Jan 14, 2009 - New country: Bulgaria

1/14/09 Our arrival in Bulgaria was fairly unpleasant. Luckily, Fran got up early to explore other possibilities and found the Plovdiv guesthouse, located right in the heart of the old town. ... The sunny weather and cheery atmosphere in our new digs significantly perked our spirits, and we soon came to love Plovdiv. ... In addition to, you guessed it, not one but two Roman amphitheaters, the cobbled streets boasted many renovated 200-year-old homes with artwork appearing everywhere.1/14/09 Our arrival in Bulgaria was fairly unpleasant. Luckily, Fran got up early to explore other possibilities and found the Plovdiv guesthouse, located right in the heart of the old town. ... The sunny weather and cheery atmosphere in our new digs significantly perked our spirits, and we soon came to love Plovdiv. ... In addition to, you guessed it, not one but two Roman amphitheaters, the cobbled streets boasted many renovated 200-year-old homes with artwork appearing everywhere....

Sep 12, 2008 - Plovdiv, Bulgaria

September 11 Plovdiv This morning we had a private mini-bus take us to Plovdiv which took only about 2-1/2 hours and it was amazing we made it in one piece the way our driver was passing everyone on the narrow roads. ... Plovdiv is situated on the Maritsa River and was once the meeting point of two ancient transportation routes. ... A picturesque town with many parks, gardens, museums and archaeological monuments, its Old Town features many 18th and 19th century Baroque houses dating from the national revival period.September 11 Plovdiv This morning we had a private mini-bus take us to Plovdiv which took only about 2-1/2 hours and it was amazing we made it in one piece the way our driver was passing everyone on the narrow roads. ... Plovdiv is situated on the Maritsa River and was once the meeting point of two ancient transportation routes. ... A picturesque town with many parks, gardens, museums and archaeological monuments, its Old Town features many 18th and 19th century Baroque houses dating from the national revival period....

Mar 17, 2008 - Plovdiv and Krichim, Bulgaria

Tim & Andy did their Peace Corps service in Bugaria, so they were quite excited to be "home".Tim & Andy did their Peace Corps service in Bugaria, so they were quite excited to be "home"....

Aug 15, 2007 - More bits of Bulgaria

Perusing a map of Bulgaria, we found that, of the most interesting-looking places, the nearest was Plovdiv. ... Thus, having already planned to leave Sofia the following morning, we fixed on Plovdiv as our next destination. ... We met Tom at Sofia station and told him we were going to Plovdiv; evidently another used to picking destinations on the spur of the moment, he readily agreed to this. ... Bus tickets to Plovdiv were duly obtained, although we then found that there weren't any seats left and we ended up sitting on the floor for the whole journey. ... According to the directions we'd been given, the hostel was about 15 minutes' walk from the station; thanks to a combination of Plovdiv's old town resembling a labyrinth (there might very well be a monster lurking in the middle somewhere, but you'd probably never find it), the map in my guidebook (which covered the whole of eastern Europe, and thus had less detail on each place) not showing half the street names and that in Ruth's (which was specific to Bulgaria, but a few years out of date) not showing the hostel (which had only been open 18 months), it took us nearly an hour. ...

Nov 5, 2006 - Adventures in Contraband

So.

Oct 20, 2006 - Towards the Bosphorus

Super Plovdiv! Or that is what the Lonely Planet says in its opening lines about the place. ... This morning we were walking around Plovdiv, and we had a seat near a fountain just to take a break. ... Slowly, this guy starts taking pictures from afar, but steadily moving closer to us.Super Plovdiv! Or that is what the Lonely Planet says in its opening lines about the place. ... This morning we were walking around Plovdiv, and we had a seat near a fountain just to take a break. ... Slowly, this guy starts taking pictures from afar, but steadily moving closer to us....

