Posted by Technomancer
Killer shots man, looks like quite a tour!
|
Thanks, it was quite a trip, although I wish I had more time in Bulgaria. The urban exploration was good, the country itself was awesome. I try to avoid major cities as much as possible now.
Heres a copy of a facebook post I wrote when I left the country:
My 5 days in Bulgaria comes to an end today. I leave with a different opinion that many people had me thinking about this country. Until I bought my flight the night before I came here. I didnt even know the capital was Sofia. The only thing I really knew, the name of the country itself. I was warned by many that its a poor country and can be dangerous, to be careful.
As most of you know, I am not a sheep who follow the herd down the most traveled path. I go in the poorly lit roads or the smallest of villages trying to find something unusual and neat.
Like anywhere else. You will find good and bad people. Poor people does not mean dangerous. I have met people who have nothing and will try to give you the world. Then there is some rich people who are very dangerous, but no one ever think or worry of them. To be honest the scariest place I have travelled to date is the USA. Its the only place I ever had a gun put to my head. Everywhere you go in that country your seen as a potential threat.
I have even more fun when going to areas where no one speak english or french. I had dinner at a monastery two nights ago with a monk who only speak Bulgarian and two tourist from amsterdam who had a very limited knowledge of english. It was an interesting time. Sign language is king. Some frustration and laugh, but we where able to communicate.
I rented a car and opted to get a gps which was helpful to get out of the big city and guide me back to the airport. But best thing I did was to leave the gps in the trunk. Got off the highway after 2 hours and drove randomly, usually opting for smaller roads. To be frank, this worked out beautifully. Some are scared of the unknown, I seek it.
Its gotten me on some epic mountain road across the Balkan mountains making me wish I had my motorcycle. It also taken me thru tiny village where you would think most of the houses are abandoned, but aren't. In Shipka I have found the nicest little hotel, you would never guess it had super friendly owners, large rooms, pool, sauna, steam room and a pretty decent restaurant. For the price less then most hostel I have stayed at around europe. I also came across abandoned communist era buildings, abandoned school, theaters, trains, factories. I even found a mummified cat and dog in some of these place... creepy, yes. But an exciting find. I seek these places. In decay I see beauty.
It might not have the sparkles of western european countries, but I have quite enjoyed my visit and hopefully will return. I only seen a very small part of the country.
& Thanks for sharing all of these! 
