Different and yet the same

After two weeks, I guess I am settled. Well... close anyway. The many trips to the local shops (for a lot of things I had purchased the last time here)have me feeling far more at home than I did a week ago.  I now have pans, a coffee makers, glasses, bedding etc.  And food, of course, food.  Now it is time to fill in the gaps.  Gaps that are very apparent when I try to cook or to clean.  No change here from the last time.


My living arrangements are much different this time, yet in one aspect, the same.  Instead of 86 stairs up to an apartment I simply go down one flight to a lower level in a private home.  That is after walking a mile or so uphill to the home's location.  When getting my supplies, I need to decide carefully just how much to purchase before making the "climb" home.  After one particularly exhausting haul, I  decided to take a taxi when really loaded up. 


With my shopping nearly completed, I now can sleep soundly under two comforters.  I also was provided with a second electric heater by my landlord, a blessing and a curse.  It is surely warmer but we are now given an allowance and pay our own electric bills.  Previously the Peace Corps payed them for all volunteers and cranking the heat was the norm.  this new arrangement makes sense and makes it necessary to be prudent with the heat. I have a feeling my first bill is going to be a shocker.   I have a private entrance and my own bath that is in the hall only a few icy steps away.  I take one of the electric heater when showering as I figure it is better to be electrocuted than it is to freeze to death.


Being settled means being back to eating grilled cheese, soup, and potato chips, lots of potato chips.  That for sure is the same.  Oddly enough, while here previously for seven months I managed to lose 17 lbs. ( I found every one of them while  home).  I don't think there will be this magical weight loss this time around.  One big difference is lunch!   Something I avoided last time was Byrek (burek). 

 It is baked or fried filled pastries made of a thin flaky dough and it can be filled with cheese, often feta, sirene or minced meat.  It is usually served with plain yogurt and is becoming addictive.  I have a feeling, thanks in part to the byrek, and in part to the tightening of my jeans already, that I will not be losing anything this time.  That is surely a difference.





I have met with a few of the new volunteers as well as several of my old colleagues.  I will see them all at what is termed a mid service conference next week in Skopje.  I will surely hear it about being at this event as it is no where near the mid point of my service.  I am glad I was invited though as I will get to see everyone from my initial group.

A new young lady has been assigned to the schools here in Kocani . Morgan  lives in my old place and being quite young does not complain about all the stairs!  I hope to work with her on a couple of her initiatives with her students.  It will be a nice diversion from the municipality. 

Last weekend I had a visit from the son of the family I lived with during pre-service training.  Goce now has a car and an American girlfriend.  She is a volunteer from the new class assigned to Kumonovo.  He arrived with gifts of course... wine and homemade bread from his parents.  I had brought his father, Sveto, a pair of glasses from the US that I hope are the right strength.  I will soon plan a trip to visit the family and reconnect.

I am not sure if this winter or last are the "real" Macedonian winter.  I recall last year only a bit of snow and just a few days of frigid weather.  I think I hauled out the long underwear for only five or six days a year ago.  Well, this year, it has been out and on every day since arriving.  It has been C-O-L-D.  We have not had a big snowstorm but we have had several dustings of three to four inches.  Just enough to keep the walk to and from home treacherous.  Each morning means three layers of shirts and a sweater before reaching for the coat to leave.

Sunday is the party for our fantasy league.  We will all be bringing a bottle of Rakia for the champ, Blake the owner of the Stip Stallions!.  After running off to a 10-0 start, I collapsed , losing three of the last four and of course my one and only playoff game.  I will simply blame it on injuries!
The big decision Sunday will be whether or not to remain in Stip and watch the Super Bowl or return home to the wide screen 14 inch Levono.  It comes on at 12 midnight our time so I probably should return for a pre game nap!  Go Pats!

With all this whining one might think I am having an awful time of it here.  However I am very happy to be here!  Now that is different!