We have had our first visitors from the UK this month. My Mum, Jenny, and my step-dad Alan came to see us. We’re not really ready for visitors to stay, so we booked them into a little hotel in Popovo for their three day stay.
We were both quite nervous about our first guests; how would they see Bulgaria, and what would they think of where we live and our plans for the future? In the end we needn’t have worried, Mum and Alan say they had a lovely stay, found Bulgaria to be charming, our house ‘ramshackle’ and our plans sound, and are both looking forward to returning next year.
On their first night our Bulgarian neighbour, Maria, insisted that they should experience some proper Bulgarian home cooking, and she brought round a banitsa, bean stew and shopska salad, and a bottle of Dobri’s home-brewed wine. They were all delicious, and gave Mum and Alan a great taste of Bulgaria.
We had a lovely visit to the Rock Monastery at Ivanovo, where we got the full tour from our guide who had learned his English while working in Liverpool as a Pizza delivery man. We had time afterwards for a scramble round the impressive ruins at Cherven, where we spent an afternoon bothering sunbathing lizards, and trying to piece together the ruins of the village and fortress.
I was too tired to cook after all that driving, so we went into Popovo for a meal at Evita’s, a popular restaurant, where we had some great food, really well cooked and tasty, but very erratic service, which seems to be a feature of Bulgarian restaurants. You just have to go with the flow, and not get too British about everything arriving when it should. It all gets there in the end! Three-course meal for four, two bottles of wine, beers and rakias all round and coffee to finish, £30 all in!
The next day was pretty miserable, so we visited Popovo church and did a short tour of the town, including our favourite cake shop! In the afternoon Julie and Mum took advantage of brief lulls in the weather to plant our garlic in Julie’s newly-dug beds, and Julie introduced Mum to the Bulgarian pastime of sitting on the Baba-bench out the front of the house, watching the world go by, while I prepared our evening meal.
On Sunday we had to get them to the station for a morning train, and were surprised to find cafes and the market open in the morning, so we had breakfast in the town before dropping them off at the station.
They seem to have enjoyed their visit. Fog was a star, keeping us all entertained with his antics, and he even seems to be enjoying the cat-flap that Mum brought with her.
All in all, a successful visit, much to our relief, and we look forward to having more visits from our friends and family next year!
That is so great! I’m glad your family came to visit. 🙂
Looks like all had a great time !!! weather still looks quite warm …Liked the sound of that meal !!!!!
Bet that lifted your spirits! Your descriptions of places to visit and that delicious sounding meal are so enjoyable. I really look forward to reading the next ‘installment’. It’s interesting to get another take on what you are doing as well, but it sounds like the warmth and friendliness of the local people more than make up for any material things you may lack. Makes you wonder what we are all about in the West doesn’t it?
Your guide’s version of learning in English tickled me (coming from Liverpool) Did he speak with a Scouse accent? :~)