Bulgaria
Been about a week since my last post and I can not believe how much we have done.
Left Athens with an awesome plan to get the night trains which connected perfectly and head up to Sofia, Bulgarias capital. We spend half a day sitting in a cafe waiting for our first train but gave us an opportunity to decide on plans for Bulgaria when we got there.
Boarded our first train headed for Thessonaliki in the early afternoon. Carriage was more like a cattle car with sun blaring in but was an experience none the less. The sun finally set and we finally were slightly more comfortable. Our train was due to arrive at 1130ish and we had a connecting train at about1230am. We were literally 2 mins from Thessonaliki station when the train came to screaching halt and the millitary fellows who were on board ran through the carriage and jumped off the train. Turns out a girl had jumped from the train and commited suicide. We then waited on the train for about three hours I think while poilce ect came and did there thing. Anyway we finally got going again and it was only then that we realised how close we were from the station!!! Did not matter because we had missed our train and had to wait for one in the morning now anyway. So arriving at Thess station we put our stuff in lockrs before we were hurried out on the street while they closed the station. We found a comfy looking patch of concrete and Nick kept watch while I slept. Station reopened at 5am and we were on the next train to Sofia Bulgaria.
Train to Bulgaria was event free. See the funny pic of Nick finally sleeping (athens link on the right will get you there). Arrived early afternoon in Sofia. Spent the next couple of days exploring the capital. Went on an awesome tour led by a local uni student. Went to heaps of temples, mosqus and churches. Such a fascinating history. The country is still rebuilding itself since the fall of the soviet. Its strange to consider that only 15years or so ago Bulgaria was a communist country. Many mixed opinions from the people who live here.
Anyway, spent the next couple of days in a town called Plovdiv. On arrival met up with people we had previously met in Sofia and found they had been pick pocketed. Losing there passports, creditcards and money. After that I did not feel at ease there. Always felt like I was looking over my shoulder. Took a bus into the mountains and visited a Bulgarian orthodox monastery.
Headed to Karlivo yesterday. A small village on the base of a mountain in the valley of roses. It is sooooo beautiful here. My favorite Bulgarian place so far. Very clean and the local are friendly and helpful.
Impressions of Bulgaria? We have found that most young people can speak a little bit of english and are willing to help you. The thing I am having most trouble with is that they shake their head for yes and nod for no! I cant get it right. I am learning a bit of the ceryllic alphabet so I can read some of the signs. My Bulgarian in very poor but it has spanish and french influence so can pretty much get away with saying 'mercie' for thankyou which is so easy to remember.
Heading to some mineral springs in a nearby town soon so best be getting ready. The links to the right are Nicks blogspot 'hoist the spinnaker', Nicks photos (can get there from the Athens photos) and my kodak website which has no new pics since London so look at Nicks for now if you are interested.
Will write again soon xxxxx
Left Athens with an awesome plan to get the night trains which connected perfectly and head up to Sofia, Bulgarias capital. We spend half a day sitting in a cafe waiting for our first train but gave us an opportunity to decide on plans for Bulgaria when we got there.
Boarded our first train headed for Thessonaliki in the early afternoon. Carriage was more like a cattle car with sun blaring in but was an experience none the less. The sun finally set and we finally were slightly more comfortable. Our train was due to arrive at 1130ish and we had a connecting train at about1230am. We were literally 2 mins from Thessonaliki station when the train came to screaching halt and the millitary fellows who were on board ran through the carriage and jumped off the train. Turns out a girl had jumped from the train and commited suicide. We then waited on the train for about three hours I think while poilce ect came and did there thing. Anyway we finally got going again and it was only then that we realised how close we were from the station!!! Did not matter because we had missed our train and had to wait for one in the morning now anyway. So arriving at Thess station we put our stuff in lockrs before we were hurried out on the street while they closed the station. We found a comfy looking patch of concrete and Nick kept watch while I slept. Station reopened at 5am and we were on the next train to Sofia Bulgaria.
Train to Bulgaria was event free. See the funny pic of Nick finally sleeping (athens link on the right will get you there). Arrived early afternoon in Sofia. Spent the next couple of days exploring the capital. Went on an awesome tour led by a local uni student. Went to heaps of temples, mosqus and churches. Such a fascinating history. The country is still rebuilding itself since the fall of the soviet. Its strange to consider that only 15years or so ago Bulgaria was a communist country. Many mixed opinions from the people who live here.
Anyway, spent the next couple of days in a town called Plovdiv. On arrival met up with people we had previously met in Sofia and found they had been pick pocketed. Losing there passports, creditcards and money. After that I did not feel at ease there. Always felt like I was looking over my shoulder. Took a bus into the mountains and visited a Bulgarian orthodox monastery.
Headed to Karlivo yesterday. A small village on the base of a mountain in the valley of roses. It is sooooo beautiful here. My favorite Bulgarian place so far. Very clean and the local are friendly and helpful.
Impressions of Bulgaria? We have found that most young people can speak a little bit of english and are willing to help you. The thing I am having most trouble with is that they shake their head for yes and nod for no! I cant get it right. I am learning a bit of the ceryllic alphabet so I can read some of the signs. My Bulgarian in very poor but it has spanish and french influence so can pretty much get away with saying 'mercie' for thankyou which is so easy to remember.
Heading to some mineral springs in a nearby town soon so best be getting ready. The links to the right are Nicks blogspot 'hoist the spinnaker', Nicks photos (can get there from the Athens photos) and my kodak website which has no new pics since London so look at Nicks for now if you are interested.
Will write again soon xxxxx
posted by Heather at
12:05
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