Sofia: small travelbook of a short Journey

 

The way to the Capital

Tuesday, the 22nd of August.
At the border.
Around 5pm.

Europe! We are now in Bulgaria, just after the border. Waiting for a car to take us (sorry, it is always the same story, we know…!). There are so many vehicles everywhere. Nevertheless, they are all full because a lot of families are going back from Turkey to Germany. Desperate hitchhikers: we are. But our patience is rewarded: a Turkish guy, alone in his car, stops. Finally! He takes us to Haskovo (85 km further).

Tuesday, the 22nd of August.
Haskovo. 

Around 6pm.

Our driver just left us close to Haskovo… but we are directly ON THE HIGHWAY! We imagine what our parents would say if they would see us right now, trying to stop cars which are driving at the speed of 100 km/h (at least). Hum… But we can't do better right know. Fortunately for our life expectancy, a nice couple coming from Haskovo saves us: before fully turning on the highway they stop and take us to Sofia, where they are living together!

 

Tuesday, the 22nd of August.

Sofia!
Around 8:30pm.

We are in Sofia! Our day was a long one. Angelina just left us at the metro station, giving us two tickets for the subway. We feel very luck to have found them on the road! Now, let's find the way to our Couchsurfer's place: Ivo is waiting for us!

One day in Sofia

Orthodox Church of Sofia

Wednesday, the 23rd of August.
Palace of Justice.
Around 11am.

After a good night, we go to the center to walk around. But on our way, we cross a group of the Free Sofia Tour and we decide to join spontaneously. And actually, it is worth it! Our guide is very enthusiast and very interesting. He shows us places in  downtown Sofia, talkes about Sofia's history and shares anecdotes about places.

Sofia's Mosque and Roman ruins

He insists a lot about two things: 

• the communist heritage
• the peaceful coexistence of four religions (Judaism, Islam, Catholic and Orthodox Christianity)

It is nice to have an interactive visit of the city. That's why we have a really good time and we learn a lot!

Map of the Free Sofia Tour!

Wednesday, the 23rd of August.
Market area.
Around 2pm.

After the tour, we walk around to appreciate a bit more the architecture of the buildings. We finally end up at the indoor market, where we decide to buy food. Yummy!
It is nice to have a good lunch outside with a nice weather in a nice city! Even if it is very weird for us to be back in Europe, we have to confess that we still enjoy a lot our time of traveling… especially in thess simple moments!
We continue our walk, go the women market, where you can find food, local products and handicrafts and go back home to chill a bit before the evening. 

Sofia's buildings

A bunch of Couchsurfers

Wednesday, the 23rd of August.
Close to Nadezhda Station.
Around 5pm.

We are back at Ivo's place for a few hours.
We didn't tell you about him yet, but we have to! Indeed Ivo is very hospitable and helpful even if he has to work. Yesterday, he welcomed us warmly and efficiently: he gave us a room, the wifi password and the keys of his flat, telling us to feel at home! And we kind of do, despite the communist atmosphere of the old apartment!
Ivo works as a mechanist in Sofia but his family lives in the country sides, where actually his real home is. However, in the Capital, he likes to meet people – that's why he is quite active on Couchsurfing.


Wednesday, the 23rd of August.
Halbite 3.
Around 8pm.

We are in the bar Halbite 3, with Ivo, one of his friends… and a lot of Couchsurfers! Indeed, it is a Couchsurfing event, organized by hosts and travelers. Ivo has to talk with his friend and we meet the other people. It is very nice to know what travelers do and where they go, and how hosts are involved in the Couchsurfing life! We talk a lot about Auroville – a lot of persons are really interested, like Zoltan who asks us a lot of questions! And we are of course very happy to answer, so as to share as good as possible our Aurovillian experience. 

Leaving... with difficulties!

Thursday, the 24th of August.
Close to Slivnitsa Station.
Around 10:30am.

We are standing outside of Sofia. It is actually the best spot ever for starting to hitchhike. Seriously. Nevertheless we don't know why, but nobody wants to take us! We wait and smile, smile and wait, but it doesn't work… But after quite a long time (more than one hour) a dance teacher who is working in Moldavia stops and takes us. It is very interesting to meet him: he talks about his wife's job - she is working for the European Union, on the conflicts between Moldavia and Russia - and about his own job – he tries to develop social interactions and social sharing through dancing.


Thursday, the 24th of August.
Petrol station in Dragoman.
Around 4pm.

Another driver left us two hours ago in the middle of nowhere. Nowhere is called Dragoman. We are at a petrol station, again smiling and waiting, waiting and smiling. But all the cars are full. Or they don't stop. Even for Hannah, blond, white, smiling young woman ("perfect innocent hitchhiker"... *hum*), alone on the side of the road, nobody stops. What to do, what to do? We are waiting for hours now, even if the border is not far away at all (less than 20km!).
Suddenly, we hear the horn of a bus. Yes: a bus! The drivers beckons us to come! Hallelujah! We run towards him and get on the bus. The guy comes from Germany and ownes a Dirving School in Nürnberg - they city where Hannah lived before she came to Auroville. But during the Summer he likes to travel by himself in Europe and uses a whole bus as a caravan! 

In the caravan-bus, before the border.

We enjoy the last kilometers with him, through the green landscape of Bulgaria. And soon, we see the border. Finally!

Serbia, we are coming!