It's Injevo!!!!

. . .which is next to the city of Radovis (pop. 30,000) which will be good for weekend shopping and is in the wine country.  Kate is in the next closest city.  They seem to have kept the group together throughout this area which is SW of Veles.  Michelle will head out on Tuesday for a three day visit.  We found two websites that show the school and an aerial view of the village and will try to add them to the end of this blog when Jennifer comes out on Sunday.  John and I were unsuccessful tonight.  Technology!!!!! Ain't it wonderful.

The group heads to Kumanovo tomorrow for their bi-weekly HUB meeting.  Michelle's group has put together a Halloween skit about "bromia" (mentioned in an earlier post:  you can't have more than one window open in a room at a time or else you will get a cross breeze; or bromia; which is very bad).  They put together some rough costumes and are performing the skit to Queen's Bohemian's Rhapsody.  After language lessons all week they are looking forward to seeing the rest of their group and talking about their new assignments.

Tuesday night their language teachers invited them over to one of the teacher's homes for a Mexican dinner.  The teachers were very nervous about preparing Mexican food.  Michelle said that they did an amazing job.
They played "Catch Phrase" a language game.  One of the teachers actually got up on a chair to do her interpretation of one of the phrases!! Michelle said that they had a great time and left with very full bellies.

Little Melanie got a stuffed animal Lamb this week from the package I sent.  She loved it!!!

I apologize for sending this out so late but I had to watch It's the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown.  The girls and I always watch the Charlie Brown holiday specials togther.  But with one daughter in Macedonia and the other at the Washington National Horse Show downtown, John stepped up to the plate and watched it with me!!!!   I'll post on Sunday.  Auntie Carol will get the Sunday call (John and I are busy) and she will pass the latest info along to me.  Kathy           

Ps- Here are some links about the town and the school Michelle will be at:

This is Michelle's school:
http://www.schools.org.mk/index.php?option=com_rsgallery2&Itemid=51&catid=46&lang=en

Michelle's town:
http://www.mapmonde.org/europe/macedonia/opstina-strumica/injevo-1199729/
For this map to see Michelle's town of Injevo, click on the satellite view and keep clicking on "Injevo" and you can see the town!

Field Day

As I mentioned earlier, Saturday was Field Day. The group left Losovo at 7:00 a.m. on the train.  It was held at an International School  in Skopje and run by the MACl3's and MACl4's.  They all brought dishes/food and ran all the events.  Some of the food was PBJ sandwiches and Sloppy Joes, all American favorites.  One game was like speed-dating.  All the l3's and l4's formed an outside circle around the MACl5's (Michelle's group).  They they walked around, stopped and each gave a brief bio about themselves.  Michelle met a dentist from Texas!!  Then there was the rummage sale.  Jordon, who is heading home in November, sold everything!!! Michelle got an iron (brand new never taken out of the box) for 200 dinar or the equivalent of $5.00.  In Veles she saw an iron for l,000 dinar or $20.00 --- what a deal!! 

After the event, Michelle's group went back Skopje and found an Irish pub!!!   They then went to the Mall where Michelle bought some postcards.  

Today was a quiet day.  Michelle visited with a neighbor who kept asking her over for coffee.  She had a good visit.  Michelle says that she and her group understand the language when they hear it but aren't fluent with speaking yet.  Their language teacher said that this is normal.  So Michelle enjoyed "listening" and having coffee.  She said that the more she listens the more she will learn.   

Thursday, Michelle's group will find out where their "site" will be.  The following week they will all go to their designated site for three days in preparation for their move on November 25.  Everone is excited.  I'll post on Thursday.  Kathy   

Quiet Week

Sorry I didn't post yesterday.  When I tried to call, I couldn't get through.  Today was a breeze.  I interrupted movie night at the school, but we had a nice visit.  The call went through right away and we weren't cut off.  Alot of times we lose the connection; and it can take three calls to finish a conversation. 

It's a quiet week.  Just going to language lessons every day; but they are paying off.  Michelle had a nice visit with Baba (Lydia's mother-in-law) on the porch one day.  Baba said "good very good" about Michelle's Macedonian.  Michelle was pleased and proud. As I mentioned before in an earlier post, Michelle would like to get to know Baba before she leaves to her site.      

