Saying goodbye to Bulgaria... Exams, snowboarding, parties and food! Days 119-121

Days 119-121:

On Friday the 17th of December, we had our final English exam, with an oral and a written part. It was long but we all passed, the title we received is an equivalent of B2 level (upper-intermediate). It wasn't bad, but the funniest part came after the exam, when we gave a present to our dear teacher Katie (fabulous educator, I wish all of our Spanish teachers were so good and passionate…). After that, we went to a nearby Ugo (pizzeria) to have lunch all the class together. It was our farewell with all this great guys. That night, with 10 grades below zero, we went to Bizarro club with Adri, Josemi, Sofia and Des. 

Marcos, Monroy, Rosi, Mila, Adri.

On Saturday, Adri, Monroy and me met with Rosi and Mila to go to Borovets, all together in Rosi’s car. She drives fast. Really fast. And road conditions were not the best (ice, snow…), so the trip wasn’t precisely boring. At around 11 AM we arrived there and rented the snowboards and boots. Both things, plus 1-day forfeit for the incredible price of… 16 € per person! The price was really low because it was the official opening day for the new season. But in the negative side, half of the tracks were closed and only a few greens and reds were available. We started with the (too) easy green tracks to warm up. But soon we felt that was not enough for us, so we took the lift to the highest station of Borovets. The views from there were fantastic, nevertheless the wind was furious and the temperature too cold, so the snow were really hard and icy. –Ok, who goes first?? ...

Monroy, in Borovets

We did several times the longest red track, with enormous problems avoiding the rest of experienced snowboarders who were overtaking us for both sides. The ride was as hard as the fucking snow below us, we fell off the board many times, our asses could ratify it. It was my fifth or sixth time snowboarding, and was the toughest one. At the end of the session, Rossi and Mila were waiting for us to drink that typical bloody hot wine, not bad, not bad… The way back home was even more terrific than the outward journey... The ice and snow mixed with the darkness and speed, yeah, Rositza for F1!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our collection in Pacas and Monroy's place, simply ridiculous!

This party was also ridiculous!!! :)

Ronnie was waiting for us at 9 that night, for our farewell party. We took a big pack of beers and went to Malaga’s flat and later to Rock’n’rolla. Great party there, that place is fucking killer! Later, when I tried to enter to my flat... shit! The door was broken (and also my hand 10 minutes later). It was around 6:30 AM and quite cold, so finally we went to sleep all together at Monroy’s flat. We went to Pacas’ room, he was there with no signals of life, absolutely unconscious. Apparently, he had several problems arriving home…  “Dubré” (Monroy and Pacas’ landlord) came the next morning to check the flat and we all woke up then… That night, once recovered, I was invited by Didka’s mother to have dinner in their place. I was really pleased to do it, they had been incredibly warm all this months. I felt like at home with them, lovely people! By the way, thefood was delicious!!

Last day in Istanbul, winter is waiting for us in Sofia. Days 114-118

 Days 114-118:

Galata Tower and the Golden Horn

Sunday, the 12th of December. Eyes opened around 13:30. The room is a mess and our heads are fucking hammered. We left the hostel a bit embarrassed, but fortunately, the staff is used to see this things. In our last day in Istanbul, we visited the Spice Bazaar and Suleymaniye Mosque, and stopped again in Galata bridge, this time to eat some fresh mussels. The day is sunny, but really cold. After eating our last kebap, we continued walking up to Galata Tower, and Istiklal street all straight ahead, to catch the bus at Taksim Square. There were too many people for only 2 buses, so everybody went crazy when the door opened… We had to elbow our way inside, no choice! We landed at Sofia airport around 9:30 pm, and the intense trip finished. 

