Return to Lozovo and Resource Day

Michelle headed back to Lozovo Sunday morning.  Irena gave her a big bag of apples to share with her family and friends.  It was a quick but wonderful visit.  Michelle will head back to Resen on the Friday after Thanksgiving to live.  She has found out that she will have a one bedroom apartment on the 4th floor (top floor) of an apartment next to where Irena lives.  Michelle found out that it is the school's responsibility to find accommodations for PCVolunteers.  The PCorps then comes in to check and approve.  They must also provide the basics:  a stove, bed, table and couch.  Michelle will also have a bathroom with a hot water boiler.  Wonderful accommodations for the PCorps!!!! She will also be given 5,000 dinars or $100 to buy pots, pans, sheets etc.  No washer or dryers in Macedonia.  So Michelle will get a drying rack and wash her clothes by hand.  Earlier, the PCorps provided the group will room heaters while they were with their host families when it got cold a little bit earlier than usual; she will be bringing that with her when she moves.  She will also be able to get internet (at her expense).   Michelle is extremely excited and pleased with her living situation.

On Monday, the group headed to Skopje for "Resource Day."   They visited The American Corner there and the British Counsel  where they talked about teaching and community development.  They also visited the English Center where they distribute textbooks from the Oxford Book Company.  She said that they had all types of books.  For lunch they went to the RamStore Mall, which is the only mall (like Tysons) in Macedonia.  You walk through the doors and head up the escalators and there at the top was a McDonald's!!!!!!!! It was in a food court.  Michelle had Chinese food --- a spicy peanut chicken on brown rice for about $4.00.  It was a huge portion and delicious.  Most of the group headed to McD's!!!!!!! Afterwards they went to an ice cream place where Michelle had fig ice cream --- another huge portion for about 50 cents.  It was freshly made and amazing.

The group then went to the PCorps headquarters.  When they walked in, the first thing they saw was the reference desk (reception) and on the wall behind the desk was a picutre of every current volunteer in Macedonia!!!! Michelle loved it!!!!! They also found out that they each have a mail box to use for inter-PCorps mailings; so they can contact other volunteers if they would like.  The office has a library and a medical examiner's office.  This is where everyone goes to for medical attention.

While they were traveling into the city in the morning by bus they got caught in traffic with everyone going to work.  Michelle she got so excited because it reminded her of home!!!!!   Everyone in the group was laughing at her because she was so excited about the traffic!!!!  There was actually a heard of sheep walking through the city amongst the cars.  You won't find that in No.Virginia.  There's no such thing as traffic in Lozovo just buses, people walking and cattle!!!!

Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday are language lessons.  The group is getting ready for Friday when they take their LPI or Language Proficiency Interview.  They need to pass at an intermediary level.  Michelle feels confident they she'll do well.  If they feel unsure, the PCorps will provide additional tutoring at their assigned sites.

Enough for today; will post  again on Sunday.  Kathy    

Resen

As you heard from her last blog, the PCorps sent Michelle to Resen on Saturday to get acquainted with where she will be living for the next two years.  She left early Saturday morning and Irena was waiting for her at the bus station.  They did a walk-about through town, and had a lovely family meal at her home.  John and I were extremely grateful for their hospitality.  Michelle said that the time spent with Irena and her family "felt like home."  What more do you need to hear!!!!  Michelle saw the local grocery store, post office, and the school where she will be working.  She stayed at the local hotel, where she had a HOT shower, internet and TV (it was like staying at the Ritz!!).  The hotel staff was very accommodating and wonderful.  She feels extremely comfortable with her surroundings and can't wait "to get in that school."  It was a  great weekend.  She headed back to Lovoso Sunday to her wonderful host family and will spend the next two weeks going to school and finishing up her language lessons.  This has been a wonderful experience.  Michelle is looking forward to her next step in the PCorps experience; but is already thinking about saying goodbye to her host family (and coming back to visit) and the little village she now lives in.   John and I are also extremely grateful to Lydia and her family who have welcomed Michelle into their home.  She feels like part of the family.   We will talk again on Tuesday/Wednesday and will post then.  Kathy

The city of Apples!!!

Hello Everybody, I know mom has been keeping you all updated.  Today was able to travel to Resen and see where I will be spending my time for the next 2 years and it is beautiful.  It took about 3 hours to get here by bus from Veles and the whole trip was up and down mountains.  This part of the country is very green and full of nature.  When we got close to Resen the first thing I started noticing where all the apple orchids around.  Resen produces tons of apples and through out the day every tracker that passed by had bags and bags of apples.  I have already told Nana that I want/need her apple pie recipe. When I arrived at the bus station Irena was there waiting for me.  We walked to her families apartment, which is in the building next to the one that I "might" be living in, will not know for sure until next week.  We sat and had coffee with her father for awhile and then we went on a walk around the town.  There is about 9000 people who live in Resen and about 15,000 when you include all the people that live in the surrounding villages.  It is just the right size and has everything that I would need.

