(5344,1,'2011-07-28 03:01:09','2011-07-28 01:01:09','I don\'t really miss driving in Bulgaria. The streets are horrible. Traffic is a mess. Drivers are unpredictable at best and at their worst--crazy, crazy, crazy.\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_5338\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Red Car!\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-5338\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=5338\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-5338 \" title=\"Red Car!\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/IMG_9043-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nThen I came home to the States and found myself driving again. The streets are wide and pot-hole free. People park in designated parking spots and follow traffic laws. It\'s pretty great driving.\n\nIn fact, I\'ve loved driving around town.\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_5339\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Me in the driver&#39;s seat\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-5339\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=5339\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-5339 \" title=\"Me in the driver\'s seat\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/IMG_9047-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nMy uncle B. loves cars. At lot. He\'s owned this convertible as long as I can remember. It\'s beautiful. Until this trip I\'d only ever ridden in the backseat or the passenger seat.\n\nNow here I am in the driver\'s seat. This is a fun, fun car to drive. It\'s kind of a boat and I think it might be my uncle\'s baby so I was little afraid to drive it but let me tell you get a little wind in your hair and all of your worries fly out the window.\n\nOh and I had no idea how many people would wave at me while I was driving down the street. That\'s really wonderful. It brings you joy and other people joy as well. I\'ve never had so many people wave at me before.\n\nPlease note that I do not think that the pretty red car pictured above is a T-Bird but I have no idea what it is aside from a red convertible with a white interior. I just really like the Beach Boys song which is why I titled this post \"She\'ll have fun fun fun \'til her daddy takes the T-Bird away.\"','She\'ll have fun fun fun \'til her daddy takes the T-Bird away','','inherit','open','open','','5337-revision-5','','','2011-07-28 03:01:09','2011-07-28 01:01:09','',5337,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/07/28/5337-revision-5/',0,'revision','',0),(5345,1,'2011-07-28 03:05:26','2011-07-28 01:05:26','I don\'t really miss driving in Bulgaria. The streets are horrible. Traffic is a mess. Drivers are unpredictable at best and at their worst--crazy, crazy, crazy.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_5338\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Red Car!\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-5338\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=5338\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-5338 \" title=\"Red Car!\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/IMG_9043-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nThen I came home to the States and found myself driving again. The streets are wide and pot-hole free. People park in designated parking spots and follow traffic laws. It\'s pretty great driving.\r\n\r\nIn fact, I\'ve loved driving around town.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_5339\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Me in the driver&#39;s seat\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-5339\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=5339\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-5339 \" title=\"Me in the driver\'s seat\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/IMG_9047-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nMy uncle B. loves cars. At lot. He\'s owned this convertible as long as I can remember. It\'s beautiful. Until this trip I\'d only ever ridden in the backseat or the passenger seat.\r\n\r\nNow here I am in the driver\'s seat.\r\n\r\nThis is a fun, fun car to drive. It drives kind of like a boat and I think it might be my uncle\'s baby so I was little afraid to drive it but let me tell you, when you get a little wind in your hair and all of your worries fly out the window.\r\n\r\nDriving in this car is even more fun than my mom\'s car. Go figure.\r\n\r\nBut what really makes this car is how many people wave at you while driving. Let me tell you, lots of people gave me the head nod, the wave and plenty of smiles while I was driving down the street. That\'s really wonderful. It brings you joy and other people joy as well. I\'ve never had so many people wave at me before just because I was in a car.\r\n\r\nPS: Please note that I do not think that the pretty red car pictured above is a T-Bird but I have no idea what it is aside from a red convertible with a white interior. I just really like the Beach Boys song which is why I titled this post \"She\'ll have fun fun fun \'til her daddy takes the T-Bird away.\"','She\'ll have fun fun fun \'til her daddy takes the T-Bird away','','inherit','open','open','','5337-revision-6','','','2011-07-28 03:05:26','2011-07-28 01:05:26','',5337,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/07/28/5337-revision-6/',0,'revision','',0),(5346,1,'2011-07-28 03:05:26','2011-07-28 01:05:26','I don\'t really miss driving in Bulgaria. The streets are horrible. Traffic is a mess. Drivers are unpredictable at best and at their worst--crazy, crazy, crazy.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_5338\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Red Car!\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-5338\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=5338\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-5338 \" title=\"Red Car!\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/IMG_9043-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nThen I came home to the States and found myself driving again. The streets are wide and pot-hole free. People park in designated parking spots and follow traffic laws. It\'s pretty great driving.\r\n\r\nIn fact, I\'ve loved driving around town.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_5339\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Me in the driver&#39;s seat\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-5339\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=5339\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-5339 \" title=\"Me in the driver\'s seat\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/IMG_9047-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nMy uncle B. loves cars. At lot. He\'s owned this convertible as long as I can remember. It\'s beautiful. Until this trip I\'d only ever ridden in the backseat or the passenger seat.\r\n\r\nNow here I am in the driver\'s seat.\r\n\r\nThis is a fun, fun car to drive. It drives kind of like a boat and I think it might be my uncle\'s baby so I was little afraid to drive it but let me tell you, when you get a little wind in your hair and all of your worries fly out the window.\r\n\r\nDriving in this car is even more fun than my mom\'s car. Go figure.\r\n\r\nBut what really makes this car is how many people wave at you while driving. Let me tell you, lots of people gave me the head nod, the wave and plenty of smiles while I was driving down the street. That\'s really wonderful. It brings you joy and other people joy as well. I\'ve never had so many people wave at me before just because I was in a car.\r\n\r\nPS: Please note that I do not think that the pretty red car pictured above is a T-Bird but I have no idea what it is aside from a red convertible with a white interior. I just really like the Beach Boys song which is why I titled this post \"She\'ll have fun fun fun \'til her daddy takes the T-Bird away.\"','She\'ll have fun fun fun \'til her daddy takes the T-Bird away','','inherit','open','open','','5337-revision-7','','','2011-07-28 03:05:26','2011-07-28 01:05:26','',5337,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/07/28/5337-revision-7/',0,'revision','',0),(5347,1,'2011-07-28 03:05:28','2011-07-28 01:05:28','I don\'t really miss driving in Bulgaria. The streets are horrible. Traffic is a mess. Drivers are unpredictable at best and at their worst--crazy, crazy, crazy.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_5338\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Red Car!\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-5338\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=5338\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-5338 \" title=\"Red Car!\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/IMG_9043-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nThen I came home to the States and found myself driving again. The streets are wide and pot-hole free. People park in designated parking spots and follow traffic laws. It\'s pretty great driving.\r\n\r\nIn fact, I\'ve loved driving around town.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_5339\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Me in the driver&#39;s seat\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-5339\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=5339\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-5339 \" title=\"Me in the driver\'s seat\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/IMG_9047-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nMy uncle B. loves cars. At lot. He\'s owned this convertible as long as I can remember. It\'s beautiful. Until this trip I\'d only ever ridden in the backseat or the passenger seat.