• Angharad Dowse
Apr. 2017 – Feb. 2018

European Adventure

Ein 318-Tage Abenteuer von Angharad Weiterlesen
  • Lake Ohrid

    29. April 2017 in Nordmazedonien ⋅ ⛅ 19 °C

    This bed is killing us. We have both been waking up several times during the night. We just don't fit :S
    Woke up and had a shower, well kinda. Jumped in when the water turned luke warm then it turned cold. I waited patiently shivering for 5 mins waiting for it to heat up but it didn't -.- I didn't use soap cause my hands were busy hugging myself but it still counts as a rinse lol.
    Ate cereal in the common room, lots of random new people..
    Said hi to Booba and got dressed for the day. The girls from work facetimed me on my phone and we chatted for a while, a few were drunk as crap but it was sooo good to talk to them!! They were all out drinking for Gabby's farewell.
    We decided to go to Ohrid again because Will wants a kebab.
    Mikhail was going there anyway so he drove us :)
    We went to the old bazaar area which we didn't visit last time but it was nothing special. Too modernized. We had a kebab which I actually really liked. We then needed to get our bus ticket for the first half of our trip to Bulgaria tomorrow. (Ohrid - Skopje) we asked for directions from the information center and then walked for about 15 mins. On the way we definitely walked through a more slummy area. There was a girl that picked up a cat and cat was trying to hard to get away. I don't know if it was her cat or not cause she did enter a nearby house but the cat got away.
    The buildings were falling apart and it was dirty.
    We got the the bus terminal and bought a ticket, it was quite stress free actually.
    We then walked back to town and sat at a resturant near the lake.
    I could watch it for hours.
    We had drinks.
    There is a tree that is upside down looking that is cool.
    Caterpillars love Will and keep crawling on him.

    Because I subscribed to smart traveller on my Facebook, this morning Macedonia got an updated warning for travelers to be careful.
    It's because of the lack of government and not terrorism though so that's something.
    There are marches everyday but Macedonia is known for being peaceful. As we have been told by every Macedonian 109 times, Macedonia is the only country to leave Yugoslavia without a casualty, apparently.
    I am not concern in the slightest. Not a single bone in my body feels threatened or in danger. I felt more wary in Greece and they are a green travel zone so eh.
    I would take the "risk" of coming here again and again.
    We left the resturant which didn't have the friendliest vibe - probably because it was sort of up market and we only ordered drinks haha and walked to the taxi.
    He drove us to Lagadin where we got out, bought some snacks for the trip for tomorrow and walked up the stupid hill back to our hostel.
    I tried to find a worker earlier to ask them if they could order us a taxi for tomorrow morning but I can't find anyone. As much as I love it here, the lack of designated reception area is a pain in the ass.
    We chilled out in our room for a bit. I read another chapter of my book (the last stand) then we started to get hungry and wanted to go get dinner. It took 2 attempts to leave because Booba the dog kept breaking the gate and following people. I had to go get her an extra time with a group leaving before us. The German girls had to go give her to others to distract her. She is a bugger haha.
    We walked down to the road and flagged down a taxi but noticed it was occupied so I lowered my hand. They stopped anyway and we jumped in the back. They were suppose friendly and agreed to drop us 2km down the road. They too said lots of Macedonians live in Australia. He's like the 8th person to say this.
    It was a very tight fit in the back seat. I don't think the lady next to me spoke English. We just spoke to the male passenger who was called Alexander lol. It was very cool and culturally different to home. They were so happy to let us share the taxi.
    We got dropped off at the barbecue place Mikhail recommended to us this morning. We had the Macedonian version of tzatziki- the difference is it's made with sour cream not yogurt, and we both got the pork ribs.
    We were expecting racks but that's not what we got. Still it was delicious and filling and only cost 2.50€ for an entire meal which included chips. Bargain!
    I had a dessert too cause Will promised me this morning I could have one at dinner if I didn't buy a gelato in town :) :) hehe
    It was a banana crepe and it was goooood.
    We made a very very bad decision on how to get home.
    By car it didn't seem that far away but when you are walking, on the side of a road that has no lights or footpaths with lunatic drivers racing around corners - walking is dumb.
    We made it home alive though. We did have to hop over fences, and run to dodge traffic though. We worked up a sweat as we ran around the bends to get out of "danger" as quick as possible. I had only my phone light for a guide but that at least also alerted cars something was there.
    Will got a tad exasperated at me cause I wanted to walk on the left but he wanted to walk on the right.
    I wanted the left because then I could see when a car was coming and move out of the way but he wanted the right because it had slightly more room on the side of the road. I think this would have been a good argument if these people stayed in there lanes.
    Either way we made it :)
    We were going to play cards again but the other worker dude - really should learn his name cause he is super nice - said they some people were going to town and asked if we wanted to come.
    I was gonna go but our bus is at 7:15am and I haven't slept well in days and they could be out til an unknown hour so I'm in bed right now writing this while Will has gone to have fun with the boys :) he knows not to drink though cause he will hate himself tomorrow on our 9 hour bus journey. Lol
    I've packed, he hasn't - bed time :D
    Weiterlesen

  • Lake Ohrid

    30. April 2017 in Nordmazedonien ⋅ ☁️ 12 °C

    Woke up out of my coma. Will felt sick. We got driven to the bus stop by the owners. We sat outside the terminal for 20 minutes before Will said he couldn't do it.
    I reorganized the bus ticket for tomorrow and we have started the stupid task of finding accommodation.
    We sat outside the burger show we ate from the other day to steal its wifi.
    We walked around and checked a few places but everything was either full or closed.
    Around 8:30 we wandered into a cafe for food but they don't serve breakfast until 10.
    I tried hostel world but they didn't give me the option to book today, only from tomorrow onwards.
    We ended up on airbnb.
    I messaged 4 different places.
    3 said no and then thank the heavens one said yes - but would only be available from 3pm. D:
    We are currently sitting in a cafe with our eyeballs falling out of our heads. I'm bored and cranky.
    Its not his fault but damn his weak stomach! lol
    I can't wait to be in counties with train systems - he does much better on them.
    We ordered a hot chocolate and it ended up being hot mousse instead which was super weird.
    There seems to be some parade thing happening out front. There is a big Croatia flag with 25 odd people in traditional dress. There are other people dressed up to but I can't see which flag.
    I think Will is kinda keen to maybe go back to the place we have been at when we have the 3 months to kill later on but im not overly keen.
    The worker with a beard - as lovely as he is gives me the heeby jeebies. He has a man crush on Will. Last night Will awkwardly misinterpreted him - Will got offended because he though the dude was saying he didn't like him when actually he was saying how fluid their relationship was and how good it is.
    Crushing HARD
    he is a big hippie.
    We can't wait to lie down.

    WE ARE DYING
    the wifi keeps dropping out so I have to awkwardly walk over to the shop next door, stand there for a minute before walking back. I've done it a few times people must think I'm special.
    There was a random parade thing in the square. I'm not sure why it was for but it had Croatian representatives ( i knew because of the flag) and heaps of other people dressed in traditional clothes. Potentially other baulkan nations. One group looked Romani but I'm not sure.
    I watch them dance for a while. Let's get real, It was terrible Choreography! but fun because of the traditional side.

    We were so tired and bored. But to tired to fix our boredom so we just sat like zombies.
    I ordered a shopska salad and while I waited for it to be made popped over to the shop next door.
    They had messaged us an hour before - right about the time I had given up home of being called over earlier to the house - so I raced over to tell Will the fantastic news :)
    Scoffed down my salad and we left to find the house.
    Terrible service though - it will be going in their review on TripAdvisor hahaha
    So the house was impossible to find. It was made worse because we were hot, tired and carrying our packs. We tried 2 different streets then gave up and I put my data roaming on to call them.
    They had to come meet us at St Sophia's church (which Pokémon go has told me is the oldest church is Macedonia - why does Pokémon go tell me this piece of information but I wasn't told that fact when I actually entered the site a few days ago?)
    We walked to the house and straight into our room. We slept straight from 2-8:30
    Will watched some videos until 11 then we went back robbed and slept through until 6.
    Weiterlesen

  • Transit

    1. Mai 2017 in Bulgarien ⋅ ⛅ 18 °C

    Feeling pretty good considering it's 6am.
    It was an easy morning because we hadn't unpacked anything and we had paid so we just quietly left.
    We walked into town but couldn't see a taxi, it seemed as if we would have to walk to the bus station wahhhh
    But out of the mist, a beautiful sight...
    A taxi.
    We jumped in, he was nice and spoke clearly.
    Will got us breakfast from the bakery while we waited for the bus to leave. It was like a feta cheese Pastry thing - was filling.
    Onto the bus we went. I'm always sooooo friggen hot on transport before it leaves. Planes and buses especially. They need to crank up the air con.
    The bus was pretty empty so at the halfway point I kicked Will out so I could have a double seat to myself which was a great idea cause I got some more sleep haha
    It was so misty is was ridiculous. Very horror films inspiring.
    Will said the mist was at its worst when I was sleeping and that you couldn't see 10 meters in front of the bus. Lucky I was asleep or I probably would have been a little scared.
    I hope the next bus is empty so I can kick Will out again. He takes up 1.5 seats with is stupid shoulders so I'm stuck rammed into a corner with a twisted spine all the while dying of heat because he is a fernus.
    We arrived in Skopje around 10:30.
    We bought our tickets to Sofia, Bulgaria. It was only 1900 denars so around 15 euro each. Our bus leaves at 3 so we have some time to kill. It's a long day. It will take another 5 hours to get there.
    We decided to walk to the main square but it was too hot carrying our backpacks with jumpers on so we ducked into the shopping center to eat and hopefully find some ginger tablets for Will.
    And sunscreen - have still remained unsuccessful in this venture. - but hopefully that changes shortly - we were offered insider information - They only sell sunscreen at pharmacies that's why we haven't found it anywhere.
    We are eating at a burgers place without wifi. Boo.
    There is a kindly gym next to me which looks fun, I just keep thinking that the fences are too low, I would have been out in minutes.
    I had a fright on the toilet. I sat down and the whole thing moved and CLANGED so loudly.
    2 of the screws are missing so the whole toilet moved. Didn't expect that when I sat down hahaha.

    Will was successful WOOHOOO!!!!!

    He also got motion sickness tablets. Apparently the worker looked at him like he was a lunatic when he asked for ginger tablets lol. I suppose if you haven't heard of it before that would be an odd request.
    Bulgaria has a different currency so we did our best to spend all of our coinage. I bought lollies at a junk store. The lady was very patient with me and I counted out cent by cent.
    We then bought water for the bus and walked back to the bus station.
    Only 1 hour till we leave now. Will just changed over our Denar to Lev. He has also taken a motion sickness tablet so hopefully it helps.
    I'm drinking the most delicious ice teas ever! It's forest fruits and cranberry flavored. A very pleasant surprise.

    So once again we napped. So did everyone on the bus. The roads are ridiculous. Will made comment in his exasperated, cranky voice "I can't believe this is a national highway"
    It's like being rocked to sleep, you can't fight it, you just become so sleepy.
    I watched as much of the country side as I could. I find the brokenness beautiful. Everyone going on with their daily life's in pits of mud while others go to skyscraper offices in suits.
    I am so hot so I took the big risk and took off my shoes and waited for the smell... but it never came! Woohoo!
    Feeling better now.
    After nearly 3 hours we reached the border. It took so long to get through. There was 3 full buses in front of us and every person needs to be checked and stamped twice - one for exit one for entry. It was the first time in the trip I was bored.
    We got though and to my annoyance, once again Wills passport got stamped before mine so he has bright, clear, readable stamps and mine you can't even see the letters to know what country I was in. Boo hiss.
    I was pretty stamps :( he has a purple one from Thailand.. I want a purple one. Lol
    There was a quick toilet stop just past the border. Will went to the loo and came back in a state of horror. Apparently some girls have used the wrong toilet and left their used pads laying around hahahah he is mortified. Hahaha

    Bulgaria looks similar and yet different. I think it might've the foliage. It's got bigger paddocks and dirt.
    70km away now.
    We just came onto a highway and Wills mood changed. He is approves of its condition. Lol
    Got dropped off at the bus station and found a taxi.
    Showed him the address and he asked a few friends, Nobody knew where the bloody address was......
    lunatic driver. He was dodging traffic, on the phone, didn't have working seatbelts and had to rely on our phone data to have a working map which he kept checking over his back shoulder every 3 seconds.
    After this fiasco ended another one started.
    We were in the middle of what seemed a sleeping suburb with nowhere to go. The place we were dropped off at was wrong -.-
    We went searching. Will has the big shits by this time.
    We tried several buildings and asked 5 different people where the address was. The 5th person, bless her cotton socks was able to tell us and finally after 25 minutes of stressful wanderings in a dark, foreign city we found it.
    And it is great.
    It is like a hotel. It has key cards to open the door and keep the electricity on AND a big shower ! Woohoo!
    We popped down to the local dominos for dinner - we didn't want to venture too far until we know the area a bit better.
    First impressions of Bulgaria is that it's a hole and that a strong breeze will knock it over.
    It's a concrete city.. hopefully the city center is better.
    Keen for another good sleep.
    Weiterlesen

  • Sofia

    2. Mai 2017 in Bulgarien ⋅ ⛅ 20 °C

    Woke to the front door ringing - disaster, we had planned on sleeping in for ages, we didn't even set alarms. I naturally pretended to not hear it so Will got up muaha. The man had to fix something in the bathroom.
    Because Will was awake that meant I had to get up. Will facetimed Jess for a bit but Jaxon was a little sooky so we had to say bye after 10 minutes. I emailed my dad to ask if they wanted to skype but same problem as last time - he didn't get the message because he wasn't at the computer :(
    I had a shower while we waited to see if he would respond.
    The shower is awesome - nice and spacious :)
    Only problem is the drainage. I nearly flooded the bathroom. The drain was clogged with hair and I pulled out some long dark hair so I couldn't even blame Will. It was gross. At least it unclogged one hole so it started to drain even if only slowly. I washed my hair - great feeling and it even dried without knotting today woo!
    When I got out of the shower I though My parents must have called through cause Will was talking to someone but it was Helen and Bill.
    I put some moisturizer on and got dressed. After we were dressed we both realized we probably wouldn't get into the cathedral if we wore shorts.
    Gosh it's hot in the sun. We tried to stay in the shade as much as possible. The walk was soooo long D:
    The start was beautiful though. We walked through this park. I get the feeling that landscaping isn't a high priority for council funding. This thing was so over grown and lush! The paths were only defined by the lack of trees and nothing else lol.
    There was a cute park in the middle though which had gym equipment incorporated into nature so like there was 2 trees holding up a pull-up bar.
    We walked past lots of sports things like tennis courts and an abandoned swimming center that was so long abandoned it was quite artistic.
    Will got cranky at me for taking so many photos cause a person on a bike supposedly nearly hit me.
    I therefore asked permission to take a photo when we saw the most weirdly body shaped person. She had legs for days.
    He said yes. Lol her torso was so amazingly disproportionate.
    I shouldn't laugh but she looked like a daddy long legs.

