My placement in Vidin is different than any of my previous living experiences. I used to live in a college dormitory where it was easy to blend in with the crowd. In Vidin, I stand out because I am one of a few Americans that live in the city. When I walk down the street, people recognize me as the English teacher. It makes me feel good that people know who I am, but it also feels like I am constantly being watched. However, walking on the local streets has also allowed me to meet some of my friends here.
I have a routine, so I regularly see the same people every week. When I go to the grocery store, I see the lady at the deli who knows what I usually buy. If I buy something different and mispronounce the name, she smiles at me and says it back to me correctly. When I repeat it, she smiles again and says, “много добре" (mnogo dobre). This phrase is Bulgarian for "very good." I appreciate that she is encouraging and helps me with a smile. The other people I see regularly have also come to recognize me and know what I need. If there is a problem, hand gestures help! Some signs (like pointing at what you want) are universally understood.
I have been in Bulgaria for a few months now, and not knowing a lot of Bulgarian is the biggest difficulty.
