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| Goce |
Two weeks ago, I had a chance to head out to the fields with Sveto early one morning while his son, Goce, met us at our destination with the tractor. This field was not nearly as far as the corn fields and I was there only to observe this time...no work. It is in the fall that all the plowing is completed along with fertilizing and some planting. The purpose of this trip was spreading the seeds for the wheat. This wheat will be ground into the flour used for making bread next year. They do have a separate field where they grow a similar crop but it is for feeding the animals. The 300 kilos of seed were on the ground in no time at all and we headed back to the house, stopping for a couple of posed photos.(below) I think we passed at least 6 or 7 other local men either going to or coming from their fields. The way ownership of the land was determined post Yugoslavia resulted in many families owning fields spread far and wide from their homes and each other. This makes the farming way of life even more challenging here.
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| Just a pose...not really driving! |
Last week we had an informative, day long session with our future work associates that are referred to as our counterpart. My counterpart's name is Anika and I am fortunate in that she has over 18 years experience working for the municipality of Kocani. I think this will work out well as she is not only experienced and intelligent, but apparently has a good understanding of what my role will be for the next couple of years. The fact that she speaks and understand very little English will make it a little more challenging for the first few months but we agreed that we will be teaching each other our native tongues. I think they also would like me to teach some English at the site as only 4 or 5 of the 60 employees currently are proficient and all of the available grant money requires the applications be completed in English. This will probably be something I do after my normal working hours.
Went into Kumonovo two more times. This is the 5th or 6th time I have gone to the city with the intentions of getting my haircut while there. I have returned an equal number of times without doing so. Oh well, I still have five days till swearing in.... Or maybe I will just buy a hat!
No...a hat won't do it!!!
Had my final LPI (Language Proficiency Interview) ..a euphemism for "test", yesterday. Won't know how I did until Monday, but it is a huge relief to get it over with. It is only a half hour but it is all in Macedonian and all recorded. No writing, just speaking and listening.
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| My terrific teacher, Maya |
This coming Thursday, Thanksgiving, we will be sworn into the peace Corp. It is a big day for all of us as it officially ends out pre-service training and every one of us is very happy for that. On Friday I will move to my new city and apartment and begin work the following Monday. The first task will be to buy "everything". sheets, towels, food, coffee maker etc. etc. etc. I cannot wait for a cup of good old "American style" coffee.
I may not have the Internet for a while as it is up to me to contact the provider and order the service. that in itself could be interesting. So, no posts for a couple of weeks or so as I move to the next phase of life in Macedonia.
A few photos taken last week in some unseasonably warm and sunny weather........................
Rakia
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