I took a bus to get from Odessa to Varna, and in Bulgaria I also travelled by bus, which is the most suitable, fast and cheap kind of transport in this country. Tickets cost not much and roads are really nice. From Varna I bought a ticket to Sofia (by the way, Bulgarians put stress on the first part of the word, so it is sOfia, not like we in Russian – we say it with the stress on “i”), and I was there at about 2-3 p.m. Metro is situated just near the bus station, but, since reading maps and getting the right direction cannot be listed among my strongest suits, I asked locals. I discovered that Bulgarian was also not the language I was especially good at, when they either smiled and shrugged shoulders, or asked me “Do you speak English?” Since I am a bit better in English as in Bulgarian – it was easy. They do not understand Russian and it is not easy to understand them, even if the words are familiar – Bulgarian people talk 2-3 times faster than we.
I have read a lot about Bulgaria and Bulgarians before the trip, and they are indeed as friendly as they are told to be. When I asked the way to my hotel – I was led there almost by the hand, when I asked for a map – I was presented with a beautiful map, surely made for a special occasion, with nice pictures and some descriptions in English. But, I’d say the Bulgarians have their personal line which they will not allow to be crossed by a stranger. It gives them a feeling of consolidation and it is one of the most national-oriented and united nation I have ever met. I have also read an opinion, that those who have moved to Bulgaria as adults will forever remain strangers, even if they would speak and think Bulgarian. Maybe I can agree with it, it seems quite probable. I am not going to move there at least in the nearest future, but I have really enjoyed the time as a tourist there.
So, Sofia! Again it was told in Internet that Sofia was not very interesting city and 2-3 days were quite enough for it. I can dispute over the first point, since IMHO there are not that much places on Earth which are not worth seeing, but I can admit the second one – I had three and a half days there, and even with Rila Monastery and shopping it was more than enough.
So was Sofia at the very first view
I was wandering around the city without any special plan, just with the google map, printed beforehand. At the end I think it was the best strategy, because if I have made the plan – I would have managed to see everything within one day :) But the city is really very nice and cute – each next step leads to some sight or antiquitie. For example The Church of St George is an Early Christian red brick rotunda that is considered the oldest building in Sofia, built by the Romans in the 4th century, it is believed that it was built on the site of a pagan temple – situated right inside the President‘s residence.
And by University of Sofia
And by a sad and simple-hearted social ad – “Take me home”…
And this is also one of my favorite places
...and you also get a company
They eat on the street - literally
And what I also have mentioned here – Bulgarians are great protesters, they have protests and rallies very often and on every occasion. This time it was against mafia in government (oh, brothers, comrades – could you please kindly consider the possibility to come to Ukraine and have your meetings here – there are a lot of stuff to manage too!!!). I can consider the usual day of the citizen of Sofia as following – he gets up quite early, dresses quite warm (trousers, or jeans, a jacket), gets his morning coffee at the street walking to work, he starts his working day at 8-9 a.m., then he finishes at 5, gets his pizza on a cardboard plate, then changes his cloths for more casual outfit – and goes to a meeting. The most enthusiastic ones remain there till 12-1 at night, talking and laughing loudly
But shopping was worth time
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