Vacation to Bulgaria

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Ryan and I decided to take our December holiday in Bulgaria with three of our friends. We went to Sofia and then Plovdiv from the train in Istanbul.
Overall, we had a really great vacation. However, as in all good vacations, we had a couple of really bizarre moments, all of which I think took place on the trains. It took us 16 hours to get from Istanbul to Sofia - we were overbooked on our sleeping train so all five of us were in one tiny room (very funny at first, although short lived). On the train ride from Sofia to Plovdiv a group of women got in a fight with broomsticks and were dangerously close to me (what a way to die, on my birthday and by a broomstick).
Other than this, Bulgaria was beautiful and decorated for Christmas, which got me in a great holiday spirit. You can read Ryan’s blog for more but enjoy the pictures.

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Photos

Leaving Istanbul
Our train...little did we know what we were in for...

In the Train
Amazingly enough, there isn't more to this room, everything is in the pictue. Except me. I'm outside the room in the hall taking the picture

On the Train
about hour 12 on the train

Our Apartment in Sofia
Our bartender....

Sofia Apartment
View from our window

Sofia Apartment
Square below our window

Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, Sofia
Built around 1904, I think this church is honoring the Russian troops who died liberating Bulgaria from the Turks. The dome is gold-plated.

Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, Sofia
Inside the Church.

Park in Sofia
This great park we found in the city

Park in Sofia
Ryan's having fun...but I'm not sure about the squirrel...

Hagia Sofia, Sofia
This church was built on the foundation from churches in the 4th century.

Hagia Sofia, Sofia
Inside

National Gallery of Foreign Art
Very nice way to spend a rainy morning.

Sofia
outdoor market