    So many dandelions. I keep kicking them but really I just want to run through the field with a broom and see what happens.
    We walked through another park and this was definitely of a higher standard. There was statue heads, seats and flower beds.
    As we were walking we past a stadium and I made a HILARIOUS joke that maybe it's their quidditch stadium and then our Conversation went like this
    W: mm maybe that's where he trains
    H: the whole team needs to train not just him. Will, they made it to the finals
    W: yeah where they versed Ireland.
    ........
    I have never been so proud.
    My audiobooks have worn off on him hahahah

    We bought a drink cause by this stage we had walked over 5km. I'm enjoying trying all the different Fanta flavors. Today's was peach and I think lychee mix. It was quite sweet.
    I then got something caught in my eye. I've never had it this bad before. Normally when something is in my eye I've had to try and make my eye water or move my eye around but my left eye was balling by itself. Tears were dripping everywhere I had to sit down to try get it out.
    I don't know what it was but it eventually came out.
    Intense.
    I took some photos of statues I don't know the significance of then we found a McDonald's to eat in.
    Will did a good deed and gave out order code to an old man so he could use the toilet without buying something. Good job William.
    The bread was burnt as it has been in every country so far by it was a passable Big Mac.
    Once again though, THEY NEED TO PUT SALT ON THEIR CHIPS. I think I'm going to do an Aunty Noeline and keep a salt shaker in my bag.
    It's making me cranky.
    We then made it to the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral.
    Woah! It's brilliant! The building is such a statement in what until now has appeared like a run down city.
    The colours and shape really make it exquisite.
    We took some selfies out front and then went in. Entry is free but it costs 10 Lev (5€) to take photos. We also bought a candle each and didn't communicate it, but both lit them for Pete.
    INSIDE WAS SPECTACULAR. I've seen a lot of churches but this one was splendid. I think it being so new and complete probably played a big part.
    The church was build to commemorate the soliders from several nations who laid down their life to liberate Bulgaria from the Ottoman Empire.
    They policed the photo taking rule like ninjas. We think a few people were asked to leave so we ended up paying. We got a ticket and everything which 2 separate people checked. #ninjas
    The wall paintings were awesome.
    We got more photos outside, then, as it was only 4pm and we had no other plans we decided to go for a walk.
    We came across the monument of the unknown soldier which had a lion out front that everyone was getting photos of. I wanted one to so I jumped on. Doubt I was allowed to but someone else did it to soooo...
    :)
    On our stroll we came across the rememants of a Turkish barracks that was used as a prison for Bulgarian rebels.
    I love they have such significant historical stuff in the middle of nowhere, just casually next to some cafe.
    There were art markets I wanted to have a look at but Will had to rescue me because when people talk to me I can't be rude so I talk back and end up getting stuck.
    We had to leave quickly after the second store due to my incompetence haha
    We then came across a building that we both thought looked like the Kremlin. We went to see what it was and turns out it was Moscow's patriarchy Russian Saint Nicholas Church.
    Popped in, nothing special. We then saw a sign for some dudes crypt so we thought we would have a look.
    First we had to walk over a floor that was in the process of being mopped with our dirty shoes then walked along this corridor type room to get to the crypt at the end which inside had one man and he was in the middle of doing some like voodoo dance to the Crypt. We backed away as quickly and quietly as possible.
    It was So Unbelievably Awkward.
    We intruded something very private there ha
    Ha hahah
    We carried on and walked past the archaeological museum which had some remains out front. I love that they have so many left over things they can just pop them out the front in all climates with graffiti artists on the lose lol. If they get destroyed, no biggy.
    There were lots of impressive buildings (this section of Bulgaria has really picked up its game)
    We kept guessing which one was parliament cause any of them could have Been.
    One place he guards in uniform. There uniform is less stupid than Greeces but they still have a big feather on their hats.
    We came to this like walking boulevard area lined with cafes and street performers.
    We needed to get money out to we found an ATM we were super impressed - the ATM said hi William Pickering and knew to appear in English.

    Walking down the boulevard was the most whipped male indervidual I have ever seen in my life. In a pram was his SON which makes his shirt even less acceptable.
    It read: My girl is my Queen. With a picture of a crown underneath. The lady he was holding hands with didn't look particularly phyco but she must be. No man would wear that willingly.
    I laughed loud.
    We kept walking and I saw a man with th most amount of tumors/growth ever. He reminded me of the squid dude from pirates of the Caribbean. It was literal tentacles on half his face. Will said I wasn't allowed to take a sly photo which is fair enough but it was so incredible.
    Everyone has Yorkshire terriers or chihuahuas..
    The square we walked into was beautiful and full of tulips.
    We sat at a cafe and had a drink then walked back down the lane for dinner.
    My spag bowl had the taco flavor again D:

    The Bulgarians seem nicer than the Greeks but not as nice as the Macedonias.
    I like the city city part a lot.
    On our stroll home we walked over the bridge with billboards of impacting photos. I was impressed to see gay kisses displayed. I didn't think they were so progressive.
    Will walked too quickly so I didn't get to properly take them in but hopefully we cross it again on the tour we plan to do.
    2hour walk home booooo.
    I plan to message the Bnb guy and ask for tips on the public transport because I refuse to walk it everyday. It's silly.

    Europes safety standards are hilarious. We walked past a go kart place with an attached bar. Lol
    We stopped at a super market on the way home and bought juice.

    Overall I'm liking it, not loving it. I do like the city though, its cleaner more modern and has nice architectural designs.
    Looking forward to the tour.
    We are soooo happy to be home with our feet up!!
    I'm eating some gummy bears and watch Bulgarian Cartoon Network and loving it.

    I have only seen a hand few of strays so that's good.
    Will is currently talking to himself in the shower?
    He tickled me this morning and I fell over in a panic. Not nice.
    It's bed time!
    Weiterlesen

  • Sofia

    3. Mai 2017 in Bulgarien ⋅ ⛅ 22 °C

    It's 1:30am and Will just asked me if I have ever had a grape...
    Correction, grapefruit.
    It's now 2am and he has discovered His pillow is a triangle.
    And he calls me the retard?

    We slept in until the beautiful hour of 12:30. I had my shower and then started the washing.
    I did 4 loads with the scrubba until we ran out of hanging space because I think I must have left the clothes Line in Skopje but we can always get another one or some rope.
    Shockingly, Will hasn't done any washing. I've told him he is to to all of it next time which he has agreed to.
    Sachin and Day care messaged us to say their postcards had arrived. Yay. Sachin put his on the fridge :) it's a picture of some Greek erotica hahahah. Apparently it has prompted some conversations with his housemates lol.
    I'm getting better at this washing business, I've still got to work on my wringing out skills though.
    It's 2 o'clock and we're both hungry so we chucked on some shorts and thongs and went to find some lunch. People stared at us but I'm getting use to it now. It's still nothing like the attention being white in Kenya brought me.
    We went to club 35. Gosh Europe have the best drink menus! It's such a stressful process. I can't decided I have over 40 cheap mocktail options!
    We both got cheese burgers and they were delicious!! But so messy we had food all over our faces. On the walk back we got drinks - we need to go to the supermarket later to get toilet paper. As if one roll of 0.5 paper was going to suffice.

    Will is downloading movies while I do my paper journal which I've been stapling tickets into and doing research.
    We've booked our accommodation for 2 more nights here so that I'll be able to Skype Mum and Dad on Saturday and hopefully we can do a proper tour of something cool. There is a monastery and mountains that look good.
    I need the computer not just my phone to look properly.
    We have decided instead of doing the night tour tonight we are having a movie day and will do the tour tomorrow morning which means we can spent more time in the city before dark.
    We watched "the late bloomer" which i quite liked actually.
    Had some funny bits and the "complication" that every movie has, wasn't too stressful for me hahaha
    I did 2 more loads of washing then we went out to get dinner. We decided on Indian. On our walk we came across a man losing his shit at a group of people - he had stopped his car in the middle of the street and had 15 odd cars behind him. They were so patient, he only got honked twice but was yelling for a good few minutes. He then drove away.
    The nightlife is quite strong here. There's lots of bars packed and nargile is big. Every club has it. Smells delicious as we walked past.
    They need better street lights it's so dark. And not a single street has a sign.
    Made it to Indian and my oh my the butter chicken was goooood. Still not as good as the stuff I had in London before/after seeing the mousetrap.
    Walked home and crawled into bed. Turbo wasn't showing up on our hard drive so we watched the count of monte cristo which was great!!
    It's way past bedtime and we have to be in the city by 11 which isn't that early only we need to figure out the bus system too!
    Weiterlesen

  • Sofia

    4. Mai 2017 in Bulgarien ⋅ ⛅ 22 °C

    Slept in again until 1 o.O I dont know what is happening to us lol.
    We are doing the Arvo tour now haha
    We are about to either walk to town or catch a bus. I want to walk but we should probably catch a bus because we are booked in to a day tour tomorrow to the Rila monastery that starts at 9am in the center of town and we have to be there on time meaning knowing how the buses work is the safest option.

    So, we ended up walking lol.
    And less that 1km in it started raining -.- so the next 5km were super fun!..
    It's lucky we brought our rain resistant coats but they were trapping all the heat in so it was very hot in them.
    We skipped the park and stuck to the main roads to make it quicker even though the trees would have offered us some protection.
    It took an hour an a half but we made it to near the church again. We stopped in to maccas for breakfast and cover as it rained harder. There were a few good thunder bangs too.
    We stayed In maccas for an hour or so. The toilets smelt like b.o and old wee.
    We then walked to the meeting point even though we were 2 hours early just so we knew where to meet. We walked up vitosho* boulevard and are sitting in a gelato bar with the worlds worst service. I asked 3 times for a menu and ended up getting it myself.
    I looked them up on TripAdvisor because I plan to give a crappy review and had a giggle because the last 15/20 said such negative things about the service too.
    I've complained about other places but this has been worse because in other places they have just not taken initiative to talk to you but once you have their attention they have been fine.
    Here they have purposefully ignored our requests several times.
    "Can we please have a menu"
    "Yes"
    *stands still and doesn't get one*

    We then walked back to the meeting place and ran into old mate from yesterday who walks around like he is a bodybuilder but is skinny as crap. I took some sneaky photos of him. What a tool.
    We kept seeing him. He might be high. We was doing laps.
    It was still raining and we needed to pee so we bought water from a different maccas to get into the toilet and sit inside until we went to the meeting place again. I gave 2 buskers some money. Carrying around 1c and 2c is just annoying.
    We waited out front and were thinking maybe it had been called off because we couldn't see anyone and were making plans for a 3rd attempt another day but bless Wills height, he spotted the group. We waited for a while and over 30 people showed up!
    Our tour guide was Martin and you could just tell he was bullied in school. But he was so cute, he was putting in so much effort I felt like I wanted everyone to like him and no one walk out of the tour cause I didn't want his little heart to break.
    He had really big nostrils.
    We started at the palace of justice which he didn't walk about much other than the symbol of the lion. Which essentially is the symbol of Bulgaria. Once it's pointed out to you everywhere you look you will see a lion. Their currency is Levon* which means lion too lol.
    Next we went to a church - Sveta Nedelya. It's the site of the highest act of terrorism is Bulgaria.
    Basically someone wanted to kill the king so they blew up the top. 200 people died, 500 injured - the king survived because he was late and hadn't arrived yet...
    We saw sofias cost of arms which has a lion, mountain, church of Sofia and something else.. :S a goddess?
    We saw a big lady statue called Sofia which has no historical value because the politicians got the history wrong and thought this statue was how the city got its name. It's not. It has no relevance to Bulgaria so now it just sits there with no purpose. The lady was Italian..
    Hehe
    We saw some Roman building ruins as every city has them and we saw the only mosque in Sofia. Even though apart of the Ottoman Empire most of the mosque buildings were turned into museums etc.
    We drank from a hot spring bubbler- water temperate is about 37 degrees and smells/tastes a little of sulfur. It's suppose to have healing powers. Ooo
    We walked through town which had all the buildings from the communist period and into a train station which had more Roman remains.
    The talk about communism was interesting and we got vouchers for a communist tour we might do on Saturday.
    Apparently it's a very controversial topic and opinions are 50/50 on it.
    Martin has 2 grandparents - one who is extremely pro and one who is extremely against.
    We walked out the tunnel to an area I recognized. The guards with the funny hats were back! :)
    They are not nearly as well trained as any other guards I've seen. They move their eyes around and one scratched his leg with his foot. Naughty naughty.
    They are guarding where the president works.
    We walked through to its sort of backyard where stands the oldest church in Sofia - 1700 years old. (St George's church) in front of it is more Roman ruins.
    Our guide, Martin had been giving out lollies for people who answered questions correctly. Will got one right and gave me the Lolly :D it's a Bulgarian favourite. I wasn't fussed by it but I ate it. It's like a mint lozenger.
    We walked past the national theatre then to the St Sofia church which is how the city really got its name.
    Apparently because it is on top of the hill it's the first things traveller use to see when visiting the city so they would say "ahh Sofia" and eventually after centuries they name stuck.
    It's the cities 3rd given name.

    There was a crazy Greek lady on our tour who didn't give 2 fucks about whether her political views offended anyone.
    She made it very clear that Macedonia is Greece and Macedonia the country is the republic of Skopje.
    While I recognize that that opinion is very common - ones opinion does not take away legal fact.
    It's a country.
    And ALSO a section of Greece.
    But she kept mentioning it. Lucky no one from Macedonia was on our tour they would not have been impressed. She was so vocal in her views that the guide whispered Macedonia to people so she couldn't hear him hahah
    Also the idiot woman wore heels on a walking tour?
    The cathedral square was littered in Military personal with big big guns. A little confronting at first but we were told they were only there because in 2 days it's some big celebration day so they were just practicing procedure for Saturday.
    Hundreds of them though.
    We said bye to our tour guide. Bless his socks - he made so many bad jokes - tipped him 20 Lev then walked to an Asian resturant nearby.
    AHHH THE MOCKTAILS <3 <3
    My fried rice was great and Will said his calamari and chicken was good too.
    We caught a taxi home. This guy actually had a meter so we weren't ripped off. We asked to go to club 35 because that seems to be a well know spot near by.
    Now home and keen for bed. Big day tomorrow!

    Forgot to mention that yesterday Will had to close some guys back door for him because it sprang open and the guy seemed to know but not care that he was nearly banging everyone's cars.
    Crazy drivers.
    Which has reminded me this morning we saw a car crash. Not a bad one.
    Dude spun out of the corner, did a 180 and dinged another car. The other driver was not happy. I wanted to watch the outcome but Will isn't as nosey as me and wanted to move on lol.

