tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-53279396755412193322024-03-13T17:47:59.334+01:00Ellis and Jodie's Bulgarian AdventureA colorful, cultural depiction of life in Bulgaria and travel around the Balkans.Ellis and Jodie's Bulgarian Adventurehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16888674896176838075noreply@blogger.comBlogger393125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5327939675541219332.post-80073156085724944932013-01-29T06:17:00.001+01:002013-01-29T06:17:59.305+01:00The Bulgarian Adventure Continues in Valley of Thracians<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0a6RSdDJMZmJ6FtGR5mGT0k0penBv_p_IwzDi9EgaF3nAN6ZjJoMPB-F6qaXVxxYOfqaheooKJhBRQcADsL02FoalZbrJdMHSBsnVOyWCEHX2yYZ5xhrbxj85TVULSFzMGwTC2WaQjQic/s1600/thracians_large.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0a6RSdDJMZmJ6FtGR5mGT0k0penBv_p_IwzDi9EgaF3nAN6ZjJoMPB-F6qaXVxxYOfqaheooKJhBRQcADsL02FoalZbrJdMHSBsnVOyWCEHX2yYZ5xhrbxj85TVULSFzMGwTC2WaQjQic/s1600/thracians_large.jpg" /></a></div>
During the two years that Jodie and I lived and worked in Bulgaria, we traveled extensively around the country. We learned about Bulgaria's history and culture, we visited its villages, and climbed its mountains. We studied the Bulgarian language and made many friends. It was truly an adventure, as witnessed in the many posts and pictures on this blog.
<br />
<br />
Just over two years after our departure from Bulgaria, I am proud to announce that my novel, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Valley-of-Thracians-ebook/dp/B00B68J114" target="_blank"><em>Valley</em> <em>of Thracians</em></a>, has been published and is now available for Kindle, with other formats to follow.
<br />
<br />
In <em>Valley of Thracians</em>, the Bulgarian adventure continues, only this time it's a fictional account. The novel is a tale of suspense as the characters make their way across beautiful Bulgarian landscapes in their pursuit of a missing American and buried treasure.
<br />
<br />
While the story is fictional, the places, customs, and traditions of Bulgaria I describe are very real. Bulgaria is an off-the-beaten track destination. This fascinating country comes alive in the pages of my book.
<br />
<br />
I hope you will enjoy <em>Valley of Thracians</em>.
<br />
<br />
<strong>Book Description</strong>:
<br />
<br />
A Peace Corps volunteer has gone missing in Bulgaria and everyone assumes he is dead, everyone except his grandfather, who refuses to give up hope. Retired literature professor Simon Matthews launches a desperate search only to be lured into a bizarre quest to retrieve a stolen Thracian artifact—an unique object of immense value others will stop at nothing to recover.
<br />
<br />
Matthews travels through a Balkan landscape dotted with ancient tombs and fortresses, unaware that his grandson has been confined to an isolated mountain cabin, slowly recovering from a severe head injury. Nothing can be taken at face value, as the woman assisting Matthews in his quest and the nurse caring for his injured grandson may have ulterior motives in helping the two reunite. Even when Matthews succeeds in joining up with his grandson, departure from Bulgaria is only possible if the missing relic can be found.
<br />
<br />
<em><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Valley-of-Thracians-ebook/dp/B00B68J114" target="_blank">Now available on Amazon for Kindle</a>.</em>Ellis and Jodie's Bulgarian Adventurehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16888674896176838075noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5327939675541219332.post-24799948542875939602011-02-05T12:36:00.054+01:002013-01-09T17:31:15.002+01:00Top 15 Favorite Bulgarian PlacesAt a distance of one month, it's sometimes hard to believe that we spent two wonderful years living in Bulgaria. We look back with fond memories at the many places we visited, the many people we met, and the many things we learned about Bulgaria, its culture and history. This started as a Top Ten list, but there were too many places to list, so it became a Top 15 list, and still, some of the colorful destinations we visited are not included. The list is presented in alphabetical order.<br />
<br />
<p>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs-sIRgUjeSYik4FJjVZm9J_Bg6EAkvXoNqOHQSLNPqKmoJz6qDU1BWTY9XgsWZJoYhX2w05u_rQU4UyQxgCcceYtBjHmVNg6sepCY3Fd11PEex7YF1MDZCngfT67hNinsLqlvdAw5orlD/s1600/Balchik.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570181704314712338" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs-sIRgUjeSYik4FJjVZm9J_Bg6EAkvXoNqOHQSLNPqKmoJz6qDU1BWTY9XgsWZJoYhX2w05u_rQU4UyQxgCcceYtBjHmVNg6sepCY3Fd11PEex7YF1MDZCngfT67hNinsLqlvdAw5orlD/s320/Balchik.JPG" style="float: left; height: 120px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 160px;" /></a> <strong>Balchik</strong>. On the Black Sea coast, this town was the <a href="http://shumansinbulgaria.blogspot.com/2010/11/balchik-summer-home-of-romanian-queen.html">summer home of Queen Marie of Romania</a>. We enjoyed walking around the botanical gardens, seeing the old style houses and the simple palace that captured the heart of the Romanian queen.</p>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<p>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6D969pK8xGgO1Ym2_8vHil3ZXthRY0vSizerWL_d6DAXRKaMOpb8i2fZfhwPIGb4koTtavl9T-0rp-bKR9dBlwv-nFpl2ZaP0nxcSpGHRoA8zHJcYhnZKwc0oscCx-0zLcWZLnoLYFmyV/s1600/Belogradchik.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570181377919094194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6D969pK8xGgO1Ym2_8vHil3ZXthRY0vSizerWL_d6DAXRKaMOpb8i2fZfhwPIGb4koTtavl9T-0rp-bKR9dBlwv-nFpl2ZaP0nxcSpGHRoA8zHJcYhnZKwc0oscCx-0zLcWZLnoLYFmyV/s320/Belogradchik.JPG" style="float: left; height: 120px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 160px;" /></a> <strong>Belogradchik</strong>. Belogradchik is a town in northwestern Bulgaria and also the name of a <a href="http://shumansinbulgaria.blogspot.com/2010/06/belogradchik-rocks-rock.html">fortress and nature reserve </a>of bizarrely shaped sandstone, limestone and other rock formations. The Belogradchik Rocks were Bulgaria's candidate in the campaign for New Seven Wonders of Nature.</p>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<p>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicM0jxOAVEOFPD5T4sRyGjbg6rqsTvz-uknmkSVUo8fiGGLI4nlXtphYPXxHnp7J96WXvFjbNrpfMIqS-CFZe0NdoUuz2GnCKC57rvW22T2nlPLbDh4tWpbi1yn3ygngizZXcqW_WG6pdG/s1600/Kaliakra.JPG"><strong><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570180508867754674" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicM0jxOAVEOFPD5T4sRyGjbg6rqsTvz-uknmkSVUo8fiGGLI4nlXtphYPXxHnp7J96WXvFjbNrpfMIqS-CFZe0NdoUuz2GnCKC57rvW22T2nlPLbDh4tWpbi1yn3ygngizZXcqW_WG6pdG/s320/Kaliakra.JPG" style="float: left; height: 120px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 160px;" /></strong></a><strong> Kaliakra</strong>. <a href="http://shumansinbulgaria.blogspot.com/2010/11/beautiful-cape-kaliakra.html">Cape Kaliakra</a>, on a rocky, narrow peninsula jutting into the Black Sea north of Varna, is highly revered by the locals for its beautiful scenery more than its history serving as a fortress in both Roman and Byzantine times.