Blog 128

Somehow everyday I think my nose has got pretty severe frost bite and the next time I see my nose will be blackened and disconnected from my face. However it does still seem to be hanging in there. Bulgaria is cold! This isn't necessarily a bad thing because it means we see a sight and then head to the nearest cafe for a hot chocolate to warm up.

Back to the same hostel that we came to stay in 3 years ago with the same amazingly friendly staff and atmosphere, but this time with a Canadian and Portuguese friend from the nights travel from Istanbul.

On being sat down by the hostel staff and being told about a free food tour of Bulgarian food, it didn't take us all long to decide we'd have a quick shower and head straight out for a free breakfast/lunch tour. First stop... A gorgeous little soup kitchen where we had a cold yoghurt soup. Not the best choice on a cold winters day, but it stopped the hunger pangs. Bryn needed some more soupage so headed back in and ordered what he thought was soup, but actually turned out to be pig intestines. One spat out mouthful was enough for this 'once upon a time' vegetarian taste buds!

Second stop... an underground bakery specialising in Bulgarian pastry called banitsa. The story goes that families serve this on new years eve and those who finish their piece of feta pastry tasty goodness, get good luck for the year to come. It wasn't new year but if it was, it would be good luck all round. Delicious stuff!

Other foodie highlights were: Wormwood wine, luitanitsa slavered on the rye bread and a final drink of hot chocolate/wine with Maiya and Fabio, before heading back to the hostel for dinner and an early night after just a few hours sleep on the night buses and train last night.

Another walking tour the following day, but this time to see the sights instead of the cafes.

Bulgarian road trip starts tomorrow!

Love Jo x