\r\n\r\nNow here I am in the driver\'s seat.\r\n\r\nThis is a fun, fun car to drive. It drives kind of like a boat and I think it might be my uncle\'s baby so I was little afraid to drive it but let me tell you, when you get a little wind in your hair and all of your worries fly out the window.\r\n\r\nDriving in this car is even more fun than my mom\'s car. Go figure.\r\n\r\nBut what really makes this car is how many people wave at you while driving. Let me tell you, lots of people gave me the head nod, the wave and plenty of smiles while I was driving down the street. That\'s really wonderful. It brings you joy and other people joy as well. I\'ve never had so many people wave at me before just because I was in a car.\r\n\r\nPS: Please note that I do not think that the pretty red car pictured above is a T-Bird but I have no idea what it is aside from a red convertible with a white interior. I just really like the Beach Boys song which is why I titled this post \"She\'ll have fun fun fun \'til her daddy takes the T-Bird away.\"','She\'ll have fun fun fun \'til her daddy takes the T-Bird away','','inherit','open','open','','5337-revision-8','','','2011-07-28 03:05:28','2011-07-28 01:05:28','',5337,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/07/28/5337-revision-8/',0,'revision','',0),(5348,1,'2011-07-28 03:07:40','2011-07-28 01:07:40','','I\'m driving! ','I\'m driving! ','inherit','open','open','','img_9052','','','2011-07-28 03:07:40','2011-07-28 01:07:40','',5337,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/IMG_9052.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(5349,1,'2011-07-28 03:05:28','2011-07-28 01:05:28','I don\'t really miss driving in Bulgaria. The streets are horrible. Traffic is a mess. Drivers are unpredictable at best and at their worst--crazy, crazy, crazy.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_5338\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Red Car!\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-5338\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=5338\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-5338 \" title=\"Red Car!\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/IMG_9043-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nThen I came home to the States and found myself driving again. The streets are wide and pot-hole free. People park in designated parking spots and follow traffic laws. It\'s pretty great driving.\r\n\r\nIn fact, I\'ve loved driving around town.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_5339\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Me in the driver&#39;s seat\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-5339\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=5339\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-5339 \" title=\"Me in the driver\'s seat\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/IMG_9047-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nMy uncle B. loves cars. At lot. He\'s owned this convertible as long as I can remember. It\'s beautiful. Until this trip I\'d only ever ridden in the backseat or the passenger seat.\r\n\r\nNow here I am in the driver\'s seat.\r\n\r\nThis is a fun, fun car to drive. It drives kind of like a boat and I think it might be my uncle\'s baby so I was little afraid to drive it but let me tell you, when you get a little wind in your hair and all of your worries fly out the window.\r\n\r\nDriving in this car is even more fun than my mom\'s car. Go figure.\r\n\r\nBut what really makes this car is how many people wave at you while driving. Let me tell you, lots of people gave me the head nod, the wave and plenty of smiles while I was driving down the street. That\'s really wonderful. It brings you joy and other people joy as well. I\'ve never had so many people wave at me before just because I was in a car.\r\n\r\nPS: Please note that I do not think that the pretty red car pictured above is a T-Bird but I have no idea what it is aside from a red convertible with a white interior. I just really like the Beach Boys song which is why I titled this post \"She\'ll have fun fun fun \'til her daddy takes the T-Bird away.\"','She\'ll have fun fun fun \'til her daddy takes the T-Bird away','','inherit','open','open','','5337-revision-9','','','2011-07-28 03:05:28','2011-07-28 01:05:28','',5337,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/07/28/5337-revision-9/',0,'revision','',0),(5350,1,'2011-07-28 03:08:19','2011-07-28 01:08:19','I don\'t really miss driving in Bulgaria. The streets are horrible. Traffic is a mess. Drivers are unpredictable at best and at their worst--crazy, crazy, crazy.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_5338\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Red Car!\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-5338\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=5338\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-5338 \" title=\"Red Car!\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/IMG_9043-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nThen I came home to the States and found myself driving again. The streets are wide and pot-hole free. People park in designated parking spots and follow traffic laws. It\'s pretty great driving.\r\n\r\nIn fact, I\'ve loved driving around town.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_5339\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Me in the driver&#39;s seat\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-5339\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=5339\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-5339 \" title=\"Me in the driver\'s seat\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/IMG_9047-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nMy uncle B. loves cars. At lot. He\'s owned this convertible as long as I can remember. It\'s beautiful. Until this trip I\'d only ever ridden in the backseat or the passenger seat.\r\n\r\nNow here I am in the driver\'s seat.\r\n\r\nThis is a fun, fun car to drive. It drives kind of like a boat and I think it might be my uncle\'s baby so I was little afraid to drive it but let me tell you, when you get a little wind in your hair and all of your worries fly out the window.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_5348\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"1024\" caption=\"I&#39;m driving! \"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-5348\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=5348\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-5348\" title=\"I\'m driving! \" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/IMG_9052-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nDriving in this car is even more fun than my mom\'s car. Go figure.\r\n\r\nBut what really makes this car is how many people wave at you while driving. Let me tell you, lots of people gave me the head nod, the wave and plenty of smiles while I was driving down the street. That\'s really wonderful. It brings you joy and other people joy as well. I\'ve never had so many people wave at me before just because I was in a car.\r\n\r\nPS: Please note that I do not think that the pretty red car pictured above is a T-Bird but I have no idea what it is aside from a red convertible with a white interior. I just really like the Beach Boys song which is why I titled this post \"She\'ll have fun fun fun \'til her daddy takes the T-Bird away.\"','She\'ll have fun fun fun \'til her daddy takes the T-Bird away','','inherit','open','open','','5337-revision-10','','','2011-07-28 03:08:19','2011-07-28 01:08:19','',5337,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/07/28/5337-revision-10/',0,'revision','',0),(5351,1,'2011-07-28 03:08:19','2011-07-28 01:08:19','I don\'t really miss driving in Bulgaria. The streets are horrible. Traffic is a mess. Drivers are unpredictable at best and at their worst--crazy, crazy, crazy.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_5338\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Red Car!\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-5338\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=5338\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-5338 \" title=\"Red Car!\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/IMG_9043-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nThen I came home to the States and found myself driving again. The streets are wide and pot-hole free. People park in designated parking spots and follow traffic laws. It\'s pretty great driving.\r\n\r\nIn fact, I\'ve loved driving around town.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_5339\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Me in the driver&#39;s seat\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-5339\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=5339\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-5339 \" title=\"Me in the driver\'s seat\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/IMG_9047-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nMy uncle B. loves cars. At lot. He\'s owned this convertible as long as I can remember. It\'s beautiful. Until this trip I\'d only ever ridden in the backseat or the passenger seat.\r\n\r\nNow here I am in the driver\'s seat.\r\n\r\nThis is a fun, fun car to drive. It drives kind of like a boat and I think it might be my uncle\'s baby so I was little afraid to drive it but let me tell you, when you get a little wind in your hair and all of your worries fly out the window.