    I read this to Will every night before I post and he would like it known that the big big guns were in fact AK47's.
    Weiterlesen

  • Sofia

    5. Mai 2017 in Bulgarien ⋅ ⛅ 17 °C

    We actually woke up on time! Go team!
    We left the house around 7. It was raining so we wanted to get a taxi as soon as possible but we only had 50's and don't trust the taxi driver at the end of the trip to not be like "oh sorry no change" so we walked for a little bit to a servo, bought a drink then jumped into the first taxi we saw.
    Another legit driver! He also had a meter and went the quickest way. He also asked if we were Cold and would like the aircon on. That sort of lovely behavior earned him a small tip and he was really thankful and I think, surprised.
    We were early so we found the cafe we were to meet at but it was closed :( 95% of things don't open until 9.
    So back to trusty maccas we went -.-
    Interestingly they don't have a breakfast menu which suits me perfectly but it's still different.
    I'm liking Bulgaria more and more. I don't know why I was so put off at first. Possibly because it was dark, we were lost and the taxi driver ripped us off or the outskirts of the city are dodge but now I love it. It has a similar charm to Macedonia but is more established I think.
    On foot is much better than by car. You miss so much of the everyday life vibe when driving.
    We went back to the meeting place and were first to arrive. We had our names marked off and talked to one of the owners of the company dudes. He was saying that he studied both in Bulgaria and in an American school in Greece and he said the systems where very different. He said the American school had a lot of focus on team work which Bulgaria does not. He said as a company owner that causes a lot of problems because everyone is a lovely individual but team work doesn't happen easily or naturally.
    There is about 26 on our tour but the bus has a microphone so that helps.
    Will has had to move away from me so he has 2 seats and can sit sidewards so he fits.
    We first drove to Boyana church which although beautiful inside was kinda boring. The church only allowed 10 people in at a time for 10 minutes each so we had some waiting to do.
    We pre bought our tickets online but the guide made no notion for people to collect tickets. He was really confused and said he has never heard of this before so I showed him the invoice.
    He made a phone call and we were allowed to enter and thankfully didn't have to pay again.
    Inside didn't have an inch not painted. The artist only used red, yellow, blue, black and white.
    We used the loo there which had a big 'free of charge' sign woo. turned out to be the cleanest public toilet I've been in. Like a church toilet. Spacious, empty tiles.
    We got back on the bus and are on the way to Rila monastery. I was doing fine before but now I'm exhausted and I think I had a sleep.
    We are currently 20 minutes out winding up the mountain.
    Will was so very tired so we went straight to the resturant first to get him a coffee and food.
    He ordered meatballs, or he thought he did.
    They brought a singular meatball out and I had such a laugh.
    I had a look around the shops while he finished his small chips.
    We bought traditional Bulgarian donuts (Wills meatball didn't fill him) and sat by a waterfall. Took selfies with the GoPro then went walking around the monastery.
    It's incredible! I love the wood, white and arches.
    We saw a monk :D Only 10 still work here. He was a super old dude too.
    I followed him so I could get a photo haha.
    We went into the gallery but we had to pay so we left. We could practically see every artwork from the front door anyways and it was just silly saint pictures anyways.
    We then went to its museum which had some cool stuff in it. (8Lev)would love to be able to enter the library and see old the old books they have. Only some were on display and some were replicas of ones in the library.
    There was a wooden cross carved by Rafail- it was insane!!!!
    There were gifts other countries had sent and and this really old door. Like stereotypical wooden with a big knocker.
    They had some of the monks personal stamps too.
    We couldn't take pictures inside.
    We also went to another museum type section (3Lev) which had your basic life stuff like a mill and logging stuff but it also had pots and pans but the BIGGEST pot I've ever seen with humongous spoons.
    In the pot you could easily cook 8 -10 fully grown men.
    The roof was awesome though. It was like the tower in the first lord of the rings that Gandalf gets thrown against by old mate.
    We learnt that it was designed like that for the smoke.
    I really enjoyed the monastery. Will was a bit eh but he gets like that when he is tired and hungry.
    I had a look at the gift shops but it was again all religious crap. I mean that with respect but I don't believe it praying to saints. Only God.
    We paid for audio guides but one was out of battery so Will let me use the working one only it didn't have designated spots to press numbers.
    There was only 5 bits of info but they went for 5+ minutes each.
    I listened to them of the bus home. Waste of money really. Oh well. I did enjoy watching the lightning flashes on the horizon on the journey home.
    The bus ride home was quieter than the journey there. The 5 Italians behind me shut up and had a sleep.
    Will was really hungry so when we got back he got a burger. On the way we saw a man holding a lawn umbrella for protection hahahah it was so big!
    We then went to the boulevard and had drinks. The roads were very blocked - we don't know what for but there was a very large group of people standing out the front of parliament with a horn that sounded like a duck?
    We decided to wait until it cleared to go home.
    We sat at a cafe for a bit then Will started crashing hard so we left. We walked across the bridge with pictures so I had a look at the other side. I would have liked to read the blurbs but I didn't want to push it lol.
    The first taxi we flagged didn't speak English so he drove off. The second guy I'm pretty sure took a longer than necessary route but it was still cheap so that's ok.
    Will is in bed finally so he is happier :)
    I'm at dominos writing this.
    Movie and pizza night!

    The monastery was founded by a monk in the 10th century who wanted to escape. He lived in solitude in a cave. People heard of him and eventually more monks joined and they moved the monastery to where it is now. The cave is about 4km away and founder is buried there.

    We also did enter the main church in the monastery, its beautiful and covered with gold. There are the founders relics inside. Supposedly they have magic powers and many many miracles have happened.
    Weiterlesen

  • Sofia

    6. Mai 2017 in Bulgarien ⋅ ⛅ 14 °C

    Woke up just in time to talk to mum and dad. We talked for a about an hour. I love talking to them. :)
    Cat still doesn't recognize me. It's all an act I'm sure..
    I miss him I just want to squeeze him.
    Jess called through to talk to Will while I was talking to mum and dad. I'm getting really sad :( I want to talk to everyone too but they keep calling through to Wills phone so I don't get to talk to them cause I don't fit in the screen and/or they call through when I'm not available i.e. In shower, sleeping or talking to someone else :(
    Wahhh.
    I like listening to their voices though.
    That my small whinge for the day done.
    Boots apparently rubbed herself against the screen. Stupid Thaddeus, why can't he do that?

    Will took forever to get ready. Our convos ended about 12:30 and we left the house around 2/2.30. We decided not to do the communist tour - we will do one in Berlin or similar.
    We were going to walk to the center but I made the point that if we walk and the museum is shut because of St Joshua or whatever public celebration it is today - then we will need something to do and might have to do the tour anyway but won't have enough time to eat beforehand (both starving at this stage) so we did end up getting a taxi. The guy didn't speak English but got us to the right spot. :) we keep going to church Alexander because the name Alexander doesn't change with the language.

    (While I was whining for Will to hurry up he told me to eat some Nutella, so I did :)
    Hardly satisfying but it got me through til after the museum. )

    We went straight to the museum to see if it was open and it was - woot! We decided to push through and eat afterwards. The museum had some interesting things but the vibe was nowhere near as good as Macedonia. It had lots of statues, gravestones and all your other general museum type things. There were paintings in the upper section that you had to stand 70cm away from or an alarm would go off. One lady set it off, I had a little giggle.
    The highlights would have to be the old helmets and armor. I like looking to see if they have any obvious signs of impact rather than have just designated with time. I also like the weapons and like thinking about how many people (if any) had the weapon used on them.
    There were also old animal bones but the best was the jaw of a cave bear dating back 250,000 -45,000 BC so that was pretty awesome.
    After the museum we desperately needed proper food so we went searching but most places were just cafes. We did eventually find a place wayyyyyy up the end.
    The food was average but there was a cat sitting on the mesh awning above us :)
    We got a taxi home and I had a 2hr nap. It was magical.
    Will woke me and we went bowling at the joy station directly behind our building. It was pretty hip inside. It had a bowling alley upstairs and downstairs was like this massive bar/club place that had a stage that's obviously booked for events - it also had pool tables and dart boards except it was very clean - more like star city than a pub.
    We played 3 games of bowling - it was so cheap in comparison to home. It was about $10 each for 3 games. #winning.
    Will won the first 2 games by 1 point and by then 3 points- but I won the 3rd game by 20 so I was the overall winner :D
    We remembered to return our bowling shoes ( not like the time me and Andrea walked around Macquarie center in the bowling shoes for an hour because we didn't realize hahahaha)
    We then played pool downstairs. You don't pay for one game you pay per hour.
    Will won all 3 games it was bullshit. I was smashing him in the 1st game but the silly yellow ball lost me the game. In the first game I broke and then proceeded to sink 3 balls straight. I'm basically a professional.
    We then went to club 35 and had cheeseburgers. Delicious again.
    Came home and packed and possibly downloaded more movies...
    Earlier we also looked at transport to Hungary but it's not really convenient so we got super duper cheats flight to Brussels - 26€ each.
    I think it ended up being $209 all up once we added our big bags. So pretty stoked :)
    Booked for 2nd June - woo!

    Other notes:

    -Tourism is up 200% since last year in Bulgaria thanks to Ryanair.

    - The Mountain is the closest to any city in Europe and is responsible for their clean air

    - Will randomly knew that the Desert pea is the national flora of south Australia ??

    - we also emailed grandma and granddad to see if they have received their package and to give them the link to this journal. If they ever read this please know I apologize for the terrible grammar, spelling mistakes, occasional swear word and disorganised thoughts but it's acting as a personal journal - so it's meant for me, not others :)

    Plovdiv tomorrow! Woohoo!
    Weiterlesen

  • Transit

    7. Mai 2017 in Bulgarien ⋅ ⛅ 17 °C

    Wakey wakey.... ehhhhhh -.-
    We slept in past 10 because I think the checkout time here is 1. We weren't sure but the reception dude is never there anyway.
    We walked to the servo and it took over 20 minutes for us to get a taxi. So many went past but they either already had passengers or didn't speak English.
    The dude we finally got was a crack up. He hardly spoke English but spent the whole trip trying to get us take a taxi instead of bus to Plovdiv. He kept speaking Bulgarian and we kept laughing together because no one had a clue what was going on.
    We finally got to the bus station and bought our tickets but we were hungry so we got a later bus so we had time to eat first.
    My $3 baguette was delicious.
    We got the 2pm bus and I slept the whole way. It was fantastic - the bus windows were higher than usual so I could actually rest my head on the ledge.
    When we arrived it was pissing down rain and we got saturated while getting our big bags off the bus and running to shelter. We waited for a little while before we attempted to find a taxi.
    I showed the driver the address and he said yes so I thought he understood but he drove us to some fancy hotel. I said no and he became really stressed. He took my phone with the address on it into the reception inside for them to translate. We eventually go to the hostel and me and driver clapped with relief when we did.
    I was thankful he didn't give up on us and make us get out at the wrong place. He was kind and im thankful.
    Our hostel is suspicious looking..
    We weren't sure if we were entering the front or back door.
    Some chick showed us our room. It doesn't look as advertised but it will do. We are both in the top bunks on opposite sides of the room and I think I might be the only girl in our room lol.
    The pillows look dodgy but they provide clean enough sheets.
    There are lockers but I don't know how the locks will go so I'm just keeping my passport on me until we investigate more.
    Good luck to Will, he might break the bunk.
    We sat in the common room and it was super awkward at first but Will started up a convo with an American dude which broke the ice.
    We played a game of chess, Will won but I didn't get slaughtered like I thought I would have. I haven't played in years and years.
    Will then played the American and won that game too.
    We went out for dinner which was ok and then just walked down the old town street. We didn't want to do too much looking in case it takes the awe out of the tour we hope to do tomorrow.
    I need a salt shaker omg.
    We couldn't find a supermarket. We will need to buy cereal tomorrow.
    We bought Oreos hehe.
    We went back to the hostel and got invited to dinner. In the spirit of making friends we went along anyway.
    We went with this 73 year old man - strange.
    Then another Aussie guy and girl and an American.
    I love the American girl. She had me in stitches. She reminds me of Tina Fey.
    The Aussie girl annoyed the crap out of me. Her accent was wrong and after knowing her an hour she made me sign her 'book' with a personalized note for her, add her in Facebook and look at several ALBUMS on her phone of her travels. I did not care.
    Very self absorbed person.
    She also whipped out a condom that the manager of the last hostel left under her pillow. She claims to fell sexually harassed but
    Uhm, 2 questions, 1 - why would you keep it in the first place and secondly, why would you keep it in your carry bag . Like, she had it on her person at dinner in a resturant...
    Attention seeking to the hills omg.

    The food they served looked deliciously authentic. We might go back. We walked back to the hostel and were stoked to find out the old guy and annoying girl were from a different hostel.
    So they left woohoo!
    We spent the evening talking to Nick and Ilana. (Aussie and American) we get on well. They are doing a tour tomorrow and if there is room we might join them.
    I'm currently just hopped into bed. It was so difficult not making noise in the dark.
    The bed russles with every movement I make.
    Going to be an interesting sleep.
    Weiterlesen

  • Plovdiv

    8. Mai 2017 in Bulgarien ⋅ ⛅ 15 °C

    What an awful nights sleep.
    We went to bed at 12 but I got up at 1 and sat in the common room until 2 because the beds are so ridiculously rickety that i was getting frustrated not being able to move without making sooo much noise.
    I am the only girl in our down and 3 of 4 of the other boys snore -.-
    The Asian guy below me is so odd. We don't know if he is gay or just Asian in his ways but a really odd person. His English is technically understandable but his sounds are very nasal.
    When I was in the common room I wrote my weekly Facebook update and a cat came up to the window so I went outside to say hi :)
    I eventually got to sleep but the beds are soooooo itchy. They provided sheets but I'll be using my sleeping bag tonight.
    Me and Will kept waving at each their across the room to see if he other was awake.
    We woke up around 6:30 and were so uncomfortable we went to the common room until everyone else woke up.
    Will went for a walk and got us cereal then once our room was empty of people we went back to bed and got up at 1.
    Will wants only private rooms from now on lol.
    Dorms are almost like a right of passage though haha.
    Once awake we decided to go for a walk to the closest shopping center.
    It was either falsely advertised as a mall or they just have crap standards. It was 3 levels but had about 5 shops open and it had no variety. It was all junk stores.
    There was a Aldi type place were we needed to buy Will a razor, batteries and food for the rose fields and I wanted salt, toothpaste and more cat food since I'm running low lol.
    We got a lot of stuff but when we went to pay our card didn't work for some reason. The lady didn't speak English and she gave me some weirdo extension thing to put the pin into -
    Anyway long story short is we pissed off a lot of people. The card failed so Will left to get cash from the ATM but the people behind us couldn't get served until we had so they had to wait. A few people had a go at me in Bulgarian. I just stood there awkwardly.
    It felt like he took an hour but he was probably very quick- we paid and I was happy to get out of there.
    We got a kebab on the way home but it was a hassle too. They had to get a worker from out the back to translate for us.
    The walk is beautiful. Cobbled streets that are frankly quite dangerous and you have to look at the floor every step because it's so uneven but it's fun :).
    The vines and old windows are lovely too.
    Very picturesque.
    We got back to the hostel and I have been shown a new phone app called 1 second a day which you basically upload a 1 second video everyday and it formats it into an awesome mesh of your holiday for you so I've been creating that all afternoon while Will has watched videos on the laptop.
    I want to do the tour but Will isn't keen. Tomorrow it is hah.
    We are happy we didn't go to the UFO Building excursion the hostel did today. They have just come back and no one has seemed very enthusiastic about it. Apparently they spent along time In the bus and it was wet soooo
    We saved money woo!
    I wanted to go for a walk to say we did something today so we did. I had a really annoying cough though, like I had a hair stuck in my throat.
    We found some remains - don't know what of and an awesome sign that had the direction and distance to different countries.
    We got water and then went for a stroll through a park. We found a pond with fish in it.
    When we are millionaires we will have one at our house.
    :)
    The park was beautiful. Will got irritated about my excessive photo taking but I'm just trying to capture the beauty. My phone doesn't do anything justice :(
    There was a creepy man with marionette dolls. He had what I think was Elsa and was spinning her around - he had little kid seats set up in front of the show. Odd.
    We found this beautiful fountain place and decided to stay and have a drink in the cafe close by.
    It has big signs saying you can't go swimming because it's treated water.
    Some grubby looking kids were going in at the edges and getting coins out though.
    At one point a security guard went sprinting full charge around the pond in the direction and the 10 of them scattered. It was amusing to watch, the guard was just not fast enough. It was like a scene from a movie.
    We then went walking around, we found heaps of places that had awesome street art! I enjoyed this aspect more than Will.
    We also found a central Perk cafe (Friends) but we had just had a drink so we didn't go in :(
    We also saw the biggest dog - it was like a bear!!
    We found ourselves back at the resturant from last night which serves traditional Bulgarian food.
    Will actually had a vegetable. Amazing.
    He had a Caesar salad and really enjoyed it because they used garlic sauce.
    We also got a hot pot type thing with meat and vegetable which I enjoyed.
    We are now back at the hostel now and people are playing the guitar.
    Nothing makes me cringe more.
    Nothing is more gay.
    Nothing makes me more embarrassed for someone.
    No I do not want to hear you play the only cord you know with your crappy voice. No one asked you to sing, please stop.
    At least this is the hostels guitar, they haven't lugged it around Europe like some people do.
    Those people I can't be friends with. We will never see eye to eye. I honestly can't deal.
    God I hate 'jam' seshes in public spaces.
    Go to your garage.
    Ew.
    Rant done.
    However over the course of our trip I do expect to meet a lot of hipster fruity people who don't shave their underarms, have dreadlocks, nose piercings, surf, are vegan, meditate, and don't use plastic.
    Not keen.

