In Sofia, Bulgaria

After a short 90 minute flight from Turkey, I arrived in Sofia at about 3:00 pm local (7 hrs ahead of East Coast).  As I was exiting customs, I walked right into a dozen or so camera crews waiting for me! (Or at least waiting for someone, along with a strong police presence). So I waved and greeted my adoring crowd, and they laughed…seriously, a couple of them actually chuckled. (Found out later it was for the Bulgarian Men’s National Volleyball Team returning from the World Championships where they placed 2nd overall!)

It was a cool and sunny day when I arrived in Sofia.  A 20 minute taxi got me to my hotel in the heart of the city.  Sofia is situated in a wide valley with mountains nearby on one side of the city.  And Sofia looks a lot like an old Soviet bloc style city (which it is).  Older, with some rather boring architecture and a lot of block buildings.  I don’t mean to imply ugly, since there are many beautiful parks and other nice areas.  Just a lot of traditional eastern bloc looking structures.  And did I say that the spray painting taggers are everywhere here!  Not many surfaces are spared. Wow!

Not sure if this is the same in the U.S., but in Sofia, long straight hair is the predominant style for women under 60.  And similar to some other European cities, smoking is definitely common among young and old.

So after a very long first flight, long layover, short second flight, and an afternoon walking around, what did I decide to do?  Take a “free” 2-hour, evening walking tour in the city!  That got me good and tired so I can crash hard and wake refreshed in the morning.  Here are some photos from the group walking tour.

Bulgaria is largely a Christian Orthodox country. Even in Sofia, a city of 1.5 million residents, there are only 10,000 Muslims, and even fewer Jews.

Like many European cities, Sofia has an excellent trolley car network and a subway. But the trolley cars here are much noisier than I recall in other places. They shake the ground and rumble quite loudly when they pass by.

My lodging for the night is quite comfortable and right in the main shopping, touristy section of town.  I may stay here again when I come back in a couple weeks.

Off to Skopje, North Macedonia, in the morning.

Before you go…

I asked the librarian if the library had books on paranoia. She whispered, “They’re right behind you”.