While further east, Bulgaria is another country that’s part of the Balkans. Unlike the other countries I visited in the region, Bulgaria was not part of Yugoslavia and speaks their own Slavic language, Bulgarian. When I first arrived in the Balkans, I felt that no one was smiling and I began to learn how to keep a more straight face, but I was surprised upon arriving in Bulgaria that I had the same feeling again even though I thought I had already adjusted to this difference in the Balkans. Maybe Bulgaria takes it even more seriously?
I have observed a lot more gyro shops in Bulgaria, indicative of the shared border with Greece. The people in Bulgaria generally seem “bulkier” compared to the rest of the Balkans. I am unsure if this is diet related or a side effect of the heavy focus on alcohol, cigarettes, and coffee. Unfortunately, like Bosnia and Herzegovina, the country is known for very high levels of corruption so there has been a large decline in population as younger people move to other countries for work.
Travel thought: What country have you visited where people look the most happy? And how about the opposite, where the people look the most grumpy?
Sightseeing in Sofia: Oh look, an old church!
Oh look, another old church!
Yes, you guessed it…
Vitosha Boulevard is the main pedestrian street. Cafes on this strip are open to the early hours of the morning.
The coworking space was next level
What’s happening in the city park?
Ah, just some chess nuts. Some 2300+ chess nuts.
Vitosha Mountain overlooks Sofia and is accessible by public bus, making it a popular weekend spot
A small friend joined me for a very short segment of the hike
After all that effort, it’s time for a snack
Next to Bansko, the Pirin National Park has mountains. Lots of mountains.
Vihren, the highest peak in the Pirin Mountains
A friendly mountain goat in front of Vihren
Snow remains in Pirin National Park in late June
When you’re above 8000 ft, clouds come and go
Even a fisheye lens cannot capture the views properly
So you’re saying this is the easy route?
Oh sure, yeah that cable should definitely protect me from falling off the cliff side of the Koncheto ridge while hiking in the fog
Bansko vibes: tractor parking area
Old meets new in Plovdiv, arguably Europe’s oldest city
Ottoman architecture in Plovdiv