    It's now silent. Bless my ears.

    The owner made a shopska salad and offered everyone Rakia*
    Funnily enough I'm writing this a day late because I only got half way through writing 'Rakia' before I got distracted by the night.
    Alcoholic.

    I refused at first but everyone was having shot after shot so I thought maybe it was a weaker brew... nope.
    I had 2 shots though so I'm proud of my achievements.
    I've learned everyone names now.
    Patrick is the weirdo Asian
    Jacob is the guy that looks like a lumberjack from America
    Nick is the nice Australian Pilates instructor
    Ilana is the histerical American
    Then there is another odd Aussie who's eyes are too close together and another man who has been sleeping the last 48 hours so I don't know who he is.
    Patrick was off his face. He is so smiley it's strange and was fascinated by Jacobs big beard and kept touching it. Jacob was not overly impressed.
    Jacob is hilarious. He is like a easy going guy that appears bored by everything.
    Patrick was like "we should hang out more"
    Jacobs response *shakes head and looks at floor* "noooo" *awkward laugh.
    Me and Ilana peed ourselves hahah
    It's won't ever be funny reading it but his deliveries make things very funny.
    We spent the night outside just hanging out with everyone.
    Everyone is very different but we had A LOT of fun and I spend a long time laughing.
    Patrick kept drinking and fell asleep at the table.
    We all went to bed about 1am.
    Me and Will asked if we could move rooms because the double bed in the lower dorm became available so we jumped at it - its on the floor and doesn't have barricades so he fits woo!
    Only problem is that one of the main slates of the bed is missing so there is an awkward dip in the middle of your back.
    Once you find the right placement it's ok though.
    The bed wasn't squeaky so I slept brilliantly.
    Weiterlesen

  • Plovdiv

    9. Mai 2017 in Bulgarien ⋅ ⛅ 16 °C

    Surprisingly woke up at 10 unaided. So we will make the morning tour! We smell but will shower when we get back.
    We scoffed down breakfast then walked to the meeting point. Our guides name was Daniel and he seemed really friendly. Our group had about 18 people. There was a nice American couple we talked to.
    First we saw the town hall then the Plovdiv coat of arms which has written at the bottom "ancient and eternal"
    According to our guide Plovdiv is the oldest city in Europe and 6th or 7th oldest in the world.
    We then saw a statue who's name I think was Milo. We didn't learn his significance until we walked down to the old stadium and saw the model. Only a portion has been excavated but the original stadiums other end is marked by Milo.
    It was a stadium for chariots and horses etc.
    Next to it was apparently the oldest ottoman mosque in Europe.
    We then walked through the Kapana area which was known at the trap. Because 1, it's easy to get lost and 2, it's hard to leave without first spending money. The shop owners can be very insistent. We admired more of the street art which is encouraged in moderation because Plovdiv has been chosen as the 2019 European capital of culture.
    We then went into old town and admired the orientatal looking buildings and found what they called a gossip tower. It's a little room sitting on a wall where the bored woman would sit and watch the actions of others and well, gossip.
    We went up a small hill that had a terrific lookout of some of the hills.
    Plovdiv is know for its hills.
    One of the hills has a Russian statue on it which was packed because today is some Russian day. Should have been listening better...
    We walked past some museums and a church - the Church of St Constantine (and Helen?)
    Constantine was responsible for legalizing Christianity during the Roman period.
    Our tour ended at another theatre.
    There were a few other stops along the way but he lost my attention.
    Our tour was rubbish HOWEVER we learnt that it was the guides first ever tour so that explains it and makes it actually quite a good tour. My first time I would be a mess so he should be proud of himself. He at least made sense, he just wasn't very engaging.
    He had a supervisor with him who helped him out a few time like when we were standing in the rain and he told Daniel to maybe move us to stand under shelter. I thought he was just his friend rather than conworker.
    We weren't going to tip because it wasn't good but after learning it was his first time, we did.
    There was this annoying girl on our tour who was just an over confident person with an annoying hyena laugh with terribly obvious flirting methods.
    I still need to buy my magnet.
    Will can't walk past a watch store without having a look.
    Because the weather is so crappy and wet there are so many snails - lots of baby ones too I'm taking care not to step on. :)
    Will had about an hour nap while I caught up on my journal :)
    I went and woke him cause I was really hungry and we went to the place ranked number 1 on trip advisor - for good reason - the food was delightful. I had the pickled ribs and it just fell off the bone. Yummmmmy!
    We also had garlic and dill potatoes which were also fabulous.
    I bought my magnet on the walk home - a rose.
    I'm trying to get things that are relevant to my experience in each county or something I will associate with the country so I'm not necessarily buying the magnet I like the most.
    Example - the magnet i liked most was 2 Bulgarian people in traditional dress - while I loved it I don't want it because I haven't seen any people dressed traditionally so it's not relevant to my memories of here.
    I'm pre prepping for the rose Fields.
    We later in bed and watched 'Kong - skull island" I actually enjoyed it much much more than I thought I would. I then had an hour nap afterwards.
    We then woke up and packed - it was difficult getting our food to fit and I've discovered my cotton buds have gone through my bag -.-
    Oh well, better than an exploding sunscreen.
    We then sat outside with Jacob for a while then the 3 of us went to dinner together at the 'china panda' which, for the price, really hit the spot.
    It was like a chicken stir fry with rice type thing.
    We then tried to stop more money out but 2 atms denied us.
    We don't know why this would effect it but our only thoughts for why our cards had been a bitch is because we decided not to convert it to Euro on our card to try and save money cause the exchange was so bad.
    But ever since we have done that 3 out of 4 places haven't liked the card.
    It says card 'invalid here'
    We will try again tomorrow. It's not an emergency - I have 40€ in my wallet and my NAB card if worse comes to worse.
    We walked back to the hostel. There has pretty much been a complete swap of guests.

    I don't actually know who works here - well one girl yes but I don't know if a few other people who walk around with extreme confidence are just long term guests or worker volunteers.
    Either way - this group of unknowns had dinner tonight and it was fish and it was gross.
    Will and Jacob are playing chess :)
    We tried to play big 2 before with the 3 of us but we found out at the very end that 2 of the 2's were missing and they are the most important card in the game making it almost pointless..
    I'm stapling in tickets and flyers into my book - they stack up quickly!
    As we were walking back from dinner "omg a bombs gone of nearby" was a split second throught I had - but it was fireworks with a big kick.
    We surmise that it's for the Russian day - something to do with the Russians liberating Bulgaria from the Ottoman Empire..?
    Will is now having a shave and I'm relaxing.
    I will be so less stressed once we have actually been collected from the bus station tomorrow.
    I hope our hosts are nice!

    On an irrelevant side note. I hate the name Charlotte.
    I cannot fathom why you would give your child a name that you know it ranked number 1.
    I think your name has such an importance for a persons identity and sense of self worth.
    I would honestly feel a little less special if I had to share my name with literal 1/3 of my class. I would be so angry my parents hadn't bothered to put 1 minute thought into picking the word I will be called everyday.
    Common names are fine in theory. Charlotte is just destroying me because of the frequency I hear it.
    It's an epidemic.
    It's the new "John"
    Ew.

    We're watching videos in bed but I'll crash soon.
    Weiterlesen

  • Transit

    10. Mai 2017 in Bulgarien ⋅ ⛅ 14 °C

    So the bed is slowly dying. Will put my bag on the bed and it collapsed so we swapped sides. We then swapped back because Will decided he would rather sleep on a slant than with a slat missing in the middle of his back.
    One dude snored so loudly -.-
    I was less itchy though because I've been using my own sleeping bag so that's good.
    We brushed our teeth and did the final morning pack then asked the volunteer worker to call us a taxi. Half way through her attempt we realized we had no money so we tried to make her cancel but she wouldn't hang up the phone. She kept saying just wait. We tried to Communicate we couldn't pay for it..
    Either way she failed to get one so no harm done.
    We went searching for a working ATM and on attempt 2 we found one. We then had breakfast and headed back to the hostel.
    The streets were more crowded with tourist groups this morning.
    We ate cereal and I played a game of rummi with Patrick and Tom (weird south Australian guy)
    I won. Thanks Noeline and Matt for the practice hehe.
    We then started walking the 1.6km journey to the station.
    Gah, my backpack is getting heavier I swear.
    Partly because I'm carrying the dirty laundry so I have lots of Wills clothes. -.-
    I've now put the sleeping bag on the outside of my bag and that makes it really uncomfortably difficult too because it's so uneven and hurts my back.
    Once we got to the park we had a 2 minute break for Will to take off his jumper and for me to attach my sleeping bag to his bag. He now has one on each side so his bag is more even too. I carried his jumper :)
    In the park there was this person - I had several looks and have concluded it was a man wearing a wig. Will thought it was an Ugly woman but I maintain it was a man - the beard was too bushy, the hair too straight and rigid (therefore probably a wig) and he/she had a uni-boob.
    Maybe he just likes sitting in the park and wants to feel pretty amongst the birds...

    I think I find the little bag more challenging because the big backpack straps take up all of my shoulders so I have nowhere to flatly lay the smaller straps. I have to put them on top of the big straps and they keep sliding off which is annoying.
    Will doesn't have this problem cause he is much bigger.
    Considering our packs are pretty much the same weight I'm doing really well because your pack is only suppose to be 15% of your body weight
    Mine is way over and his is way under.
    We made it to the station - it's the same one we arrived in.
    Will sat down with or bags while I tried to organize tickets.
    I tried 3 shops before I found the right one.
    After having the same convo serveral times..
    "Hi, do you speak English? "
    "no"
    "Nova Zagora?"
    *points in different direction*
    But I found it! Woo!
    It was only 10 Lev each which is brilliant.
    That's one less stress. Only 3 more to go.
    1 - our bus station is not he final destination so we need to get off mid route which is causing me anxiety.
    2 - once we do successfully get off we will need to get our bags from underneath the bus - on our previous bus rides I haven't seen anyone who hasn't been on to the end open up the under compartments so hopefully we can.
    3 - actually finding our host.
    It's quite the adventure.

    We are currently watching the fat pigeon eating anything it can find.

    We went to gate 5 which is where we were told our bus would be. There was a bus there waiting but it was only 2:10.
    We weren't sure if it was the right bus or not so we asked. It wasn't the most friendliest of responses but it at least answered our question. No, it was not our bus.
    We waited for it to leave then Ours pulled in. Ours is much smaller. Our driver doesn't speak English but nodded so hears to hoping we go the right direction.
    It's been an hour and a half of the journey.
    I really need to wee.
    The country side is lovely and I've enjoyed some derelict villages along the way.
    There are big holes in the wall so it must be freezing but people definitely live there because there is washing hanging up.
    I naturally became tired along the way and had a quick snooze but the anxiety of missing our stop has helped me not go into a deep sleep.
    Will is sleeping too and doesn't fit in the seat. The photo I got of his is quite funny.
    Poor cotton.
    We are at what I think is the stop before ours and I'm THRILLED that we have pulled into a bus station rather than a bus stop on the side of the road. Hopefully we get dropped off at a terminal too.

    I have been trying to find shapes in the clouds. It's harder as an adult but is still consider it a success.

    Of course our stop wasn't a bus station but a stop on the side of the road. - Nova Zegora.
    We weren't sure whether to get off or not but thank heavens Johanna was at the door and collected us.
    The stress left my body immediately- we weren't stranded haha.
    I really hope mum and dad remember me saying I might not have wifi because I don't and I hope they don't think something's gone wrong. Especially when I can't upload this journal for 2 weeks. I might ask Johanna if I can send an email mid week just to be sure.
    In sure Wills parents will be less stressed lols
    She had parked in a supermarket car park so we walked to that - she lives about 20 km away. The drive was beautiful.
    She lives in a village. Like, a proper village with horse and carriages.
    I'm in love.
    We are set up in a tent in the backyard. Our mattress is on a diagonal so Will can fit..
    the toilet is an outhouse - Will had a nervous laugh. It's the same as Kenya except it smells better because they have sawdust stuff to throw into the toilet after your number 2.
    I'm going to have to get use to aiming better..
    Johanna took us on a tour to a few of her rose fields - because of the rain they are not ready to harvest yet but she still has some odd jobs for us to help with.
    Today I saw the biggest bee I've ever seen in my life. It was like part bird.
    I also watched a Different bee up really close pollinating a big beautiful purple flower. I took a video too.
    The main house is falling apart so they live in a side room that has a bedroom attached to an Empty room which will be a kitchen and a shower in the back.
    The main house only has one usable room and they use it for storage - that's where we have put our big bags.
    We spent some time sampling different teas and chatting.
    We were starving so when she mentioned dinner we were both relived. It was lentil soup. At first I was disappointed but still Hungry enough to eat anyway but it turned out to be delicious.
    There is an outside, old school cooking area with a fire stove and jar after jar of dried things and cooking condiments.
    I was so very cold.
    Even with my puffy jacket, rain coat, a blanket, Wills snow beanie and sitting next to a fire eating hot liquids I was crystallizing.
    After dinner we played cards for a few hours.
    It's a German game (Johanna is German) called wizard. It was really very confusing at first but we eventually got the hang of it. It goes for 20 rounds and the rounds get infer longer every time.
    On round 19 it was discovered that me and Will had been playing wrong. Though we were playing the same way so i think the lead I had on him was valid.
    Only a small thing we misunderstood but it probably effected the overall score.
    It was over a matter of HAVING to play a card of a certain colour if you had it - we both thought we could strategically skip.
    Oops.
    Overall score ended up being me and Johanna tied for first place.
    Danny, Johannas partner will be arriving on Monday next week.
    Will had a shower while I organized the tent.
    It's a tight fit but we will manage.
    I'm excited for what's to come!

