Like Eric, we also had our village do yesterday in the village hall.
When we arrived we greeted like good friends and shown the tables by the woodburner which had been reserved for the English contingent. We paid 6lev each for our do, but how they managed to cover their costs is beyond me. There were bottles of pop on the tables and a huge bread roll to go with a meal. We bought our own alcohol though there was a bar, and the wine our neighbour gave us for Christmas was just the thing. There was also a band.
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The day kicked off with a welcome speech and this was translated by a young girl into English which was very kind. Soon there was a smell of cooking and the meal was served.
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Then the dancing began and it was lovely. The steps looked simple enough but ex-pats who had been there years said they were very difficult to pick up. It was nice to see everybody having a good time and they were keen to see the Brits join in. And they did and were patiently shown what to do.
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We had all bought home made draw tickets and the draw began while the band had a rest. The prizes may not have been the expensive items we may have seen in the UK, and were predominantly packets of herbs, sweet bars and toothpicks, but the excitement was priceless, from the Bulgarians and the Brits (who won an embarrassing amount)
Our prizes
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There was another speech wishing the village a happy and healthy new year, then the dancing started again. I don't know where they get their energy! Dave was a little the worse for wear by this time and decided he would like a go at the dancing (not his forte!) He is tall so has long legs which refused to be controlled. But one of the men generously sent his daughter to try to sort him (and another Brit) out which she tried to do while he watched anxiously. The rest of the dancers split off to give them space, and all did their dance in a line. I managed to get a video to show Dave this morning and he was touched at how they had tried to help. The video is hilarious!
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Our friend with her neighbour
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The man in the white hair is the one who tried to help, Dave is the long lanky one!
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At the end the band played a couple of British songs at which time I had to leave to shut the chickens in. But it was a lovely experience, the villagers are generous in every way, with their patience, their drink (hic...)and their welcome of the newbies (us)
Sadly our lovely neighbours didn't show up, no idea why but no doubt we will find out when we go to their do next week.