Donchevo (July 24)

Let me start by saying that today’s trip was my favorite Semester at Sea experience thus far. I visited a small rural village in the countryside of Bulgaria, population 950. This little town of Donchevo has seen outsiders one time before us, about 40 years ago when an American researching their culture spent one night. After that, we were the first they’ve seen.

The drive there was beautiful. We had no idea what to expect- we were in Bulgaria. I had to look up where it was when I found out we were going there! We all loaded into a bus, and a lot of us passed out on the drive. Just before I fell asleep, I glanced out the window and noticed a quick sight of bright yellow sunflower fields peeking through some trees along the road. My eyes widened and that was it- no sleeping for me! Just then, the trees opened up and there were sunflower fields forever; they were endless. Yellow, yellow, yellow, as far as the eye could see. It was one of the most beautiful sights I’ve ever seen. For about the next hour, we drove along these fields- field after field of bright gold. When we finally arrived, we were greeted right off the bus by some wrinkly and wise old women. We smiled with them back and forth, and then some teenage girls walked up with a huge platter of bread, as a greeting offering. We each took turns tearing bread off, and dipping it into the paprika spice and salt. Oh, and did I mention that everyone in the entire town was dressed in traditional Bulgarian garb? They were all so cute in their red and yellow! Pretty much the whole town was out and in their traditional clothes, waiting for our arrival. After we were greeted with the bread, they gave us each a little cluster of geranium leaves. That’s their welcoming tradition.

Then we got to walk around the town and get a little tour. We first went to the little brandy distillery and each of us tried a TINY TINY sip of it. FIRE WATER, I tell you! A couple guys on the trip were getting really bad heartburn from it for the next 3 hours…it was that intense. Then we walked through the streets to look at some of the houses and gardens people had. There was only one we were supposed to go see, and only their garden. We ended up going into multiple houses and being able to eat some of their freshly picked produce! How did this happen? They were thrilled that we were coming to visit their town, so people would see us walking down the street and insist that we come in so they can show us their houses and gardens, and give us some of their food. None spoke English, but a smile is really all you need to communicate. At one house, we got to see sheep and a PIGGY! It was awesome. The younger generations that are still in school know a little English because it’s being taught in their classes now, but it was pretty much limited to “Hi” and “Where you?” (where are you from?) and the rest was mostly gestures. The gardens were incredible. They had so much food they were growing—they needed to, because what they harvest now is what they have to eat the entire winter. Then we saw a barrel-making shop which was really cool. My favorite part was the band saw that took up an entire side room! It was huge! Nothing like the one I used for my robot design project this year. After that, we went to the church there. The bottoms of the seats lining the walls were about 6 inches long- just enough t barely prop ourselves against it! From walking around the town, I noticed that everyone in Donchevo had their specific jobs and specialties—mayor, barrel maker, brandy distillery, and so on.

When we finished our little tour, we met in a little mini park (shady area with trees) where a HUGE feast had been set up for us. It meant so much because these people did it from the gratitude in their hearts- they weren’t getting paid to do any of this. The food they were giving us was using some of their food for the winter, but they didn’t seem phased at all—they loved that we were visiting, and we so hospitable. A group of old women were lined up in a half circle with linked arms, dancing to the music being made over by the microphones. Then some younger girls joined in. They danced and sang and performed for us as we ate the feast they had provided for us. It was incredible! Honestly, I’m trying to do my best to explain it but I know there is NO way I can convey how amazing this trip was. As I mentioned before, it is my favorite experience thus far on Semester at Sea!

I was still not feeling too great, so I was very careful with the food. I mostly ate bread and watermelon. I felt bad not taking the food, but I knew it was better than feeling miserable on the bus on the way back. I tasted a couple other things and they were delicious! When we were finishing up eating, the Bulgarians came over and got us to dance with them, and attempted to teach us. This went on for a long time, and after awhile I went over to say hi to the little kids—I couldn’t help it, I just LOVE kids! I had my camera with me, so after introductions (involving pointing at saying names), we started our photoshoot. The kids LOVED it! They all wanted different combinations of people in each picture, and they HAD to see it afterwards. It was really fun. Then I went over to a very young little girl sitting with her mom and aunt (I think). She had the most tender little baby voice and had the sweetest, softest face. Her name is Ana. We smiled back and forth for awhile and laughed about some things, and then I taught her to play patty-cake so we were playing for awhile. Then her mom was talking to her, I think trying to convince her to sing a song to it that she knew. Sure enough, her tiny little voice started singing a little song as we went. Then came the end of the game—patty cake, patty cake, patty cake…and all of the sudden she pulled her ears out and stuck her tongue out! That’s how their rhymes ended I guess! It was just the cutest thing ever. I have a couple pictures of/with her and CANNOT wait to post them!!! The Ana and I danced a little, and then it was time to go . :( None of us wanted to!! The little kids clung onto us as we walked toward the bus and wanted more and more last minute pictures. I felt like I’d known these people so well- they were so welcoming and told our translator to tell us that if we were ever near them for some reason, we are more than welcome to come stay with them for as long as we want. Everyone there was so proud of their little town and their culture. I LOVED IT!!! Seriously, I wish I could just convey the feelings and atmosphere of the whole day!

When I got back, I was exhausted. No going out again for me! I stayed on the ship the rest of the night with the girls and we all shared about our first day in Bulgaria. Keep in mind that Bulgaria wasn’t supposed to be on our itinerary—it replaced Egypt when things got touchy there. And I am SO glad we came to Bulgaria!