    We also got an offer for English speaking in Poland that we want to have a look at once we have internet back.

    I may or may not have Dutch ovened the tent.
    It was not good.
    Weiterlesen

  • Work Away

    11. Mai 2017 in Bulgarien ⋅ ⛅ 15 °C

    At about 3 am we both woke up to the noise of a humongous truck FLYING through the village streets.
    Apparently truckers use it from Turkey to Romania to avoids inspections but wow it was loud!
    We woke up at 6 to the sound of so many birds chirping. It was peaceful.
    We got out of the tent at 9.
    I needed to pee all night but I pushed through - I didnt want to go out in the wet.
    Breakfast was fancy. Well not overly but I thought so.
    It was fresh porridge with cooked cranberry and apple on top with a smashed banana underneath.
    For my first porridge experience I quite liked it. Will did not.
    The fruit and honey I added made it better.
    I also had a tea. I'm liking the tea variety I've had here. I'll definitely be hitting up T2 when home.
    There is a rooster and he doesn't shut up but you can also hear dogs barking and sheep.
    We got ready, meaning brushed our teeth in the garden, put on our sunscreen (turns out Will bought FOUNDATION with sunscreen in it -HAHAHAHAHAH he looked beautiful <3 hehehe)
    and I put on a pair of borrowed gum boots. Our first stop was to the local "hardware store" to see if hey had boots in Wills size. They didn't but they are going to order some in for him and they will be here tomorrow.
    We then went to the rose fields. We put on gloves and had a hoe each.
    Will was seriously impressive. Even Johanna said she had never seen anyone so quick.
    His head nearly exploded.
    Thank god he was there though or the 2 rows would have taken me all week.
    I was slow at first but did pick up the pace eventually once I got use to the blister feeling on my hand (which I hate) but I was still slow in comparison..
    I managed to kill 1.5 rose bushes..
    The first one may survive so that's good because I pulled out the whole plant but the root survived but the second time I felt horrible and wanted to go cry in the car.
    It's there favourite field because it's the only field with white roses so they are extra special....
    The second time I just wasn't concentrating because I was in a rhythm and chopped it in half then pulled out the rose with my hands while Johanna yelled "that's the rose"
    Oh god. It was not good.
    I knew she was upset/mad but she hid it well and pretended it was ok which I appreciated. I felt horrible. Will just laughed at me.
    *** (written by William) ***But after he had finished some of his row he can back and helped me with mine. Will is the best couldn't ask for a better boyfriend plus he's super good looking which is a bonus. All I ever do is sleep must be because I'm a big stupid head. *****

    I can't believe I ripped out a rose bush with my bare hands...
    Anyway I tried extra hard after that. Johanna went ahead and cleaned around the roses to make it obvious for me..
    My blisters felt fine once I stretched them a bit. I just hate the initial felling of tight skin. Neither popped so that's good.
    Thanks to Will we finished in under 3 hours woo!

    Basically we had to get rid of he ridiculous amount of weeds strangling the roses.
    There were so many creepy crawlies in the soil.
    Heaps of awesomely camouflaged spiders and millipede type things - and worms. But if I saw a worm I moved it out of harms way of being chopped..
    probably why I took longer... hahahah
    Johanna took a video of us hoeing which I appreciated :)
    We then went back to the house and I had a lie down in the beautiful garden. It's full of insects but they leave you alone and I'm not worried cause there harmless in comparison to the potential garden friends of Australia.
    There was lady beetles, butterflies, bees of all sizes, ants and beetle types I didn't recognize.
    Johanna put down a picnic rug for me to lie in the sun on.
    After a small while Johanna made us lunch. We had shopska salad and Will had a ham and cheese sandwich. Despite what he may think, he is the fussy one.
    Afterwards we went for a quick walk around the village - or rather around the block.
    People were so suspicious. One lady took her baby inside and left the pram on the street. She had this look of alarm. Lol.
    As I've mentioned, I love villages.
    Will then had a siesta but I found the tent too hot so I had a shower in the dodgy tub then discovered I was out of clothes so I did 3 loads of washing. Apparently the washing machine will be functional in 3-4 days can't wait.
    It was difficult to do in the garden because the floor was muddy so the scrubba got muddy but I managed. I hung them on the line and they should dry quickly because it's very hot.
    I then had a sleep on the picnic rug. Wonderful.
    I then successfully used the outhouse woo!
    Me and Will were having a comp who would go first - #winner
    I emailed dad, Helen and Jess to say we would have no internet - I tapped into the wifi on Johanna's phone.
    Dinner time - it was spag bowl yessss!
    Sooo good.
    We then played cards - big 2.
    About 15 rounds and I didn't win once which was bullshit.
    During our game of cards one of Danny's distant relatives came for a visit - apparently she just lets herself in 3 times a day. lol
    She was so small. Will was sitting in a chair and was still taller than her. Might try get a photo next to her too. Hehe
    She came to offer cucumbers but Johanna planted some in the garden today so she went for a look. She is going to bring us some sheep milk for tomorrow. Didn't even realise that was thing.
    Hopefully we get to go to her house cause she has some animals I can play with. :D

    Time for another scheduled sleep.
    It's a sleep in tomorrow - we can get up at 9 :D..

    Wills toenails are ridiculous- he cut them today for the 5th time since we left.
    I am yet to cut mine.
    Outrageous.

    It's 10:46pm and there are birds chirping so loudly. What retards it's dark out.
    Weiterlesen

  • Work Away

    12. Mai 2017 in Bulgarien ⋅ ☁️ 15 °C

    That damn bird.
    It tweeted for the entire night.
    I have never heard such a vocal bird, least of all at night.
    We didn't sleep well because of it at got up 9:45.
    Johanna had bought us *insert Bulgarian word* from the bakery which is essentially Pastry with feta in it.
    As promised the little old lady had brought over sheep milk.
    In theory there was nothing wrong with it. It had the same texture as cow milk and tasted similarly enough (it had a stronger kick) but something in my mind was rejecting the thought of drinking juice from a sheep. Illogical but eh.
    I did finish my glass like a boss though. Just don't want anymore thanks.
    I borrowed a pair of rain pains and we all got to work in the yard de-weeding with the hoes. My hands are much better today but still hurt when I stop.
    It was more challenging than yesterday because it required even more concentration. And the dirt had tiles littered underneath so it was harder.
    We cleared a Large section of the garden though. Will wandered off and started clearing the grass near our tent to make it easier to get in.
    One of the plants bled fluro orange which was weird.
    Next up was a supper crappy job.
    We got told that there was a path to the out house but it was hidden by inches of dirt.
    This took agesss and really hurt both of our backs. I think Will was so put out by the job because it could be done with a high pressure hose and would be 10 times faster but I tried to remind him that that is a privilege and not a norm.
    We did manage to clear the path though so I'm feeling pretty proud of our achievement. Looks good but once it rains and cleans it a bit it will look better.
    We then had a break and sat around for a bit which felt awesome haha. I was feeling quite cold because my sweat made me wet -.-
    We then went over to the little ladies house (Baba Penka) to return the sheep milk and see her animals.
    (Baba is Grandma in Bulgarian.) except she wasn't home. We popped up the road to see if Wills boots had been delivered but they hadn't..
    so we drove 7km to the next village to get some groceries. The next village is more established.

    I've been seeing random coffee machines in the middle of random streets which is bizarre considering the neighborhood.

    Some of the scenery on the way was beautiful.
    The black cat that Johanna claims isn't hers but lives at her house anyway was less scared of me today. :) I've named it Pedro :)
    I then had another nap in the yard while Will watched a movie in the tent.
    I tried to nap there but I couldn't stand the heat.
    I woke up to Johanna working in the garden. Not sure if she expected help so I felt awkward.
    We tried baba Penkas again and this time she was home. She had set the table for dinner for us so I'm so thankful we went over again because I hate thinking of the little old ladies broken heart when her guests don't show up :( even though we didn't know we had been invited to dinner... that got lost in the translation - Johanna isn't fluent in Bulgarian, she can get by though.
    Even though it didn't happen and we went, my heart hurts thinking of her sitting at the table alone with a big pile of food that she probably can't afford to give to us..
    THANK GOD WE WENT.
    She is too cute.
    She is missing all her teeth except 2 on the side.
    She had a heart attack a few years ago and has recently started talking about her death a lot which is awkward especially when her message gets translated to you.
    She is so funny, she looks you straight in the eye and talks and talks even though you have zero idea what she is saying.
    Her husband was at the lake with the sheep so we went down to visit.
    At first we could only see him sitting on a chair, asleep with no sign of the sheep.
    We thought he was going to have his ass handed to him.. hahaha but they were just grazing over a Hill.
    There were cows grazing too.
    THE SHEEP HAD TAILS. I HAVE NEVER SEEN THAT AND IT LOOKED SO WEIRD.
    We walked down to the lake and I felt the water. It was a little too cold to swim in but not Icey.
    The lake is artificial and was created in the 60's - there use to be a village there.
    It was stunning. I took so many photos.
    Lots of cow pats and random shells everywhere.
    It's unfortunate but a lot of people don't pick up their rubbish..
    A man was fishing too but he shouldn't have been. It's currently illegal because they have to let the supply replenish. You can in June I think.
    No one said anything to him though.
    I've noticed on every house there are signs that look like missing person posters - today we asked what they were and they are signs in remembrance to the dead and they say along the lines of "this person died 2 years ago, please pray" and they update them as time goes on.
    They have been everywhere in Bulgaria but more common in the village. It's Bulgarian tradition to do so.
    We walked back to Baba Penkas and looked at her animals. She has rabbits and I was horrified when she picked it up by the ears. It started kicking so I took it off her and held it properly.
    They all had the creepy red eyes and their cage was filthy because the son normally cleans it but he is away.
    She also has turkeys and chickens and they didn't look well cared for either. I'm hoping the bleeding bits on the rooster was from a fight and not from small scratches that have festered but I doubt it.
    She has a cat that she claims to not feed but fed it a lot when we were there. The weirdo ate bread and a tomato.
    The cat has 4 kittens which we saw also. I felt so bad for them :( I don't know how there life will turn out but it doesn't look promising and the mum cat didn't show them any interest.
    We were served chicken stew which was really salty and Baba kept apologizing but it tasted fine.
    I wasn't fussed by the actual chicken part.
    I fed the cat a little too.
    Baba kicked the cat once to get it away from food but I winced.
    I carried the cat to safety haha. It was a bit mangy but purred loudly when I scratched it.
    When eating, the trick is to leave your plate full or it gets refilled. She complained I didn't eat anything but refilled my bowl 5 times?!
    We then Walked back to the boot store - they had arrived and fitted so we carried them home.
    We made comment to Johanna after our walk the other day that people are suspicious of us and run into there homes. She commented that she now she's what we mean. Many people evacuated the area haha.
    We played big 2 again. I lost for a while again but then got on a winning streak :D
    We also taught Johanna go fish and while Will had a shower me and Johanna played a game similar to speed.
    We are now in the tent - I hate it. I'd rather sleep on a flat floor that on a mattress because because of the weight difference it doesn't accommodate for my movements well. It's like being double bounced on a trampoline.

    We chatted to Johanna a lot more today. It's becoming easier.
    Danny will arrive tomorrow which I'm happy about - more conversation opportunities.

    Will finally went potty.
    What a big boy. :)

    We saw 3 Woodpeckers today which was kinda cool.

    That's fucking bird is back... it's 11:14
    D:
    Weiterlesen

  • Work Away

    13. Mai 2017 in Bulgarien ⋅ ☀️ 23 °C

    We slept better last night even though that bird came back -.-
    We got up at 9 and had cereal for breakfast. It was a new type we bought at the grocery store yesterday but it wasn't as good. It was only a small bag so we don't have to eat it again cause it's all gone lol.
    I was more conscious this morning and ready to go.
    It was stinking hot already though so we both opted for shorts.
    But I wore a long sleeve shirt because Johanna (pronounced Yo - Hana. I feel black when I say it)
    said the roses can scratch up your arms pretty bad.
    We drove out to one of the fields, parked then walked about 500 meters over sunflower seedlings before we actually got there.
    We took a pair of big scissors and took on a row each. I find it quite fun. The aim was to get rid of all the dead sticks attached to the bushes.
    It hurt my back after a while but cutting the big stems was really satisfying.
    I made a few boo boos and cut live stems so I hid them at the base 0.O hehehe oops.
    (While reading this back to Will he has admitted to the same crime.)
    I was the slowest but most efficient at first. Once I realized everyone else was not being as precise I caught up.
    The thorns went through my gloves a few times and it really hurt.
    One you cut the stick you had to throw it into the lane way but it was challenging. A few times I went to throw it but the thorns attached to my gloves so I ended up hitting myself In the face.
    It really hurt Wills back so he used the pitch fork to collect the sticks.
    I really did find it fun only it was so hot and I was dripping. Sweat was going everywhere and my eyes were stinging.
    I don't know when i last sweated that much.
    I think the sunscreen I put on was why it was so much. My pores were in protest.
    Johanna and I worked on row 4 together. She is much quicker than me but I'd be worried if she wasn't - it's her job.
    I had a try with the pitch fork and got cranky.
    It's so much easier using your hands to pick up the sticks - they just fall straight through the fork.
    There was one open rose and it smelt incredible, like the soap.
    We got some photos of us being farmers then headed home.
    We sat around the table for a while just relaxing.
    Danny then turned up. I like him. He is easy going and has made a few jokes too.
    He showed us underneath there unusable house. They have a boat and bikes which we hope to use.
    It's really cold under the house and is where previous owners would have stored food.
    There were some awesome big barrels there too.
    It was like a pickers dream. So much junk.
    We had lunch - Shopska salad, sandwiches and potato salad type thing except they called it a Russian salad?
    I then had a beautiful shower and cleaned the layers of crap out of my hair.
    The pair have now gone off to do something so I'm laying on the mat with intentions of reading while Will does his first load of washing. So proud.
    Will can't find the 2nd packet of Oreos we bought and is a little bummed.
    There are so many bees buzzing around my face but strangely it doesn't faze me. I don't normally feel overly comfortable around them.

    I had a splinter before and it really really hurt! I thought I had been bitten/stung by something at first.
    I had to almost cut a chunk out of my skin to get it out. Little bugger.

    No sign of Pedro today :(

    My book is so stressful I need to take regular breaks.

    Regarding the rose oil business -
    They stay in business because the biggest Rose companies can't harvest all their roses - Only a very small portion, because it's a job a machine can't do.
    No machine yet exists that can tell which roses should be picked and which should not. All must be hand picked.
    The little fields sell to the bigger companies and also have their own smaller businesses, like on Etsy.
    We are working on an organic farm.
    There are 2 distilleries in town.

