Lubomir Parushev: Nice to get in touch with you, Betsy, although in a kind of a distant way… You are the most important protagonist in Plamen´s book „Wedding in California“ and it would be very interesting for our blog readers to learn more about you and Paul. I would appreciate it if you could share your thoughts with us and respond to the few questions below.
Betsy:
I’ll never forget my first meeting with the Petrovis. I had met Tanya in Kystendil at a Peace Corps training, where she was assigned to be my counterpart for the duration of my service. How lucky for me! When I arrived in G.O. for my site visit, she was waiting for me on the train platform, and as soon as I set down my backpack, it was wisked away by an energetic, compact man. It all happened so fast I thought I had been robbed! It was Plamen, of course, who was always eager to help. They then showed me to my apartment which was one floor below theirs. They became my family for those two years.
2/ Where and when did you meet your husband Paul?
Betsy:
Paul and I officially met in Chicago, but we grew closer during our training in Kystendil. It was luck as well that he was assigned to Triavna and that we were able to see each other often.
3/ Has your stay and work in Bulgaria changed anything in your life or your way of thinking and if so, to which direction?
Betsy: I believe that the experience taught me that people are people, regardless of geography. We have to control our attitude towards our life in order to create the existence we want.
4/ Why did you decide to invite people from distant Bulgaria to attend your wedding day in US?
Betsy:
Tanya and Plamen were the first people to really know as a couple. We learned so much from them and it only seemed appropriate that they share in the celebration of our union.
5/ What is your impression from Plamen´s book "Wedding in California" from the main-role´s-player perspective?
Betsy: I think it is wonderful that his experience inspired him to write a book, something he’s always wanted to do. I think that the story isn’t so much about us as it is about the experience of travel and being with friends.
6/ Could you share any interesting story or situation you remember from that time?
Betsy: I remember that from the minute they arrived in California, we joked that there was „No sleeping on vacation!“ We then proceeded to take pictures of anyone who napped. We were active and busy the whole time as there was a lot to see and do.7/ Would you like to attach some pictures from that time to our blog?
Betsy: I will attach some of Plamen’s shots and I’m always happy to provide more.
8/ What was the main impulse for you to visit Bulgaria again these days?
Betsy: When I learned that Plamen is sick, my heart sank. While I maybe never said it out loud, my worst fear was that I might never see them again. At first I thought we would visit in the summer, so they could meet our son. Once I became more informed of Plamen’s state, I decided I couldn’t wait. So, without my husband or son, I ventured to Bulgaria alone to see him and to support Tanya, who cares for him on her own.
While I hate to imagine that this was a „Farewell in California“ I am worried that it might have been.
9/ How different do you find Bulgaria between your first visit there in 1997 and nowadays – after almost 15 years?
Betsy: Well, after visiting in 2001, I noticed changes like the introduction of the Euro and recycle bins. This time, new stores were everywhere and cell phones were more common than stray dogs.
10/ A "no-topic" closing question: Is there any other message you would like to send through our blog to your bulgarian friends as well as to our readers at the end of your stay in Bulgaria?
Betsy: We feel so lucky to have connected with Tanya and Plamen. There are very few people in the world with whom we truly connect. Plamen has a special gift in his ability to engage and inspire people. His book shows his astute nature and his keen sense of humor.
LP: Thank you for your kind responses, Betsy. Let me wish you a good flight back home and hope we might meet in person some day.
Thank you for sharing this!
ReplyDeleteIt's an honour to have you here, Betsy. We look forward to your posts and comments (and pictures, please).
ReplyDeleteThanks for being "a founding partner" in this project :-)