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_5348\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"1024\" caption=\"I&#39;m driving! \"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-5348\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=5348\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-5348\" title=\"I\'m driving! \" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/IMG_9052-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nDriving in this car is even more fun than my mom\'s car. Go figure.\r\n\r\nBut what really makes this car is how many people wave at you while driving. Let me tell you, lots of people gave me the head nod, the wave and plenty of smiles while I was driving down the street. That\'s really wonderful. It brings you joy and other people joy as well. I\'ve never had so many people wave at me before just because I was in a car.\r\n\r\nPS: Please note that I do not think that the pretty red car pictured above is a T-Bird but I have no idea what it is aside from a red convertible with a white interior. I just really like the Beach Boys song which is why I titled this post \"She\'ll have fun fun fun \'til her daddy takes the T-Bird away.\"','She\'ll have fun fun fun \'til her daddy takes the T-Bird away','','inherit','open','open','','5337-revision-11','','','2011-07-28 03:08:19','2011-07-28 01:08:19','',5337,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/07/28/5337-revision-11/',0,'revision','',0),(5352,1,'2011-07-28 03:08:52','2011-07-28 01:08:52','I don\'t really miss driving in Bulgaria. The streets are horrible. Traffic is a mess. Drivers are unpredictable at best and at their worst--crazy, crazy, crazy.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_5338\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Red Car!\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-5338\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=5338\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-5338 \" title=\"Red Car!\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/IMG_9043-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nThen I came home to the States and found myself driving again. The streets are wide and pot-hole free. People park in designated parking spots and follow traffic laws. It\'s pretty great driving.\r\n\r\nIn fact, I\'ve loved driving around town.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_5339\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Me in the driver&#39;s seat\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-5339\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=5339\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-5339 \" title=\"Me in the driver\'s seat\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/IMG_9047-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nMy uncle B. loves cars. At lot. He\'s owned this convertible as long as I can remember. It\'s beautiful. Until this trip I\'d only ever ridden in the backseat or the passenger seat.\r\n\r\nNow here I am in the driver\'s seat.\r\n\r\nThis is a fun, fun car to drive. It drives kind of like a boat and I think it might be my uncle\'s baby so I was little afraid to drive it but let me tell you, when you get a little wind in your hair and all of your worries fly out the window.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_5348\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"I&#39;m driving! \"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-5348\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=5348\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-5348 \" title=\"I\'m driving! \" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/IMG_9052-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nDriving in this car is even more fun than my mom\'s car. Go figure.\r\n\r\nBut what really makes this car is how many people wave at you while driving. Let me tell you, lots of people gave me the head nod, the wave and plenty of smiles while I was driving down the street. That\'s really wonderful. It brings you joy and other people joy as well. I\'ve never had so many people wave at me before just because I was in a car.\r\n\r\nPS: Please note that I do not think that the pretty red car pictured above is a T-Bird but I have no idea what it is aside from a red convertible with a white interior. I just really like the Beach Boys song which is why I titled this post \"She\'ll have fun fun fun \'til her daddy takes the T-Bird away.\"','She\'ll have fun fun fun \'til her daddy takes the T-Bird away','','inherit','open','open','','5337-revision-12','','','2011-07-28 03:08:52','2011-07-28 01:08:52','',5337,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/07/28/5337-revision-12/',0,'revision','',0),(5353,1,'2011-07-28 03:08:52','2011-07-28 01:08:52','I don\'t really miss driving in Bulgaria. The streets are horrible. Traffic is a mess. Drivers are unpredictable at best and at their worst--crazy, crazy, crazy.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_5338\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Red Car!\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-5338\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=5338\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-5338 \" title=\"Red Car!\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/IMG_9043-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nThen I came home to the States and found myself driving again. The streets are wide and pot-hole free. People park in designated parking spots and follow traffic laws. It\'s pretty great driving.\r\n\r\nIn fact, I\'ve loved driving around town.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_5339\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Me in the driver&#39;s seat\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-5339\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=5339\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-5339 \" title=\"Me in the driver\'s seat\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/IMG_9047-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nMy uncle B. loves cars. At lot. He\'s owned this convertible as long as I can remember. It\'s beautiful. Until this trip I\'d only ever ridden in the backseat or the passenger seat.\r\n\r\nNow here I am in the driver\'s seat.\r\n\r\nThis is a fun, fun car to drive. It drives kind of like a boat and I think it might be my uncle\'s baby so I was little afraid to drive it but let me tell you, when you get a little wind in your hair and all of your worries fly out the window.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_5348\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"I&#39;m driving! \"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-5348\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=5348\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-5348 \" title=\"I\'m driving! \" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/IMG_9052-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nDriving in this car is even more fun than my mom\'s car. Go figure.\r\n\r\nBut what really makes this car is how many people wave at you while driving. Let me tell you, lots of people gave me the head nod, the wave and plenty of smiles while I was driving down the street. That\'s really wonderful. It brings you joy and other people joy as well. I\'ve never had so many people wave at me before just because I was in a car.\r\n\r\nPS: Please note that I do not think that the pretty red car pictured above is a T-Bird but I have no idea what it is aside from a red convertible with a white interior. I just really like the Beach Boys song which is why I titled this post \"She\'ll have fun fun fun \'til her daddy takes the T-Bird away.\"','She\'ll have fun fun fun \'til her daddy takes the T-Bird away','','inherit','open','open','','5337-revision-13','','','2011-07-28 03:08:52','2011-07-28 01:08:52','',5337,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/07/28/5337-revision-13/',0,'revision','',0),(5354,1,'2011-07-28 03:09:43','2011-07-28 01:09:43','I don\'t really miss driving in Bulgaria. The streets are horrible. Traffic is a mess. Drivers are unpredictable at best and at their worst--crazy, crazy, crazy.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_5338\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Red Car!\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-5338\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=5338\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-5338 \" title=\"Red Car!\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/IMG_9043-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nThen I came home to the States and found myself driving again. The streets are wide and pot-hole free. People park in designated parking spots and follow traffic laws. It\'s pretty great driving.\r\n\r\nIn fact, I\'ve loved driving around town.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_5339\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Me in the driver&#39;s seat\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-5339\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=5339\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-5339 \" title=\"Me in the driver\'s seat\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/IMG_9047-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nMy uncle B. loves cars. At lot. He\'s owned this convertible as long as I can remember. It\'s beautiful. Until this trip I\'d only ever ridden in the backseat or the passenger seat.\r\n\r\nNow here I am in the driver\'s seat.