    I want dinner. The sunset is so late here which is good and bad.
    2 more volunteers arrive tomorrow. The yard is going to be cramped with everyone's tents!

    When it's cold and you pee in the hole ... because your wee is hot and the stone is cold it makes steam :)
    Science is cool. Lol

    I finished reading a few chapters of my book and went to sit over with Will who was just about finished watch Logan - he said it's good.
    Danny asked us if we were bored and wanted to see a bit of the village. We said yes :)
    He drove us through a lot of fields. Grapes, sunflowers, lavender and roses. The grapes are the prettiest.
    We got out of the car to look at lavender. It hasn't started yet but if you rub the leaves you can smell it.
    We saw some wild rabbits - apparently jackals eat them.
    I didn't realise they had Jackals in Europe.
    The views were beautiful.
    We drove around for about 30 mins.
    When we got back in was dinner time.
    It was sausage and lentils - :S but I ate it like a polite guest.
    Danny is a tour guide in Sofia so he has a lot of random knowledge and he gave us a big history of yogurt because Bulgarians are upset.
    He put yogurt on his sausage. Who does that?

    I tried it with lentils and it wasn't half bad. There yogurt is better than ours. It has a different texture. It's more watery.
    We then played big 2 all together. Danny is very funny.

    This whole time I thought the wood shavings were scented when it's actually the toilet paper. Fancy.

    It's about to storm we think. There is lots of lightening so far but no rain.
    I would love to fall asleep to the sound of rain than that damn bird.

    Storm has started :D

    Never mind it didn't last long :(
    I kept on needing to wee and Will was getting fed up with me climbing over him to the door so tried to go out the back way. As I pulled the zipper down my hand was in immediate pain. So many nettle stings. My hand developed some small hives pretty quickly :( it was itchy :(
    It was fine by morning though.
    Weiterlesen

  • Work Away

    14. Mai 2017 in Bulgarien ⋅ ⛅ 22 °C

    Woke up about 5 times during the night for no obvious reason but I didn't mind because each time I still had so long to sleep which is the best feeling when you see the clock and have 5 hours to go.
    Once awake we had Frosties for breakfast. I'm not sure if I've ever had them before but I liked them.
    I put shorts on again cause it was roasting and our first job was to work in the garden again, getting space ready for 2 more tents.
    Being the most inexperienced gardener I know, I was a little concerned when I had to handle their precious crops, but I did good :)
    I had to use a shovel to dig up lettuces and replant them and then water.
    I had to move some onions too.
    Another job was for me to go over a section of soil and remove old rose tree sticks Baba Penka had planted in the hope of growing rose bushes (it didn't work out)
    Will de weeded the yard while this was happening.

    They own a lavender field but haven't maintained it. While we were gardening Danny went to look at it and came back with the news that he think it might be workable so off we went.

    While this big tracker did something and Danny took soil samples Will, Johanna and I cut out the trees and wild berries bushes that had taken up residence there.
    I started out with a little hoe but ended up stealing the scissors cause it's funner and easier.
    Me and Will stuck together and we were on fire. #Ateam.
    I cut then he hacked.
    My legs and arms got covered in scratches though. The wild berries bushes were assholes to get rid of.
    Will had to use all his muscles to dig up some of the roots - they were massive!
    At the end we had to go back over the field and find all the tree parts because we were silly and didn't make obvious piles as we went along.
    The field looks much better but still looks like shit. It's very patchy, and overgrown. There is more wild grass than there is lavender.
    The views were spectacular though. I'm starting to think everywhere is here.
    I think I've mentioned it everyday.

    On the way home Danny stopped into some field so say hi to some people. There soil looked far softer and easier to move.
    We then went to the store where Danny bought 4 different chocolate bar varieties for me and Will to sample. ( 8 chocolates in total :D)
    We tried one when we got home And it tasted like a picnic. The others are all wafer varieties. Apparently Bulgarians are big on wafers lol.
    Danny also bought heaps of juice including a sour cherry flavored juice which tasted better than expected.
    It was essentially watered down cough medicine though.
    Near the store we saw another horse and carriage and the same dog I've seen for the past few days which breaks my heart. Every time I've seen it it's been desperately running around searching bins. It has big tits as well so probably has a litter hidden somewhere. :,(

    We went home and had some lunch. Then Had some time off. Will set himself up on a lawn chair and I tried in the garden again but it was too hot. I ended up in a new spot on the balcony which was a little too windy :/

    Once we woke up we put up 2 more tents. The first one required no effort. You just throw it and it pops open.
    The second one was your standard design but looked quite small.
    Our next house chore was to pump up the tires on the bikes (well, Danny did it not us lol) and then me and Will went for a quick bike ride.
    It took me a little while to get the hang of riding again. It wasn't the balancing aspect but more the push off and understanding the gears. I prefer bikes who have the pedal backwards break function like my little girl bike lol.
    We went for a ride down to the lake and the then back up past Baba Penkas house. Riding uphill burnt the thighs haha.

    Will has been complaining non stop about wanting a hair cut so we borrowed Danny's electric shaver.
    Oh dear.
    Hahahahahahah.
    My bad.
    I did not do a good job.
    The shaver was so inconsistent. His head is extremely patchy.
    I did a miraculous fix up job with a pair of scissors though so it did improve a lot but it couldn't all be saved...
    My shirt is really itchy cause it has spiked hair in it.
    Because dinner was going to be late because we had to pick up someone in town I ate a chocolate bar on the road. Yum!
    We drove to Nova Zagora (on the way stopping in at one of the rose fields by the lake to see if it was blossoming) and collected Matthew (he is from Canada) from his previous work away hosts at some random round about.
    It probably looked like a hostage exchange.
    He is weird as fuck.
    He doesn't speak loudly and has mannerisms similar to serial killers on SVU.
    People tried to make conversation but it failed and a lot of the car ride was silent.
    We stopped in at a grocery store to stock up on food - I bought some wild berry tea :)
    We ate dinner when home and then played cards.
    Danny didn't play though because he was inside getting paperwork ready for their inspection tomorrow.
    They get inspected once a year to get certified as organic.
    Once again, Matthew is weird. I kept talking to myself in my head saying "stop judging" and yet he gives me the creeps.
    Hopefully he becomes more comfortable but from what he has said about disliking human interactions.. I doubt it.
    Weiterlesen

  • Work Away

    15. Mai 2017 in Bulgarien ⋅ ⛅ 19 °C

    Soooo it's 6am and I don't know if I've slept.
    I hate the mattress.
    I hate it.
    I want to sleep on the floor because every time Will moved it's like a tidal wave.
    The same problem when I need to wee - I wake him up every time.
    It takes up so much room in the tent. Gah.
    I'll regret it later but I'm trying to stay awake rather than have 2 hours of sleep outside on the mat.
    I hope our chores aren't too extreme today.
    At least we have Matthew - another set of helping hands.

    Ok I gave up. I had a sleep on the deck in the freezing cold but still better than the tent.
    I woke Will up at 9 and hurried him up by threatening to eat the last of the frosties if he didn't get up.
    I ate a really big breakfast.
    I hate putting on sunscreen - especially on my face. Well, I hate putting anything on my face really.
    There were a few open rose buds in the yard so in preparation for the fields we learnt the proper technique of how to pick them.
    Everyone was hesitant so I went first. It makes a popping sound if you do it right. It snaps from just below the base. The pink ones smell better than the white - the white ones nearly went extinct for that reason except then they became such a rarity they have become a novelty. They have a more lemon smell.
    We drove out to a field we hadn't been to yet - it was a bit off track.
    Our job was to cut down trees/weeds/bushes then apply salt to the stumps then wrap them in plastic bags to suffocate them.
    Apparently the salt also attracts deer who come and eat the stumps :) hehe
    So, we made a few mistakes and chopped a few rose stems but we hid the evidence quickly. It was really difficult because you couldn't differentiate between the weed and roses. I got a lot more spikes into my fingers today and one really bad one behind my knee that Will says I sounded like a crow cawing when it happened.
    I have a splinter from it :/
    I like cutting but doing the salt and bagging was annoying. I think I was wasteful- I need to work on my technique.
    We worked for over 4 hours and hardly made a dent in the field.
    I hated having to drag the branches to the end of the rows. The soil is so annoying to walk in it's like sand so it takes extra effort and there are so many thorns to try avoid.
    Some of the stumps were ridiculous and had old bags attached which clearly hadn't worked. Me and Will are both of the opinion that they should sacrifice a few roses to get rid of some of these ridiculous stumps. Some had 30 odd shrubs coming out of it but was too close to a singular rose stem to hack out -.-
    My good deed today was saving a family of caterpillars. There was 30 or so so I carried their tree branch to safety. We might have dropped a few aunts and uncles on the way but most of them made it :)
    There are soooo many insect types in the soil but especially spiders and jumping cockroach looking things.
    It's interesting to observe the creatures though because they are so different.
    A horse and cart went by. Apparently the Romani people illegally chop down trees for wood then sell it.
    We were so hungry but we had to wait for Danny to come and collect us because he was with the inspector.

    We then drove back with Danny and the inspector behind us. It was so casual. Danny was helping us get the stuff out of the truck and making the inspector wait. If I was the inspector I would have marked him down for making me wait and doing irrelevant things/wasting my time. Different culture I guess.

    So hungry my tummy hurt. We were offered chocolate bars because they needed the table for the paperwork side of the inspection.
    But I was too hungry so I ate it, chips and chocolate biscuits which was really bad but there was no other available food :(
    I then crashed in my balcony spot and woke up in time for dinner lol.
    I wasn't really hungry but it was a barbecue so I pushed on haha
    Such a chubby bunny - lucky for my big coats! :P
    The neighbours brought over lettuce and eggs so then we went to their house to see some pigs. They are only babies and will eventually get eaten but for now they have a good life.
    They were terrified though because they only just got therebso they are still adjusting to the space.
    There was also chickens and a dog but the lady hit the dog cause it was barking :( it then escaped the lead and ran away lol.
    I held a baby chicken.
    The new guy arrived. I haven't clarified his name yet though. He is from Kazakhstan. I like him. Will thinks is a loser. He started up some great conversations. We talked a lot about different countries.
    We learnt that in Germany there is a tax for owning a tv because it's considered a luxury. AND that they take money out of your pay check if you are religious. I know the Bible says to donate money but it needs to be by choice..
    You would think Germany would stop meddling with peoples religions.......
    I then had a shower. I hate it. As soon as you step out your feet are filthy again -.-
    I'm super stoked though, While I was showering Will changed the mattress in our tent to a single so now I can sleep on the floor.
    Genuinely so pleased.
    Matthew is slowly opening up but still is a huge question mark.

    Omg the bird is back.
    Will tried to get the splinter out of my leg but couldn't. We will have to try tomorrow in better light.
    We get to sleep in again until 9 tomorrow because they think the fields need one more day before we start picking.
    Keen to pick really but not walk up and down the rows with the stupid sand soil.

    Danny looks like Liam hemsworth (no one know who he is??)
    Yohanna is what Jessica Roberts will look like. It's creepy.

    I'm worried regarding more people coming and the toilet. At the moment I've been going with the door half open because there is no light or window so it becomes pitch black so you can't see the hole - but with more people the chance of being walked in on increases greatly :/
    Weiterlesen

  • Work Away

    16. Mai 2017 in Bulgarien ⋅ 🌬 20 °C

    Slept so much better. The bird woke me up a few times but it was easy to get back to sleep. Will didn't sleep as good but still acceptable.
    I had a big big bowl of Nesquick even though it backfired on me yesterday and I ended up being so hungry.
    THIS SUNSCREEN SUCKS. I swear it's greasier than normal. Yuck yuck yuck.
    Before we left for the morning Will got the splinter out of my leg. He treated It like a full medical procedure.
    Every ant Will sees he calls Antony and talks to it. Be has made the same joke over 50 times and still chuckles about it...
    Will is a really annoying name to write out all the time because it doesn't autocorrect it to having a big W because it's also a word...
    Team Canada and Kazakhstan weren't really prepared for battle this morning. They were both in jumpers and Kazakhstan (I think him name Darni) could not have looked more Asian if he tried. He was in like a gold sweater that had purple and white patterns. Long beige trousers, old sneakers and this huge weaved sun vision that really emphasized his sticky out ears and glasses.
    Johanna stayed behind today.
    We went in different car to the fields. It has really comfy seats but it's a bit of a bomb. Lucky Will always gets to sit in the front seat and I have to sit next to 2 boys who I felt were both uncomfortable about my close proximity and even more so about the fact I was in shorts. I presume neither have ever held a girls hand.
    Both socially odd.
    We saw either a fox or jackal on the way. It was like a combo of both.
    Today's duty was the same as yesterday - continue trying to save the fields from weeds and trees.
    Though today I didn't really bother with salting and bagging as much because I don't think it works (half the crap I cut down had old bags underneath..)
    Will got out HUGE stump out though. it took ages. Maybe an hour?
    The other 3 barely moved all day working on big roots. The others didn't manage to get their stump out which naturally Will kept bringing up all day. Lol
    I just went up and down rows chipping away :)
    We has a banana break which really did help me get through to lunch.
    On the drive back I either saw a falcon or eagle. Ether way it was a kickass bird.
    We had a delicious omelette for lunch with salami stuff and onion mixed in.
    I then did 2 loads of washing because I'm out of clothes then me and Will went for a walk around the lake.
    It felt like we walked for ever. We had to walk the wrong way for a long while just to find a bit of the stream narrow enough for us to cross to the other side. There was a goad herder there and the dog was so suspicious of us lol. He had to be called off from barking/attacking.
    I hate walking on sand it hurts my back.
    Unfortunately, there is so much rubbish. People are so stupid. I'd understand if there were no bins but the bins are big and everywhere. The Romani people actually drive away from bins to dump their rubbish in the forest? What logic is that?
    On the walk there was so many burs and because my socks were extra fluffy they kept on attaching.
    Will took a shit In the woods. He is happy he didn't have to use the hole.
    We found a beautiful spot to sit around the cove and took some photos and have a lie down on the picnic rug we brought :)
    Once we got sick of the ants crawling on the mat and the annoying rocks underneath we walked up a bit further and took turns throwing rocks into the lake and having comps on who's rock made the bigger splash. We also did some discus throws. I loved doing little athletics. I want to do it with my kids like dad did with me :)
    We walked back - a different way to avoids the poo hahahah and once back in the village ran into Baba Benka. The woman can talk. She yapped on and we had zero idea what she was going on about. She didn't care. She kissed us goodbye. I love her. I'm going to adopt her as my spare grandparent. I have learnt how to ask her to be my grandma.
    It sounds like "Moleia buddy moyata Baba." I will ask her soon. She visited the house later in the day to bring us sheep yogurt and to invite us to dinner soon.
    We were looking at Johannas keyboard but it's weird. She said that German keyboards are different - the Y and Z are swapped? That ruins the whole 'typewriter' can be written on the top row, fun fact.

