Yesterday, Friday, was a 9 hour adventure. We were on buses at 8:30 driving to Veliko Tărnovo through Bulgaria's rich farmland. They are 85% self sufficient. Most everything grows well in these flat fields. Many have vineyards in front of their homes. melons and rose oil are exported. Their main industry is a car factory in the southern part of the country and tourism. There was almost no traffic on the rural, rough roads. People would wave at the bus as we passed, like we used to wave at a train going by,

We were coming back around 6:00 and saw cows and goats being herded in. Our guide said there we so many dogs wandering around because most Bulgarians do not spay their dogs.

There is a real brain drain as well educated people can make more money elsewhere..there are 2 colleges in this town. Some students built the airplane pictured on the left to celebrate the event of flight. They feel a Bulgarian flew before the Wright Brothers. The monument on the right celebrates freedom.