</p>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<p>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIsrZvocYlNCAhPNIZQwH-1vF_4-zR2NudFyd7XhGEo5Lrf4k_QoJ-hjhSP6-MFlbokyEDsZ2beJDeqVouW6WSa-KSH0hcGxVGoxiB7EQoS0WebAq8AUMuCvDUcoacrqLZ5p0w9L_RXZYS/s1600/Koprivshtitsa.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570180253779536898" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIsrZvocYlNCAhPNIZQwH-1vF_4-zR2NudFyd7XhGEo5Lrf4k_QoJ-hjhSP6-MFlbokyEDsZ2beJDeqVouW6WSa-KSH0hcGxVGoxiB7EQoS0WebAq8AUMuCvDUcoacrqLZ5p0w9L_RXZYS/s320/Koprivshtitsa.JPG" style="float: left; height: 120px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 160px;" /></a> <strong>Koprivshtitsa</strong>. We made two visits to this historic town east of Sofia, the first being during a <a href="http://shumansinbulgaria.blogspot.com/2009/03/winter-visit-to-koprivshtitsa.html">heavy snowstorm</a>. The second time we returned we enjoyed more favorable weather, giving us a better opportunity to visit the <a href="http://shumansinbulgaria.blogspot.com/2010/06/house-museums-of-koprivshtitsa.html">house museums</a> where much of Bulgaria's modern history in its revolt against the Ottomans was launched.</p>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<p>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwBWFl28GZ6WMzSyIHAt86UpqnButCFxCGvN5Px5N5S2NqrJ53Yr0NDfSlff7gCbwfcQ1MkcVeF00fYysGs28DZI-BIeATMAJI8uWuEZkh3jPBJgKm0mJFDoq6wPfsFyN2lpOK6CfcvNeI/s1600/Melnik.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570180027076725090" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwBWFl28GZ6WMzSyIHAt86UpqnButCFxCGvN5Px5N5S2NqrJ53Yr0NDfSlff7gCbwfcQ1MkcVeF00fYysGs28DZI-BIeATMAJI8uWuEZkh3jPBJgKm0mJFDoq6wPfsFyN2lpOK6CfcvNeI/s320/Melnik.JPG" style="float: left; height: 120px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 160px;" /></a> <strong>Melnik</strong>. <a href="http://shumansinbulgaria.blogspot.com/2010/05/fine-red-wine-of-melnik.html">Melnik is the smallest town in Bulgaria</a>, known for its robust red wine, impressive old-style houses, and beautiful natural surroundings. We had a tasty lunch and the red wine set our heads spinning.</p>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<p>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7r5cYWaJWyrHkkEPub-1Q9qeobVOkzLeBtVwR3tNCx_7th2t0Ft5c7AH2qBD56PjQCTbGG8vz-WaGgO6R7tY1lj_k7zeGze3mN1GHSnxzJeTVbhsHF3kT0ZAFik81RPaOyKz8qEUCZkcm/s1600/Nessebar.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570179691957582194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7r5cYWaJWyrHkkEPub-1Q9qeobVOkzLeBtVwR3tNCx_7th2t0Ft5c7AH2qBD56PjQCTbGG8vz-WaGgO6R7tY1lj_k7zeGze3mN1GHSnxzJeTVbhsHF3kT0ZAFik81RPaOyKz8qEUCZkcm/s320/Nessebar.JPG" style="float: left; height: 120px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 160px;" /></a> <strong>Nessebar</strong>. <a href="http://shumansinbulgaria.blogspot.com/2009/12/world-heritage-city-of-nessebar-on.html">Nessebar</a> is not only one of the oldest cities in Bulgaria, but also one of the oldest towns in Europe. Its brick churches date back to the Middle Ages and before, and its wooden homes are from Bulgaria's Revival period in the 1800s. The town is recognized as a World Heritage City and we enjoyed walking through its picturesque streets.</p>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<p>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuyZRb-e64_4XyDO1Fz1CtQeJvw8F32dy00N-A9dbdPnyMGcZK22BjMWI3BDUKxAj6j3WgduM9hzF8Qptn3Pp5si2LR9S-yiryja0Ck0aSiSBStE2Yeft4MwGL91zrahl9U9i5abZyRBT-/s1600/Perperikon.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570179355718972754" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuyZRb-e64_4XyDO1Fz1CtQeJvw8F32dy00N-A9dbdPnyMGcZK22BjMWI3BDUKxAj6j3WgduM9hzF8Qptn3Pp5si2LR9S-yiryja0Ck0aSiSBStE2Yeft4MwGL91zrahl9U9i5abZyRBT-/s320/Perperikon.JPG" style="float: left; height: 120px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 160px;" /></a> <strong>Perperikon</strong>. The <a href="http://shumansinbulgaria.blogspot.com/2010/08/ancient-thracian-city-of-perperikon-is.html">ancient Thracian city of Perperikon</a> is located at the top of a high, rocky hill in the Eastern Rhodopes. It was quite a climb to reach the top, but going down we found an easier path.</p>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<p>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMSwS403zsDW1w7Z0g4zisfUyI5RD4nyvU0UFoYpKXzP6H5VnR85BSJPyBIt17DhJZajXQy0rdb6AMT-J1AriBLq1IpCjK4cMVFzg5ZwACFOgmb6vNo8buF7yL0cJ_4mPRZ2NsjNx3V3dq/s1600/Plovdiv.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570179068730300882" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMSwS403zsDW1w7Z0g4zisfUyI5RD4nyvU0UFoYpKXzP6H5VnR85BSJPyBIt17DhJZajXQy0rdb6AMT-J1AriBLq1IpCjK4cMVFzg5ZwACFOgmb6vNo8buF7yL0cJ_4mPRZ2NsjNx3V3dq/s320/Plovdiv.JPG" style="float: left; height: 120px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 160px;" /></a> <strong>Plovdiv</strong>. Plovdiv's beautiful <a href="http://shumansinbulgaria.blogspot.com/2009/05/weekend-in-plovdiv.html">Old Town</a> has many homes from the 1880s which have been carefully restored, and many of them now serve as museums and art galleries. We walked up and down the cobblestone streets. The most beautiful house in the Old Town has now become the Ethnographic Museum. The Old Town is also home to a Roman ampitheater. <a href="http://shumansinbulgaria.blogspot.com/2010/07/plovdiv-with-friends.html">We visited Plovdiv</a> twice and easily could have come back a third time.</p>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<p>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1H6bTTFq6SBXkFZR0bbv7-EEo1y76Y7O4VTsdFZrfRNuYAgE-B7UCfe2ggSs-fnqrXVcfPOloy21GSL0y2Ak4kaAvKcDJTyPDEwKGzFjBcWkCfevwXbXMlRsebhtFEQSKdZf0mvqaen4Q/s1600/Rila.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570178847188643154" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1H6bTTFq6SBXkFZR0bbv7-EEo1y76Y7O4VTsdFZrfRNuYAgE-B7UCfe2ggSs-fnqrXVcfPOloy21GSL0y2Ak4kaAvKcDJTyPDEwKGzFjBcWkCfevwXbXMlRsebhtFEQSKdZf0mvqaen4Q/s320/Rila.JPG" style="float: left; height: 120px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 160px;" /></a> <strong>Rila Monastery</strong>. We made 5 visits to the Rila Monastery, first built in the 10th Century and rebuilt a few times since. The monastery is considered the <a href="http://shumansinbulgaria.blogspot.com/2009/07/rila-monastery.html">Jerusalem of Bulgaria</a>, probably due to the fact that it attracts both pilgrims and tourists. On each visit we were able to appreciate different aspects of the artwork, so it was always enjoyable.</p>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<p>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikwqLA5_oox904Zt7wt10pkMeN7DDMlXGaKJe7P0yjUwTbkmYa4SyX6KzLQvxhTA5-7J0lK0YVBboRRxdAer8TACQBSjiDLw-XiycmXNLdK0_G4mh9DLdv3AJlp7F-HLuFS_wcJyNlu0i1/s1600/Seven+Lakes.