Saturday will be "Field Day" in Skopje.  This is when all the PCVolunteers and Trainees in Macedonia get together for the day at a school (there's around l00) .  A big part of the day is the Rummage Sale.  This is where the PCVolunteers who are leaving can sell things that they don't want to take back with them the end of November to the PCTrainees who are coming in.  Sounds like fun.     

I won't be posting until Sunday; Michelle said she would try to get some pictures up if she can.  Kathy

Change of plans

At the HUB meeting on Friday, Michelle's group found out that there was a huge week-long wine and food festival at Skopje the capital . All the PCorps volunteers pass along  information about activities/events that are happening in their city/village.   So instead of going to Veles on Saturday, Michelle and the group headed to Skopje.  Skopje is really two cities in one.  There is the newer industrial side with all the businesses and the older part which is like a big bazaar.  You cross over a bridge to get to the older part (or the Albanian side as Michelle called it) which is full of cobblestone roads and alley ways filled with little shops.  She said it reminded her of Diagon Alley (Harry Potter fans will appreciate this).  They got there about mid-day and didn't go home until two in the morning; which is the time the last train heads back to Lozovo.  She said that vendors were selling hot chestnuts on the street, Michelle's favorite.  (She said that Lydia is also cooking hot chestnuts at home now  -- happy Michelle.)  Sarah who is with the MACl4 group joined Michelle late afternoon.  Sarah ran the summer GLOW program which we mentioned in an earlier post.  So after a
fun day at the festival and a fun train ride home, Michelle slept in until l0 this morning.  The group was back at her door soon after she woke up and they went for a walk; and then Michelle went home to watch "Chocolat" on her laptop.

In two weeks everyone will be finding out what their "site" will be.  The following week after that they get to go to their site and stay for three nights to get a feel for what will be their home for the next two years. 

Michelle gave Melanie a coloring book and crayons out of the box I sent so that she could color while Michelle was studying.  Melanie found the box which has all the goodies and keeps pointing to it.  Michelle explained to Lydia how she plans to space out the gifts.  Lydia agreed.  But Melanie keeps pointing to the box!!!!! Good luck Michelle!!!!!  

Will post again on Tuesday.  Kathy
 

   

"This is Where I Am. . "

Michelle's words when describing the movie "Borat."  That's what the group watched last night!!!!  I've never seen it; have to gt it. She said that they had a good time.

 Tomorrow the group heads to Kumanovo  (they leave bright and early at 7:00) for their HUB meeting. Kumanovo was the city they first arrived at in Macedonia where they spent their first week.  Today she had language lessons for four hours; and in the afternoon Lydia took Michelle back to her daughter-in-law's house.   Lydia said that there was some type of festival there.  But when they arrived, Lydia went into the church, lit a candle and left.  They then went to the sister-in-law's house for coffee (no pig).  Michelle didn't understand; maybe it was some type of religious festival.  Still alot to learn.

Then they went to watch Jori's host family's daughter at her dance class.  They taught Michelle some dances.  Didn't ask if Michelle showed them a jig or two --- will next time.

Everybody in the group has colds.  Michelle said that the weather is just up and down, up and down.  The PCorps provides everyone with a medical kit (Michelle says that is has everything).  So they are all on cold medications.  Saturday Aimee (who is 40) and Michelle are going to Veles to shop.  Aimee wants yarn to knit gloves; and Michelle will be looking for a pair of rain boots.  Ricki said you have to have them in the small rural villages/towns --- not alot of  paved roads.

USA Today had an article on the Peace Corps in the Life Section.  Fifty years ago today, John Kennedy started the Peace Corps.  Michelle said that there will be a big celebration in the spring.  I told her about the Chilean miners.  She was very interested.  Macedonian news ran a little blurb on it but not that much.  Until she has access to regular Internet, Michelle feels very out of touch..  I have added a link to yesterday's post about the Peace Corps' GLOW program in Macedonia. 

Melanie's package arrived today. Michelle said that she is going to spread it out so that she doesn't get everything all at once.  And my mother told me on Sunday that she is, of course, knitting Melanie a sweater - so more gifts for Melanie!!!!!! Nothing electronic.  Kathy        

Site Meetings

This week the PCorps people who have the responsibility of placing trainees at their sites came to the school.  The group was asked where they would feel comfortable in living and what grades they would feel comfortable teaching.  Michelle called themselves TEFL's (Teaching English as a Foreign Language).  Michelle told them about her SVEA (Student Virginia Education Association) work in Professional/Teacher development.  She also talked to them about her work as a summer camp counselor.  She found out that Macedonia has a summer GLOW program (girls leadership program).  It sounded interesting to Michelle.

