Elegant Spa Hotel Bansko

... kann ich natuerlich ich auch kaum, die Bulgaren haben kyrillisch erfunden). Habe aber den Bus nach Rila in die Berge gefunden und war dort dann am Spaetnachmittag (erneut 60km fuer 2,50 Euro). Habe mich im Kloster einquartiert (10 Euro fuer die Nacht, Duschen gibt es keine), wenn die Tagestouristen weg sind ist es ganz nett. Touristen gibt es naemlich sehr viele ...

A lot of Americans celebrated and had fun on this day but not me. I went to the central bus station on time to catch an early bus but somehow the cashier sold me a wrong ticket so I missed the bus, and then she refused to give me the refund. The first really unpleasant experience for this trip. And the day didn't get much better after this. I ended up catching a later bus to Bansko, but because of that I ...

... back and continued on to Rila Monastery. We arrived early afternoon and found that a room was available so decided to stay overnight at the Monastery. The Monastery is in a forested valley and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was first built in 927 and has 300 monk's cells in buildings surrounding the Nativity Church. It continues to be a working ...

... would have been colder than that! Unfortunately on this trip back into town we hit peak hour with an expensive tariff taxi so instead of it costing us 7 leva (£3.50) we had to get out and walk when we realised the meter was already on 31 leva and we were no where close to home yet (and that we only had 25 leva on us - a quick stop at the ATM and all was good besides we walked it faster than the cab would have driven it!

... style food to pick from, so I tried chicken with grilled vegetables. Food was excellent as was the service. Walked back to the hotel, it was already 9.30pm so while Damyan & Erina retired to bed I worked on the travel blog. Morning now and I must say it was the best night's sleep I have had for awhile. Even though I got up at 7.00am I still had slept well. Internet connection was up and down as usual so I went downstairs to get ...

... my arrival, customs was easy on me and I have met several of the people who I will be working with over the next few months, outside of Al and Diane. For the record, the scenery is absolutely gorgeous. This city is nestled right into the base of a mountain. (Pictures to come in later posts) So long story short, I'm here safe and tired. Tomorrow morning Al and I are going to Greece. Lots of pictures will be taken.

... in Bansko, I went for dinner with two of the others. Tried the cold yogurt and cucumber soup that is on every menu, it wasn't bad but wasn't near as good as the cold soup that was in Latvia! Also had a shish or shish kebab to the rest of us, yummy stuff. Came back to the hotel and chilled on the patio for a couple beers again before heading in for an early night before the dreaded 6am start tomorrow.

... since supper was a long way away! Found a cafeteria style place and had some pork and sauerkraut stew, thumbs up! Wandered around Sophia a bit more and then went back to catch the bus. On our way to Bansko, we stopped at the Rila Monastery, the largest Eastern Orthodox Monastery in Bulgaria. It was an amazing place. Got the weirdest feeling when I was there, not good or bad, just weird. I bought a wooden painted Icon, love it but I will need to cut back on ...

... Bulgaria unemployment is a big problem, and the towns are shrinking fast as everyone especially kids my age move to the cities to find jobs. In fact most of my friends work in neighboring towns like the large town of Razlog or the ski resort Bansko. I guess it just shows how great Belitsa is that they want to live in Belitsa and are willing to commute every day. Anyway here are some pictures from Semkovo

... is Teadora (Dora.) We didn't talk much at first, she was a bit shy talking in English. We went out to dinner in Dupnitsa with 2 other volunteers and their counterparts. Dora spoke mostly to one of the other counterparts and seemed really nervous about talking in English. Also, she told me she taught primary school, and I'm a highschool teacher. So, I was feeling a little nervous about these things but still optimistic. HUB 4, the next day, was the counterpart ...