Red Corner: Party like a Bulgarian

by Neil Woodburn on

Even when I visited Varna, Bulgaria in 1991, less than two years after communism fell, the town was a lot of fun.

Situated on the Black Sea, the resort town was a popular vacation spot during the Cold War for those living on the other side of the Iron Curtain. Its popularity quickly faded with the opening of the border, however, as locals began exploring the rest of Europe and leaving the Black Sea coastline to those who couldn’t afford to go anywhere else.

Well, according to an article by Adrian Mourby of The Independent, Varna has returned to the spotlight and is now gaining popularity as a raging party town. “I’ve never met a people with such a zest for life,” Mourby writes. Sure, 70 cent beers probably influenced his perception of the locals a wee bit, but I’m still going to take his word for it and possibly return one of these days.

Golf Bulgaria!

by Iva Skoch on

Today’s NY Times ran an article on a new set of real estate developments in Bulgaria that mix new, modern real estate developments and golf courses.

This news, in conjunction with recent news that Bulgaria has its date set to become a new EU member, may mean heady times for the former Soviet country. Course design notables, such as Gary Player and Jack Nicklaus, are involved in the courses noted in the article. The country is scheduled to go from its current count of three courses to nine in rapid time.

Golf as a pastime has really taken off in many areas of the former Eastern Bloc. Immediately following the collapse of communism, it was low on people’s list of favorite sports in many areas because it was seen, like hunting, as a sport for the Bolsheviks. And communists themselves–at least officially–had frowned on it as “bourgeois.” During communism, many courses were left fallow or even destroyed. While popularity is now skyrocketing, the sport is retaining an elitist feel in most of Europe; and most courses are private, requiring at least a handicap card to play as an outsider.

Red Corner: Expats in Bulgaria

by Neil Woodburn on

Living abroad is always full of challenges. Simply deciphering what type of milk to buy in the store can be a lesson in frustration when you don’t speak the language and have no way of telling the skim milk from the baby milk.

There was a time where the only resources available to help out were the local embassy personnel, and they’re never that friendly; especially if you have questions about milk.

So, it’s very refreshing to learn that, like everything else in life, the internet is here to help out.

Those of you planning on moving to Bulgaria anywhere in the near future, for example, will be happy to learn that a great site is up and running and ready to make your transition a little more smooth.

Expatinbulgaria.com is divided into four convenient categories: Business & Employment, Real Estate, Travel, and Lifestyle & Entertainment. There are also areas to meet other expats, and a forum to gripe and complain about the things you miss from home. The cheesiest section is “Expat of the Week” where you get to learn a little bit about those with whom you’ll be sharing the expat experience.

Love it or hate it, I wish I had access to such information before moving to Prague a number of years ago.

Word for the Travel Wise (08/16/06)

by Adrienne Wilson on

Isn’t it funny how we take so much for granted until we’re in a place lacking the modern conveniences we’re so very accustomed to? Looking at the picture included with today’s word from Lonely Planet’s online guide to Bulgaria made me think about the well-built bridges here in the U.S. Not to say that all are well-built, but I don’t know if you could get me to cross this eco-path located in the Negovanka Canyon of Bulgaria. The ‘most’ or bridge, made of only wood and stone looks pretty high from what I can tell and not as stable as I would like. Would you cross it?

Today’s word is a Bulgarian word used in Bulgaria:


most – bridge

The Bulgarian lang falls into the Southern branch of Slavic languages and is closely related to Macedonian. It is the official lingo of Bulgaria and can also be heard in parts of Greece, Turkey, Romania, and Serbia to name only a few. To continue learning Bulgarian online head to BBC for the QuickFix with audio for the most common travelers phrases. EasyBulgarian online offers guides and nine lessons that help beginners learn the alphabet, correct pronunciation in addition to dialog from native Bulgarian speakers. Find a Bulgarian pal online to help with conversation at My language Exchange or pick up an Eastern European LP phrasebook for the road.

Past Bulgarian words: mózhé bí

Word for the Travel Wise (07/10/06)

by Adrienne Wilson on

In my younger years I wasn’t the type of gal easily wooed by a bouquet of beautiful flowers. I always thought, why chop something from it’s roots to tickle my fancy and brighten my home for a short amount of time. Don’t get me wrong, flowers are nice and I’ll kindly accept them as a gift, but it’s not really my sort of thing. However, I can spend hours on end in fields of colorful blooms and blossoms where they are probably happiest. Anyhow, to tie this in with our word of the day or at least the country of choice I picked Bulgaria because of its Valley of the Roses tourist site. According to their tourism bureau going to Bulgaria and not seeing the Valley of the Roses is like going to Egypt and not witnessing the pyramids. In other words it’s a big no-no.

Today’s word is a Bulgarian word used in Bulgaria:

mózhé bí – maybe

The Bulgarian lang falls into the Southern branch of Slavic languages and is closely related to Macedonian. It is the official lingo of Bulgaria and can also be heard in parts of Greece, Turkey, Romania, and Serbia to name only a few. To continue learning Bulgarian online head to BBC for the QuickFix with audio for the most common travelers phrases. EasyBulgarian online offers guides and nine lessons that help beginners learn the alphabet, correct pronunciation in addition to dialog from native Bulgarian speakers. Find a Bulgarian pal online to help with conversation at My language Exchange or pick up an Eastern European LP phrasebook for the road.