A Long One...

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This is the entry that had to come before the one about the seaside... And it probably will be put before it because blogger's smart! Anyway, this one has many pictures from our 2 1/2 day trip to Plovdiv, Tryavna, and Koprivshtitsa.
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Hi again, everyone! It's been a while since my last blog entry here, so I'm going to make it a long one. There are a lot of things to talk about; of course, I won't be mentioning them in any particular (i.e. temporal) order...

#1: A mini trip around Bulgaria.
The whole idea about such a trip came from the fact that Kerry and Darren wanted to see some smaller, prettier Bulgarian towns, not to spend their entire two weeks in Sofia. We decided that we would go on a 3-day trip to Plovdiv and Koprivshtitsa as our two main stops, but we also decided to keep our options open and make several "detours" on our way from Plovdiv to Koprivshtitsa.
At first the group had to be Katya, Yoana Turnin (junior-to-be), Kerry, Darren, and me. However, Yoana's parents decided to act like responsible parents and didn't let her come in the car with the aforementioned crazy freaks. So, only 4 people were left (which is very nice for the people sitting in the back because they have more space for their bodies and spirits).
The two Canadians were waiting for Katya and me in Plovdiv. We met by the Ancient Roman Theater at 7:00 pm. We spent the night in Plovdiv, had dinner at a really good restaurant, and went to bed at about 12 a.m. (Katya and I, naturally, talked for about 1 1/2 hours and then went to sleep). The next day we headed off to Tryavna bright and early in the morning. And here is where the pics begin...
A turtle... A Tryavna turtle... There were 4 or 5 of those on a small grassy field next to a river (and in front of a house).







The famous Tryavna clocktower and a sign which forbids you to drive carts around upside down.







Darren and a view reflecting in his sunglasses.











A pretty cat which meowed around us while we had lunch.











Kerry standing on a bridge in Tryavna.












My car, my beautiful car! (which I love) It's standing in front of the Shipka monument (and there are mountains in the background)






The Shipka monument and the Lion's Butt (a feline imitation of the Horse's Butt)







Oh, we are now in Koprivshtitsa. This is a cow which unfortunately did not try to bite off the man's arm. That would have made a nice action photo.






More cows and houses, and two love birds in the middle of the picture.







Our favorite restaurant, Bulgaria. This is the outside of the building. I love the traditonal shade of Koprivshtitsa blue.







The cannon in the middle of the restaurant. It was a replica of the old cherry tree cannon that Ivan Vazov talks about in his famous novel, Under the Yoke. The cherry tree cannon was used against the Turks in 1876, but the poor dear cracked when it tried to fire a cannonball. At least the cannon in the restaurant worked nicely as a fountain.

Water splashing from the cannon.








That evening I was a vegetarian.








Darren, Kerry, and Katya trying to pick their meals.








The morning after, we sat at a cafe at the main square. This is a picture of a horse cart and a Lada that entered the square at the same time... A clash between the ages...

This is the small bell tower of a church in Koprivshtitsa.

Kableshkov's house.







Another view of the same house, this time through some green leaves.







The most famous bridge in Koprivshtitsa! That's where the famous April uprising started in 1876.







Darren, Kerry, and Katya again.








Two parrots. They were also part of the scenery at our restaurant.








Benkovski's house where my parents helped paint some of the murals.







Benkovski himself, riding his horse, looking over his favorite town. He looks kinda headless, but he's not. His head is on the other side of the monument:)






Violets and yellow-orangettes.

Lil' orange flowers up close.

I bought a horsey in Koprivshtitsa. That was my goal for the day.

Cheese and French fries up close.








Mmmm... Hot peppers (not so hot)








Shumensko - beer and reflections.








The four of us (half-asleep, half-crazy)... only half?

Yes, those were the pictures from the trip. We had a wonderful time! It was freaky, crazy, and amazing!

#2. I got my VISA for the UK! All my documents are in order now.. All I've got to do is pack my bags, and off I go!

#3. I also cleaned my room! Pictures will come later. I mean, you should really see the photos! RIP blue mushy raspberries... RIP tons of useless stuff...