Galata bridge. Istanbul

But our last days in Bulgaria were not going to be boring… On Monday, once recovered of our Turkish trip, Sofia appeared completely white!! Absolutely covered with snow. Great news for us, because we wanted to see (and feel) the real Bulgarian winter before leaving. Suddenly, going to class turned into a little adventure, with the streets full of snow and ice, and temperatures below zero. Something new for Spanish guys…  

Communism monument in Borisova Gradina, Sofia

During these days we enjoyed the snow in the city. Everybody there is really used to it, but we felt like a child with new shoes. We explored in detail the big park near city centre (Borisova Gradina). It is like a forest, but with bizarre surprises inside: communism monuments, old football stadiums (CSKA Sofia), ice-skating park, deserted restaurants... We also met with some Spanish Erasmus friends to say good-bye (they were leaving) and drink some beers, and precisely then, the Bulgarian TV interviewed us in the street! We appeared in a TV programme in the public channel. That was funny...

Last days in Bulgaria... and time running out to go to Borovets for some snowboarding... We started to plan it with Rositza. Another little events: we visited the superb Laguna (ice-creams and much more) with Eli and Miriam (their favourite!), and on day 15, Tuesday, was Daniela's birthday (Iva's cousin), so we all met with her to have a drink. Hurry up! This experience is ending...

Auto-gifts from Istanbul: 3 Gutis!

And here is our particular TV show... Business All the time!!!

Rila Monastery. Days 108-109

 Days 108-109:

One of its last performances

I had been in Rila Monastery 2 years ago in my previous visit to this beautiful country, and I knew it would be a nice one-day trip for my family in their short time here. With one thousand years of history, being one of the most important cultural and religious centres in South-East Europe. The Monastery is a “must-see” if you come to Sofia and have the chance to travel the hour and a half (by car) to get the place, hidden in the mountains. We went there with the renewed Golf, which was running perfect. My family enjoyed with the views to Rila Mountains, the isolated villages near the road, and of course: the Monastery. Although the entrance to the complex is free, we paid a expensive fee to access to the museum, which has tens of very old pieces from medieval times. Rafail's cross, which was made during 12 long years by a monk (until he lost his sight) is the most impressive thing. My family tasted their first “kebapche” and “kiufte” with “lutenitza” sauce, part of our basic diet here in Bulgaria. 

Rila Monastery

Happy Claudia at Happy restaurant

Once back in Sofia, Claudia had the opportunity to visit Pacas and Monroy’s flat, and to play with the PS2 (what a discovery for her!). The day ended with a dinner (all together) in the fantastic pizzeria Ugo. On Tuesday morning, we walked around the city centre, where they could buy some freak souvenirs like communist stuff, but also the Russian typical “matrioskas” and other innocent presents. We had lunch in “Happy” restaurant, another good place to eat for around 8-10 € (luxury for us, comparing it with what are we accustomed to), and they flew back to Spain. Short time here for my family, fucking air-controllers!!

In Sofia. Days 101-107

Days 101-107:



29th November. Yeah, it was the day that Barça humbled Real Madrid (5-0). We watched it in a big pizzeria at Studenski Grad (Universitary area) with all the Erasmus friends. Dark evening for Monroy… but fortunately for him most of us were followers of the loser. Because I had drunk some beer, Miriam drove my car back to the center. It was the first time that another person (apart from me) drove it, and just then the Police stopped us beside Alexander Nevski Cathedral, and asked for all the papers. Miriam took the responsibility and talked with the policeman (or should I say sweet-talked??) until he was absolutely convinced than we were a nice Spanish students who didn’t deserve any fine for some stupid detail related with car irregularities.

CSKA Sofia - Besiktas . Hardcore supporters

On Thursday, the car had another revision in which was necessary to change two or three little things… all the day spent in the clandestine garage that I`ve mentioned previously in this blog. This also caused that I couldn't be on time for the match CSKA Sofia-Besiktas, and join the rest to watch it and wave Guti. But at least the car was ready to receive my family in the oncoming weekend. On Friday we had a funny dinner at Dybaka with some of our class-mates (Vencislava, Dobroslava, Svetoslav). Later we went to Rocknrolla, where we met with Miriam and Eli, and we partied and sang in the karaoke until closing time (as usually in this club). Fun-loving girls, these two!!

Marcos, Eli, Beatrice, Pacas, Monroy and Miriam at Rocknrolla!

She likes hot water fountains!