This is a photo that I found on line, I took some pictures today but I left my camera cord in Lozovo. I have 2 years to take plenty of pictures.  After coffee, Irena and I walked through the center of town and today was pazar day, farmers market.  Here it is only on Saturdays, but there are 3 big grocery stores where I can get anything else I need.  The newest one, which is right in the center, looks like a grocery store from home.  It has anything I would need and more.  They had a whole aisle for coffee and another whole aisle for tea, unlike in Lozovo where there is only a few kinds on the shelve and you have to buy what you can get.

Irena helped me check into the hotel, Hotel Dior, and then we kept exploring the town.  I saw the outside of the school and it is very big and nice.  3 floors and they have received new windows and doors and computers for the Ministry of Education here.  It also has a central heating system, so it wont be cold teaching in the winter.   It is about a 10 minute walk from Irene's home, which is a piece of cake.  All of the classrooms face the south so there is tons of natural light and from the 3rd floor you can see the Chateau that is modeled after one in France.

It is a museum now which is housing a ceramic collection.  Irena and I walk through the exhibit and it was interesting hearing where all the artist came from.  They were current pieces of art work and every summer the is a month long camp around Lake Prespia, which is very close to Resen, and artist come from all over the world to create ceramic pieces and then some of the artist leave their work for the museum.  There was works from artists from New Zealand, Korea, and even from the states.  It will be interesting to see this camp over the summer and meet some of these artists.

After our walk we went back to Irena's home and her father had made lunch for us.  It was very good, chicken, Macedonian salad, which has tomatoes, cucs, onions and cheese on top, he also made oven roasted potatoes and a sour cream, mayo, and pickle sauce.  It was wonderful, I did not want to stop eating.  We rested awhile at her house and then were off walking again.  I saw all of Resen in one day lol.  Buses going to Ohrid, the big tourist location of the summer go right through Resen so it will be interesting to see all the vacation traffic in the summer.

I also meet Irena's mom, she works in a doctors office in Bitola, the 2nd biggest city in Macedonian and about 20 minutes outside of Resen.  It was funny listening to Irena's parents talking with one another because it reminded me of talks with my parents.  It does not matter what country you are in all parents are the same!!!

We ended the day by having coffee at one of the cafes.  When sitting in a nice cafe, listening to American music, and drinking a cappuccino, its moments like that that I forget that I am in the Peace Corps.  It makes sense why they call Macedonian Peace Corps, "Posh Corps".  After one day here I am very excited about being able to live here for the next 2 years!!!  That's all I have right now, I or mom will keep you all posted.  Right now I am trying to decided being watching Macedonian Idol, yes they have their own, or The Fresh Prince, in English.  Toooo many choices!!!

Meeting Irena

As mentioned in my last blog, the group went to Kumanovo to meet with the Counterparts that they met the previous week visiting their sites.  Michelle met with her new Counterpart, Irena, from Resen.  Michelle said that she was wonderful and that she and her new school were very excited about Michelle's coming to Resen.  Michelle will be working with 3/4 English teachers (3 that work at the school and another that works at two satellite schools). They are all very young and work and socialize alot together.  Michelle and Irena planned out her first month there.  The first week as introduction to the school and staff and observing.  Then phasing her in a little bit each week.  Michelle heard that the school has a Resource Room that has been neglected.  She jumped on that and plans to update and organize (one of Michelle's loves) the Resource Room with binders of lesson plans and resource materials.  She said that the teachers are very open to new ideas and teaching methods.  They are also open to after-school teaching seminars and clubs.  Macedonian schools run on 1/2 day schedules.  Michelle's school closes at l:30 each day.

While visiting with other Counterparts, Michelle heard of a place in the nearby city of Bitola (which is the second largest city in Macedonia and a 20 min bus ride away) called "The American Corner."  There PCVolunteers can go to get books in English and where ESL classes,  tutoring and workshops are available to Macedonians taught by the PCVolunteers.  During the discussion, Michelle mentioned that she ran over l00 workshops during her tenure as President of the SVEA.  The Counterparts were very interested, and this could be another venue for Michelle to get involved in.   

With teaching, teacher-training, the Resource Room Project and The American Corner, Michelle is very excited about her new assignment and all that she can do.

Irena mentioned that the teachers at the school do alot together in their spare time, including weekly aerobic classes.  Irena also mentioned that Resen is a beautiful little city with alot of historic architecture.  The PCorps is currently looking for an apartment for Michelle so she will hear about that later. 

So Tuesday was a great day and Michelle is very excited about her next step the end of November.  The rest of the week will be language lessons.  We'll talk again on Sunday and I'll post then.  Kathy 

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

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