\r\n\r\nThis is a fun, fun car to drive. It drives kind of like a boat and I think it might be my uncle\'s baby so I was little afraid to drive it but let me tell you, when you get a little wind in your hair and all of your worries fly out the window.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_5348\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"I&#39;m driving! \"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-5348\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=5348\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-5348 \" title=\"I\'m driving! \" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/IMG_9052-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nDriving in this car is even more fun than my mom\'s car. Go figure.\r\n\r\nBut what really makes this car is how many people wave at you while driving. Let me tell you, lots of people gave me the head nod, the wave and plenty of smiles while I was driving down the street. That\'s really wonderful. It brings you joy and other people joy as well. I\'ve never had so many people wave at me before just because I was in a car.\r\n\r\nPS: Please note that I do not think that the pretty red car pictured above is a T-Bird but I have no idea what it is aside from a red convertible with a white interior. I just really like the Beach Boys song which is why I titled this post \"She\'ll have fun fun fun \'til her daddy takes the T-Bird away.\"','She\'ll have fun fun fun \'til her daddy takes the T-Bird away','','inherit','open','open','','5337-revision-14','','','2011-07-28 03:09:43','2011-07-28 01:09:43','',5337,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/07/28/5337-revision-14/',0,'revision','',0),(5355,1,'2011-07-28 03:09:43','2011-07-28 01:09:43','I don\'t really miss driving in Bulgaria. The streets are horrible. Traffic is a mess. Drivers are unpredictable at best and at their worst--crazy, crazy, crazy.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_5338\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Red Car!\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-5338\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=5338\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-5338 \" title=\"Red Car!\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/IMG_9043-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nThen I came home to the States and found myself driving again. The streets are wide and pot-hole free. People park in designated parking spots and follow traffic laws. It\'s pretty great driving.\r\n\r\nIn fact, I\'ve loved driving around town.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_5339\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Me in the driver&#39;s seat\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-5339\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=5339\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-5339 \" title=\"Me in the driver\'s seat\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/IMG_9047-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nMy uncle B. loves cars. At lot. He\'s owned this convertible as long as I can remember. It\'s beautiful. Until this trip I\'d only ever ridden in the backseat or the passenger seat.\r\n\r\nNow here I am in the driver\'s seat.\r\n\r\nThis is a fun, fun car to drive. It drives kind of like a boat and I think it might be my uncle\'s baby so I was little afraid to drive it but let me tell you, when you get a little wind in your hair and all of your worries fly out the window.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_5348\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"I&#39;m driving! \"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-5348\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=5348\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-5348 \" title=\"I\'m driving! \" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/IMG_9052-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nDriving in this car is even more fun than my mom\'s car. Go figure.\r\n\r\nBut what really makes this car is how many people wave at you while driving. Let me tell you, lots of people gave me the head nod, the wave and plenty of smiles while I was driving down the street. That\'s really wonderful. It brings you joy and other people joy as well. I\'ve never had so many people wave at me before just because I was in a car.\r\n\r\nPS: Please note that I do not think that the pretty red car pictured above is a T-Bird but I have no idea what it is aside from a red convertible with a white interior. I just really like the Beach Boys song which is why I titled this post \"She\'ll have fun fun fun \'til her daddy takes the T-Bird away.\"','She\'ll have fun fun fun \'til her daddy takes the T-Bird away','','inherit','open','open','','5337-revision-15','','','2011-07-28 03:09:43','2011-07-28 01:09:43','',5337,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/07/28/5337-revision-15/',0,'revision','',0),(5356,1,'2011-07-28 03:11:11','2011-07-28 01:11:11','I don\'t really miss driving in Bulgaria. The streets are horrible. Traffic is a mess. Drivers are unpredictable at best and at their worst--crazy, crazy, crazy.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_5338\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Red Car!\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-5338\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=5338\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-5338 \" title=\"Red Car!\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/IMG_9043-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nThen I came home to the States and found myself driving again. The streets are wide and pot-hole free. People park in designated parking spots and follow traffic laws. It\'s pretty great driving.\r\n\r\nIn fact, I\'ve loved driving around town.<!--more-->\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_5339\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Me in the driver&#39;s seat\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-5339\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=5339\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-5339 \" title=\"Me in the driver\'s seat\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/IMG_9047-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nMy uncle B. loves cars. At lot. He\'s owned this convertible as long as I can remember. It\'s beautiful. Until this trip I\'d only ever ridden in the backseat or the passenger seat.\r\n\r\nNow here I am in the driver\'s seat.\r\n\r\nThis is a fun, fun car to drive. It drives kind of like a boat and I think it might be my uncle\'s baby so I was little afraid to drive it but let me tell you, when you get a little wind in your hair and all of your worries fly out the window.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_5348\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"I&#39;m driving! \"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-5348\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=5348\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-5348 \" title=\"I\'m driving! \" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/IMG_9052-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nDriving in this car is even more fun than my mom\'s car. Go figure.\r\n\r\nBut what really makes this car is how many people wave at you while driving. Let me tell you, lots of people gave me the head nod, the wave and plenty of smiles while I was driving down the street. That\'s really wonderful. It brings you joy and other people joy as well. I\'ve never had so many people wave at me before just because I was in a car.\r\n\r\nPS: Please note that I do not think that the pretty red car pictured above is a T-Bird but I have no idea what it is aside from a red convertible with a white interior. I just really like the Beach Boys song which is why I titled this post \"She\'ll have fun fun fun \'til her daddy takes the T-Bird away.\"','She\'ll have fun fun fun \'til her daddy takes the T-Bird away','','inherit','open','open','','5337-revision-16','','','2011-07-28 03:11:11','2011-07-28 01:11:11','',5337,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/07/28/5337-revision-16/',0,'revision','',0),(5357,1,'2011-07-28 19:34:03','2011-07-28 17:34:03','I don\'t really miss driving in Bulgaria. The streets are horrible. Traffic is a mess. Drivers are unpredictable at best and at their worst--crazy, crazy, crazy.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_5338\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Red Car!\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-5338\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/07/29/shell-have-fun-fun-fun-til-her-daddy-takes-the-t-bird-away/img_9043/\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-5338 \" title=\"Red Car!\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/IMG_9043-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nThen I came home to the States and found myself driving again. The streets are wide and pot-hole free. People park in designated parking spots and follow traffic laws. It\'s pretty great driving.  In fact, I\'ve loved driving around town.<!--more-->\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_5339\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Me in the driver&#39;s seat\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-5339\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/07/29/shell-have-fun-fun-fun-til-her-daddy-takes-the-t-bird-away/img_9047/\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-5339 \" title=\"Me in the driver\'s seat\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/IMG_9047-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nMy uncle B. loves cars. At lot. He\'s owned this convertible as long as I can remember. It\'s beautiful. Until this trip I\'d only ever ridden in the backseat or the passenger seat.  