Saturday was the day in which my parents and sisters had to flight to Sofia, but EXACTLY that day exploded the air traffic controllers crisis in Spain, paralyzing all the air-traffic for 24 hours. At least I could recover myself to receive them with full forces on Sunday afternoon. We had dinner all together, and specially amusing was when I gave to Claudia (my 5 years-old sister) some presents (thanks Des)… she was probably what I missed the most during my time abroad. We didn’t have many time that day to see much, but at least we walked along the illuminated historic centre, and they enjoyed with it (better not to see other dark neighborhoods at night…). Next day: Rila's Monastery!

Raining days in Sofia, and crazy weekend in Plovdiv. Days 94-100

Days 94-100:

The more it rains, the more we study

I had come to Bulgaria 3 months ago, and this was the first week with a truly bad weather. It was raining nearly all the time, although we found time to play a football match against a Portuguese guys very skilled in the feints and fancy footwork, but without blood in the veins. We won (teaming with some Erasmus friends).

Desislava, a new friend of mine whom I met in Rocknrolla, showed me new and interesting clubs in Sofia. Black Lodge (Aleksandar Stamboliyski 34) was one of them, a nice place for heavy-metal die hard fans, very close to the city centre.

On Saturday, 27th November, we decided to go to Plovdiv, which is the second biggest city in Bulgaria and it’s highway-connected with Sofia. It took one hour and half to go there. I had been there 2 years ago, but I didn’t remember so much. 15 minutes after parking the car, we met three Spanish girls (Erasmus in Veliko Tarnovo, they said) who recommended us to go directly to the Ethnographic museum. Why?? Because they were giving free wine and cheese!!! Yeah, it was enough to persuade us.

Wine&Rhinoceros:

So we went there and asked for the free wine. In fact, it wasn’t exactly free… you had to pay 1 € to enter! That’s nice! What in the beginning was a purely touristic trip, started to transform in a alcoholic one: From the Ethnographic museum they moved (we too, of course) to other house, and later to another, and another one… In each house, different wine to taste! Meanwhile, traditional folkloric dances were displayed in front of us. We were invited to join several times, and Adri and Monroy couldn’t resist it. Between wine and wine, we made some friends (Teodoro the best), who were asking us repeatedly what we tought about the wine. –“Oh yes, it’s a wonderful wine! It has a charming wooden taste mixed with aromatic grapefruits!”, we joked. In fact, all the wines tasted pretty much the same for us. –“Where is the coke to make a Kalimotxo??”, asked Josemi. –“Much better is the Spanish wine!!”, claimed Monroy.

With our good friend and advisor TEODORO

Adri with the family

Views from the kitchen (scene of the incidents) at dusk

Three hours later, we stopped to follow the tasting delegation, because we were starting to feel really drunk. –“Fuck!! Who will drive back to Sofia now??” Obviously, we had to find a place to stay during the night, we couldn’t drive in that conditions. We found a hostel (Hikers Hostel) just in the historical city centre. So nice. And they gave us an entire apartment to sleep, because the Hostel building was full. Yeah, an ENTIRE apartment for five drunk Spanish. It was still around 4 PM, but this guys wanted to continue the party until night, so they went to buy some material to drink. We spent the afternoon in that nice and new kitchen, drinking , joking and chatting. And a new friend appeared (WE DON’T KNOW FROM WHERE): Alexander, a strange and rude man who didn’t speak English or Spanish. Gestural communication. But he wanted to impress us as soon as possible, so he decided to drink half-bottle of Rum in one gulp. Perfect. We started to worry when he suddenly fell asleep… ON HIS FEET. And resting against an OPEN window (15 meters to the ground). –“This man is freak as hell!”. We tried to move him to a safer position, but it wasn’t easy. He was strong and heavy, and his body slipped away like jelly. Finally we sat him on a chair. We tried to reanimate him, but no effect. Absolute K.O. We had a problem there…

