Sunday 11th July

 



11/07/04 Day 8 (in the big brother house)


Ah! To be rested!


Free breakfast (chocolate spread). Then walking tour of Sofia. Finally a city was 'nice' to us. It being a sunday meant we got the full-service (excuse the pun) at each of the six churches we went to. Heather went mad in this crazy old market-y flea place which was selling frames of soviet and Nazi memorabilia. She ended up buying some slippers.


We had a false start for lunch, but ended up at a clean and air-conditioned fast food outlet which had a traditional (we assumed) target. Just over £1.50 each.


When he says a walking tour, finally we did one which didn't involve walking to the suburbs - firstly we went into the Sveta Nedelya Cathedral. Sunday is definitely the best day to go church visiting aswe walked in on a (I presume) catholic mass. The scent of the inscense and candles and the harmonious sound of chanting was spellbinding. No pews so everyone stood, crossing themselves but the main advantage was that you could leave whenever you wanted. The 'antirepeaal' exchange between the 'choir' and priest (dressed in white and gold) was gripping. We found lots of little churches with the same thing going on - some had rooves which were badly damaged - a shame that they couldn't be restored. Even though it was a Sunday, it was still very quiet and quite a contrast to Istanbul. But it was nice to be able to take a slower pace. There were nice squares and building but still no buzz of people. "Slippers" were actually traditional hand-made Bulgarian fest-wear. Highlight: cathedral mass &


It has been allocated to me to write about our trip up Mt Vitosha - mainly because if Heather did it, it would be full of her moaning drivel.


Catching the bus (number 25) was easy-peasy and it was pleasant seeing so at home with the Bulgarian bus system, which was a far more less hectic version of the Turkish one. The kind bus driver told us when to get off and then started the 30 minute sleg (unexpected!) to the cable car - which took about 1/2 an hour.


Unfortunately for Heather, there were two lits which meant 4 'dismounts' over the course of the day. The first: a near death experience. The second: not so bad, but a bit of a pain at first. The third: man-handelled by a large Bulgarian. The fourth: perfect. (Proud of you, girl!)


The top was lovely. Very "the hills are alive..." We noticed a decided obsession with wild clavers - the next time my mum says "what if everyone did it" I'll say " go to Bulgaria".


(Hmmm. Never link these two again memopoint: These numbers that add hieralchiky.It was brought to my attention that an important point had been missed out from today's account. As we were being hassled by a segian beggar (for the second time!) I was just thinking that if she were to learn just a few words in English (even if she were just 15th) she might get further. Well, I was put firmly in my place as we walked off after a firm "no" when she finally came out with a "money??", then, to our % retreating backs: "bastard!".


What a novel way to beg!

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