The router for the internet hookup is down at the school. We seem to be having computer problems on both sides of the world this week!!!!! It's a good thing we have good ole reliable Ma Bell!!!! Anyway, as soon as it is corrected, Michelle will be sending pictures of Veles. 

Wednesday is now movie night for the group.  Michelle was heading over to Austin's host family's home to hang out and watch a movie.  She mentioned that is has gotten cold earlier than expected over there.  I just sent out a box with all her winter clothing  (coat, boots etc) yesterday.  Don't ask what the postage cost!!!
Kathy

http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2010/08/04/peace-corps-camp-glow-girls-leading-our-world

Nothing today. . . .

Cox was doing some major work right outside the house today; and so my telephone/tv/internet were sporadic or at sometimes just down.  Michelle and I will talk tomorrow.  By the way, when Jen was over yesterday, she added the link to NBC to my "Check it out" post. Also, the delicacy mentioned in my last post was fried --- similar to pork rinds.  Kathy

The Killing of the Pig

OK, so here we go again.  Meat in Macedonia or Lozovo doesn't come on plastic trays covered in saran wrap.  It's the real thing.  Saturday afternoon, Lydia took Michelle over to Tete's (Lydia's daughter-in-law) parent's house for the "killing of the pig."  Michelle said that when they arrived, the killing was over with --- for which Michelle was extremely grateful.   Then they proceeded to cook/eat every bit of the pig.  The ears and feet were next to the area where they were cooking.  One "delicacy" was pig fat wrapped in intestines --- Michelle passed.  She did eat meat (or ham to her) and vegetables.  Michelle was very polite in indicating what she would and would not eat -- and the family was respectful of her choices.  It definately was not Red Hot and Blue!!!!!

Earlier that day the group went to Probistip (a city) for classroom management workshops.  It was about l hour and l5 minutes away from Lovoso.  It was run by two current PCVolunteers, Maggie and Casey, and one PCorps staff member.  By the way Maggie is extending her PCorps commitment another year.  She is part of group MACl3 (Michelle's group is MAC15).  Michelle found out that alot of the MAC13 group are extending their PCorps commitments another year.  Michelle liked Probistip; and she said that the school was very nice.

Today, the group went to Veles (where Michelle's school is located) to check it out.  Little did they know that everything is closed on Sunday.  There were clothing stores.  Michelle has heard that clothing is limited  --one or two sizes for each item.  There was a grocery store that carries everything but fresh produce.  You buy those at the open air markets.  There was a "pub" that was open; so they all went in and had a cup of coffee.

Remember Auntie's package??? Well ,Auntie also sent two Sesame Street books for Melanie.  Melanie can now say Elmo, Grover and Cookie for Cookie Monster.  BUT one of the books has the push-button-talk-device with Elmo's voice.  Well, Melanie hits it over and over and over and over again.  Thanks Auntie!!! One day, hopefully soon for Michelle, the battery will run out .  Poor Melanie no American-made batteries there.

Michelle plans to bring here laptop with her to school where she is taking her languages lessons now that they have internet and will try to post and put up more pictures.  If not, Michelle and I will be talking on Tuesday and will post then.  Kathy 

Pictures from Lozovo

Today the school has internet. YAY!!! Its one of those funny things, some day it does and the others it does not.  So while it is working I am going to post the pictures that I had gotten of Lozovo.  For those of you that are of my generation you will appreciate this when I say that I am "literally" in the movie Borat.  I am not kidding you. I was talking to some of the current volunteers and they said that we need to watch that movie because you will be able to find your neighbors house, figuratively speaking of course. There are goats and chickens everywhere and you better watch your step on the main roads or you will bring a "piece of them" home with you.  It finally dawned on my way they do not wear or bring their shoes inside there homes.  For those of you that have not seen the movie or have no idea when I am talking about I have pictures for you.

