Blogs from Sofia, Sofia City , Bulgaria, Europe - page 6

Don’t ever go to Sofia. Seriously. I don’t know if it was because I came from some stunning scenery in Macedonia or that I hadn’t gotten much sleep on the train during the night, but I thought it was an absolute dump. I only had a day there so wanted to take in as much as possible, only there wasn’t anything to see. I think I spent more time in Starbucks (I think it was the first one ever as they were giving out free stuff, and looked brand new) than I did outside. Half the roads are being torn up, there are no real monuments (maybe one), the parks are dirt, and after dark people try to rob you at the train station. That last bit was kind’ve interesting as there was this guy who ... read more

It was night-time in Sofia and Cvetko and I boarded a dimly lit crusty orange-coloured tram. It was full of old age pensioners sat glumly on seats staring morosely at me and my large backpack whilst Cvetko explained the low-down on Sofia (basically, don’t fuck the gypsies). We had the apartment to ourselves as Cvetko’s parents were away on holiday so I was set up in his parents’ bedroom. Cvetko then began to make us something to eat - grilled herbed sausage with salad - delicious and downed wit copious amounts of Menta (мента) a peppermint liqueur that is mixed with Sprite and is bright green - Cvetko’s favourite. We stayed up talking into the night about the English twats I’d met at the Spirit of Burgas - and I thought about how generous and open ... read more

Bloody French Air Traffic Controllers, complaining because they have to move retirement from 60 to 62, sack therm all I say, as it's causing me chaos. Have been in 3 countries since I last wrote. Morroco, Hot, smellly, dirt, smelly, clossed (Ramadan), smelly. Every person you meet is trying to con you or sell you drugs. Also seem to be the angriest people I have encountered, everyone is arguing or shouting at each other, must have something to do with not being akle to eat of drink all day. Hung out at the Ramada Hotel with all the other Europeans, it was like seige mentality. Went to a Morrocan Dentist to get my crownput back and he has damaged it beyond repair, magic. Met some nice people, especially a Norwegian guy who is renting me his ... read more

As they used to say of the roach motel “you can check in but you cant check out.” In Istanbul it seems it is easier to check out than check in. After a few days to orient myself to the place and the fact my sister lives in the western suburbs and I was heading west, it was a breeze compared to the arrival nightmare. So I was off across the peninsula that effectively connects Europe to Asia in the south. The waters of the Sea of Marmara were off to the left. Almost an inland sea it connects to the Agean Sea which then connects to the Mediteranean. I never did (or have) seen the Black Sea which was somewhere off to the right and somehow registers as a big disappointment. Don’t ask me why. ... read more

Day 10 Belgrade to Sofia We were all ready to get up and go this morning, however, our hostel host, while very enthusiastic, was not terribly efficient. Our breakfast, which was meant to be at 0730, arrived at just after 0800. So our 0800 start this morning became a 0845 start. Deep breath - what can you do? We were all a bit sad to be leaving Jana behind as well, and it started out a very quiet coach. So a semi long day ahead, unfortunately Thomas has a very individual sense of time and so we were also 20 minutes late leaving our first service stop. Again, oh well. Just makes the drive a whole lot longer for the rest of us. We crossed from Serbia into Bulgaria, and again I was the only one ... read more