    A South Korean cyclist couple have just arrived .the crazy duo have been traveling by bike for 2.5 years all over the world.
    We will be picking roses today so I avoided napping.
    Kazakhstan and Canada hadn't seen the lake so they went on a tour while i prepared the shopska for dinner.
    Their capsicums are weird, like a huge chilly.
    We ate left overs for the barbecue, played cards, drank teas and are now in bed.
    Excited to finally pick tomorrow.
    I'm tired.
    It's 10pm - alarm set for 5:20.
    Bedtime!
    P.s Will is so pleased. He found the other Oreo packet.
    Weiterlesen

  • Work Away

    17. Mai 2017 in Bulgarien ⋅ 🌬 19 °C

    5:20 came all too soon.
    We got up and we're the only ones to eat breakfast because we didn't think we would last until 8. We left by 6. Today was a late start because they weren't expecting lots of roses. It's bloody cold. We went to the field by the lake. We were all given a rose picking bag - To all the men's delight they were fluro pink :) we worked In pairs and picked row by row. So many of the roses had an insect in them - A lot of the time it was dead though. After we had picked we went to the white rose field. I like the pop sound it makes when you snap it. We went to a third field but didn't bother getting out of the car, there wasn't enough roses in bloom.
    We went back to the house and weighed in. For day one I collected .37 of a kilo. Will had a similar weight. He needs it to be known he had .39.
    Everyone else then ate breakfast while I slowly died in the corner.
    We then got ready to go to the same field as the last 2 days only today we were taking a tractor to help pull out stumps.
    They couldn't get the tractor to start and in that short time I had like 4 micro sleeps where my head fell into the door. I hate the sensation of falling.
    Will went on the back of the tractor with Danny so we could get away with only taking one car. It was squishy in the back though. Luckily for those Asian bottoms.
    Once we got there I have no idea what everyone else did. I stayed on the same side of the field as I have been working on and worked alone. I had an S club Party :)
    I actually did so much work. It's like I went into overtired SuperDrive.
    The Koreans brought with them a drone and filmed us working - hopefully I can get a copy of the video.
    Will eventually came to my side of the field because there was no available tool so he helped move the branches I had cut to the sides of the field, out of the way.
    We dance to Timomatic - Parachute. Great song :)
    We worked for about 3 hours then tried to leave only the tractor wouldn't work again..
    They connected it to the car to try and give it momentum to start which worked once so Danny and Will successfully made it to the road ( after 30 minutes of trying and everyone pushing the tractor..I took no part in this and sat in the car like a lazy shit. )
    We were halfway home when they called us to say that had stalled. We had to turn around.
    It was friggen ridiculous so eventually Will drove everyone home and towed the tractor with Danny and Johanna on it steering.
    Naturally the first policeman I have seen in a week was behind us. That kicked in the adrenaline.
    "Oh they will just check your license"
    "Yep... don't have one..."
    hahah
    Either way we made it home and all had to push the tractor out of the way.
    We did rip the chain though cause stupid Kazakhstan told Will to drive when he shouldn't have.
    It worked out fine because it was the last bit of the journey which was downhill so they just rolled home.
    The Korean dude - Johnny - is such a helpful man. He has had such great initiative to do helpful things. Very well trained :P
    We then had lunch. Soft drink everyday is terrible yet fantastic.
    I got an email and I'm so cranky about it.
    Travelpod - the site im currently using to write my journal will be closing down permanently on June 19th... -.-
    I'll have to transfer everything into a Microsoft document then maybe onto a Tumblr or a new blog system I'll have to find. So much unnecessary effort :/

    We had a 4 hour nap. It's now 7pm.

    Wills haircut makes him look like the last airbender.

    Someone had done a really bad job at aiming into the toilet..

    There is a cherry tree in the yard and it's delicious. They aren't as big as the ones I'm use to.
    The Korean couple showed us some videos from their 2.5 year travels. They were amazing! They got filmed by a Korean tv station too I think.
    They are cute.
    We had Rakia with dinner. I had 2 shots. Still gross but it gives this tickley warmth in your chest for 5 minutes lol.
    It was a hand made bottle given as a gift to Danny because he refused to take money for dragging a mans car to the next town when he had run out of gas.

    I listened to Harry Potter while Will watched a movie.
    7 hours til wake up time -.-
    Weiterlesen

  • Work Away

    18. Mai 2017 in Bulgarien ⋅ 🌬 17 °C

    I slept pretty good. Will didn't.
    We didn't eat breakfast before we left this morning. But I was quickly woken up by the poo I found on the floor in the toilet. I know it was
    Kazakhstan - Why can't asians use a toilet? It was also on the wrong side of the hole so he has been using it wrong the whole time.. I really needed to pee though so Johanna went and cleaned it up hahahahahaha it was really funny.
    She was like "I don't know what to do, this has never happened before"
    We Left at 5:30
    Me, Will and Danny worked as a team of 3 and the others as a team of 5. Paid workers might have shown up for our team - it was unsure if the message would reach them - it did not. It was just us -.-
    The 3 of us worked on a massive field while the other group did 2.
    Our bushes were quite small so after bending so often our backs started to hurt and our fingers became covered in sticky crap.
    The drone made another appearance while we were working because the others had to wait for us.
    Then we all worked on same field - the one we have been cutting - my old friend. Kazakhstan misunderstood the instructions were given and was not collecting from the correct row - silly billy I semi scolded him in my head then realised Will was doing it wrong too lol
    We did 3 rows each (technically 6 sides)
    The first half of the field didn't have a single rose then the other half was littered with them which was strange.
    Overall we collected about 15kgs today.
    The car smells great with them all in the back.
    Afterwards team 3, went to the white rose fields to pick them too then to the other village to get gas. We came home had breakfast then went back to bed at 9:30.
    I woke up at 11:30 because the tent was too hot but to the best surprise.
    A KITTEN. We played together and had lots of cuddles. The Koreans found it on their walk. It must have been hungry because it got in the compost bin and ate a banana skin. I went and got it cat food but it nearly showed on one - I banged it on the head and it was fine lol.
    From the on I soaked the biscuits in milk first before I fed it. It was so eager it bit my finger hehe
    I then continued my nap in the shade and woke up later to learn Kazakhstan had returned it to the school were 2 other kittens were - I hope the mum comes back.
    It had such a cute meow and blue eyes.

    We ventured down to the shops to buy sprite for lunch.
    Lunch was delicious vegetarian patty ball things with this yogurt stuff yummm!!

    More sleep..

    A girl from the Netherlands has shown up. We've deduced from her appearance that she is probably gay.
    Short hair with unshaven legs.
    She is nice though.

    We had dinner.
    The Koreans have really made them selves known.
    While at the table first one lady barged in uninvited demanding they print out a picture of her son like they had done for someone else in the village
    Then 10 minutes later and old man came by with songs on a USB for them because he had heard them playing Bulgarian folk songs on their violins by the lake. At least he knocked.
    We were just waiting for the 3rd visited to be the police arresting them for the drone haha.

    After dinner Kazakhstan (whose name is Damir not Darni) tried to teach us a new card game called fool but failed miserably. I couldn't stop laughing at my own confusion.
    He leaves tomorrow.

    My brain is shutting down. I'll try add more detail tomorrow.

    We finally got internet and a working washing machine - woo!
    Weiterlesen

  • Work Away

    19. Mai 2017 in Bulgarien ⋅ ⛅ 19 °C

    Since being here, everything has broken down.
    Literally everything is shitty.
    The internet, washing machine, electricity, torch, tractor, car, cooker, gas bottle, shower gah over it, I want things just to work not have a different combo of broken things everyday.

    This morning was tough. It was ice cold. We waited until 5:25 before getting out of the tent. Even the Europeans were cold this morning.
    We were allowed to have a tea/coffee before we left this morning. It was the same teams as yesterday only the holland chick joined us. It felt like there was wayyyyy more flowers today only we didn't end up picking as many?
    We did the same fields as yesterday.
    I tried the other picking technique and ended up having way less pollen goo on my hands - I'm not convinced it made a difference though. I think the morning dew also helped.
    Looking in the rose bag afterwards you can see so many bugs. It must be the secret ingredient.
    At the end of field 2 we used the drone to take videos and photos of us all. Johnny drop boxed them to me so I'm the only one that has them - yay iPhones.
    When home I had a mountain of cereal and Will went to the bakery and bought the cheese filled Pastery.
    I was first to bed.
    Woke up because of the heat again only today I'm going to try and stay awake for longer and not go back down. The sleep is really getting to me. I would love a night of uninterrupted sleep without that bird, the Koreans snoring or stupid temperature changes. Whinge whinge whinge.
    I think we are having crepes for lunch which sounds amazing.
    I'm now writing this at night and can't really remember what I did today.
    I did crash, hard. Couldn't stay awake. I've been wanting to watch ice age for a week now but even that is too taxing lol. Isn't that a sad truth lol.
    I spent a lot of the day transferring this current diary to the new app. It's very time consuming but hopefully it solves the problem.
    I'm unsure about the Netherlands chick. She is nice and friendly but for some reason we aren't clicking very well. Oh well.
    Kazakhstan left for America today but before he left he left (in assuming it was him again) another pebble on the edge of the hole -.- WHY? I check religiously to make sure my aim was accurate why don't others?!?
    Lunch was yum. I ate too much because I didn't want to waste a banana I used half of on my first crepe.
    Next memory is buying juice at the shop which everyone then drank before me and Will had any lol.
    Then we got out washing off the line.
    Then back to the shop to buy a beer to soak the onions in for our BBQ dinner. On the way kids spoke to us in English and asked my name
    -
    Oo! I remembered something!
    At lunch a kid showed us and invited the Koreans to lunch. He was told to come back later but never did. It probably offended them that they didn't come straight away.

    I had a shower and washed my hair. The floor is so dirty I stand on the edge of the bathtub to get changed.
    I chopped the onions
    Ate the most scrumptious dinner! The yogurt dip that goes with the meat is to die for!
    Oh, and the garlic butter!!!
    Then randomly Matthew and the Koreans played the violin for everyone.
    Matthew is full of surprises.
    Such a strange human that has started to make me laugh more regularly.
    No cards tonight, back to bed.
    Weiterlesen

  • Work Away

    20. Mai 2017 in Bulgarien ⋅ ⛅ 20 °C

    It's cold. Like really cold. Like my hands are on fire because they are cold.
    We had help in the fields today which was spectacular. The 3 local Romani were so friggen loud though - chat chat chat but in Italian/Greek yelling way.
    We thought we were doing a great job until they turned up (we got dropped off first then Danny went to collect them) before we had finished our first row they had done 2.
    Ninja skills.
    There was a lot more roses today though! The roses themselves were half frozen so removing them was actually more difficult.
    The 3 helpers are a mother and son and the mothers best friend. We went to an extra field today because it had started to blossom too.
    The others group met us there and we finished really quickly.
    I got a massive splinter though!
    We then went to the top field that I'm getting so over going to - well not so much going to as being put in Danny's shitty car that doesn't have seat belts and bounces you everywhere. It takes so much effort to stabilize your body movements and not go out the window. There are also branches that hang down low and make the sounds of fingers down a chalk board when ever we drive through. It's so bad I've started blocking my ears.
    I tried to jump in the other car but we had so many people that they didn't come to the top field and tried another new field.
    The 3 pickers get payed per kg.
    We asked how much and they said 1 Lev per kg.
    Talk about minimum wage...
    We wondered if they were angry with us helping them and 'stealing' their roses but turns out at the end we gave the collections from the first 2 fields to them - not the 3rd though because they would be unfair because we did work hard too.
    Today was much better I think it ended up being 38ish kgs. Each day there is more and more.
    I don't know why we couldn't have weighed the bags at home but Danny stopped on the side of the road to do it.
    We had to transport the helpers in the boot.
    No road safety here :/

    We came home and had the left over crepes for breakfast - I was disappointed, I randomly wanted porridge with banana and honey.
    We then had our daily nap until 12. Had lunch - left over from dinner yum! And then got ready to go to the top field AGAIN -.-
    Though it is my favourite field.. see problem above. D:
    We did the same as before - continue cutting the blasted trees and trying to remove roots.
    We finally got my splinter out with Danny's tweezers he carries in a holster haha
    I worked for ages on this stupid berry bush. I prefer the trees 1. Because they are most satisfying to cut down and 2. Because they are actually easier because they don't have 100 little stems - only thick ones that are easy to find and snip.
    The berries were a pain in the butt but I got there.
    Danny bought a pick axe yesterday and on the first stump he and Will snapped it in half hahaha
    Everyone has done a great job getting rid of some huge roots!
    We worked for 2 hours and are now back at the house.
    My hands were so sweaty they smelt like dead animal - the collection of old sweat in the gloves probably contributed lol.

    We waited around for a while while people had showers then we went in to separate cars to finally have our pizza night at the church.
    I shotgunned a spot with Johanna- her car has seatbelts :D
    We first went to the next town over, the other car picked up the pizza and our car got some groceries.
    Because Danny's cat is a piece of crap he didn't want to turn the car off and wait for us so he went on ahead.
    Because she had no one to follow Johanna took a wrong turn and we ended up in a different village in the wrong direction. When turning around to go back she bumped into a tree haha
    We eventually met up with the other car and arrived at the church. It was beautiful. It's normally 3/4 submerged in water but today for unknown reasons the water level was so low and we could actually enter the church. The church is the only remaining building from the village in the lake.
    We were given a pizza each to eat. It was an odd combo of ingredients - mushroom, ham and corn.
    We sat on mats and had a cute litttle picnic.
    I added yogurt to my pizza and it was great. Their yogurt is so much better than ours!!
    It's not as thick.
    After we all just walked around admiring the scenery and taking lots of photos of the setting sun. The drone made another appearance so hopefully that captured it better than my phone.
    It was time to leave and stupid Danny decided we would do some off-roading.
    We went through 2 streams and 1, what I would consider a mini river. I kept thinking about how every flood I scold the idiots on the news and I was going to be one of them...
    We did make it through - it was eventful though with a lot of nervous laughter. Johanna didn't want to drive but she had to follow Danny so we had no choice. She isn't the most confident driver but she didn't kill us and that's all that matters.
    We finally made it home after lots of unnecessary detours. I'm happy to have my feet on flat ground again.
    Will loved the church. Like, love loved it.
    It was definitely I unexpected highlight for me too

    My toenail is infected and has some puss :/ I'll have to remember to put Betadine on tomorrow - and To my fingers! I think I have left over splinter bits that are starting to swell too. I just can't tell if it's dirt or a fragment of splinter sometimes :S
    Weiterlesen