Night came and chaos continued with Monroy and Adri out of control in the streets… But finally we returned to do something with Alexander’s corpse… We phoned the hostel reception, and one girl came and recognized Alexander. –“Ah, he is!! Don’t worry, move him to his room, it’s on first floor" (we were on 4th floor…). We moved that big body 3 floors down, along a NARROW stairs and with no so much coordination. It was challenging, but we finally dropped him on his bed, the man survived and problem solved. So strange, so freak, but the hostel’s girl said us not to worry, because it was not the first time that happened something similar… With Alexander in a safe place, Josemi went to a discotheque with Monroy and Adri in savage-mode… Good luck, man! Pacas stayed with me in the Hostel, and before the girl left, he had time to say to her some wonderful words, with the unique style that only Pacas have. Soooo funny…!! After promising his eternal love to the lady, we went to sleep and rest after a mad day…

Roman amphitheatre in Plovdiv

On Sunday, we were very hungry early in the morning (we forgot to eat the previous day), so we went to have breakfast at the Hostel. And we DEVASTATE, like pigs to be honest. Pacas re-encountered with his shocked platonic love. It would be better not to return to this hostel. We walked (this time without wine) around the city highlights (Roman Amphitheatre, Noble houses…) in a cloudy day. A few hours later we were back in Sofia, in time to visit the OLD (founded in 1888) city Zoo. It was quite interesting to see the snakes, tigers and pumas, but we also saw an elephant area without elephants, a bear area without bears and a rhinoceros area without rhinoceros. So we left the zoo a little bit confused. Anyway, the money investment had been low enough to not think so much about it (0,5 €).

In Sofia. Visit from Romania and new friends! Days 87-93

Days 87-93:



Soviet Army Monument. Sofia



We also had time to teach!

These days we started to go to Art Hostel regularly, the place where Adri and Josemi were collaborating with. It’s a very nice place, I have mentioned it before in this blog. They often organize cultural activities, and there are a cool atmosphere during the evenings in their cellar-pub. In this warm place we started to meet Miriam and Eli (both are also from Cantabria!), who would be very good friends weeks later. Welcome! ;)

On Thursday, 18th November, we received another Spanish visit, but this time they didn’t came from so far… Juan (a friend from Cantabria) and three Galician friends travelled by car from Timisoara (Romania) where they are studying this year. The same night they came, there was an Eramus Party on “My Mojito” club, so it was a perfect opportunity to receive them properly. All the Spanish crew there, so funny, until late.



Our objective!! Vitosha !



The man!!

The next day they visited city highlights (cultural and gastronomic) and prepared for the trip to Vitosha’s highest point, which is named Cherni Vrah (2.290 m). I was anxious to get it, because I had been living in Sofia for 3 months and I hadn’t try it yet. So there we went Juan and the three Galicians, Pacas, Monroy and me. Miriam and Eli finally didn’t come… buhhh! We arrived to Aleko Hut after a looong way up by car, and the fact is that we thought we were almost on the top… But really not yet, because firstly we needed to walk for an hour and a half to reach Cherni Vrah summit (the second half of the way over snow). There are another Hut which gives life to the place. It was cold up there, with the fog freezing us. After a meal and a beer (we carried it to here, so it was compulsory to drink it), we started the returning. One hour later we were in the car.

That night was a very good one, partying with all these people and Miriam, Eli and Beatrice (an Italian friend). We had been ejected from Sports1 (our preferred pub to watch Real Madrid matches, until that day…) in strange circumstances, so we had to move to a new place. We finished rocking hard in Rocknrolla until closing time. The next day, Juan and the Galicians left Sofia with a big hangover and some good experiences with them!

Pau, Pacas, Monroy, Jon, Toni, Marcos and Juan

In Sofia. Days 80-86

Days 80-86:

Saúl left Sofia to continue travelling to Belgrade, as part of his touristic-guide field-work, but Charli and Luisma were going to stay a few days more with us (until Thursday). During the mornings we continued with our classes, but we had the rest of the day free to spend time with them. On Tuesday 9, we went to the west side of Vitosha mountain, where Kopitoto TV tower is. We explored a bit around an abandoned chair lift and took some pics of the city. We also stopped at the nearly historic Boyana church, but it was being repaired and closed to public.

