What the H-E-Double Hockey Sticks are Chicken Hards?

Last week I took a little trip to a nearby city, still so reminiscent of the Soviet era. There are large bloc buildings and fountains with new civilizations of microbes growing in them. I loved all the sights and sounds of the city, like the signs that warn of horse and carriage. We went out to eat and although the menu was half in English, it is no English I have ever seen, nor ever want to see. Some delicacies on the menu were: chicken hards (I have no idea what part of the animal that comes from), milk salad, eggs of eyes, and chicken morsels with cornflakes (sounds like something Nick would eat).

 

 

 

We passed this interesting fountain reminding me of those glorious days of my childhood when I danced in the spit of fish. Oh to be young and carefree again.

 

Friday we took a bus to another village and met up with some other trainees to play ultimate frisbee and basketball. We played at the school there and soon the kids started to show up. We were inside the gates playing and a group gathered outside. I walked up, gulped and said in horrible Bulgarian, "Do you want to play soccer?" A long uneasy pause. Did they understand me? "Yes!" they responded and walked in. Their soccer skills were impressive, bouncing the ball against their chest, using their knees and head. Every time I kicked the ball they would yell, "Bravo", probably just surprised I could meet foot with ball.

 

Saturday there was a religious celebration in town. There is only one priest for the whole area so he travels from village to village performing mass and other ceremonies. 45 years of communism had its toll on religion in Bulgaria. Every house is adorned with religious artifacts but few actively attend church. On Saturday the dedicated people walked up to the small church to hear the priest pray, to light candles and to join in a community feast.

 

Every family had their own table and people walked around to give gifts of bread. Someone from the family would carry a bucket to the large, steaming pot sitting next to the priest. A man with a large iron ladle used both hands to pour courban soup into each family's bucket. Courban soup is made with vegetables and lamb, with a nice healthy layer of oil on top.

 

*Animal special!

These are the goats that pass my house. I love it, everyday is like a goat parade.

 

This is a horse rolling around on our soccer field. And I mean literally it was rolling.

 

This picture is pretty self-explanatory. This cow looks like it has important business to take care of.

 

The kitten my family has. Time for a collective, "Awww."