Now here I am in the driver\'s seat.  This is a fun, fun car to drive. It drives kind of like a boat and I think it might be my uncle\'s baby so I was little afraid to drive it but let me tell you, when you get a little wind in your hair and all of your worries fly out the window.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_5348\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"I&#39;m driving! \"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-5348\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/07/29/shell-have-fun-fun-fun-til-her-daddy-takes-the-t-bird-away/img_9052/\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-5348 \" title=\"I\'m driving! \" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/IMG_9052-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nDriving in this car is even more fun than my mom\'s car. Go figure.  But what really makes this car is how many people wave at you while driving. Let me tell you, lots of people gave me the head nod, the wave and plenty of smiles while I was driving down the street. That\'s really wonderful. It brings you joy and other people joy as well. I\'ve never had so many people wave at me before just because I was in a car.  PS: Please note that I do not think that the pretty red car pictured above is a T-Bird but I have no idea what it is aside from a red convertible with a white interior. I just really like the Beach Boys song which is why I titled this post \"She\'ll have fun fun fun \'til her daddy takes the T-Bird away.\"','She\'ll have fun fun fun \'til her daddy takes the T-Bird away','','inherit','open','open','','5337-autosave','','','2011-07-28 19:34:03','2011-07-28 17:34:03','',5337,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/07/28/5337-autosave/',0,'revision','',0),(5358,1,'2011-07-28 03:11:11','2011-07-28 01:11:11','I don\'t really miss driving in Bulgaria. The streets are horrible. Traffic is a mess. Drivers are unpredictable at best and at their worst--crazy, crazy, crazy.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_5338\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Red Car!\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-5338\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/07/29/shell-have-fun-fun-fun-til-her-daddy-takes-the-t-bird-away/img_9043/\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-5338 \" title=\"Red Car!\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/IMG_9043-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nThen I came home to the States and found myself driving again. The streets are wide and pot-hole free. People park in designated parking spots and follow traffic laws. It\'s pretty great driving.\r\n\r\nIn fact, I\'ve loved driving around town.<!--more-->\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_5339\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Me in the driver&#39;s seat\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-5339\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/07/29/shell-have-fun-fun-fun-til-her-daddy-takes-the-t-bird-away/img_9047/\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-5339 \" title=\"Me in the driver\'s seat\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/IMG_9047-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nMy uncle B. loves cars. At lot. He\'s owned this convertible as long as I can remember. It\'s beautiful. Until this trip I\'d only ever ridden in the backseat or the passenger seat.\r\n\r\nNow here I am in the driver\'s seat.\r\n\r\nThis is a fun, fun car to drive. It drives kind of like a boat and I think it might be my uncle\'s baby so I was little afraid to drive it but let me tell you, when you get a little wind in your hair and all of your worries fly out the window.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_5348\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"I&#39;m driving! \"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-5348\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/07/29/shell-have-fun-fun-fun-til-her-daddy-takes-the-t-bird-away/img_9052/\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-5348 \" title=\"I\'m driving! \" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/IMG_9052-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nDriving in this car is even more fun than my mom\'s car. Go figure.\r\n\r\nBut what really makes this car is how many people wave at you while driving. Let me tell you, lots of people gave me the head nod, the wave and plenty of smiles while I was driving down the street. That\'s really wonderful. It brings you joy and other people joy as well. I\'ve never had so many people wave at me before just because I was in a car.\r\n\r\nPS: Please note that I do not think that the pretty red car pictured above is a T-Bird but I have no idea what it is aside from a red convertible with a white interior. I just really like the Beach Boys song which is why I titled this post \"She\'ll have fun fun fun \'til her daddy takes the T-Bird away.\"','She\'ll have fun fun fun \'til her daddy takes the T-Bird away','','inherit','open','open','','5337-revision-17','','','2011-07-28 03:11:11','2011-07-28 01:11:11','',5337,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/07/28/5337-revision-17/',0,'revision','',0),(5359,1,'2011-07-28 19:36:14','2011-07-28 17:36:14','I don\'t really miss driving in Bulgaria. The streets are horrible. Traffic is a mess. Drivers are unpredictable at best and at their worst--crazy, crazy, crazy.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_5338\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Red Car!\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-5338\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/07/29/shell-have-fun-fun-fun-til-her-daddy-takes-the-t-bird-away/img_9043/\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-5338 \" title=\"Red Car!\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/IMG_9043-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nThen I came home to the States and found myself driving again. The streets are wide and pot-hole free. People park in designated parking spots and follow traffic laws. It\'s pretty great driving.\r\n\r\nIn fact, I\'ve loved driving around town.<!--more-->\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_5339\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Me in the driver&#39;s seat\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-5339\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/07/29/shell-have-fun-fun-fun-til-her-daddy-takes-the-t-bird-away/img_9047/\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-5339 \" title=\"Me in the driver\'s seat\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/IMG_9047-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nMy uncle B. loves cars. At lot. He\'s owned this convertible as long as I can remember. It\'s beautiful. Until this trip I\'d only ever ridden in the backseat or the passenger seat.\r\n\r\nNow here I am in the driver\'s seat.\r\n\r\nThis is a fun, fun car to drive. It drives kind of like a boat and I think it might be my uncle\'s baby so I was little afraid to drive it but let me tell you, when you get a little wind in your hair and all of your worries fly out the window.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_5348\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"I&#39;m driving! \"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-5348\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/07/29/shell-have-fun-fun-fun-til-her-daddy-takes-the-t-bird-away/img_9052/\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-5348 \" title=\"I\'m driving! \" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/IMG_9052-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nDriving in this car is even more fun than my mom\'s car. Go figure.\r\n\r\nBut what really makes this car is how many people wave at you while driving. Let me tell you, lots of people gave me the head nod, the wave and plenty of smiles while I was driving down the street. That\'s really wonderful. It brings you joy and other people joy as well. I\'ve never had so many people wave at me before just because I was in a car.\r\n\r\nPS: Please note that I do not think that the pretty red car pictured above is a T-Bird but I have no idea what it is aside from a red convertible with a white interior. I just really like the Beach Boys song which is why I titled this post \"She\'ll have fun fun fun \'til her daddy takes the T-Bird away.\"','She\'ll have fun fun fun \'til her daddy takes the T-Bird away','','inherit','open','open','','5337-revision-18','','','2011-07-28 19:36:14','2011-07-28 17:36:14','',5337,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/07/28/5337-revision-18/',0,'revision','',0),(5360,1,'2011-07-28 12:37:47','2011-07-28 10:37:47','My MoM tells me that in America we say \"bathroom.\" She says I sound European saying \"toilet.\"\r\n\r\nShe points it out to me every time I say it. I just have to smile at her because I am not sure when I picked-up this habit and now I don\'t even notice when I say it. It\'s become second nature. And frankly, I think it\'s a lot more reasonable than asking for the WC.\r\n\r\nMy MoM says that people look at me funny when I ask: where is the toilet? <em>Oh</em>. I had no idea.