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570178611633585698" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikwqLA5_oox904Zt7wt10pkMeN7DDMlXGaKJe7P0yjUwTbkmYa4SyX6KzLQvxhTA5-7J0lK0YVBboRRxdAer8TACQBSjiDLw-XiycmXNLdK0_G4mh9DLdv3AJlp7F-HLuFS_wcJyNlu0i1/s320/Seven+Lakes.JPG" style="float: left; height: 120px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 160px;" /></a> <strong>Seven Lakes</strong>. While Jodie went to a village for a Bulgarian folk festival, I bravely set out with 4 Bulgarian friends on a trek into the <a href="http://shumansinbulgaria.blogspot.com/2010/05/rila-mountains-seven-lakes.html">Rila Mountains and the Sedmete Ezera</a>, or Seven Lakes. The hiking was alternatively through meadows of purple flowers and snow drifts. Some of the lakes were still frozen solid. The scenery was absolutely amazing.</p>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<p>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv8bH6GPtQbEh_q5kEelGEAGlgIfWeDSGTrF5LXUm4lF9KVIEyoHAA5_2wguldMIpag2RktAGWAqBW35IEt4un4IVpM62TpqGjJfslyuliYLRaV7t7gOR2V_Fmdn1vzdpcd55ZSVzQPTXF/s1600/Shipka.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570178241805404034" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv8bH6GPtQbEh_q5kEelGEAGlgIfWeDSGTrF5LXUm4lF9KVIEyoHAA5_2wguldMIpag2RktAGWAqBW35IEt4un4IVpM62TpqGjJfslyuliYLRaV7t7gOR2V_Fmdn1vzdpcd55ZSVzQPTXF/s320/Shipka.JPG" style="float: left; height: 120px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 160px;" /></a> <strong>Shipka</strong>. Historic <a href="http://shumansinbulgaria.blogspot.com/2009/08/shipka-pass.html">Shipka Pass</a> was where, in the years 1877-1878, Russian and Bulgarian troops were able to fight off the might of the Ottoman Empire and liberate the country. This is one of the most important sites to Bulgarians, and the views from on top the mountain are amazing.</p>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<p>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsxfUtZefQYzDhZGaJZKFd6AePyJrq9DjaBwppD_C3G-nLlOZF4Ptn5aKulWQspYmDQ1mEANSgLOiOjQxpp_PlUq-sDKKAjMdKWGvEidzvIpKhkxeL9DgxjzJzffiEVgaLJlExTBqIr7tP/s1600/Sofia.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570169126558680898" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsxfUtZefQYzDhZGaJZKFd6AePyJrq9DjaBwppD_C3G-nLlOZF4Ptn5aKulWQspYmDQ1mEANSgLOiOjQxpp_PlUq-sDKKAjMdKWGvEidzvIpKhkxeL9DgxjzJzffiEVgaLJlExTBqIr7tP/s320/Sofia.JPG" style="float: left; height: 120px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 160px;" /></a> <strong>Sofia</strong>. For the two years of our Bulgarian adventure we lived in Sofia, the country's capital. While the city is far from being considered beautiful when compared to the rest of the country, we grew to appreciate its charm. We walked its <a href="http://shumansinbulgaria.blogspot.com/2010/11/old-ruins-on-our-street.html">streets</a>, visited its <a href="http://shumansinbulgaria.blogspot.com/2010/10/national-archaeological-museum.html">museums</a>, and ate in its <a href="http://shumansinbulgaria.blogspot.com/2010/11/sofia-restaurant-reviews.html">restaurants</a>. Highlights of the city included its stunning <a href="http://shumansinbulgaria.blogspot.com/2009/09/sofia-synagogue-100-year-anniversary.html">synagogue</a>, its <a href="http://shumansinbulgaria.blogspot.com/2010/12/scenes-from-snowy-park.html">spacious parks</a>, and the <a href="http://shumansinbulgaria.blogspot.com/2010/04/houses-of-lozenets.html">old world feeling</a> of its houses.</p>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<p>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijVP9hDwIkIk1EAStkiFcM2f2Rzvtc_C2sOz0ZjR9Y0xmCjr0WOrWf-pQXZWZSgNKdTCG-LXIT5WeSSOHkebv32zCX_JvGud2aE9LlfObCqtZRL5pNfjMMxpMgLde3yku3DKK4fwHiWQ1A/s1600/Sozopol.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570168878839762082" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijVP9hDwIkIk1EAStkiFcM2f2Rzvtc_C2sOz0ZjR9Y0xmCjr0WOrWf-pQXZWZSgNKdTCG-LXIT5WeSSOHkebv32zCX_JvGud2aE9LlfObCqtZRL5pNfjMMxpMgLde3yku3DKK4fwHiWQ1A/s320/Sozopol.JPG" style="float: left; height: 120px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 160px;" /></a> <strong>Sozopol</strong>. Located 34 kilometers south of Burgas on a small peninsula, Sozopol is one of the oldest towns in Bulgaria. The town is known for its resorts and beaches, fishing boats and wooden houses dating back to the 18th Century. Our visit, on the <a href="http://shumansinbulgaria.blogspot.com/2009/12/saint-day-for-fishermen-of-sozopol.html">Saint Day for Fisherman</a>, also coincided with the <a href="http://shumansinbulgaria.blogspot.com/2009/12/close-encounter-with-bulgarias-prime.html">visit of the Bulgarian Prime Minister</a>.</p>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<p>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibPFX2ofiKj0I8QeVrkG1C0EuYYY_HhV1k_8pTpArTQtGHxfHr4d5j-kBqhcrnpD1Y05p1OSDXNnxLEI7CMiQL3a9I0iDQDlsRn7hwrYqH6X0I7BA3r_8sukYQ1sbpbsqvOV4MtyvNHT_o/s1600/Tryavna.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570168470155616178" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibPFX2ofiKj0I8QeVrkG1C0EuYYY_HhV1k_8pTpArTQtGHxfHr4d5j-kBqhcrnpD1Y05p1OSDXNnxLEI7CMiQL3a9I0iDQDlsRn7hwrYqH6X0I7BA3r_8sukYQ1sbpbsqvOV4MtyvNHT_o/s320/Tryavna.JPG" style="float: left; height: 120px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 160px;" /></a> <strong>Tryavna</strong>. We fell in love with this <a href="http://shumansinbulgaria.blogspot.com/2010/07/charming-town-of-tryavna.html">charming small town in central Bulgaria</a>, as it offered authentic restored houses and buildings without being pretentious at all. We enjoyed walking its streets and visiting the artists' quarter.</p>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<p>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo4fGeD7fPMfhg9D4RFmQ-C8rjyL68ijN9kAxEmxC9aJ8MeqRuTZm_aC0qHrUIPDI7twDVAx0C11lPllfItFoJmDdbQS4kLBFdNubSe0jEh0rzVUp_PPnA-5qYHSiB_fF7XBqT-XCQru2A/s1600/Veliko+Turnovo.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570168290476466226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo4fGeD7fPMfhg9D4RFmQ-C8rjyL68ijN9kAxEmxC9aJ8MeqRuTZm_aC0qHrUIPDI7twDVAx0C11lPllfItFoJmDdbQS4kLBFdNubSe0jEh0rzVUp_PPnA-5qYHSiB_fF7XBqT-XCQru2A/s320/Veliko+Turnovo.JPG" style="float: left; height: 120px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 160px;" /></a> <strong>Veliko Turnovo</strong>. We visited the historical city of <a href="http://shumansinbulgaria.blogspot.com/2009/08/veliko-turnovo.html">Veliko Turnovo</a> in central Bulgaria twice. Veliko Turnovo is famous for serving as capital of the Second Bulgarian Empire during the Middle Ages. The <a href="http://shumansinbulgaria.blogspot.com/2010/07/veliko-turnovo-with-friends.html">Tsarevets fortress</a> is one of the main tourist destinations in Bulgaria.</p>Ellis and Jodie's Bulgarian Adventurehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16888674896176838075noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5327939675541219332.post-84151390687656350022011-01-06T08:28:00.003+01:002011-01-06T09:12:05.749+01:00Farewell to BulgariaWhen Ellis and I came to Bulgaria two years ago, we had no idea what awaited us. We just had a long-standing desire to try living in a different country for a limited, set period of time and to experience something else. So, when Ellis was approached by his company to relocate, we jumped at the chance.<br /><br />Most people's initial reaction to our announcement was "Bulgaria? What's in Bulgaria?" I admit that I was wondering the same thing, and asking myself, "why not England, or Spain, or Gibraltar?"