Charity Football in Chirpan

About 2 weeks ago I went to Chirpan. Jimmy, the volunteer there held a charity football tournament to help out one of the organizations in his town. In order to enter the tournament each participate paid a small fee. Youth teams led by youth development volunteers turned out to play and we even had teams of just volunteers...in fact, team "Az sum muj" took the silver in the end! This is just one really great example of how volunteers can organize low cost events to help out a good cause. Wait a go, Jimmy :)
ps the pictures are really bad, in fact I didn't even get any action shots...then again, who am I kidding, mom you're the only person who reads this blog anyway! For better coverage check out Jimmy's blog.


A couple of McCoy's hanging out on the sidelines




Jimmy's counterpart and temporary ref

Andrew and Lauren showing thier team spirit...AZ SAM MUJ!

Wedding post...the first of many

So, about a month ago we had the 2nd wedding since I've been here. So far we've had 3 and I here that in the summer there will be more. I know that for the people who are from my village, the engagements are really short (anywhere from a week to a few months) and the weddings follow the same format. The families wake up early and decorate the cars with balloons and what not. If the bride is from the village the groom goes to her house to sort of barter for her with her family members. This is just in honor of tradition the groom doesn't actually buy the bride anymore haha. If the bride is from another village or town they drive caravan style to pick her up and come back to the village with her. The weddings are usually held in the village of the groom. After that everyone in the village goes to the center of town to wait. The bride and groom and the closests relatives go into the mayor's office where the secretary performs a sort of ceremony and they sign the marriage certificate. When they come out they pop champagne and dance the horo. We then all walk together in a big happy mass to the school. Outside at the entrance of the school the bride and groom break a glass and then break pitka (it's sweet bread in a braided mold) over thier heads. Whoever gets the bulk of the pitka broken over thier head will more than likely rule the house. The bride and groom and relatives then go to wait inside the school in the foyer as we come in one by one giving gifts and money. Then we proceed to one of many rooms to eat together. The teenage boys who aren't married act as waitors. We hang out at the tables and eat for an hour or two. Afterwards we all go outside and dance the horo and kuchek until dark. Not a bad way to spend a Sunday.


Everyone eating @ the school




Me with one of my favorites on our way to dance some mad horo




Everyone waiting on the bride and groom

The bride and groom

The band stands outside and plays where the whole village waits for the bride and groom to come out of the mayor's office...they continue to play until the wedding finally ends around...well, dark.

Velik Den

So, this past weekend was Easter or "Velik Den" in Bulgaria as per the Orthodox faith. As my village doesn't celebrate this Christian holiday I high tailed it to Sapareva Banya to celebrate with my host family and some other volunteers. Traditionally, on the Thursday before Easter families dye easter eggs. I didn't get to Sapareva Banya until Saturday so I missed out on that, but I did get to crack them! As you can see in the pictures below, you choose an easter egg from the bunch and crack them against someone else's whoever's egg cracks first loses. We also ate traditional easter cakes or "kozanak." Ani made a ton some with chocolate and some with these little jelly things inside. On Sunday we had a lunch of lamb and liver rice...so, I've come to the conclusion that it is impossible for a vegetarian to celebrate any holiday in Bulgaria as they all involve some kind of meat! All in all it was a really great vacation and a good celebration. Pics below.
Rajun

Joe Edno and Joe Dve cracking eggs.

Posing with MY beer...the chick on the bottle has blonde hair and blue eyes...by default we are twins.

Crackin' eggs with Joe...I lost EVERY TIME

Kozanak...Ani made like 8 loaves. I probably put away about 3.

All us kids together from right to left: Patty, Joe Dve (2), Me and Joe Edno (1)