I have just returned to the UK after a fantastic week in Sofia. The only downside was how cold it was during my visit. Nearly minus 20 which believe me is a little chilly. However, its a different kind of cold, if that makes any sense. Somehow it is very dry and you soon seem to warm up once you are out and about. Also the weather changes very quickly - It might be a cold winters day in the morning and warm and sunny in the afternoon.

I found some great places to eat in Sofia. £2 for a hot meal and a Shopska salad. A Shopska salad is the Bulgarian national dish and very simple to make. Most villagers grow the ingredents themselves and make their own cheese for the topping. Try one when you visit and wash it down with a rakia - this is a strong Bulgarian brandy which is normally home made and very strong!

Everytime I visit Bulgaria I realise just how much a little goes a long way. For example, making an effort to learn a few words of the langauge will really make a difference to the way you are treated. It needn't be anything fancy... just a simple hello/good morning/good bye/thanks etc will be sufficient. The Bulgarians will really appreciate your efforts and go out of their way to welcome you if you do this. Let me give you an example. There is a bar in Rousse which I use everytime I visit the area - it's not posh - the toilet comprises of a hole in the floor (but the beers good!) it's very Bulgarian and the atmosphere is great. The staff who work there are always polite, but we do of course, speak a different langauge. One night when I ordered a drink I asked how everyone was in Bulgarian (All you say is kakcte pronounced kak-see...worth remembering). The drinks were on the house for the rest of the night and I was given a bottle of home made whiskey to take home when I left. We have been friends ever since...

Just one word made that difference.

Thats it until my next post

Blagodarya (thats the second word to learn - it means thank you)

Best,
Paul

Winter in Bulgaria - Borovets

It may be cold in January but Bulgaria is still beautiful
Winter in the ski resort of Vitosha

I have decided to start a blog at long last! I travel to Sofia this weekend (16/1/2010) and will keep you updated about my time there! I will be stopping at the Hostel Mostel for a few nights - I highly recommend this place if you stay in Sofia. 44 lev a night for a clean room including breakie and beer. How good is that!

On arrival its off to my favourite night club in Sofia 'Sin City' to dance and drink the night away. I might post some pictures when time allows!

The one thing I am a little worried about is that my passport has less than 6 months to run until it expires - hope they let me through border control! I checked with the Embassy and they said that as Bulgaria is in the EU it should be OK...We will see.

The weather in the UK is really bad today and we are snowed in. Just heard on the news that Gatwick is canceling flights to many destinations. Sofia airport always manages to keep the runways clear and they have more snow than us - why can't we keep ours gritted? Its the same in the villages, they get snowed in but everyone works together and clears the roads. Over here everything comes to a stand still...I can see why many of my customers buy in BG in order to emigrate! There is also a major lesson I've drawn as an observer of these people, the danger of forcing political correctness on everyone. To me, this was the start of a slow decline, and why so many have moved on and started a new life abroad.

Just had a look at the webcam in Rousse and the sun is out. The weather in Bulgaria is much better than the UK this year (So far!). Bulgaria is known for its hot summers and cold winters but the last few years have seen better winters than we have had here. Roll on the weekend....

Thats it for now..Chow chow

              

                                          The night club 'Sin City'

                                               The Hostel Mostel