<br /><br />Today, after living here for two years, I can tell you what is in Bulgaria. It is a country with friendly people, who are interested in the strangers living amongst them, and are happy to talk to you, even when you tell them that you don't understand their language. As Israelis, we never felt uncomfortable talking about where we come from - most people had a warm and positive feeling toward Israel. This can even been seen at government level - Bulgaria was one of the first countries to send fire-fighters to Israel to help in the recent Carmel fire.<br /><br />The country itself is a beautiful country. We fell in love with the mountains and forests and rivers - so much water and so much green. It is a pity that we can't take this home with us!<br /><br />There is a mixture of the old and the new living side by side. Sofia is a rapidly growing city with new, modern buildings going up all over. But, next to these, there are still the old, decaying buildings, often standing right next to the new. Many of them have much more character than the modern buildings, and I wish that they could be restored instead of being torn down to make way for the new.<br /><br />In many of the villages, there is much attention paid to preserving some of the old-style houses which are 150 years old, and many of which have been made into museums showing the old style of living.<br /><br />Also in the villages, you still can see many simple farms, with the older generation working the fields with the simplest of farm tools, and a horse to pull the plow. It is sad to think that so many of these places will die out in the next generation, as the younger people move to the bigger cities or abroad looking for more opportunites than what their small village can provide.<br /><br />There are of course, some things that I didn't enjoy here - the heavy smoking, and the terrible infrastructure of the roads - both things that the government needs to work on. On a personal level, I will not miss the snow - but this is something that the government has no control over - except for doing a better job cleaning the streets!<br /><br />Most of all, I will miss the wonderful friends that I made here, and who made me feel so welcome and accepted me into their lives - from my hairdresser, to my manicurist, to the flower shop lady on our street, and to my wonderful friends at work, who made my days so enjoyable and enriched my life here over the past two years. I hope that someday you will come and visit us in Israel, and let me return the hospitality that you have shown me.<br /><br />I am thankful today that we weren't sent to England or Spain. Although the language might have been easier to deal with, I think we would have missed out on an amazing experience, and the chance to really learn about a country and culture so totally different from anything we knew before. As those of you who have followed our blog can see, we really took the time to learn, ask questions, travel and experience living in Bulgaria. This truly was our "Bulgarian Adventure".Ellis and Jodie's Bulgarian Adventurehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16888674896176838075noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5327939675541219332.post-59135985117802557302011-01-05T18:55:00.005+01:002011-01-05T19:04:25.157+01:00A Healthy Lunch<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAFQY2MQse_Nv2CtVf1NkkP9X2D5_NEwtpYt2TjOdR5DAeTlWm44ZCoTcvdUlVvdGeVKSFL0GNVWyzC9wm07qbUNgwebn3GzH_LCNR5nI6xVjaB2dMJdh8rxU02As3fWEB6EKV6-ivQ1Pk/s1600/cru.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 214px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 177px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558764100437059890" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAFQY2MQse_Nv2CtVf1NkkP9X2D5_NEwtpYt2TjOdR5DAeTlWm44ZCoTcvdUlVvdGeVKSFL0GNVWyzC9wm07qbUNgwebn3GzH_LCNR5nI6xVjaB2dMJdh8rxU02As3fWEB6EKV6-ivQ1Pk/s400/cru.jpg" /></a><br /><div>We still had the time to try out one more restaurant in Sofia, so today for lunch we headed to <a href="http://www.crugreenfood.com/">Cru</a>, the city's healthy alternative. Cru is located on Tsar Assen Street, and it's quite a small boutique restaurant, with only about five tables. The waiter was very friendly and the service was excellent.<br /><br />We both started with the Pea Soup, which was spiced with curry and served in a very large bowl. It was made from fresh peas and was extremely tasty. Jodie had the Organic Adzuki Beans Croquette with fresh salad and sprouts. I had the Tortilla Pizza with roasted red peppers and mozzarella cheese. The food was very good.<br /><br />The only thing unhealthy about Cru is that the prices are a bit high. The lunchtime meal for the two of us came to 42.50 Leva, which was more expensive than we usually pay.</div>Ellis and Jodie's Bulgarian Adventurehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16888674896176838075noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5327939675541219332.post-67755150093638024772011-01-04T16:09:00.000+01:002011-01-04T16:10:30.681+01:00Sofia's Synagogue in the Snow<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivF6QES0wljLBJVZHQnqXf_mFPvC3L-maiq5JR-m1ioMAGFQPdWwYfpX4Z1jcrgnzwX3uOOJiJz4sSTTPHzgZ2X47r45s4nVUKQJhE-w5fql6YsHFis35Ai6xMZsSCQEbG_naWZhvXFY7p/s1600/IMG_7265.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 640px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 480px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558348267102124050" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivF6QES0wljLBJVZHQnqXf_mFPvC3L-maiq5JR-m1ioMAGFQPdWwYfpX4Z1jcrgnzwX3uOOJiJz4sSTTPHzgZ2X47r45s4nVUKQJhE-w5fql6YsHFis35Ai6xMZsSCQEbG_naWZhvXFY7p/s400/IMG_7265.JPG" /></a><br /><div></div>Ellis and Jodie's Bulgarian Adventurehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16888674896176838075noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5327939675541219332.post-88042600949761253522011-01-03T14:56:00.002+01:002011-01-03T14:56:43.359+01:00Bulgarian Lion in Winter<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVrOqz775FNIsWWfkBfxY1qvBIAYUkikkgWmNiVQ2GktdUaR4tLvi0mNBgaQgA0knkctbKo6poTZDk_jjyJN2KcVgmoKYFgyBs8QvXR6lBLhmgVIdnnPDSWsgtfakv3Nm77nq6qgqLlqoz/s1600/IMG_7263.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 640px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 480px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557958200320612802" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVrOqz775FNIsWWfkBfxY1qvBIAYUkikkgWmNiVQ2GktdUaR4tLvi0mNBgaQgA0knkctbKo6poTZDk_jjyJN2KcVgmoKYFgyBs8QvXR6lBLhmgVIdnnPDSWsgtfakv3Nm77nq6qgqLlqoz/s400/IMG_7263.JPG" /></a><br /><div></div>Ellis and Jodie's Bulgarian Adventurehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16888674896176838075noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5327939675541219332.post-43272663238273101812011-01-02T14:52:00.000+01:002011-01-03T14:55:35.283+01:00Happy New Year 2011<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGhR3fh0LYANfXbcShgF98wDumawUxRejc1rdh-sOGLDRdOdeToKFPFgxlSpEuujGWu7ImQ-1PZcRIgsyx9Gi8oYeunU8x3f_Pn0KAGAL6vWPnSjMSsiJBgacJDgPBrLsdjsHCZDtw_gkZ/s1600/IMG_7264.