  • Work Away

    21. Mai 2017 in Bulgarien ⋅ 🌬 18 °C

    It rained pretty hard in the night. I was half hoping we wouldn't have to get up because it was too wet... but we did 😒 lol
    I'm pretty happy this new system has the option of using my emoticon keyboard 🤓😋🎉🤗
    The neighbours dog was barking all friggen night.
    It was more annoying that the bird who also made its daily appearance. Except today it was around 3am - so later than normal.
    When I got up I was happy that outside wasn't as icey as yesterday. I was fretting that it would be cold and wet and I would hate life. Nope, just wet.
    We swapped groups today so Johanna, Will, Ilse and I went to the rose field by the lake. The view makes the morning a little easier.
    I think I have a slight infection from my splinter/the hole I created in the attempt to get them out in my finger so picking with both hands was a little painful sometimes this morning. The roses were so wet though so my hands became pruney and that would have helped.
    It was so muddy. The boots Will bought were a great investment. It took a little while with only 4 of us because there were so many today!! We had to empty our collection bags several times. I think the water made it twice as heavy though. It sprinkled while we were picking but it wasn't too bad.
    I was exasperated by the fact that it seemed over 50% of the blossomed roses were in amongst the mud and not on the top, easy to reach branches 😪
    We had to wipe our shoes vigorously before getting back in the car.
    We had a trailer this morning ( don't know why) but when Johanna reversed it didn't go straight and ended up ending sideways and hitting the car lol. She is honestly such a bad driver.
    We then went to the long field (the ones we picked 2nd yesterday. Johanna had an awkward, loud disagreement with Danny on the phone about who was picking what field. Apparently Danny pampers the gypsy helpers too much haha.
    Omg the second field never seems to end. It only has 9 rows but they go on forever. Johanna was in a cranky mood so she was on fire and picked like a machine lol.
    Danny then dropped Matthew, Stacey and Johnny (Jowney) off at our field then took the gypsies to the top field for them to pick alone.
    Will and Ilse talked to each other a lot so that was good.
    We were right, she is gay. Her girlfriend is Australian.
    Stereotypes are so funny. They exists for reasons.
    In my head I've diagnosed her with polycystic ovaries - she has a fluffy chin.
    I should be a doctor.
    Once we were done we got driven back in 2 groups so we could fit in the car. I was group 1 woohoo.
    We had French toast for breakfast when we got back. Or was delicious with cinnamon sugar.
    I then went to the tent and finally watched ice age 3. Loved it.
    I got up and had a snooze in the lounge chair.
    We booked our accommodation in Veliko Tărnovo- it's more expensive that I would have liked.. but oh well. We have hardly spent any money the past 2 weeks. We got a private apartment so I'm keen about that - oh. And about having a flushing toilet.
    I've put betadine on my toe and fingers to help with the puss filled war wounds and had a shower. I'm getting over getting dressed on the side of a bath tub. The floor is too dirty to stand on 😩
    I was so hungry. It was 2:50 when we had lunch.
    Wasting away.... ok actually put on like 5 kgs cause of all the delicious food hahah
    It was pasta. Pretty eh but was happy to have something in my tummy.
    I asked Dad if the ancestry DNA results were back and they were! I'll have to check properly on the computer later because my phone doesn't show the results properly but I'm excited to have a proper look. From my quick scan it says I might be 10% from Spain/Portugal area which is kinda cool :)

    I tried to lay in the sun but the wind was too cold so I went to the tent and read a lot of my book.
    Secrets really stress me out in stories and I can't relax until everyone knows the truth ... the secrets out so I can now read in peace and is probably why I was able to read so much in the one setting -I haven't been able to do that all book. I read the first 3 books in this series with in 2 days and I've been on this book for 3 months..
    Hopefully I finish it in the next few days now. 🎉
    We got called to dinner and it tasted disgusting - I was accidentally very, very rude.
    I had a bite and it was horrid so in my brain I thought to myself "hey Will hasn't dished his up yet, I'll give him my plate so that it's not wasted"
    I had good intentions but goodness it was rude of me to take a bite and pass it on immediately in front of the cook. I wasn't thinking and I felt bad 😓
    I think she was offended but I tried to make her forget it by starting conversation.
    We talked a lot about Australian slang.
    The food was a rice, cabbage, mince meat mix. Only I HATE cabbage and the mince meat was the lowest quality I've ever had.
    Now in bed and I want to keep reading but I really should go to bed. I didn't have my second nap today hahaha

    Will has had a scab on his nose since before we left snd it's still there and it's gross. We think he scratches it in his sleep so today I'm putting a bandaid on his face :)

    Will Skyped Sachin for 1.5hours today. He spoke so loudly because a) he was wearing headphone and b) because he always does on Skype - I don't know why.. but it was embarrassing.
    I went over to tell him to shut up and had a quick chat with Sachin too. I said bye once the convo turned back to cars.
    Weiterlesen

  • Work Away

    22. Mai 2017 in Bulgarien ⋅ ⛅ 20 °C

    Was not interested In getting up this morning. I didn't sleep well at all. I heard all of my HP audiobook 😑
    I did, with 3 minutes to spare, haul ass to the car.
    We went to the lake again. We picked in silence, Everyone was cold. Johanna was on a mission and lapped us both.
    Nothing of excitement happened this morning.
    The flowers weren't very dewy this morning though.
    We then went to the next, long field the gypsies helped too woohoo! Except there was hardly any flowers today so it was really quick and we had picked both fields in 2 hours.
    One of the Gypsy helpers kept staring at me this morning and then Danny said "she likes you" " I asked why and he said because she thinks I'm pretty 🤗☺️ which made me smile. He told me she was now all embarrassed and she likes my hat (beanie) but it made the morning a little better. Compliments when they aren't social protocol are the best ones cause they are genuine :)
    We went home, walked to the bakery for a banitza (the bread with cheese in it) - it was fresh from the oven so wonderfully warm then we both went down for a nap.
    I became too hot in the tent again and lay on the grass. About 20 minutes later is when the day went to shit.
    Will came over to me with the news that Pippin was dead, the dogs attacked him too......
    Helen sent us a photo. He wasn't covered in blood but had a puncture wound bearish to his throat.
    I'm hoping he had a heart attack and died at the start of the attack. He would have been bloody terrified. I just have to remember it's over now and he is in doggy heaven with Coco.
    Shit year.
    We facetimed Helen and Jess. Apparently they found Pippin on one of the Big dogs beds. God knows what they did with him 😖😭
    Another tent has appeared in the yard but there has been no talk of a new person?
    It's not sunny today but I can feel the UV. It's full on.
    These temperatures are honestly messing with my head. I can't get comfortable for more than five minutes.
    Every night I wake up in a sweat because I go to bed so cold, snuggle in my sleeping bag which then makes me overhear, I sweat and wake up freezing cause I'm wet 😪
    Then during the day I'm freezing but the sun is warm so I try to position myself in the sun but then it become to hot so I move and become to cold. I can't go to my tent cause it's a fernus and there is no other communal space I can use because there is now 6 tents in the yard.
    Whinge whinge whinge.
    We had lunch. I think Johanna is pissy about something - she was absent.
    We have been such terrible guests and haven't washed up once. I don't really care though - we have offered several times and been told no.
    The Canadian hadn't helped once either hahah.
    The Koreans I think are partially famous in their country. 2 random Korean people drove from
    Sofia to meet them. I went to sit in the tent because it was too weird for me haha.
    We met Baba Penka again this morning. I'm going to try ship her home.
    I need to do washing but am not going to bother today. Weather is shit.
    The mosquito season has started which is pretty upsetting lol. I have a few bites already.
    We can't tell if Wills face scab has improved. He put a bandaid on for the day as well but it annoyed him so it's gone.
    We were in the tent but the sun came out and it got to hot again so I sat on a lounge chair looking at rose products/Workaway hosts and my ancestry DNA results while Will listened to terrible Aussie hip hop music.
    I'm both pleased and disappointed by my results.
    I am thrilled that Dad is official my father 🤗 and sad that I have no other surprise siblings lol
    I like that I'm mainly from Great Britain but I already knew that. Maybe I wish the percentage was smaller or mixed in with more countries.
    I'm stoked that I'm 9% from the Spain/Portugal area though. Thats super awesome. Feeling exotic.
    I'm surprised I have no Scandinavian at all because of my eyes.
    Dad got 2% Mali but I didn't. I want to be a registered African too :(
    My dream of claiming Aboriginal benefits has also been shattered today hahaha.
    I'm happy I'm more GB than Irish. I don't know why but I am.
    I sent Dad an email asking for his interpretation. Keen for his reply.
    But yeah, pumped up about the Spanish bit. I have a higher percentage than Dad meaning Mum must have some in her too? Well I think that's how it would work?
    2 new people arrived. 1 from America and 1 from Mongolia.
    They are both nice and quite confident so that's good - more dinner table chat.
    Will has been drinking so he is being a bit of a know it all so I've told him to shut up.
    He needs to wait to get a feel for people before he goes all in with his politically incorrect views.
    It doesn't help with making friends telling people they are wrong 5 minutes after you meet them. Lol
    Baba Penka came back and i asked her if she would be my grandma and I got rejected hardcore. Hahahahaha
    She said I already I already have one so I don't need another. Hahahah I love her.
    We chatted to the new people for a bit then had dinner. We had to move the table around because we are now 10 people.
    We all had Rakia shots. I MUST sleep well tonight so I finished those who didn't want half of theirs.
    I'm going to have a tea (some water) then go to bed.
    Dinner was delicious. LOVING the yogurt here. I had it with chicken and cous cous.
    I need to buy a scarf. My neck is freezing but everything else is fine.
    The feathers also keep escaping from my poofy jacket so it's getting less effective by the day 😫
    I'm currently waiting for people to finish doing the dishes (not helping again - ha) so I can have a cup of tea lol.
    We don't know how we are getting to Veliko Tărnovo on Wednesday... well by bus but we are still working our the specifics. Lol
    I don't want to get up in the morning 😒
    Weiterlesen

  • Work Away

    23. Mai 2017 in Bulgarien ⋅ 🌙 10 °C

    Will set the alarm later the morning because he is sick of me pressing snooze 5 times.
    I really need and enjoy my prep time though. 😒
    It rained in the light so the temperature was bearable.
    I've been disappointed the last few mornings - at first there was tea and coffee options but now it's just coffee. Yuck.
    The American (Mary) joined us and the Mongolian (Lilly) went with the other group.
    There was a crap tonne today at the lake but the sunrise was beautiful! The neighbours dogs wouldn't stop barking at us though and didn't seem to understand that we weren't intimidated and just kept going lol.
    I like when the roses are wet. It's fun watching the water drops all shake and fall off when you fling the branch back. The American was having a really bad morning. I saw snot fall out of her nose twice; big booger streams. How often she sniffed was annoying and ruined the tranquility but she couldn't help it lol.
    It took us ages because there were so many.
    We then got dropped off at the second field while Johanna went to pick up the others. I had a completely full sack before the end of the first row. I had more than Will though because I helped him out and picked the low ones on his side too because he is an old man and has started complaining about his back hurting when he bends.
    Nothing of great interest happened this morning either other that it got very hot and I had far too many layers on with nowhere to put them and that I've been making a conscious effort to remove the bugs from the flowers before they go in my sack to avoid as many little lives lost as possible. 🐜🕷🐞🐝🕸
    Johanna got a bee sting though and I got stung by a nettle bush which really does hurt like a bitch. Very much like a bee sting only the pain and itch lasts much longer.

    We got driven back all in the one car - including 2 in the boot and 2 in the trailer.
    Breakfast time which was eagerly anticipated and then Will and Lilly went with Danny to buy gas and pick the white rose field. Will has been given instructions to ask Danny to call the bus company but I very much doubt that he will. He always leaves that stuff up to me which annoys me because I don't like doing it either lol.
    Outcome - it for half sorted so I'm impressed.
    We at least have a lift to the bus stop lol.

    I went to have a shower before and walked in on Stacey but naked. Awkies. She apologized to me for nor closing the curtain haha. It was then nearly lunchtime so I walked down to the store to get some 7Up and Pepsi for everyone.
    I was t hungry at lunch time so I didn't eat.
    I tried having a nap, it for too hot so I joined the others with some gardening to surprise Johanna. We basically just deeweedes and disposed of the roots.
    Will woke up dripping in sweat. It was really gross lol.
    He is debating wether to have another shower or not because he has already had one today..
    Talking to the American and Holland chicks, I really like them. The conversation was easy going as we gardened away.
    6 Singaporean people have arrive in town to pick roses too for 2 days. They can't fit in the yard so they are at some campsite.they are coming over for dinner though so Will is on BBQ duties tonight.
    My toe is so sore. The infection can't get better with all this dirt around.
    We just bought our super secret rose products we have been meaning to do for days and are having them all shipped to Norfolk road :)
    Sending them to the 5 different addresses made the shipping prices ridiculous.
    Pretty excited.
    I love grazing the yard looking for ripe strawberries.
    Because I haven't had a nap today the day feels so long. It's feel like 3 or 4 hours later than it actually is.
    I'm so glad I did gardening because I really could not be bothered to help with the BBQ set up right now. Haha William.
    So I ended up helping with set up anyway - I made the garlic bread.
    The Singapore people arrived an they were classic tourists. They aren't really here to work but sight see, take photos and pick 5 roses each lol. They smuggled roses into a bag in the garden. Super Asian.
    Jowney is sick so Stacey was looking after him so our number dropped to 14 for dinner. It was still extremely crowded. We finally drank the wine Matthew brought from his last work away - it has very purple bubbles. They weren't the usual red.
    Baba Penka visited and I think I'm the favourite. We got photos together ❤️ and I told her I am going to send a postcard. She doesn't believe me but I'm going to try. I told her I have 2 babas and she laughed when I pointed at her. I gave her a hug.
    The BBQ was fab. The wine probably made everything a lot funnier but I had a great time. I really like Mary (American) I think we are quite similar.
    Me, Will and Mary probably made a miss worded xommenr much worse that it was
    The lady next to me was squished between a table and pole and she hit her head and Danny said " sorry we were expecting a smaller person"
    We 3 interpreted that as a fat comment and giggles at the unintentional hole her dug. We found out later Matt and Danny thought we were laughing at the implied racis that Asians are small.
    Amazing culturally different interpretation over 1 word.

    But it was very funny.
    I don't know if Danny likes us. I don't think he is taken by us even though we sometimes make him laugh. He is very hard to read.

    So turns out Ilse is Pan sexual not gay - what ever the crap that means and is in a 4 way relationship.
    What.
    As if anyone could be bothered.
    I can understand how it works with a dominant gender with several spouses but not 4 people on an equal playing field.
    She explained it as Bi sexual is where you like woman and men. Pan sexual is where you like people - what ever they identify as may that be nothing or a dog.
    Good gracious you are either one or the other. If you don't feel like either then pick the one you feel most like. You can't not have a gender. 😤😖
    Pan sexual
    Our bus is early tomorrow so we miss out on picking which I'm actually pretty upset about :(
    Our bus is either 8:45 or 9:45 if we miss the first one but we are being dropped off at 6:30 😕
    I missed the toilet earlier hahahahahah but had the decency to clean it unlike the person with a runny poop drop and blood . Not cool. I cleaned it when I went for a wee because I knew that if I didn't the person waiting outside to use the loo next would think it was me 😷
    Still gotta get up early tomorrow which breaks my heart. We have to pack still because there is no electricity in the big room with our bags so we can't see.. we are getting up normal time to say goodbye because I actually really like everyone.
    Only current problem is we Don't know when we can get into our apartment. Hope we don't have to wait but if we gotta then we gotta.
    Ilse wrote me a list of places to see in Netherlands on my little notes document. It's getting lots of good info added to it now - lots of places to see in lots of counties :)
    I'm so keen for a toilet and bed tomorrow!!
    Weiterlesen