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The Bulgars, a Central Asian Turkic tribe, merged with the local Slavic inhabitants in the late 7th century to form the first Bulgarian state. In succeeding centuries, Bulgaria struggled with the Byzantine Empire to assert its place in the Balkans, but by the end of the 14th century the country was overrun by the Ottoman Turks. Northern Bulgaria attained autonomy in 1878 and all of Bulgaria became independent in 1908. Having fought on the losing side in both World Wars, Bulgaria fell within the Soviet sphere of influence and became a People's Republic in 1946. Communist domination ended in 1990, when Bulgaria held its first multiparty election since World War II and began the contentious process of moving toward political democracy and a market economy while combating inflation, unemployment, corruption, and crime. Today, reforms and democratization keep Bulgaria on a path toward eventual integration into the EU. The country joined NATO in 2004. To be updated

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By jh266
July 17th 2008

Hiking and Learning

Europe » Bulgaria » West

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Bulgaria's beauty is unparalleled and I wish I had more time during training to camp out and appreciate the view from the summits. It is not always an easy hike, often having to tread new ground, prying apart branches obstructing your path, paying close attention to the sudden apparance of cliffs along the way and experience dramatic changes in elevation. But being a city girl and enduring the sweltering heat as I summount one rock after the next, I am proud to say I now that what can be eaten in nature. The wild strawberries are absolutely delectable as are the [View Full Entry]

By troubleandtravel
July 17th 2008

Bulgaria

Europe » Bulgaria

I heard people saying Bulgaria is a lovely place... I think my parents heard that too...well the things we experienced in Bulgaria were just quite different... Ok. First of all: If you ever plan to go to Bulgaria: Take a hotel with most stars! The hotel system in southern countries is just so differente from them in Mid- or North Europe. You can't get a good hotel with 3 stars in Bulgaria!! My family and I had to learn it the hard way, that looked like: yellow wather from the bath tap, insects (yeah I mean bugs too!) in the hotel [View Full Entry]

By mickeyj
July 17th 2008

Sophia, Bulgaria

Europe » Bulgaria » West » Sofia

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Hmmm Bulgaria.. What can I say?! It was about the city where there were no tourists.. instead of spot the local it was spot the tourist! Lots of Communist style buildings. We all went out to the 'Jim Beam' bar .. the cute bar staff were dancing on boxes behind the bar.. the Bulgarian highlight [View Full Entry]

By jh266
July 15th 2008

Teaching in Bulgaria

Europe » Bulgaria » West

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It's my first time teaching English as a second language and there are some trials and tribulations mostly the language barrier of not yet being fluent in Bulgarian. Thus, the need for pictoral representations is even further stressed, as if it wasn't already with the younger kids. The problem here however is that Bulgarians in general, and yes, I am stereotyping here, are terrible drawers. Pictionary is a sure flop every time and I have yet to learn that lesson. The biggest obtacle in all seriousness is the presence of multi-leveled classes, where there are, at least in my training site, [View Full Entry]

By jh266
July 13th 2008

Cooking Adventures

Europe » Bulgaria » West

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Donkeys carry fleas. Always remember that.

A word on the food in Bulgaria - those of you foreign to the idea of oil-induced salty foods, steer clear. Well-cooked meats, also known as kuftetas are always present at the dinner table as well. The food is not bad and I've grown quite a liking to the hot peppers here. My favorite preparation involves garlic and vinegar. The peppers are first roasted and then soaked in the sauce. Bread also accompanies every meal and though supplied in loaf form, resembles the French baguette. It is frequently used to soak up the sauces at the end of a meal, or [View Full Entry]

By jh266
July 12th 2008

Life in a small town

Europe » Bulgaria » South

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My host mom.

Life in a small southwest Bulgarian village is a novel concept for me. My host parents are both retired, collecting pension and have the largest house in the town. There is something to be said for this, for there is a sense of antagonism between others and my host mother, who was an art teacher and now does not work despite the measly sum of pension in this country. She also lives with my host dad though is not married to him. In Bulgaria, family relations are extremely important. For my host mom to fail in three marriages and currently attempt [View Full Entry]

By jh266
July 11th 2008

Three Months Later

Europe » Bulgaria » East » Nesebar

Panichishte
Staging took place in Panichishte, a beautiful place at the base of the Rila mountains.

It's been three months since I've arrived in Bulgaria. Now, in the comfort of my apartment overlooking the Black Sea and the ever so glorious Helios Bay, I write about the journey I have traveled up until this point. I am coming to grips with the Cyrillic tongue faster than I ever imagined, sometimes finding Bulgarian at the tip of my tongue before even breeding an English thought. Such is novel to me as it has been awhile since I have been forced to twinkle my synapses. There is much to say about this country. Ridden with mountains that reach around [View Full Entry]

By Orville Ignace
July 7th 2008

Words, words, words

Europe » Bulgaria » East

The 28th of June, 2008 8:44 AM Somewhere over Bulgarıa I´ve gıt fırty fıve mınutes tıll the plane´s expected arrıval ın Istanbul, so I´d thought I´d copy out some Turkısh words and phrases I'll be usıng İyi günler- Good dayHello Adimiz he- What´s your name? Benım Adım- My name Merhaba-hello Nasılısmız-How are you Teşekür ederim- Thank you Bende Ben- I Memnun Oldum- Pleased to meet you Nerden geliyorsunuz-where do you come from? Amerıcádan gellyorum- I come from Amerıca Bukın-Who &# [View Full Entry]

By jimp
July 6th 2008

Bulgaria

Europe » Bulgaria » North » Veliko Tarnovo

Bulgarian Police Car
Not too bad!!

I kind of hopped in and out of Bulgaria on my way to and from Romania. I spent 3 days in Sophia just playing tourist then I headed up to Romania for a week. On my way to Istanbul I made a stop in Vielko Tarnovo. Vielko Tarnovo is one of those places you hear through the grape vine and when you get there you end up falling in love. It's such a beautifull city and there was so much to see. Every night there was a sound and light show at the fortress which was amazing and lasted for 30 [View Full Entry]

By Scofflaw
July 5th 2008

stupid passport

Europe » Bulgaria » West » Sofia

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so i got tossed off a train last night because my passport looked "questionable". it ended up costing me half a day, and now i dont think i can make the festivals opening ceremonies on time if i stay on the trains. im going to the air port to attempt to blag my way onto a plane at a reasonable rate. im intent on making it to the opening ceremonies so ill do my best. battery is dying so i must go. bobby p.s. i finally found some good coffee at a bulgarian dunk'in doughnuts...Yes!!!!!!!!!!! [View Full Entry]

Links: Bulgaria Travel Blogs (all) | Bulgaria Travel Photos | Bulgaria Travel Forum | Bulgaria Facts | Map of Bulgaria

Travel Blog » Europe » Bulgaria