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 640px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 480px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557957413392849506" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGhR3fh0LYANfXbcShgF98wDumawUxRejc1rdh-sOGLDRdOdeToKFPFgxlSpEuujGWu7ImQ-1PZcRIgsyx9Gi8oYeunU8x3f_Pn0KAGAL6vWPnSjMSsiJBgacJDgPBrLsdjsHCZDtw_gkZ/s400/IMG_7264.JPG" /></a><br /><div>Happy is the name of a chain of Bulgarian fast food restaurants. This sign was seen in downtown Sofia. We had lunch at a Happy restaurant on Sunday. None of the waitresses were smiling, so maybe they weren't too happy to be working in the New Year.</div>Ellis and Jodie's Bulgarian Adventurehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16888674896176838075noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5327939675541219332.post-44734021791122519892010-12-31T16:46:00.005+01:002011-01-01T16:52:58.357+01:00Carrefour Days<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgztjNbx2k4oHXMwWuxkg_OBwcemwwc9dB6KkXY78zIk2-W00ZU9o9oXwpKmQNLibKVnach0ED9pJhV0PhDl2-poNqpA3i105s54-CFUJk4Pidq56Dt6DYnHmbLXQ5yW7QFYkBD4SZP9akG/s1600/DSC00071.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557244506579567458" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgztjNbx2k4oHXMwWuxkg_OBwcemwwc9dB6KkXY78zIk2-W00ZU9o9oXwpKmQNLibKVnach0ED9pJhV0PhDl2-poNqpA3i105s54-CFUJk4Pidq56Dt6DYnHmbLXQ5yW7QFYkBD4SZP9akG/s400/DSC00071.JPG" /></a><br />In mid December, our offices moved to The Mall, the fourth and biggest mall in Sofia. This mall is also known as Carrefour, as that is the main store there. Carrefour is a huge supermarket, clothing goods store, electronics shop, and more, all rolled into one. And that is just one of the stores in The Mall.<br /><br />Our offices were in one of the buildings alongside The Mall. I (Ellis) was no longer able to walk to work, as getting there was a 20 minute taxi ride at best, and a burden that could be more than an hour in the evening traffic. The new offices were very nice. Jodie's company was on the 8th floor, while my company was on the 5th floor. We tried out the many different restaurants in the fast food court during our lunch breaks.<br /><br />Our Carrefour days are over now, as Thursday was our last day of work and we begin our preparations for our upcoming return to Israel.Ellis and Jodie's Bulgarian Adventurehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16888674896176838075noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5327939675541219332.post-38871876347191662082010-12-30T14:10:00.001+01:002010-12-31T14:12:37.310+01:00Sofia at Christmas Time<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqoKwEfIk_w8XOmqsqLkxbVA9dlvXG7xnFGWYpkrYcwTgruliw25E3r9wpYt5fG-ls5I6Y1p8lCFgOJXGhQ9HWskf_g55xOWt6w906uERfqBR1n0_ysk_qBMTtLsme3swzqndB-q2W8H-q/s1600/IMG_7248.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 640px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 480px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556833588502365426" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqoKwEfIk_w8XOmqsqLkxbVA9dlvXG7xnFGWYpkrYcwTgruliw25E3r9wpYt5fG-ls5I6Y1p8lCFgOJXGhQ9HWskf_g55xOWt6w906uERfqBR1n0_ysk_qBMTtLsme3swzqndB-q2W8H-q/s400/IMG_7248.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhws6vuWCW1NvBIPDnGVFZEd3RhG8x9WBYe-hGPLEJyFFNCWHlbbR5wvilHs8qHFeT7wraKyG4v-0YCCLK4HmJDnn_7QSukdtADDkZTeBoqRizXfNaqrs4-vr6a-WSAY7W5AYj4wX5XjD5j/s1600/IMG_7251.JPG"></a><br /><br /><div></div></div>Ellis and Jodie's Bulgarian Adventurehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16888674896176838075noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5327939675541219332.post-67150625187837686472010-12-28T18:08:00.005+01:002010-12-29T18:19:55.305+01:00A Good Lunch at JJ Murphy's<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXLOxMpRvO9Cb8mMCWV7eqmHiP4VOmzNUr_jm1elw2b8UlvrbbBZ2poilBGoG-tBntpTsfouyJoA-LnPO0onHnqWWjpuWxQ0cJyPkdQgQjO5IJxycRQ1NBxZjiIHu2nA2r6rALdEZPDZSl/s1600/IMG_7260.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556152450479797282" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXLOxMpRvO9Cb8mMCWV7eqmHiP4VOmzNUr_jm1elw2b8UlvrbbBZ2poilBGoG-tBntpTsfouyJoA-LnPO0onHnqWWjpuWxQ0cJyPkdQgQjO5IJxycRQ1NBxZjiIHu2nA2r6rALdEZPDZSl/s400/IMG_7260.JPG" /></a><br />Another restaurant on our list of must-try dining experiences in Sofia was finally visited this past Sunday. <a href="http://www.jjmurphys.com/">JJ Murphy's</a> is a very authentic Irish pub in the center of the city and we had lunch there.<br /><br />Jodie had the Leprauchan Burger and I had the Steak Sandwich. We had a side order of Onion Rings which topped off the good food. To drink, Jodie had a Guinness while I went for a half pint of Murphys Stout.<br /><br />(And, by the way, the sign pictured in the previous post is in the building entrance just across the street).Ellis and Jodie's Bulgarian Adventurehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16888674896176838075noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5327939675541219332.post-82769861627967567402010-12-26T19:26:00.003+01:002010-12-26T19:28:02.185+01:00If You Just Visited the Bar Across the Street...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLRr0Z0vCSvP13aZ-4rO_CHYe6ny7_Lo3dG7stln_TBVCmojGt_S1CyeVUggnD6kbMf8pfhxFvBCMsZ4JAkrei3WqwrM9lAE23o6vjnrC4NrIttMV0LOEGE9JKH576ZubC7bVehU0nxdlS/s1600/IMG_7261.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 640px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 480px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555059070099711106" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLRr0Z0vCSvP13aZ-4rO_CHYe6ny7_Lo3dG7stln_TBVCmojGt_S1CyeVUggnD6kbMf8pfhxFvBCMsZ4JAkrei3WqwrM9lAE23o6vjnrC4NrIttMV0LOEGE9JKH576ZubC7bVehU0nxdlS/s400/IMG_7261.JPG" /></a><br /><div></div>Ellis and Jodie's Bulgarian Adventurehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16888674896176838075noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5327939675541219332.post-20350689536136776592010-12-25T19:24:00.000+01:002010-12-26T19:25:47.785+01:00The Only Snow Left is On Mt. Vitosha<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSz1xez82puED_i1JEhSeScwihvm1K1UZLkTl3ny8LN1COMY6vYil28i7Fnuu6Rn_qtab6zzeF-TKXUiiiNuZmFnYncjYeTQZ_qFvowSk47v97Hf6N6ARyzKiaH6Q6NSBcPL6Rlejko3Dd/s1600/IMG_7259.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 640px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 480px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555058816478801250" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSz1xez82puED_i1JEhSeScwihvm1K1UZLkTl3ny8LN1COMY6vYil28i7Fnuu6Rn_qtab6zzeF-TKXUiiiNuZmFnYncjYeTQZ_qFvowSk47v97Hf6N6ARyzKiaH6Q6NSBcPL6Rlejko3Dd/s400/IMG_7259.JPG" /></a><br /><div></div>Ellis and Jodie's Bulgarian Adventurehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16888674896176838075noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5327939675541219332.post-39385567857889102042010-12-24T10:03:00.000+01:002010-12-25T10:03:51.961+01:00Pigeons<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxl9-x59-UzXJrsFz0hzsDbSmATOE0yqoIkRULafivR9sF5nWfGDSyFhZzCTHij-CpsIdl_oydzxkWAIqXm7dmYFdwm9Kjy2rmwUaTuVoVt932h-_Z3soVDIrMgOFzcKBrlbRMBDZHhWFX/s1600/IMG_7247.