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
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
Winter in the ski resort of Vitosha
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