First Week! FISI Part One

This first week here has been wonderful! I know that right now we are in training which is not a true preview of what is to come - but the people here are amazing and I feel so inspired to be a part of such a smart and kind group of people - and that will not change once we part and go to our respective places to teach.

What I have been doing this week: Let me tell you - it has been overwhelming, inspiring, informative and completely new.

We have Bulgarian class - which is kind of like an Ulpan - almost every day. The class is at a pretty slow pace but it is still pretty intensive. The alphabet is brand new to me and I am finding myself forgetting things very quickly. The instructor is very kind and patient and since we are all learning something new everyone helps each other out. We also have various classes on Bulgarian culture and different classes to help prepare us to teach in a couple of weeks.

I met my mentor teacher - who is another english teacher at the school I am teaching at in Varna and she is awesome! She is really nice and interesting and I felt immediately comfortable with her. Her english is beautiful and even though she professes to be a bad teacher I think she seems to really know her stuff and will be a really great asset.

Now for the fun stuff! The hotel has this amazing indoor pool that is so beautiful! The only catch is that you have to wear a bathing cap or shower cap when you swim. It is hilarious to see all the fulbrighters and all these fancy people staying at the hotel swimming in shower caps! Love it! There is also this gorgeous spa and the saunas are free - yes my friends saunas! There is a Finish style, Russian style, tea room, relaxation room, steam room and various other saunas. I feel so fancy and don't deserve this decadent life style.

Just by luck the hotel is hosting a mozart festival this week and we can go to any of the performances for free. The other day just casually watched AIDA performed on a beautiful outdoor stage overlooking the mountains! No big deal!

All dressed up for the opera!!!!


They also took us on an excursion to hike through these caves and to see this incredible monastery! I know I am Jewish but sometimes when I am in Christian holy sites I understand where they are coming from. The art work and the architecture and lighting are just so beautiful you can't help but look up and believe in God - any God.

caves!!!! :)

This is the view right before we entered the caves

Outside the Monastery!

Finally, to conclude the first week of FISI - because some of the other students and lecturers were leaving we went to dinner at this beautiful golf club and drank a lot and danced and it was so fun!!!!

where the dinner was held...


Thats all my updates for now- I am having a great time! But I miss everyone!