 |
| The bus police caught thislady ( the one leaning on the window) on the bus without a ticket and they tried to get her off to write a her a fine/ ticket, but she refused to move so they finally gave up. They got off the bus and she rode a couple more stops and then got off. I guess she does not fear the Bulgarian police the way we do....of course, these were just bus police !! I ALWAYS buy a ticket...taking no chances !!!! |
 |
| This is the road in front of the New Bulgarian University. I wanted to show the horse cart but didn 't want them to see me taking the photo. These folks are called Roma...I think they are who we thought of as the gypsies. Anyhow, they are clearly the underclass and live separately and very poorly. |
 |
| This and the next photo were taken at a concert at the New Bulgarian University. They set up and played in this gallery where these old painting are displayed. I was told they are owned by a minister of some part of the current government and he is also on the board of trustees of the University. I chatted with the bass player at the intermission and she gave me two tickets to another concert in Sofia the following night. She is very charming and a great bass player. |
 |
| This is Stanka, the art therapist at the clinic where I am working . She is doing a puppet show with the kids and these are the puppets. She made them...she is holding the owl, below is the turtle and at the bottom is the frog She used leather and chunks of interesting wood burls, etc and painted on the eyes etc. She is quite good with the kids...they love when she comes. |
Clearly this is a different experience than Nicaragua, but good, in very different ways. I have been here a month already...time does fly. We got snow last night so it is beautiful here now. I have learned to say, " samo angliski" which means "only english." Several people have come up to me to ask questions in Bulgarian and I have to say this...I always follow up with " isvinete" which means "sorry." I think they understand and everyone has been really nice.
Peace Corps Books BY LAWRENCE F. LIHOSIT
ReplyDelete(AKA Lorenzo, Honduras, 1975-1977)
Available on Amazon.com
Peace Corps Experience: Write & Publish Your Memoir
The ultimate “How-To” book for former volunteers & staff who have hesitated to tell their story. The author describes what a memoir is and offers tips on how to write, publish & promote.
“Tell your Peace Corps story, but first study this book.”
Robert Klein, PC Oral History Project, Kennedy Library
Years On and Other Travel Essays
The author describes how he hitchhiked along bleak Arizona highways, hacked a path through wooded Honduran mountains, avoided caiman while riding bulls in Bolivia and grizzlies as he hunted caribou in bush Alaska, ran for his life after getting involved in Mexican politics and more.
2011 Peace Corps Writers’ Travel Book Award Recipient
“The best and rarest of ex-pats: the Yankee gone native.”
Tony D’Souza, author of Whiteman.
Peace Corps Chronology; 1961-2010
Includes all notable activities related to the Peace Corps in an easy-to-read style, in chronological order and lists all volunteers who died during and immediately following service.
2010 Peace Corps Writers’ Special Publisher Award Nominee
“This is a very impressive book.”
John Coyne, Editor of Peace Corps Worldwide.
South of the Frontera; A Peace Corps Memoir
Following a job loss, a worn picture postcard ignites adventures leading to the Peace Corps Honduras. This is a vivid and humorous description of Mexico and Central America between 1975 and 1977.
2011 Recipient of Commendation from U.S. Congressman John Garmamendi (CA, Dem)
“A classic.”
Craig Carrozzi, author of The Road to El Dorado.
Whispering Campaign; Stories from Mesoamerica
A collection of short stories with telling details- a taxi driver unscrews his license plate bulb before driving, a young American bewitched by a female shaman waving a necklace of dried herbs, the son of a salesman who dispels the curse of guilt, freeing the ghost of remorse and much more.
2009 Peace Corps Writers’ Maria Thomas Fiction Award Nominee
“As in Chinatown or Ballad of a Thin Man, they go directly to the gut. The mix is a rich one.”
Allen W. Fletcher, author of Heat, Sand & Friends.