Blogs from Sofia, Sofia City , Bulgaria, Europe - page 5

Alexander’s ability to bond with the five million stray cats in Eastern Europe has not been useful to the four of us on this trip, to be honest it has been tiresome. His degree in journalism is useful, as we have decided to put our feet up and sit this blog out forcing Alex to pull his weight. Here is what our guest blogger has to say about the Bulgarian part of our mini trip from Istanbul to Romania. ... Sofia is the capital city of Bulgaria - that was the complete sum of our collective knowledge on the place as we climbed down from the steps of another all-night Balkan bus. Sixty-two hours later, we’re only slightly wiser and just as tired. So, what have we learned? 1) Bulgarians are exceedingly polite drivers. After ... read more

I love the train. I remember how excited I was when boarded one for the first time. There is no better way of transportation. Well, I thought so... Serbian trains are a whole new adventure. So, we are on our way to the train station. It is way too early in the morning. I am having a coffee and checking my e=mail in the Internet cafe close by. From my computer's chair I have a perfect view on the mess coming. The train is just a mix of wagon from all across Europe. I now know what they are doing with their very old trains. Inside, people are smoking in the corridors and children's are running and jumping everywhere like it is the first time they are allowed to do so. I am looking for a ... read more

So we had misunderstood what was happening yesterday... because our legalised marriage certificate has been lost in the post we had to give power of attorney to the agent Mihail so that he can follow up the sale at the end of the month. Quite frustrating but at least we have cleared the flat and done all the legal paperwork now. We can come back at theend of the month but there is no need to. We could also have stayed in the flat for the whole week but have enjoyed the luxury of a hotel with a pool, gym and spa. Need to open a bank account today and just waiting for Mihail to pick us up to do this and then we are done and can relax in the sun by the pool.... read more

This blog is from a hotel in Maria Luisa Boulevard as we moved out of the flat yesterday. It was very sad to clear this and lock up for the last time as we have enjoyed staying here for the last 6 years. The reason for buying the flat was to have a holiday home close to the mountains so that we could enjoy more skiing every year. We chose Sofia for the price and the closness to the city and the airport so that we could enjoy visiting at other times of the year when there was no snow. The hope in 2005 when we bought it was that more cheap flights would become available and fly from cardiff or Bristol. This hasn't been the case and flights are now much more expensive. I feel ... read more

Geo: 42.7105, 23.3238Oxymoronic, but I cannot think of a more apt description for Sofia. It's a city in transition, rough around the edges, an exciting but curious melange of former Eastern Bloc relics and modern Western European sensibilities. Beautiful? Hardly. There's no precious little old town that is so common in other European capitals, only austere Soviet-style concrete buildings, which can only be described as grotesque abominations. There are no quaint and perfectly-maintained cobblestone streets, but many crumbling roads and sidewalks. Buses and trams have seen better days, though they still meet the needs of Sofia's citizens. It's a far cry from picture-perfect, but like many cities of its type, it offers beauty in unexpected places, and in unusual forms. Definitely an acquired taste, Sofia still manages to offer up many of the same pleasantries ... read more