I had planned to go hiking Vitosha Mountain just outside of Sofia on one of these days, but it's apparently a full day activity and things just kept coming up that prevented me from getting out that way. I'm not too concerned since my research of things to do in eastern Europe has given me a substantial list of good hiking spots. I've been taking it a bit easy, planning out stuff coming up and just walking around town checking things out. I visited the Lady's Market, which is the largest street market in Sofia. I'm not entirely sure where the name came from, but apparently it's -the- place to go for illegal cigarettes, stolen goods and counterfeit clothing - as well as the one place to really watch out for pickpockets ("full of gypsies!" the girl on hostel staff told me matter of factly). After spending half an hour trying to clean all the burrs and thorns out of the socks I sullied in Turkey I threw them out in frustration and bought a new pair. Today I've been feeling a bit nauseous which I'm a bit nervous about, since I have a 10 hour train ride tonight. I should have spent a bit extra for the bed, but I've never had issue sleeping in seats so far and I was feeling fine when I made the reservation.
The activation of my second Eurail pass makes it officially the 4th stage of my trip now, and hitting day 100 marks the approximately 1/4 milestone of my trip. I'm going to write up some sort of summary to mark the occasion, but not sure exactly when the post will happen.
Showing posts with label Bulgaria. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Bulgaria. Show all posts
Tuesday, July 3, 2012
Day 98: Rila
I went out on a day-trip with some others from the hostel to visit the Rila Monastery, which is about a two hour drive away in the Rila Mountains. The monastery was founded in the 10th century by Saint Ivan (aka Saint John of Rila) who came to the area to live as a hermit in a cave and live a life of solitude and prayer. On our trip we first visited his cave, which was a nice little hike from where we parked. He lived in it for 15 years, and it certainly wasn't very roomy. I'm better at maneuvering in dark confines than most, and even I found the exit a tight fit.
Next we went to the actual monastery. The church itself has some vivid, bright artwork that really stands out, and the surrounding living quarters (you can actually book a room and stay at the monastery) has deceptive black and white designs and architecture that make it look like a scene from an MC Escher picture.
After checking out the monastery to my contentment I wandered around in the surrounding woods for an hour or so before returning to the car for the ride home.
I made some new friends over dinner and afterwards we headed out for some drinks while we looked for a spot to watch the Euro Cup final. We ended up in a park that was playing the game with a projector and sat in the grass eating french fries and drinking our big bottles of 75 cent beer. As you all know, the game wasn't terribly exciting, but the crowd was pretty pro-Spain so it was a good time out.
Next we went to the actual monastery. The church itself has some vivid, bright artwork that really stands out, and the surrounding living quarters (you can actually book a room and stay at the monastery) has deceptive black and white designs and architecture that make it look like a scene from an MC Escher picture.
After checking out the monastery to my contentment I wandered around in the surrounding woods for an hour or so before returning to the car for the ride home.
I made some new friends over dinner and afterwards we headed out for some drinks while we looked for a spot to watch the Euro Cup final. We ended up in a park that was playing the game with a projector and sat in the grass eating french fries and drinking our big bottles of 75 cent beer. As you all know, the game wasn't terribly exciting, but the crowd was pretty pro-Spain so it was a good time out.
Sunday, July 1, 2012
Day 97: The Long Road to Sofia
I technically left Istanbul they day before (Day 96) but it was an overnight bus that left at 8:30pm, and all the noteworthy stuff happened past midnight. Crossing the border from Turkey to Bulgaria was a first for me in a few ways. It was the first time I've crossed a border in a bus, and the first time I've crossed a serious border (Canada/US doesn't count) by land. In total it took about 2.5 hours to get across the border (12:30am until 3am) as we had to stop, all get out of the bus and give our passports to the Turkish border people so they could stamp them and make sure we hadn't overstayed in Turkey, get back on the bus, drive another 50m, get off so people could visit duty free, drive some more, get off so the Bulgarian side could check our passports, and then again so people could go through the bus and check it for any contraband being smuggled in.
I got to Sofia around 7am, and at least managed to find my hostel with relative ease. I couldn't check in for awhile, but I stored my bags and explored Sofia. Mostly I just explored parks, shops and little markets around the city center, but I also checked out the Alexander Nevski Cathedral and walked by a few other interesting buildings like the courthouse and some other churches.
Also, not important, but if there is a more appropriate old guy feeding pigeons somewhere in the world, I have yet to encounter him.
The hostel itself is pretty amazing, and possibly my favourite so far. The staff is incredibly friendly and helpful, the place is comfortable and has a cool design, and it comes with free breakfast and a surprisingly good spicy spaghetti and beer dinner, all for about $12 a night.
I got to Sofia around 7am, and at least managed to find my hostel with relative ease. I couldn't check in for awhile, but I stored my bags and explored Sofia. Mostly I just explored parks, shops and little markets around the city center, but I also checked out the Alexander Nevski Cathedral and walked by a few other interesting buildings like the courthouse and some other churches.
Also, not important, but if there is a more appropriate old guy feeding pigeons somewhere in the world, I have yet to encounter him.
The hostel itself is pretty amazing, and possibly my favourite so far. The staff is incredibly friendly and helpful, the place is comfortable and has a cool design, and it comes with free breakfast and a surprisingly good spicy spaghetti and beer dinner, all for about $12 a night.
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