This is typical Lozovo.  There are chickens and goats everywhere.  These chickens are in a pen, but there are a bunch by my house that just walk around free as a bird.  There they are used for eggs but there are some that are meant for eating and they are definitely "fresh".  These are the goats that hang out by the playground.  There owners leave them there during the day so they can eat and socialize with the other goats.  Sometimes their owners come and get them at the end of the day but normally they walk themselves home.

This is the front of the school in Lozovo.  This is where I take Macedonian language classes every day, Monday through Friday 4 hours a day.  I have gotten pretty good at it. I think it helps that they use a different alphabet then we do.  Once I figure out how I can get my computer to type in the Cyrillic alphabet I will show you all how good my Macedonian is.  I am now able to communicate better with my host family which is nice but there are still the awkward silent moments too, I am no where near being close to fluent yet lol.

I past this everyday on my way to and from school.  This is on the main road that splits the main part of Lozovo from the part where Link and I live.  There is a small market on the bottom right of the building.  Most of the items in the market are behind the counter, because it is small.  So when ever I go in there I usually just point at what I want and the lady rings me up.  This is also where I got to put credit onto my phone so I can call mom and give her all the details about what I am doing.  There is also a  restaurant on the left. I have been there once for some drinks, ever eaten there though.  They have live music at night and you can hear the lady singer all over town.  I am not sure what is up with the top of the building.  The owner of the building might have two sons and that might be there future home when they get married or they could have started building and stopped because of a lack of funds.  Not sure which exactly, I will ask some of the locals and find out.  But this is a typical site, there are many unfinished buildings around Macedonian, most are because they are working on a place for their son and his family to live.  Like I said before the family stays together.

This is the post office here in Lozovo.  My mail does not come through here, it comes through the Peace Corps, but the current volunteer Ricky gets his mail here.  I have not been inside, but its right across from the school.  According to Ricky there are 2 ways of sending a letter to the states. You can either send it by plane which is like 40-50 dinar or you can send it by boat for about 15 dinar, but if I send something by boat it will probably get to the states the same time I do, in two years lol.

This is the playground across from the school.  There is also a basketball court/soccer field (on the asphalt).  There are a few swings, Melanie and I tried them out this past weekend, and some se-saws.  That is Lydia and Melanie when we went to the park.  There we a bunch of local kids there too and they laughed at me when I was taking Lydia and Melanie's picture because I said 1-2-3 in Macedonian.  I said it correctly, but boys will be boys.

All of the house here have gardens.  Everyone has peppers, (which are gone now cause the ajvar season is over), tomatoes, leeks, and cabbage.  There are other house that have fruit trees, apples, figs, some combination of a pear and an apple, peach, and I have even seen a pomegranate tree.  Nut trees are also popular.  Also the season just ended for grapes (they are now making wine!!!) and tobacco. In this small town they are very self-sufficient and eat everything that they grow.  My family is more modern, where they buy either from the big cities around or get their produce from other people, so this is what I have seen and heard from others.  I missed out on making ajvar because I think Lydia made hers before I came or she got hers from others in the town.  That is something I will have to learn when I get to my site.

Ok that is all I have time for now.  That is not all of Lozovo, even though it is small, I have not had time to go out and take all the pictures to give you all the "full" effect.  Also I want to leave you all wanting more lol.  I will leave you with the informal Macedonian "good-bye" since I can not type the formal......."Chao".

Auntie's Package Arrived!!!!!

Michelle received her care package from Auntie (my sister Carol) today.  She was thrilled!! She has also received two letters from my mother.  Being Nana -- my mother mentioned to Michelle about her unmade bed in the pictures!!!! Once a Nana always a Nana!!!! Michelle had a good laugh.  We are finding out that it takes about two weeks for delivery.  Inside the package was a jar of peanut butter with a spreader attached (complete with bling -- that's Auntie!), crackers, small packages of tissues (they use handkerchiefs there), granola bars, chocolates, and packages of instant Starbucks coffee!!!!! Almost like home --- no Starbucks there!!!!! Michelle's Uncle John (my brother) provided each of the girls with Starbucks cards with monthly deposits while they are/were in college.  Boy does Michelle miss her Starbucks and her Starbucks card!!!!!!  Jenny is still enjoying hers. 

I told Michelle about the PCorps story on NBC.  After hearing about the living conditions of the PCTrainees in Sierra Leon, she is very happy where she is.  She laughed when I told here about the PCTrainee who mentioned that she wouldn't be able to get that Starbucks Iced Coffe for two years.  At least Michelle has electricity and running water (and those packages of instant coffee) .  They do have washing machines --- no dryers. 