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 640px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 480px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5554542926369838818" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxl9-x59-UzXJrsFz0hzsDbSmATOE0yqoIkRULafivR9sF5nWfGDSyFhZzCTHij-CpsIdl_oydzxkWAIqXm7dmYFdwm9Kjy2rmwUaTuVoVt932h-_Z3soVDIrMgOFzcKBrlbRMBDZHhWFX/s400/IMG_7247.JPG" /></a><br /><div></div>Ellis and Jodie's Bulgarian Adventurehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16888674896176838075noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5327939675541219332.post-17747268700156130042010-12-23T08:29:00.000+01:002010-12-24T08:31:56.219+01:00Bulgarian Humor = Traffic Cop Stops CarA Bulgarian traffic policeman pulls over a car for speeding.<br /><br />"You were driving with 60 km/h, and there is 50-km/h limit here!" the officer tells the driver.<br /><br />"No, I was driving 40 km/h," the driver starts arguing.<br /><br />"I can show you what the radar detected!" retorts the officer, already getting upset.<br /><br />The driver's wife speaks from the back seat, "There is no point, officer - when my husband is drunk it is really no use arguing with him!"<br /><br /><br />From the <a href="http://www.novinite.com/index.php">Sofia News Agency</a>.Ellis and Jodie's Bulgarian Adventurehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16888674896176838075noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5327939675541219332.post-49697691074513041412010-12-21T18:27:00.006+01:002010-12-22T18:30:30.914+01:00Scenes from a Snowy Park<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPO1wVxJIaVTNCaXwSOUA1dmtQqjHE6bcMbtFNAOvbDxzQf2PEpIVMf6NzGn_8SOcsJCL6ui6TLFYkdHSYVcjOUyrj799-iOrz4j0MCOk1_1JnHoMFqW15IE5IMDTSGZT0TCmPGcD65ux3/s1600/IMG_7222.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553559976488955042" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPO1wVxJIaVTNCaXwSOUA1dmtQqjHE6bcMbtFNAOvbDxzQf2PEpIVMf6NzGn_8SOcsJCL6ui6TLFYkdHSYVcjOUyrj799-iOrz4j0MCOk1_1JnHoMFqW15IE5IMDTSGZT0TCmPGcD65ux3/s400/IMG_7222.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkAsIwbuSXpCORfOw5aJGDyeR7_40bpUviD6wsGILDyC0g_yS8KzjLP85nm1MxjEEA8fURppjwJ_IVX3JSAesArqidDoKgs8rdVmz9py4dQ8YfBnExvTQUfR_AdG1BzuoPHAutnOW_aJ3p/s1600/IMG_7225.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553559915050343426" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkAsIwbuSXpCORfOw5aJGDyeR7_40bpUviD6wsGILDyC0g_yS8KzjLP85nm1MxjEEA8fURppjwJ_IVX3JSAesArqidDoKgs8rdVmz9py4dQ8YfBnExvTQUfR_AdG1BzuoPHAutnOW_aJ3p/s400/IMG_7225.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht8eLsb1UYKBHQdkZXoRIfa1JWQF2uUm5Rq2RrPKPNoplXJAxfASd-ZCpFgmbI0pOfUoamrIuzivmGoHvoySyC5C8-1znnpHXRd9MKf1ElCjGPXboNfxLID51AoqmZdpIViEsHXPOTsELb/s1600/IMG_7238.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553559831207984002" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht8eLsb1UYKBHQdkZXoRIfa1JWQF2uUm5Rq2RrPKPNoplXJAxfASd-ZCpFgmbI0pOfUoamrIuzivmGoHvoySyC5C8-1znnpHXRd9MKf1ElCjGPXboNfxLID51AoqmZdpIViEsHXPOTsELb/s400/IMG_7238.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAHBfMN4cU60xVWqYqh0u3H8tBRwnfd9IN7iiIB2dugq5URaUix7qGgrv4j8QVzUN31Dt0ZEwwyPd-ZPiTWhi0g9gfvP9v5bp8g7-y1Qt_jK9TGFWM6MXsXkpQaT9cIZMsUles9IvYXS-Y/s1600/IMG_7240.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553559757965075906" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAHBfMN4cU60xVWqYqh0u3H8tBRwnfd9IN7iiIB2dugq5URaUix7qGgrv4j8QVzUN31Dt0ZEwwyPd-ZPiTWhi0g9gfvP9v5bp8g7-y1Qt_jK9TGFWM6MXsXkpQaT9cIZMsUles9IvYXS-Y/s400/IMG_7240.JPG" /></a></div></div></div></div>Ellis and Jodie's Bulgarian Adventurehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16888674896176838075noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5327939675541219332.post-56212027446206138112010-12-20T17:58:00.001+01:002010-12-20T18:00:01.989+01:00Talking on Cell Phone While Sledding Down a Hill<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivtxCThX8VOnyLhuM5Dg6PyyKVMxTKxsPw0CSYJKRtfVN5uMmDFYMr8brGmYjXl3BzZlZqRwgqTsZHyKwcx_Ly-DVQKIhuG36hXh9rkaaBF9nwn8fUc0XNepA8JC6PwSi7wDptmFRdyM9h/s1600/IMG_7227b.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 640px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 480px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552809995420510802" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivtxCThX8VOnyLhuM5Dg6PyyKVMxTKxsPw0CSYJKRtfVN5uMmDFYMr8brGmYjXl3BzZlZqRwgqTsZHyKwcx_Ly-DVQKIhuG36hXh9rkaaBF9nwn8fUc0XNepA8JC6PwSi7wDptmFRdyM9h/s400/IMG_7227b.jpg" /></a><br /><div></div>Ellis and Jodie's Bulgarian Adventurehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16888674896176838075noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5327939675541219332.post-87537395820074278402010-12-19T17:56:00.000+01:002010-12-20T17:57:50.380+01:00On the Snowy Streets of Sofia<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl-Sys-j0fxCH3YNDNG7X6ku07QbeXQJ7cweep0tziXGA-u4y07sHkQ8rkXlKITAgGB-zLycX8bGli9D4gmj3-Ye0GuS3IB7NbMDiYpmxPQGOj2SBwvwU1PKVxnEt1L9LdOSILLuiPf9Fq/s1600/IMG_7217.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 640px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 480px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552809567683659762" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl-Sys-j0fxCH3YNDNG7X6ku07QbeXQJ7cweep0tziXGA-u4y07sHkQ8rkXlKITAgGB-zLycX8bGli9D4gmj3-Ye0GuS3IB7NbMDiYpmxPQGOj2SBwvwU1PKVxnEt1L9LdOSILLuiPf9Fq/s400/IMG_7217.JPG" /></a><br /><div></div>Ellis and Jodie's Bulgarian Adventurehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16888674896176838075noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5327939675541219332.post-43242490582680193582010-12-18T17:00:00.002+01:002010-12-19T17:37:05.742+01:00Christmas Approaches in BulgariaThe special Christmas tram on Vitosha:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyTC3xsR2z8Wjt8llEkwnQOrSRQS-YF4fZWQBfwHFHsnO4VA6MLGQSLUAF1u0YjgByeuGwfxubfssktjc2vn-Zvx_cNlr_ZaPUWABR91PpXqRB3kJrWx5lG6YjTph8HdU5XxRXAveyVSk6/s1600/DSC00072.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552424166374726610" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyTC3xsR2z8Wjt8llEkwnQOrSRQS-YF4fZWQBfwHFHsnO4VA6MLGQSLUAF1u0YjgByeuGwfxubfssktjc2vn-Zvx_cNlr_ZaPUWABR91PpXqRB3kJrWx5lG6YjTph8HdU5XxRXAveyVSk6/s400/DSC00072.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw8vNu_w5hESV207U_FyjWAeRPflZWOKKphlvtlKUukcmdodoNIX6C_q4rzyBphUDNNXPM9tCIPNOQ8g-XwvOzu9WnOZw5JhdUel1o3YijW8PKKLZeqCK9TZkkWFu1mX2RAA5XdPv9DLm7/s1600/IMG_7218.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552424114301858930" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw8vNu_w5hESV207U_FyjWAeRPflZWOKKphlvtlKUukcmdodoNIX6C_q4rzyBphUDNNXPM9tCIPNOQ8g-XwvOzu9WnOZw5JhdUel1o3YijW8PKKLZeqCK9TZkkWFu1mX2RAA5XdPv9DLm7/s400/IMG_7218.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div></div><div></div><div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgp1NEUroVFe8VedbS11b1ncyT-bf6JItIUaIelWpRi0gQUh52i_cMzMzpqtVJbJZ_KoOJNMzmuZ3byZsbWuOEb7tmLzC4j7kOP6gSOD1X4kleMoJln0W5kk_UTbNjF6Uv3BHn-YOHc8QV/s1600/DSC00073.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552423983281406978" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgp1NEUroVFe8VedbS11b1ncyT-bf6JItIUaIelWpRi0gQUh52i_cMzMzpqtVJbJZ_KoOJNMzmuZ3byZsbWuOEb7tmLzC4j7kOP6gSOD1X4kleMoJln0W5kk_UTbNjF6Uv3BHn-YOHc8QV/s400/DSC00073.