Then, I went with Peca to the National Gallery to see the Exhibition of Ivan Murkvichka paintings (150 years since he was born). It was really marvelous! I saw pictures I have seen as a child in my history books and I never imagined I would see them for real. Some of them were so good that tears started coming to my eyes - so great was the gift of the master, that the portraits I saw were like real, living people! And, as I was walking through the Gallery halls (it has once been King's residence) I was wondering how was it arranged, what was the furniture when people were living there in the beginning of 20th sentury... After this wonderful experience we went to drink a cocktail in Toba:co ( which is just behind the gallery) and then - for a little walk in my favourite streets in the central part. ...then - coffee at Onda... Peca had bought me a birthday present - a purple scarf:) In the evening - we went out for a beer with Drago, Stassy and some Canadian guy that Drago met in Croatia. Some more people came and we went to a nice underground place, called "Hambara". Then - Sevi kidnapped me to some very strange "private party" which took place in a wonderful patio at "Tzar Samuil" street. It was lit only by candles...And the stars... Some AIESEC alumni were gathered there, drinking Russian vodka with caviar and discussing "low-profile" and "high-profile" societies... Then, we decided to go to the birthday party of some girl I have never met - she had been in AIESEC as well (mafia:))... We went to EXIT disco. I felt so bored by discos...but we had a little bit of dancing... At the end Luzmita had a bit of a "polite conversation" with the guards ( every second word was "mutra" - meaning a very dumb, criminal guy)and we left. So that was it...my nice Saturday:)
There must be some truth when people say that the attitude influences the things that happen to you during the day. Today was an example on that. In the morning we went to see a flat, and - we found our home. A nice - two room apartment in the centre of Sofia, with a view to Alexander Nevski cathedral from one of the terrases. The owner is an artist - and the place is really cosy. Seems that God again has thought about it ;)To place artistic people in artistic house :) Since the morning, a huge burden fell off my heart and I started to feel happy and excited. Then, we went to have coffee in one of the small streets of Sofia - just opposite Dani's ( a nice tiny restaurant). I love these small streets. They are so timless...I felt as if I am not in Sofia and it is not Tuesday:) There was a couple - a woman in her 40ies ( when I saw her I thought how ruthless time is - it was clear that she had been beautiful some years ago, but now...) and a man, maybe in his 50ies and they were speaking French. It was quite interesting. To chat like that not in your native language, but in French... Then, at work - Jana had a birthday and me and Hrisi prepared a little surprise - a wooden elephant with stick-it notes. Jana was so happy. And, shame on us - we ate so much ice-cream - a whole box of half a kilo... Then, I was thinking over that strange situation - I don't have a boyfriend for a year now, yet I have been emotionally entangled in something like a "relationship". I have considered myself "single" yet was I really single??? Anyways - after an afternoon of taking an online course at on reporting basics, I was given an interesting task on international transportation.Will start the research tomorrow. I received a farewell mail from Mike and it made me feel how great the people I have met in AIESEC are. And how happy I am to have had the chance to meet them. And now, I am going to see Mimka and the two CEEDers from UK and Poland that are now in Plovdiv. Seems that my positive mood from the morning is giving results all through the day :)
A little more than a month left to the start of the 11th Balkan Youth Festival. I have taken part in the 9th one (which was the last to be held in Gabrovo) as a facilitator and I have very sweet memories from there: ...using my creativity to make a group of 45-year-old ladies and 18-year-old teenagers reach one conclusion on the role of young people in the media ...preparing a presentation on Johnny's laptop that didn't have Bulgarian phonetic and I had to learn BDS overnight:) ...being a roommate with Mimka and having great fun (while discussing the guys from the Italian metal band), building a friendship that is going to last ...meeting about a hundred crazy volunteers, scouts and hanging around with them ...having great parties at "Hot Spot" ...meeting (completely by chance) Emo from PIF - oh, these beautiful eyes:) ...getting to know "KariZma" and seeing Miro dance on a bar and waiting with a crazy teenager girl for him to be announced a scout in 7.30 in the morn:P And the trip to Sokolovo monastery and "Etara" ethnographic museum of course... And then, previous year - 2005, the first festival in Sandanski. ...the first business meeting with Emi that lasted...i don't know how many hours but at the end I was wondering how this thing is going to happen when this woman is so chaotic ...the dilema - to go or not to go to Sandanski. I had to prepare a national seminar, one week before it we didn't have a chair, and a huge conflict was growing within my team.AI visit was ahead. Maybe some people considered my decision irresponsible, yet I do not regret it. ...getting to Sandanski and Vladi meeting me in front of the office - we haven't seen each other after India and he asked me so many questions. ...the office, the frustrated Plami and Stassy, that had expected to come on a holiday and were really stressed that they have to really facilitate ...the night walks and the rope-bridges.Not knowing if this is a reality or a dream.It was so wonderful ...the "Nekerman" (this is how we jokingly called it) hotel and the mineral fountain in front, good that I managed to prevent Vladi to get inside, yet I remember me,Manola and Maya getting in to one other fountain to cool our feet:) ...sprankling my ankle just before the trip to Melnik and Rojen monastery.Manola giving me first aid:) ...climing the hills to reach "Shestaka's cellar" where we drank the best red wine I have ever tasted and sang Bulgarian traditional songs ...the picnic at Rojen monastery.The incredible beauty and atmosphere of the place.The silence in the coridoors and me sitting in what used to be the monastery kitchen, crying over my broken heart and wishing I could capsulate the moments of happines forever. ...the nights with the fire-jugglers "Youth in Fire", the smell of gasoline at the stage and the crazy party at the night before I left with them singing, drinking, drumming. ...Doni and his wonderful voice and how he chased Stassy, how desperate he was and how in love she was with another guy... ...Ece getting a bit drunk and us all going to bed together along with Emo - one of the volonteers as it was too late for him to go back to where he was staying. And so much more... This year - me translating the festival invitation at my birthday:) Wish I knew what is awaiting me at the 11th festival:)
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