Views from west Vitosha

On Wednesday, at last, we went to the Museum of Military History, a desired visit for weeks. Also, we met there with Milena, a couchsurfer who wanted to learn a little Spanish. We were delighted by the impressive outdoor collection of tanks, missiles, jet-fighters, helicopters and rest of stuff. Most of them from Cold War times, but also from I and II World Wars. But not less spectacular was inside the museum building (entrance fee only 1€), with three floors full of war History. In addition, they were chronologically arranged, starting with Prehistoric items and weapons, continuing with ancient Thracian remains, medieval armors and swords, Ottoman-times stuff… and finally all the weaponry from both World Wars, Cold War and modern times. I had been in Moscow military museum two years ago , and I can say that this one have nothing to envy the Russian one. It’s complete and fully documented. That visit led us to watch again the memorable serie “Band of Brothers” during the next few days, although there is no direct relation!

Attack Helicopter MI-24 Hind

MAZ-543 Scud Launcher



Soviet 2K11 Krug SAM System

Anti Aircraft Complex S-75 Dvina

Problems in one of my teeth’s nerve fucked me for two or three days, and increased dramatically our PES played hours. A visit to the dentist is quite cheaper than in Spain, but is still a not enjoyable thing to do.



Sofia from Kopitoto (Vitosha)



Putin arriving to President's Office

Vladimir Putin visited Sofia on Saturday 13, and we waited –beer in hand- for his appearance in front of the President’s Office. Many official black cars, tens of bodyguards… and some people cheering him, remembering us the historic friendship between Russia and Bulgaria. That night I went with the “Malagueños” to a Couchsurfing meeting (they do one every 13th) where we were introduced to new people (thanks to Ronnie and the rest). This global community is absolutely fantastic, really good vibrations between people and lots of possibilities. Sofia has an active local CS group, which organizes several activities per month. This time, the event was in “Memories”, a pub in Kniaz Boris 66. It was perfect to practice English again, after a period full of Spanish visits. We moved later to “Backstage”, with an interesting Balkan music DJ.

At the end of the week, we tried (without success) to find a shooting centre. They are quite popular in Sofia, and you pay for practice shooting with different guns and rifles. There is no doubt, we were really influenced by this "military" week!!

Again in Sofia.From one visit to another.Days 74-77

Days 74-77:

Our visitors left Sofia on Tuesday afternoon, after had been walking around the city and knowing some of its highlights (Ivan Vazov Theatre, Santa Sofia Cathedral…). They bought lots of freaky things (soviet hats and hipflasks, a gas mask from the cold war, Kalashnikov t-shirts…) in the street market beside A. Nevski cathedral. And their last lunch was the famous moussaka, and some other Bulgarian dishes.

Monroy, Luisma, Charli and Saúl

The next two days were quiet, studying and recovering some classes. But action backed very soon, because on Thursday night came three good friends: Charli, Luisma and Saúl. First thing we did after pick up them in the airport was go to Dybaka (yeah, it’s a routine). They enjoyed like children (and who not?). There was an Erasmus party in Club Alcohol to which we had been invited, so it was a nice opportunity for the newcomers to socialize. They took it seriously, partying until very late.

Tough opponent for me!

On Friday, 5th November, we had our first English Exam (level B2.1), which took us the entire morning to complete it (we passed). That afternoon we tried to play "beer-chess" in the square beside Ivan Vazov Theatre, but all the tables were busy and the only way to play was betting money with one of the elder local players. I tried it (and I lost, of course), while the rest were playing Spanish cards, game in which they feel much more powerful against bulgarian competitors... After that, it was time to plan and to prepare the car for a new trip: Veliko Tarnovo, in Bulgaria's heart!

Romania.From Sibiu to Sofia across Danube.Day 73

 Day 73:

1 November 2010. We had a very long journey ahead of us, but we woke up without hurries (around 10). We stopped a few km from Sibiu, in a shabby fast-food local (so tasty) full of workers having a rest. That was one of the few stops in the entire day… Ah yes, of course, another one was when the Police stopped Miera’s car (the fucking ugly long Clio) and fined him for exceeding the speed limit (120 leis – around 30 € paid at that moment). 

Heading South...