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div>Ellis and Jodie's Bulgarian Adventurehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16888674896176838075noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5327939675541219332.post-49319360873038076632010-12-16T16:58:00.003+01:002010-12-18T16:59:30.549+01:00December Snow<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4wORRi2Ba1IFQQdMnTEjNgG9qGfHcpg-sKGetkG5IQ3nZjwIaR6gtu4TYI7NIivkFrBBYkBVjyL9Nd8UlUXue9VzoMHm4yl41LTUC5Xtz15FMU6-ifohAyDkBMErzZzF8m_PmyXqKkeoZ/s1600/IMG_7161.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552052530817096274" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4wORRi2Ba1IFQQdMnTEjNgG9qGfHcpg-sKGetkG5IQ3nZjwIaR6gtu4TYI7NIivkFrBBYkBVjyL9Nd8UlUXue9VzoMHm4yl41LTUC5Xtz15FMU6-ifohAyDkBMErzZzF8m_PmyXqKkeoZ/s400/IMG_7161.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcYKrOF3_TiLi8zAs71PS3D1TwD_JhF5n6lC9syWF1aOttsreFW1CPpFx_APP1QFjqDpueJubkCpzRDH9iDNf3HPEgXzF1cRoBcOWF4qKCT_9XEa4embAq1jXJaR3H9AogHeU-MhFA5a3T/s1600/IMG_7163.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552052455456551058" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcYKrOF3_TiLi8zAs71PS3D1TwD_JhF5n6lC9syWF1aOttsreFW1CPpFx_APP1QFjqDpueJubkCpzRDH9iDNf3HPEgXzF1cRoBcOWF4qKCT_9XEa4embAq1jXJaR3H9AogHeU-MhFA5a3T/s400/IMG_7163.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIe9EEvaaGA6jLyyx9JzROB4S0NPBWWAUuEHpvire28QyOI4ET2-VA55-2gFe6VGq06jAiV8aj1fkpPPp-CEO5BLoXx7akUWOkHbOySzt6nPH4Y2D07w5z7XBeOYS1yhH2KFtq9ECyB0f5/s1600/IMG_7167.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552052375834952498" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIe9EEvaaGA6jLyyx9JzROB4S0NPBWWAUuEHpvire28QyOI4ET2-VA55-2gFe6VGq06jAiV8aj1fkpPPp-CEO5BLoXx7akUWOkHbOySzt6nPH4Y2D07w5z7XBeOYS1yhH2KFtq9ECyB0f5/s400/IMG_7167.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div>Ellis and Jodie's Bulgarian Adventurehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16888674896176838075noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5327939675541219332.post-28161054014766942132010-12-14T17:40:00.003+01:002010-12-14T17:48:56.031+01:00Moroccan Dining in SofiaDespite the -5 degrees Celsius on Sunday, we took a long walk with the successful goal of buying me jeans. After completing this purchase at a shop below the NDK plaza, Jodie agreed to continue walking towards the center of the city.<br /><br />Eventually we found ourselves on Angel Kunchev Street and this time we were able to try out <a href="http://annette.bg/index.php?p=home&hl=en_US">Annette</a>, Sofia's Morrocan restaurant. We were the only lunchtime diners and enjoyed the ambience that was, well, very Moroccan in style. We found so many tasty dishes listed on the menu, attributed to the owner's mother's original Moroccan recipes. But as we were there for lunch, we selected sandwiches.<br /><br />I had a pita meatball sandwich; the pita was also filled with aubergines, carrots and a tomato paste. Jodie chose the pita with falafel, tahina, and aubergines. Our sandwiches were served with a very tasty green salad. We drank homemade lemonade. The food was very good and we may end up returning to try Annette's main courses.Ellis and Jodie's Bulgarian Adventurehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16888674896176838075noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5327939675541219332.post-36186863089689873632010-12-12T08:51:00.003+01:002010-12-12T09:10:59.606+01:00Technicians - Part 2As I mentioned last week, we were having problems with our televeision reception, and had to have the cable guys out here twice last weekend to fix the problem. Although they restored most of the channels, they still left us with poor reception on a few, since it was "raining".<br /><br />We had good reception on all of the channels for a couple days, but as the weather became more unpredictable, so did the reception - until we lost all reception on any channel above 28. This, by the way, was true only in the evening, when we're actually home and want to watch TV - during the day, the reception was just fine.<br /><br />After another call to the cable guys, they promised to contact us on Friday, which they finally did at around 5:00 pm - promising to come out the next morning at 11:00. Of course, at this point, we had perfect reception on all the channels, as the weather was clear and crisp outside.<br /><br />The two technicians showed up the next day at 10:40, turned on our TV, and then went to find the key to the roof. One went up to the roof, and the other was busy at the box outside our front door. And that was the last we ever saw of them!<br /><br />An hour later, we were wondering if they were still around - should we stay home, or could we go out (actually it was much too cold to go out, but we wondered <em>in principle</em> if we could leave the house). We watched some TV, we had our lunch, and 2 1/2 hours later, we heard them again outside our front door, and then, I guess they were gone. They never came back into our house to check the reception and make sure that everything was working ok. But, when we checked the signal on the menu, we saw that it was at least 50% stronger than it had been before they came, so, hopefully, this time they got it right, and the signal will hold even in the bad weather!Ellis and Jodie's Bulgarian Adventurehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16888674896176838075noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5327939675541219332.post-26791763156777234262010-12-10T11:19:00.003+01:002010-12-10T11:56:01.118+01:00Farewell to MandarinSince our arrival in Sofia, Ellis and I have been working in the Mandarin Office Center. This constitutes 2 very modern glass buildings which house quite a number of businesses, including a few connected Israeli businesses.<br /><br />We have enjoyed working at Mandarin. Aside from the modern offices, the building is fairly close to where we live - a 7 min. taxi ride for me (if there isn't too much traffic) and a 25 min. walk for Ellis.<br /><br />In a desire to have all the connected companies closer to each other, and with more office space than is currently available (companies are split between different floors and buildings), it was decided to move all the companies to new offices. The new offices are next to the third largest mall in Sofia, and near the airport. This will mean a much longer trip to and from work each day, and Ellis will have to come with me in the taxi, as it is too far to walk.<br /><br />My company is moving out this weekend, and we will all meet at the new offices on Monday morning. Ellis's company will be moving in the middle of next week. So - yesterday, I packed my desk and bade farewell to the Mandarin Office Center. And farewell also to our favorite restaurants where we have enjoyed many lunches - Rainbow, Dobro and La Pastaria.Ellis and Jodie's Bulgarian Adventurehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16888674896176838075noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5327939675541219332.post-32994869885891947272010-12-08T18:06:00.002+01:002010-12-08T18:10:27.955+01:00On the Last Night of HanukkahThis evening, members from <a href="http://www.chabad-bulgaria.org/">Bulgaria's Chabad Jewish Community Center</a> came to our office building for a Hanukkah candlelighting ceremony. They knew that there are many Israelis working in our building and this was their way of ensuring that as many Jews as possible observed the mitzvah of lighting the Hanukkah candles.