The Simple Life
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Can you think of a famous Bulgarian? No, neither could we. In fact we couldn’t think of much that Bulgaria is famous for as we drove up through Greece to reach the mountain resort of Bansko for our Christmas holiday. So as we emerged into the old communist town, we didn’t really know what to expect.
We stayed in friendly hotel run by a British man and his Bulgarian wife, ‘The Avalon’. Hospitality was tiptop, showers were hot and there was a sauna in the basement. Brilliant. But aside from our hostess, Vanya, the Bulgarians we met weren’t the warmest of people. In fact it became our mission to see how many we could make smile. To add to our cultural and language barriers, we soon discovered that they nod for no and shake their heads from side to side for yes – most confusing!
A selection of Bulgarian dishes
Food was very hit and miss. Think clear soup with a few bits of floating chicken…and dry meat on skewers. The milk had that UHT / gone off kind of taste, and the bread was rock hard. So, we were very grateful for a curry night in the hotel and an Irish Bar for our Xmas Roast! On the positive side – Bulgarian wine was lovely!
Bulgaria certainly has the potential to become a popular European destination. For a start, everything was half price – if you want to ski on a budget, 
Bansko is the place to go. However, it seems like they have not escaped the current economic difficulties, which became apparent as we passed hundreds of unfinished and empty apartments surrounding the slopes. All the shops had half empty shelves and Bulgarian women stood on street corners every morning illegally selling fresh milk in old plastic Coke and Fanta bottles.
Bulgaria undoubtedly has a long way to go in terms of development, (and tastier food).
Bulgarian Band playing in local Mekhana
But it did hold a certain charm; a raw and unpretentious beauty whose people, although a little serious, are ultimately unscathed by material greed and hold strong family bonds.
It made me think; has technology and modernity driven a divide between family unity? Would a more basic way of living or a blander food make us less greedy and materialistic? Think about it; we have adverts for Sky promoting the opportunity to watch a different programme in every room of the house. This essentially divides a family rather than uniting it.
Sky Digital Multiroo..Yet, adverts promoting junk food suggest a family unity.
It seems a bit of an oxymoron to me?
As we drove back to warmer climates, my dad had a brainwave – ‘Oh, I know a famous Bulgarian – Dimitar Berbatov!’
Who? ‘He’s a footballer who was much more famous last year when he played for Tottenham!’…
‘Oh and there’s Great Uncle Bulgaria from the Wombles!’ – my mum added.