Sep 14, 2006 - Plovdiv

Met another guy, George, on the bus who is actually Bulgarian and lives in Plovdiv. ... Before long, we came to the outskirts of Plovdiv. ... Plovdiv is definitely a teenager's town. ... Plovdiv is meant to be Bulgaria's trendy city and it is, but it doesn't say much for the rest of Bulgaria. ... Once Justine had finished at the hairdressers, went for a walk up the Hill of the Liberators that overlooks Plovdiv. ...

Jul 22, 2006 - Shop Therapy

There is perhaps no greater evidence that I was raised in a female-centric household then that when I am stressed, I shop. So I decided that today would be a good day to leave, and spend one more day in fabulous Plovdiv before heading to Varna. ... We had a bang-up farewell party for the dervish last night - he's a really sweet guy, and after meeting him and Ahmet in Athens I am starting to think that Turkey has a really funky arts scene.There is perhaps no greater evidence that I was raised in a female-centric household then that when I am stressed, I shop. So I decided that today would be a good day to leave, and spend one more day in fabulous Plovdiv before heading to Varna. ... We had a bang-up farewell party for the dervish last night - he's a really sweet guy, and after meeting him and Ahmet in Athens I am starting to think that Turkey has a really funky arts scene....

May 28, 2006 - Totally 80's in Plovdiv

Our kind cabby helps us purchase two train tickets to Plovdiv. ... Plovdiv fascinates us for several reasons: 1. ... Plovdiv is the third largest city in Bulgaria, Sophia being the first. ... Upon arrival in Plovdiv, the uneven streets in swirling cobblestone meet our feet while interesting architecture intrigues our eyes. ... It seems to be the place to see-and-be-seen in Plovdiv. ...

May 20, 2006 - crossing into Bulgaria

Tomas and I (Zshill, as the bulgarians pronounce) geer up in the morning for the much anticipated event. Tomas and Zshill are now safe and sound in Plovdiv and enjoying Bulgaria for the truly diverse and amazing country it is. ... More to come.Tomas and I (Zshill, as the bulgarians pronounce) geer up in the morning for the much anticipated event. Tomas and Zshill are now safe and sound in Plovdiv and enjoying Bulgaria for the truly diverse and amazing country it is. ... More to come....

Apr 1, 2006 - Istanbul to Plovdiv

Up early to have breakfast at 8 consisting of; fresh bread, boiled egg, black olives (that's a first for breakfast), fresh apple and orange, jams, and a cup of (strong) coffee. Arrived in Plovdiv around 6pm and found our way to the hostel. ... Amanda: In two days we have travelled from Shepherds Bush, London (heathrow), to Istanbul and an 8 hour bus to Plovdiv, Bulgaria, where I have a room to myself for the first time in 18 months!!! I survived the bus trip eating only pistachio nuts, some chips, 3 biscuits, a tea cake, a splash of Baileys, and a couple of pieces of L'artisan du chocolat chocolate. ... So my dinner of sesame breaded chicken was substantially good.Up early to have breakfast at 8 consisting of; fresh bread, boiled egg, black olives (that's a first for breakfast), fresh apple and orange, jams, and a cup of (strong) coffee. Arrived in Plovdiv around 6pm and found our way to the hostel. ... Amanda: In two days we have travelled from Shepherds Bush, London (heathrow), to Istanbul and an 8 hour bus to Plovdiv, Bulgaria, where I have a room to myself for the first time in 18 months!!! I survived the bus trip eating only pistachio nuts, some chips, 3 biscuits, a tea cake, a splash of Baileys, and a couple of pieces of L'artisan du chocolat chocolate. ... So my dinner of sesame breaded chicken was substantially good....

Aug 23, 2005 - Plovdiv

At the border between Turkey and Bulgaria everyone was told to get off the bus but we weren't told what to do. We were all meant to be going to Sofya but the three of us got off in Plovdiv. ... After finding a room we all crashed for the sleep we didn't get on the bus.At the border between Turkey and Bulgaria everyone was told to get off the bus but we weren't told what to do. We were all meant to be going to Sofya but the three of us got off in Plovdiv. ... After finding a room we all crashed for the sleep we didn't get on the bus....