\r\n\r\nShe\'s probably right though. The question that waitresses are used to hearing is: where\'s the bathroom? So it probably takes a second longer for the other question to register.\r\n\r\nBut it\'s funny. In the States, we say bathroom even when we don\'t intend to take a bath--when in fact, we only intend to use the toilet. Moreover, most places you\'d inquire about a bathroom (restaurants, cafes, shops, airports) don\'t actually have a bathtub or shower for the public so the only thing you can do is use the toilet.\r\n\r\nStill, we insist on asking: where\'s the bathroom?\r\n\r\nLuckily I am heading back to Europe now and shortly I\'ll once again free to call a bathroom a toilet.','The Toilet vs The Bathroom ','','publish','open','open','','the-toilet-vs-the-bathroom','','','2011-07-28 19:56:27','2011-07-28 17:56:27','',0,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?p=5360',0,'post','',3),(5361,1,'2011-07-28 19:53:50','2011-07-28 17:53:50','My MoM tells me that in America we say \"bathroom.\" She says I sound European saying \"toilet.\"\n\nShe points it out to me every time I say it. I just have to smile at her because I am not sure when I picked-up this habit and now I don\'t even notice when I say it. It\'s become second nature. And frankly, I think it\'s a lot more reasonable than asking for the WC.\n\nMy MoM says that people look at me funny when I ask: where is the toilet? <em>Oh</em>. I had no idea.\n\nShe\'s probably right though. The question that waitresses are used to hearing is: where\'s the bathroom? So it probably takes a second longer for the other question to register.\n\nBut it\'s funny. In the States, we say bathroom even when we don\'t intend to take a bath--when in fact, we only intend to use the toilet. Moreover, most places you\'d inquire about a bathroom (restaurants, cafes, shops, airports) don\'t actually have a bathtub or shower for the public so the only thing you can do is use the toilet.\n\nStill, we insist on asking: where\'s the bathroom?\n\nLuckily I am back in Europe now and I\'m once again free to call a bathroom a toilet.','The Toilet vs The Bathroom ','','inherit','open','open','','5360-revision','','','2011-07-28 19:53:50','2011-07-28 17:53:50','',5360,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/07/28/5360-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(5362,1,'2011-07-28 19:55:18','2011-07-28 17:55:18','My MoM tells me that in America we say \"bathroom.\" She says I sound European saying \"toilet.\"\r\n\r\nShe points it out to me every time I say it. I just have to smile at her because I am not sure when I picked-up this habit and now I don\'t even notice when I say it. It\'s become second nature. And frankly, I think it\'s a lot more reasonable than asking for the WC.\r\n\r\nMy MoM says that people look at me funny when I ask: where is the toilet? <em>Oh</em>. I had no idea.\r\n\r\nShe\'s probably right though. The question that waitresses are used to hearing is: where\'s the bathroom? So it probably takes a second longer for the other question to register.\r\n\r\nBut it\'s funny. In the States, we say bathroom even when we don\'t intend to take a bath--when in fact, we only intend to use the toilet. Moreover, most places you\'d inquire about a bathroom (restaurants, cafes, shops, airports) don\'t actually have a bathtub or shower for the public so the only thing you can do is use the toilet.\r\n\r\nStill, we insist on asking: where\'s the bathroom?\r\n\r\nLuckily I am back in Europe now and I\'m once again free to call a bathroom a toilet.','The Toilet vs The Bathroom ','','inherit','open','open','','5360-revision-2','','','2011-07-28 19:55:18','2011-07-28 17:55:18','',5360,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/07/28/5360-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(5363,1,'2011-07-28 19:57:33','2011-07-28 17:57:33','My MoM tells me that in America we say \"bathroom.\" She says I sound European saying \"toilet.\"\n\nShe points it out to me every time I say it. I just have to smile at her because I am not sure when I picked-up this habit and now I don\'t even notice when I say it. It\'s become second nature. And frankly, I think it\'s a lot more reasonable than asking for the WC.\n\nMy MoM says that people look at me funny when I ask: where is the toilet? <em>Oh</em>. I had no idea.\n\nShe\'s probably right though. The question that waitresses are used to hearing is: where\'s the bathroom? So it probably takes a second longer for the other question to register.\n\nBut it\'s funny. In the States, we say bathroom even when we don\'t intend to take a bath--when in fact, we only intend to use the toilet. Moreover, most places you\'d inquire about a bathroom (restaurants, cafes, shops, airports) don\'t actually have a bathtub or shower for the public so the only thing you can do is use the toilet.\n\nStill, we insist on asking: where\'s the bathroom?\n\nLuckily I am heading back to Europe now and shortly I\'ll once again free to call a bathroom a toilet.','The Toilet vs The Bathroom ','','inherit','open','open','','5360-autosave','','','2011-07-28 19:57:33','2011-07-28 17:57:33','',5360,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/07/28/5360-autosave/',0,'revision','',0),(5377,1,'2011-08-11 07:11:05','2011-08-11 05:11:05','','Auto Draft','','inherit','open','open','','5376-revision','','','2011-08-11 07:11:05','2011-08-11 05:11:05','',5376,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/08/11/5376-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(5376,1,'2011-08-11 07:19:04','2011-08-11 05:19:04','<p>Phew. My blog is back. I had some tech problem between a server and my own unwillingness to contact the company hosting my blog. But now I am back. It is pouring today in Elena and I am on my way to teach. Maybe this afternoon I will actually have time to write. </p>\r\n','Fixing things','','publish','open','open','','fixing-things','','','2011-08-11 07:20:59','2011-08-11 05:20:59','',0,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?p=5376',0,'post','',1),(5366,1,'2011-07-30 08:09:44','2011-07-30 06:09:44','Just so you know. And don\'t worry about me.\r\n\r\nI thought I\'d let you know, I am going to a summer camp for kids in Bulgaria.\r\n\r\nI am doing this because<a href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/06/14/in-pursuit-of-bulgarian-2/\" target=\"_blank\"> I am apparently a little crazy</a>. The kind of crazy that decides, hey why not work at a summer camp on my vacation with children who don\'t speak much English. <em>How hard can this be?</em>\r\n\r\nAnyhow, what I want is a chance to brush up on my Bulgarian with some  first hand experience and practice. I’ll be there for two weeks. Teaching English and chasing kids around. High school might just seem like a breeze after this.\r\n\r\nMaybe  I’ll have internet access. Maybe not. Maybe I’ll have time to write.  Maybe not. Maybe I’ll just be too tired to write.\r\n\r\nOh and don\'t even ask about jet lag. I\'m trying to pretend it doesn\'t exist. I got in yesterday afternoon, had dinner and drinks with a friend, packed up my suitcase (again) and then slept for 7 hours or so. And today? Well, I am headed to camp in 30 minutes.','I am going to summer camp','','publish','open','open','','i-am-going-to-summer-camp','','','2011-07-30 08:09:44','2011-07-30 06:09:44','',0,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?p=5366',0,'post','',3),(5367,1,'2011-07-30 08:09:34','2011-07-30 06:09:34','Just so you know. And don\'t worry about me.\n\nI thought I\'d let you know, I am going to a summer camp for kids in Bulgaria.\n\nI am doing this because<a href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/06/14/in-pursuit-of-bulgarian-2/\" target=\"_blank\"> I am apparently a little crazy</a>. The kind of crazy that decides, hey why not work at a summer camp on my vacation with children who don\'t speak much English. <em>How hard can this be?</em>\n\nAnyhow, what I want is a chance to brush up on my Bulgarian with some  first hand experience and practice. I’ll be there for two weeks. Teaching English and chasing kids around. High school might just seem like a breeze after this.\n\nMaybe  I’ll have internet access. Maybe not. Maybe I’ll have time to write.  Maybe not. Maybe I’ll just be too tired to write.\n\nOh and don\'t even ask about jet lag. I\'m trying to pretend it doesn\'t exist. I got in yesterday afternoon, had dinner and drinks with a friend, packed up my suitcase (again) and then slept for 7 hours or so. And today? Well, I am headed to camp in 30 minutes.','I am going to summer camp','','inherit','open','open','','5366-revision','','','2011-07-30 08:09:34','2011-07-30 06:09:34','',5366,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/07/30/5366-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(5380,1,'2011-08-14 09:29:53','2011-08-14 07:29:53','[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Main square in Elena\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Main square Elena\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6040433653/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6201/6040433653_6e401d0de5_b.jpg\" alt=\"Main square Elena\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nHello, hello. It\'s been a while since I\'ve posted anything of real substance but these things happen when you\'re traveling (and when your blog goes down and you\'re too lazy/busy to fix it in a timely manner). Luckily I got things worked out and now I am in Sofia for a bit. It\'s been great to spend the majority of my summer traveling but I am ready to have a little time to myself.\r\n\r\nI back from my adventure in Elena where I was teaching English three hours a day at a summer camp for children from all over Bulgaria.  