VT for three.. days

The last few days have been so charged with life it's been incredible.

Our vague travelling three (Val, Kinsey, and I) easily turned into a four as we made plans at our turkish host's place. It seems Cem also had little better to do than hang out with Americans, and the lack of a Bulgarian visa and threat of a night in a cell was but a small obsticle.

The four of us piled into the overnight train loaded with Turkish dinner, wine, and deserts. I don't know what it is, but there;s something inherently epic about taking a train from Istanbul - maybe it's got something to do with the old Silk Route.. or maybe it was just my appalling knowledge of history and an overactive imagination :)

We got into Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria at around lunchtime the next day, not exactly rested - but keen to have a quick explore all the same. We still had a 3 1\2 hour bus ride from Sofia to Veliko Tarnovo before we could stop for the day. The thought of this as we stepped off the train was a little like a huge slice of chocolate cake after all you can eat Pizza Hut.. a good reason to take a break and see the sights.

We stopped for a late breakfast at a diner on the way into town. It was just before lunch and quiet.. we all ordered beers (it was almost lunchtime) and the diner started to fill up. Pretty soon there was a crowdfilling the space between the counter and us. It's always interesting watching people from different countries - picking their differences and similarities. I guess predictably these guys share a lot in common with Russians, similar language, pretty girls, and an off-hand manner... Then a scrape of chairs, a rush of adrenaline and I was up and out the door -- I slapped one hand firmly on a young girls shoulder, and the other calmly back on the straps of my day pack. She started to run but then went limp, figuring correctly that I wouldn't know what to do with her. I had to just let her go, 60min in the country and I had no idea where the centre of town was let alone what they do with sneaky thieves!

Disaster averted, I did a quick take of the things I could so easily have lost and decided to take a little more care when people watching in Bulgaria.

Once all the sightseeing was done and the bus had dropped us somewhat haphazardly in Veliko Tarnovo, it became apparent that it had been the boys job to organise accomodation. This revelation was somewhat new to the boys who long ago decided that winging it was to be the best option. It's amazing how much better the wing it idea looks when you're not standing on the street at 8:00 at night with two grumpy girls and nowhere to stay. We started puzzling over a map and trying quickly to 'remember' Plan B when another American came up and asked if we needed a hand. She pointed in the direction of the backpackers just down the road from her apartment - ah! Plan B.

Fadio and Maria are about the same age as us and started the Nomads hostel a month or so ago. They had no guests, good beds, and a bottle of vodka; our thavelling four became a stationary six. For three nights a slow sort of madness ensued before prior engagements forced us in what could not possibly be any more different directions. Things could not have possibly worked out better (well.. much better at least :) ) After the first bottle of vodka everyone was getting on so well our hosts decided they had the inside word on where and what to do in VT. In the morning we were coming with them.

By the time the wine ran out, the morning departure had melded into an afternoon cruise. Over the next couple of days we managed to sample what has to be the best cheap food, wine, and sights VT has to offer.. and all the while "just hanging out" - no itinerary required.

When things finally did have to break up the girls went north to Romania, Cem south to istanbul, me west to Sofia and Croatia. Fadio and Maria must've felt a bit like a cyclone just passed over them as things settled back to rest and they continued with their world domination plans.. Cheers all! :)

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