New Assignment

Injevo had a volunteer (MAC14) who left early.  It left an uncomfortable atmosphere in both the village and the school.  The school now needs time to work things out.  Hopefully later on, the PCorps will be able to place another volunteer.  At the site meeting back in Losovo on Friday, the PCorps project manager who met with Michelle was very receptive to the situation.  Later that day, Michelle received word of her new assignment which is. . .

. . .Resen.  Resen is south close to the border of Greece.  Michelle is assigned to a Primary School of about 400 that has two satellite schools.  Michelle has heard that her Counterpart from Resen is very excited that she is coming.  On Tuesday, the group goes to Kumanovo to meet with their assigned Counterparts.  Michelle doesn't know if she will be able to visit Resen before her move date the end of November due to budgets/money, but she is very happy and excited about her new assignment and meeting her new Counterpart.

Today, the group went to Probishtip to attend a workshop on grants (how to obtain money for their schools and/or projects they might want to establish).  After the workshop, they went to a restaurant where Michelle had a "palichingki" or crepe filled with bananas and chocolate and topped with whipping cream and a cappuccino .  Yummy.  It cost about 100 dinars or $2.00.  Very yummy.

Today was also the Macedonian version of the Day of the Dead.  This is when families bring food and beverages to the local cemetary; and they spend time visiting with each other and pay respect to loved ones who have passed on.

Sunday is Michelle's host family's Saint Day.  Every house has a saint and every family has a certain Saint Day.  Family, again, gets together with food and beverages to celebrate their Saint.  Sunday the group is also talking about going to Stip for a Pasta Miley festival (food and wine).

Monday there will be language lessons.  Tuesday the group travels to Kumanovo to meet with their Counterparts.  I will blog on Wednesday.  I'll also have Jen add a link to this post that gives info on Resen tomorrow.  Kathy

Here's a link of Michelle's new town-Resen.
http://www.exploringmacedonia.com/?ItemID=7D670A5C9473FA4BBD3C4337BB2C8227