<br /><br />Many curious Bulgarians from the various companies in our building also joined the ceremony and heard an explanation about Hanukkah. The blessings were recited and the candles on the Hanukkiah were lit. Traditional Sufganiyot doughnuts were given out to all (very small and with no traces of jam inside).<br /><br />Happy Hanukkah!Ellis and Jodie's Bulgarian Adventurehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16888674896176838075noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5327939675541219332.post-15414146102117416752010-12-05T18:32:00.002+01:002010-12-05T18:58:57.286+01:00TechniciansRecently, we've had problems with some of our channels on TV, with poor or no signal, which comes and goes at will. This, of course, always happens at the most tense moment of the show that you happen to be watching.<br /><br />After extremely strong winds last week, we lost all of our channels totally. I called the satellite company, and managed to find someone who spoke English. She very nicely listened to the problem, and asked me to hold while she put me through to the service dept. I was connected to someone who also spoke some English, and who walked me through a series of steps and menus on the TV to restore our signal. This worked for channels 1-12, but all the channels above that still had no signal. After trying a few more things, I was told that someone would contact us in the next 3 days, and come and realign the satellite.<br /><br />On the third day, after still no word from the company, I called again, and got the same, pleasant speaking English speaker that I spoke to a few nights earlier. She was surprised to hear that we still hadn't heard from the technicians, and promised to get back to me and let me know when they were coming.<br /><br />A couple of hours later, she called to tell me that they were on their way, and shortly afterwards, 2 technicians showed up at the house. They spoke little English, turned on the TV and tried to show me that it was all working. I then directed them to the Hallmark channel (which has recently become Diva Universal), and they saw that there was still no signal. From there on, it seemed like they were playing a guessing game - they were looking for something behind the wall unit that the TV is on, they looked for the satellite - went out onto our other porch, and upstairs to the roof. They played with the box outside our front door. They kept coming back to the TV, and trying different menus and calling people on the phone and playing with the menus again. At this point, none of the channels were working.<br /><br />After looking behind the wall unit again, and speaking to someone on the phone while playing some more with the menus, they informed me that someone would call us the next day (Sat) about the TV. I looked at them and said - "But now there's no TV" - they agreed with me - "no TV". I looked at them and said " But, when you came, there was some TV - now there's no TV". Again, they agreed - "no TV". I asked them if they couldn't at least return the channels that I had before they came, and I was told that they couldn't - "no TV", and they left.<br /><br />The company actually called us that evening at 8:30 (while we were enjoying our lovely dinner at the restaurant) to tell us that they would come the next day around 12:30. Quite amazingly, they did come on time, and proceeded to change the cable and get the TV up and running again.<br /><br />Before they left, I asked to check the Hallmark channel - and dicovered that this channel still had no signal (as you can guess, this is a channel that I actually watch, so it was important to me that it would be working!). Their answer - the rain is inteferring right now with the signal, which is why it wasn't working..... Amazingly, after the rain stopped, the signal was restored, and the channel is working again. At least, until the next time that it rains.....Ellis and Jodie's Bulgarian Adventurehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16888674896176838075noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5327939675541219332.post-57065388097156586702010-12-04T09:47:00.003+01:002010-12-04T10:01:22.097+01:00Armenian Dining in Sofia at Egur, EgurOn the occasion of my birthday, Jodie and I made reservations at Egur, Egur, an Armenian restaurant in Sofia. We didn't know what to expect but we had heard good reviews of the place. Egur means "come" in Armenian, so we felt we were being invited to try something new.<br /><br />A taxi navigated the narrow one-way streets in the center of the city and dropped us off in front of the restaurant. We felt like we were walking into someone's home, as the dining areas were separate rooms and we had a table reserved in the non-smoking area. There was a piano along one wall and everywhere there were framed sheets of music. The waiter brought us the English language menus as well as some "welcome bread" (similar to pita) and small bowls of cheese.<br /><br />Everything on the menu sounded so interesting, and different from what we were used to eating, however Jodie's plan to start with Olive Soup met with an apology from the waiter. Soups were only served at lunchtime.<br /><br />Jodie started with a plate of stuffed grape leaves, which were unusual because the stuffing included cinnamon and raisins. My starter was called the Golden Dobrudzha. Dobrudzha is the name of the grain-producing region of northeastern Bulgaria, and also the name of the street on which the Egur, Egur restaurant is located. This starter was a plate of small grains mixed with onion, garlic, parsley and olives. Both Jodie and I enjoyed these dishes.<br /><br />For her main course, Jodie selected the Lamb Roll, which was garnished with a green salad and another grain dish. I chose the Duck Fillet with Forest Mushrooms and a side dish of "Homemade Potatoes", wondering how they made these potatoes themselves! We were both extremely pleased with the food, which was filling and very tasty.<br /><br />The minute we had sat down at our table, the waiter filled our glasses with cold water, which he continued to pour throughout the meal. We selected a small bottle of red No Man's Land wine (from Bulgaria) to accompany our meal, and the waiter made sure our glasses were never empty.<br /><br />We still had room for dessert! Jodie has taken a liking to Baklava since our arrival in Bulgaria, and that is what she chose. I took the cool Ice Cream Cake. We were both stuffed when the dishes were cleared.<br /><br />The entire bill came to 78 Levas including the wine, which we thought was quite reasonable, and we gladly added a tip to show our appreciation for a very good meal.Ellis and Jodie's Bulgarian Adventurehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16888674896176838075noreply@blogger.com0