This weekend they have an all-day workshop on Saturday on classroom management in another city.  They won't find out where they are going until tomorrow.  Sunday, since they are now allowed to travel a little bit, the group plans to go Veles and just spend the day seeing what is in the city.  Michelle has just been going back and forth to teach and then return to Losovo. 

Yesterday the group had a little break in the afternoon,so they went for a walk outside of the village.  They saw the mountains and the mist and  sheep hearders with their sheep.  She said is was very beautiful and peaceful.
 
Michelle said she would call on Sunday and I'll post then ---- Kathy
       

Check It Out ---

Tonight, NBC Nightly News carried a story about the Peace Corps on their "Making A Difference" segment.  It's just what Michelle is going through as a PCorps trainee.  I thoroghly enjoyed watching it.  Kathy 

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3032619/#39546419

Tried to post but. . .

Michelle went over to Link's house to use the internet.  By the time she was finished going through her seventy-some e-mails, Link said that the family was going out to dinner.  She didn't want to keep them waiting, so she wrapped it up.  So the next time she has availability to the internet she'll post pictures.  Monday and Tuesday Michelle got back and forth to Veles by herself. She felt very comfortable and was quite proud of herself.  I guess she and Kate are on different schedules now.  The teacher she is assigned to asked Michelle to teach her class about Halloween.  She also said that when Michelle has time to travel back and forth to please stop by her house for a visit for coffee and even stay so she could visit the city.  Michelle was very pleased that she extended the invitation.   

This coming weekend is first weekend that the group can travel for pleasure outside of Losovo.  Haven't decided yet what they are going to do.  But Michelle said that Kate is already thinking about making plans for when they leave November 25, 2012 and take a month to travel around Western Europe and come home just before Christmas.   They plan to see as much of Eastern Europe while they are in Macedonia.  I told Michelle to take advantage of every travel opportunity that she can while she was over there. 

Tomorrow classes for the group will include holidays and traditions.  They are also going to have a language assessment to see how they are doing.  A cold, rainy day today; the group is going to watch a movie at the school; but Michelle said she needs a quiet night curled up in her pj's (or as she calls it "her Michelle time").  Kathy  

HUB Day

Every other Friday will be HUB Day.  That's the day that all 38 volunteers get together( in Kumanovo, the city where they all first started in Macedonia) for meetings and seminars and catch up.  Michelle said that all the volunteers were very happy to see each other and visit.  They got to hear about their various host family/situations.  All of the volunteers who were in cities were staying with widows.  It is required of any host family to provide a PCVolunteer with a bedroom.  So these widows gave up their bedroom and are sleeping on the couch.  Some of the 60- something volunteers in rural ares are dealing with turkish toilets.  Kate, who lives in Michelle's town has a huge flat screen tv and internet but a turkish toilet.  Michelle said that she'd live without internet; prefers having a toilet.

One story from Link, who lives in Lovoso, is now being called the Rabbit Story.  One day Link's family was very excited, talking about having rabbit for dinner.  So during the meal, which was good, Link asked the family where they got the rabbit. The response, "Oh we hunted for it."  Link asked how -- did you use a trap or a gun.  The response,  "No a car."  Dinner that night was road kill.  Michelle says she doesn't ask where things come from anymore!!!

Saturday night was Kate's birthday so the eight volunteers gathered at her host family's home for a movie and, of course, cake!!!!!

Sunday was a quiet day.  Michelle took Melanie to the park.  While we were talking, Michelle said she heard running water and that Lydia was probably doing laundry (she takes care of Michelle's) and Michelle said she hoped that there would be enough hot water left so that she could take a shower.  She has hot water but with five people and a small hot water heater you take a quick shower.

Monday and Tuesday she and Kate will be back in Veles in the morning and returning to Lovoso for afternoon classes.  She is taking pictures around town and hopes to post soon.  She was going to post Saturday at Links' house, but one of the host family's sons is in a band that plays at weddings and he had a "gig" that day and invited Links to go with him so that he could see a Macedonian wedding. So I'll post again on Tuesday; hopefully, Michelle willl have access to the internet sometime this week so that you'll get to see Lovso.   Kathy