Near Ramnicu Valcea

We continued following river Olt in its way to the Danube through Turnu Rosu Pass, passing Ramnicu Valcea, Dragasani and Slatina villages. So we left Transylvania to enter the region of Wallachia again. Nothing really interesting in those villages, apart from the wonderful environment (mountains, forest, river…). Craiova (very ugly) was the last big city before the frontier, but there were still lots of kilometers, so we stopped to have lunch in a forgotten and dirty village somewhere in the middle of nowhere… Suspicious at the beginning, but a good decision after all! We ate some nice chicken steaks with peppers and chips for a few Leis. 

 

Once back on the road, we drove through moors and isolated villages. That part of Romania (south-west) was absolutely different to what we had seen before in the country. Calafat is the last Romanian village before Bulgaria. 

In the middle of nowhere. South-west Romania

 –“Ahh… at last Calafat!! Uhmm… let’s go to the frontier pass”, I thought. 

We drove through the village for a while, looking for any signal or indication. Nothing.

-“What the fuck? Where is the frontier???”, I started to desperate, because we hadn’t seen any signal to Bulgaria. We asked two or three people around there for the frontier, but they didn’t know. They only knew where was the port. -“I don’t need to know where is the fucking port!!”, I thought. I started to suspect that something unexpected was about to happen, we were there (in Calafat) following ViaMichelin instructions, but we hadn’t any other info. 

  

The route. Almost 10 hours...

It was getting dark and that strange village seemed to be an unpleasant place to stay overnight (no people on the streets, no lights, no restaurants, no hotels, no life), so we finally went to the fucking port. A barrier and a man in a cabin. I stopped and tried to explain our situation. The man didn’t open his mouth, he only looked at me, angrily. Monroy came to help me and the man finally gave us (with bad manners) some papers to fill up: “Number of passengers, Number of cars…etc”. Yeah, it was clear that was possible to cross the river by ship! But everything was so strange… no info, no signals, nobody around… At that moment I noticed that there is only ONE bridge between Bulgaria and Romania, Fuck! 

It was completely dark when we finally move the cars inside the port. There was a police control. A bastard policeman spent like 1 hour with us, checking our cars, our ID, papers... At least it was funny when he was checking Viga’s photo, comparing it with his face. The policeman in front of Viga for 10 minutes, “scanning” Viga’s face one and another time… Viga smiling… the situation was very freak! That man was really bored there, I think…

We had to pay 64 € to pass, and moved ahead to the end of the line. Several trucks were waiting there too. That normalized the situation… we weren’t alone! Our mood had passed from worrying to funny. We (the trucks and our two cars) got on board in a small ferry. I was the last one, and the back of my car was –literally- above the water. Absolutely full! We enjoyed a lot the trip to the other side, and got out of the car to take some photos on the deck. Unexpectedly, we were crossing The Danube in a foggy night with our cars. Exciting! 

 

On the deck. Pacas, Marcos, Miera, Moly and Viga

Once in Bulgaria, the Police (AGAIN) held us for half hour. They asked us lots of things, I suppose it’s not common to receive two Bulgarian cars full of Spanish in that frontier at that time… We were doing a very rare thing. After all the mess, we finally arrived to Vidin (where there is an interesting fortress that we finally could NOT see). We had still 4 hours to reach Sofia… and we entered into a DENSE fog. VERY DENSE. We only could see 5-7 meters ahead, so we had to slow down a lot. 

Golf lights didn't help so much...

-“Bah… I’m sure this fog will disappear soon, it’s too dense and it will not last so much”, I thought. Heh!!... 3 HOURS OF MADDENING FOG! I didn’t know that fog could expand in such a BIG extensión (around 140 km, I estimate). Fortunately, I like challenges (and that was challenging), and I had VERY good company inside the car (Monroy and Pacas), so it was funny. We improved our fog driving skills fast, and soon we were driving at around 50-60 kmph. The trick is to maintain an absolute concentration in the central road line, and react very quickly in the curves or when other cars appear. The second car has a more relaxed driving; it’s as easy as follow the red lights, so we changed the position from time to time. 

It was madness… but we finally reached the highway to Sophia, where we arrived after 10 hours of car. Tired!! But not enough! We went to Dybaka to re-fill our stomachs, and later to Rockanrolla to drink a beer and celebrate that finally everything went well!! Long day…