Make sure to read the post below if you have not already. I hope that you all have as much fun reading it as I did writing it. I had promised some info about Bulgaria and will attempt to satisfy the curious. Showing up in the country was an odd venture that included "disinfection" at the border crossing. Compared to the ridiculous longevity of later crossings it was a breeze but more strangely in this case there were so many forms to be paid for. One would guess that Bulgarians are lovers of booths as every 50m was another offering exciting new ways to spend your money. I expected on arriving at the "disinfection" booth that we would have to leave the car and be hosed down with some of Pfizer's finest but no such luck. Instead "disinfection" was a matter of paying some Euros and receiving a snazzy form which claimed that we were clear I imagine. For Andy it was quite an experience of all this as he had never been through a border inspection. Little did he know what was to come as some of you have now read about. We arrived at the final border check inundated with forms and had no clue which to offer for our exit so gave all and received almost all back. A love for glass booths and paper work is the only thing I can figure as I said.

I had planned on a complete "St. Cyril the Gobshite" post but shall instead present my comments here. I'm not sure that any of you have first hand experience of driving with only St. Cyril's alphabet to guide you but it is no picnic. How and why he came up with and decided on the letters of the cyrillic alphabet I shall never now. As a tease some do match there Latin counterparts but the sound of those is entirely different despite. When we arrived in Plovdiv all attempts to establish some bearings was thwarted by the fact that none of what we saw made any sense. One driving to the region should make valiant attempts to learn this alphabet before having a hope of finding your way. We wandered more than an hour searching for a bridge and was it not for an angelic sign with the words "Centrum" on it we may never have. Even then discovering our hostel was a task and a half that only sheer luck and some absurd driving accounted for.

On arrival at said hostel we were greeted by the sound of three man eating dogs. They barked and yelped and licked there lips for some time before a slight woman emerged and somehow inspired them toward calmness. Though the name on the front clearly indicated B&B the woman there said there was no breakfast to be had thereby knocking this down to a legendary one B. It was late however and sweet dreams were calling are names. We were quoted a price and decided to stay. Our following question was whether the car would be safe outside the place to which the answer came quickly as "no." She then told us that this area was one that thieving teens frequented but that we could park our car under the surveillance camera in the front and hope for the best. Hardly words to inspire confidence but again we had no desire to head back into the confusion that St. Cyril the gobshite had created for us. There room was nice and the two sleeps therein profoundly restful at least for me. Andy seems to have acquired consumption, black plague, cholera or the like somewhere along the way so recent sleeps have not been the most pleasant.

Perhaps the most pleasant aspect of a short stay in Bulgaria was an abundance of cheap and tasty culinary delights. Nearby restaurants served sheep liver, head, intestines as well as pork tripe, intestines, liver, head and much more to tantalize the ears. All that we choose in fact was marvelous and the prices were lower than any I have yet come across. I normally hate to eat out frequently while journeying but in Bulgaria it was a budget friendly treat. There also was much more to the menu than what I mentioned above including marvelous potato dishes, crepe dishes, and salads so we happily indulged. As you have seen from the photos some of the architecture of the place was colorful and interesting but unfortunately the communist styling of the majority put a major damper on it. In Plovdiv and later looking from the outskirts of Sofia the drab and dreary architecture of that time ruins the look of a place. The lack of creative expression of the time will take years to either destroy and replace or attempt to update. I am glad to have had the chance to see the country in this developing stage but without having a friendship there in the future or an area of nature to witness I think that I shall not soon return.

I realize that there is much more to tell as I am now in Slovenia enjoying every minute of the time with my friends here. I hope in the next days to keep the posts coming but know for now that we are in safe and hospitable hands and that for those of you who have sent emails yet feel neglected by the lack of response I have read all but had no chance to respond.