It was great fun but hard work. Little kids demand a lot of energy to keep them on task and big kids require a lot of energy to keep them engaged. And it seems like every time you turn around someone is doing something the probably shouldn\'t be doing but none of the Bulgarian teachers seem to mind so I had to take a deep breath and say to myself: Carolyn, when in Bulgaria...<!--more-->\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"645\" caption=\"Concrete hero in Elena\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Concrete hero in Elena\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6040982018/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6088/6040982018_1e75d958f1_b.jpg\" alt=\"Concrete hero in Elena\" width=\"645\" height=\"430\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nThis said, aside from the first class of the morning when the kids were all still waking up there was plenty of energy floating around camp. The kids love it there and know what they should and should not be doing. While some of the kids push the boundary of what\'s okay and what\'s not, for the most part a stern look and a narrowing of eyes did the the trick and the kids backed off whatever mischief they were engaged in. Kids are amazing like that.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Yellow flowers, lazy susans maybe?\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Yellow flowers, lazy susans maybe?\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6040429327/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6210/6040429327_d6df826f12_b.jpg\" alt=\"Yellow flowers, lazy susans maybe?\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nBasically the schedule at camp is this: Eat breakfast, study English, eat second breakfast (or what I\'d call a snack), study more English, eat lunch, study even more English, play games, have a snack, do some more stuff, have dinner, play some more, have a snack and then go to bed. Repeat the next day.\r\n\r\nWhen I volunteered for camp (yep, I did this all without pay) I took a leap of faith and went to camp not really knowing what I would be doing.  I had the vague sense that I\'d be teaching a couple of classes and that I\'d be helping out with sports and crafts and things. I didn\'t know where exactly I\'d be staying or how I\'d get to camp. I had no idea what the camp looked like--rustic cabins in the mountains or state of the art retreat house. And I didn\'t actually know what I\'d be doing. But Villy promised that I\'d get to speak plenty of Bulgarian.\r\n\r\nSo for whatever reason, I figured I can do anything for two weeks and I signed on. Or I am a nut. Either way, I went.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Fence\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Fence\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6040980040/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6182/6040980040_c2da5106a8_b.jpg\" alt=\"Fence\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nHere\'s what I learned the camp \"VillyLand\" is actually in the very small town of Miikovtsi outside of the smallish town of Elena. I would actually be floating around between classes giving conversation classes--this I am beginning to learn is the fate of native speakers--here, talk to (and with) these kids they need access to a native speaker.  What\'s great about this is that you just get to talk to the students, ask them questions, push the limits of their vocabulary and correct their mistakes and urge them forward as necessary. The drawback of course is that you don\'t get to know the students as well and you\'re not the one setting the boundaries and expectations for the students it\'s their regular classroom teacher.  And I\'d be staying in the town of Elena and going up by mini-bus each morning to teach. The afternoons were my own.\r\n\r\nI was especially grateful for this in the beginning because I was battling jet-lag and by lunch time the only thing that I could think about was taking a nap. A long one. Then after a couple of days it was great to have the afternoons to myself to practice and work on my Bulgarian with a teacher. More on learning Bulgarian in a latter post.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Moss covered stones\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Moss covered stones\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6040980970/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6148/6040980970_b9b650d3a4_b.jpg\" alt=\"Moss covered stones\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nElena is a lovely little town with a good mix of traditional houses and some serious communist-concrete work. There are a couple of outdoor cafes with unbelievably low prices and I went to a pizza restaurant on the main-square with passably good Bulgarian-style pizza and to a very good Bulgarian restaurant.\r\n\r\nIt was really a wonderful way to spend a couple of weeks. My colleagues were incredibly nice and patient with me. The students were quick and unbelievably funny. What\'s more they were funny in both English and Bulgarian. Two examples and then I\'ve got to get on with my day.\r\n\r\nFirst, a teenager (she\'s maybe 13 years old) asked me in English: Have you got a husband? Me: No. Her: Why not? Me: I have found the right guy yet. She nods seriously thinking about what I\'ve just said. Her: I think that you should look very carefully for one. Me: What is that? Her: I\'d like you to stay here.\r\n\r\n<em>Aw</em>. I mean how cute is that?!\r\n\r\nSecond on the way home yesterday, I rode in a van/mini-bus with five kids going back to Sofia. When the van picked me up one of the youngest girls at camp--she\'s just 7 years old--couldn\'t control herself. She was so excited to see me that she\'s jumping. The older kids weren\'t as excited but really, why should they be!?! Because the kids are little, I think they are in the first two beginning English classes I say hi in English and then switch to Bulgarian. The seven-year-old is smiling and smiling. She tells me her name and then all of the other kids do as well. Then she tells me that my English is excellent. Bless her. I tell her it\'s because I am from America. I ask the kids some other questions in Bulgarian and that\'s that.\r\n\r\nThen we make a stop to pickup some paperwork and the little one makes a cellphone call to her dad. This is what I hear, we just left camp. I am in the car. I\'ve been speaking English to an American girl. Okay, I love you daddy.\r\n\r\nI think, oh she\'s so cute. She\'s been speaking to an American but she hasn\'t been speaking to me in English. Maybe she doesn\'t realize. Or maybe I am the first foreigner to speak to her in Bulgarian.  Either way she was as cute as can be and I didn\'t correct her.','Bulgarian Summer Camp','','publish','open','open','','bulgarian-summer-camp','','','2011-08-14 09:29:53','2011-08-14 07:29:53','',0,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?p=5380',0,'post','',0),(5422,1,'2011-08-22 12:38:35','2011-08-22 10:38:35','[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Me in costume (Sorry the lighting is less than ideal)\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Me in costume\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6068360343/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6069/6068360343_441a11aafa_b.jpg\" alt=\"Me in costume\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nI just got back from a weekend at the<a href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/08/19/zheravna-or-jeravna-folk-life-festival/\" target=\"_blank\"> Folk Life Festival in Zheravna</a>. I had the <em>best</em> time. It was really incredible to see thousands of people dressed up in costumes from all over Bulgaria and to be a part of that.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Detail of the edge of my apron\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Detail of the edge of my apron\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6068361107/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6066/6068361107_4823f9332a_b.jpg\" alt=\"Detail of the edge of my apron\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nMoreover to see such reverence for a women\'s craft was really wonderful. I found myself amazed by the small details like the embroidery and the time and care that it takes to embroider row after row of flowers or other geometric designs on women\'s dresses and men\'s shirts. To think about how many collective hours different women both past and present spent embroidering these patterns is mind boggling let alone to think about sewing the entire costume.<!--more-->\r\n\r\nNow here\'s the thing, the festival tries to evoke a feeling of life in Bulgaria in the 19th century and if I\'d read the program\'s website a little more carefully I would have realized that things like sunglasses, cellphones and cameras are not allowed into the actual festival. But of course, I didn\'t. I was too excited about the thought of wearing my costume for two entire days to think: hey maybe you should bring your small purse sized camera <em>and</em> your cannon rebel xsi. I could have easily snuck my little camera in as must people did but instead I was forced to actually follow the rules and leave my cannon rebel in the room.