Having just started the topic about the upcoming Mayor elections and been the only Brit in attendance, I would like to ask how committed others are to their village? Are you just happy to have a home in the village but have no interest in what goes on there? I don't mean to be too controversial here, but it does appear to me from the Brits in my village that they never seem to have any input whatsoever and conversely, resent my (and my partner's) constant presence and involvement in anything that goes on. I feel we could all get involved just as life used to be in English villages. Maybe I am unusual, but I feel so happy with my life and acceptance in our village that I like to give as much as I can back in some way. It doesn't have to involve money, but just showing an interest in all that goes on and learning about everything Bulgarian. I have invited Brits to come to one of our choir rehearsels and even if they don't want to sing, the ladies always welcome visitors. None have ever come and seem to think that I am trying to take charge of them and have actually said that if I am involved they won't help. Nothing could be further from the truth but it seems there is no resolution. Such a pity.

Having just (5 weeks ago) moved to a village after living in VT for 6 months or so, we are delighted to feel part of the village. We are lucky to have a lovely Bulgarian neighbour who keeps us informed as best she can given the basicness (if there is such a word) of my Bulgarian. The area of the village where we live is well populated and is quite a little community being very close to the centre, so we would hope to integrate as much as we can.
We are both off to a local concert tonight which I have to say we are really looking forward to. We have been lucky enough also to have made a good acquaintance of the Mayor and he never fails to speak to us when ever we see him. There is a lot of work going on in the village and the Mayor is very grateful as a lot of the money is EU money and it will improve the look of the centre tremendously.
We certainly prefer to mix rather than become part of an ex-pat (hate the term anyway) community.

:Good post:Glad I'm not alone. Yes, EU money can be applied for by a village - another item at the electoral meeting.
Don't know if any of you are in the Zlataritsa area but we are singing at some kind of event there tomorrow (Friday). We start off at 8am so be there quite early. It probably starts around 9 - 9.30 It will be free and mostly for pensioners if its like most festivals we attend but its always colourful and interesting to absorb Bulgarian life. Everyone will be very welcoming I'm sure. You don't have to be there at the beginning or stay until the end. There is a lot of coming and going with choirs watching while they wait their turn. Sorry I can't be more specific about what its all about - I just do as I'm told!

Just got back from the concert. It was a celebration for 3 couples in the village celebrating their 50th wedding anniversaries. If was great fun and very entertaining. We shall definately attend more of these events.

I often attend all the meetings that go on in the village even though I'm not always sure what they are about only because of the language problems and yes some of the meetings they have do seem to be futile to me but of great importance to the local people so I'm always happy to lend a hand where I can weather it be support at meetings or just helping in the village in general, for example recently the village shop sign had fallen down in the bad winds we had so I got all my tools and ladders out and helped get it back up. I can imagine its not always easy to do your bit so to speak but I do believe that no matter how little you do its always appreciated by the local people and does help you integrate and get a better acceptance.

:Good post:Brilliant. That's just the sort of thing that helps you to integrate and be accepted as a 'villager'. Little things mean a lot to everyone.

oldun wrote:

Brilliant. That's just the sort of thing that helps you to integrate and be accepted as a 'villager'. Little things mean a lot to everyone.

Total agree We help where we can with everyone in the three villages around us but they will not let us help them with any working task like picking grapes etc not sure why. They know Dougie has a heart problem so could be that.

Well folks I have been quite depressed recently which is very unlike me. Why? I was starting to think about what people (Brits!) think of me and mine in the very hurtful letter that was posted to me supposedly from a Bulgarian. I started to think that maybe my being in the choir and having media attention because of it and the Rockfest was having an adverse effect on my life in our village. I had become a victim and as such decided to resign from the choir and to be seen much less in the village.
What a lovely surprise I had last night and I feel fine now and very relieved. My partner delivered my costume back to the rehearsel signifying my leaving and I messaged my best Bulgarian friend of the reasons.
Yesterday was Nicolas' name day which is also my son's name, so I went to town and bought a box of special chocs and a bottle of Bulgarian 'Baileys' which I know my ladies like. When I arrived what a wonderful reception I had. Clapping, kissing. hugs and remonstrances as to why I was leaving!!!! I am NOT leaving after that honest display of affection and will be attending the next rehearsel on Thursday in preparation for a Christmas village fiesta.
I was truly amazed at the reception because I had lost confidence in my singing ability and the fact that I still need my words after 5 years plus THAT letter! Obviously this does not matter to my lovely ladies and I feel so much better today.
Another thing that happened also helped my depression.
I had posted a link on Facebook to the Telegraph article that was published in 2007. I found it due to Luisa's article in the same paper. It was my story of how I came to join the choir and how much I loved my Bulgarian life. It was called 'In Tune with Bulgaria'. A Bulgarian friend read it and was kind enough to say how much he enjoyed it and might be able to use it as a translation project in his University at some point so I can give it to my choir ladies. I thought that was a wonderful gesture.
So there you go - committment to your village is so worth it as Davshaz and EllieMay have also found.

[size=200:2mp8xuzr]Go girl [size=150:2mp8xuzr]Huge hugs :group:going your way my lovely :Arrrr:
You do what you feel is good for you , trust you instinct nobody knows better than you. Very proud of you Well done

Berni x

So glad the ladies made you feel good again.

Back biting seems to happen in all walks of life and nowhere more than between "
ex-pats"
. We just do our thing and if no one likes it tough. We have lovely Bulgarian neighbours and friends and they accept us for what we are.We don't flash the cash, we don't have any! We live a simple life, are always polite and speak some Bulgarian which goes a long way. We avoid all the ex-pat scene, just have a few good friends.

You keep singing and enjoying yourself.

Thank you so much Oddie and EllieMay. You sound just like us Ellie and good luck in your village life.
Maybe some people don't realise how much replies like this mean to folks. It really lifts the spirits when times are a bit tough. Thank you again.

So glad we cheered you up

I seem to have become an honary baba. I like knitting but because my MS affects my hands I use a machine. I knitted a waistcoat for our neighbour to thank her for all the veg she gave us because we moved in with nothing growing here. My "
fame"
has spread and I am on my first commission. Wool supplied by the lady in question and a barter done. Wages for knitting a simple tank top - 2 jars of cauliflower pickle. What better way to stock the cupboards.

Brilliant. When we moved recently we got a huge cabbage and a bottle of home brew rakia from our neighbour in return for our hens and rabbit! Still waiting for some eggs though. [You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

Ladies and Gents

I have a great idea for your communities especially now it is near XMAS

How about everyone in the villages do some small boxs/baskets of fruit or small boxes of goods preserves etc and taking it to your community hall. This can then be given to the the poor or the family who have very little.

We used to do this when we were little and to receive a few items or even a jar of jam to share with the children was a god send for many families.

What do you think???? can you do it

Oddy

Already started to make small hampers for a few of our neighbours. Most of them have little in the way of luxuries so a few goodies at Christmas will go down well. I have saved up plastic trays and lined them with tissue. Each will have 6 homemade mincepies (with my homemade mmincemeat), homemade cookies, a small gift of chocolate, some ham and good cheese and a christmas card. I have 4 families in mind so far but it may be 6 by the end who knows.