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Mother in costume\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Mother in costume\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6068931288/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6197/6068931288_f7d13e3e9a_b.jpg\" alt=\"Mother in costume\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nThe good thing about this? Well, I got to really focus on the festival. The bad thing? I don\'t have the kind of photos that I wished I did. I did manage to get out early on Sunday morning and capture a lot of photos of men and women in costume wandering around the streets of Zheravna. You can see these photos in my <a href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/08/19/zheravna-or-jeravna-folk-life-festival/\" target=\"_blank\">flickr photo album</a>.  These pictures are lovely in the mix of old and new in them but aren\'t as impressive as I imagine photos from the festival itself would have been. Ah well. Such is life.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Women walking in costume\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Women walking in costume\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6068912708/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6193/6068912708_4e5c0d9f82_b.jpg\" alt=\"Women walking in costume\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nI would say the festival was well planned. It cost 20 leva for two days and there was plenty of traditional food to buy at very reasonable prices--2 leva for salad or a bowl of bean soup, a giant cup of wine for 5 leva or rakiya for 2 leva, grilled meat starting at 1 leva. This is one of the things that never ceases to amaze me. In the States at a festival like this food and drink prices are twice what you would normally pay because you are, well, a captive audience but in Bulgaria even at music festivals/concerts prices are about what you would pay in restaurant/bar. This is very strange to me but I can\'t complain.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Like father, like son\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Like father, like son\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6068387249/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6198/6068387249_b0fca1d91a_b.jpg\" alt=\"Like father, like son\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nAs for the actual program there was lots of two things: singing and dancing. Both of these things were accompanied by live music/drums. Much of the program was meant to be observed so I spent a lot of time on Saturday sitting on a hill watching performances while shifting position regularly. I think that some how we picked the most uncomfortable place to sit (or maybe I am getting old).  Oh yeah, if you\'re planning on going in the future make sure that you bring a good (read, big) blanket to sit on. I was incredibly jealous of the people who had enough space to lie down in the middle of the rather hot afternoon.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Me in Costume\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Me in Costume\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6068360045/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6187/6068360045_d38fb14ed7_b.jpg\" alt=\"Me in Costume\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nOne of the highlights of the festival was to see a group fire-dance. This is something I\'d read about but for whatever reason I never expected to actually see anyone dance on burning embers. I mean, the whole thing is a little crazy.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Us in costume\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Us in costume\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6068908454/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6073/6068908454_d9649f4ef9_b.jpg\" alt=\"Us in costume\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nBasically this what happens. All day a fire made of hard wood burns and burns. Then as the logs burn down--ideally at dusk--a mound of embers is made. When the dance actually started there\'s a man responsible for spreading out the embers. First he pulled them off the mound with a shovel-like tool in four different directions to make a cross. Then he spread the embers out out to make a large circle.\r\n\r\nMeanwhile there was music playing and a girl in a while dress holding an icon.  When it was actually time for her to dance because the embers had been spread out appropriately the music increased and she danced around the embers and right up to the edge a few times before actually crossing the field of glowing embers with the icon held high above her head. As she crossed smoke came off her feet.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Shopping in Costume\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Shopping in Costume\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6068382377/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6206/6068382377_09cdbc0089_b.jpg\" alt=\"Shopping in Costume\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nIn the dance that I saw then two men also joined her in dancing through the embers. There was a lot of drama in the dance as dancers kicked embers with their feet making them fly up to knee height in the night air but wild part was when the two men separately danced across the embers one holding a very small child seemingly plucked from the audience and the other man carried a young women across the embers. At one point this man stopped in the middle with the young woman squatting down over the embers with her in his arms--she was precariously close to the burning embers and his feet were unmoving. It was clearly a feat of strength, will-power, determination and faith.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Father and son\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Father and son\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6068918342/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6068/6068918342_7bd82fee31_b.jpg\" alt=\"Father and son\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nOnce the dance was over, the embers remained spread out and people from the audience went to test their luck at dancing (or in most cases sprinting) across the embers. I did not.\r\n\r\nAfter this a huge bonfire was started across the field and the mass of people moved from watching fire-dancing to dancing the horo around the bonfire. It was the biggest horo I\'ve ever danced in and it incredibly hot dancing near the fire but it was well worth it everyone was having so much fun.\r\n\r\nI\'ll end on this note, lots of people have asked me why I picked the Kyustendil costume and the truth is I thought it was beautiful. I was torn between the Kyustendil costume and the Shoppe costume seeing as the latter is from the Sofia region but the Kyustendil costume won me over with the lace, the braiding, the apron and the cut of the top. Then this weekend it was also pointed out to me that one of Bulgaria\'s famous artists Vladimir Dimitrov, The Master, painted many girls from the Kyustendil region.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"640\" caption=\"Vladimir Dimitrov &amp; a Girl from Kyustendil\"]<img title=\"Girl from Kyustendil\" src=\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OGFa1nb7OYg/TdOWO4f_KgI/AAAAAAAAADg/EuAxNsiZjfQ/s640/master016.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"544\" />[/caption]','A Weekend in Zheravna','','publish','open','open','','a-weekend-in-zheravna','','','2011-08-22 12:38:35','2011-08-22 10:38:35','',0,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?p=5422',0,'post','',0),(5374,1,'2011-08-05 17:39:08','2011-08-05 15:39:08','I have been in the town of Elena in Bulgaria now for a week. My first impressions of the town are good ones. I have been teaching English, using my Bulgarian and learning lots of new things in Bulgarian. So all in all it is exactly what I wanted.\r\nThe town is very peaceful and as such I\'ve had vey little interest in blogging. It also doesn\'t hurt that the only free wi-fi is across town. Not that the town is big. It\'s not. I just haven\'t felt like taking my computer along with me.\r\nThe result? No blog posts until now.\r\nNow it is pouring rain--cats and dogs I tell you--and I\'m writing this on my Kindle. It\'s slow going on my kindle but I have access to 3G so it is better than nothing.\r\nThe funny thing is that really I am writing to say check out my guest blog post on my long time friend and one time roommate Nick\'s food blog macheesmo.com. I\'ve written about and cooked two different Bulgarian dishes.\r\nDishes that are easy, tasty and just right for summer! Enjoy!','Blogging Bulgaria','','publish','open','open','','blogging-bulgaria','','','2011-08-05 17:39:08','2011-08-05 15:39:08','',0,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?p=5374',0,'post','',2),(5375,1,'2011-08-05 16:59:43','2011-08-05 14:59:43','','Auto Draft','','inherit','open','open','','5374-revision','','','2011-08-05 16:59:43','2011-08-05 14:59:43','',5374,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/08/05/5374-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(5378,1,'2011-08-11 07:19:04','2011-08-11 05:19:04','Phew. My blog is back. I had some tech problem between a server and my own unwillingness to contact the company hosting my blog. But now I am back. It is pouring today in Elena and I am on my way to teach. Maybe this afternoon I will actually have time to write. ','Fixing things','','inherit','open','open','','5376-revision-2','','','2011-08-11 07:19:04','2011-08-11 05:19:04','',5376,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/08/11/5376-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(5381,1,'2011-08-14 08:59:46','2011-08-14 06:59:46','Hello, hello. It\'s been a while since I\'ve posted anything of real substance but these things happen when you\'re traveling (and when your blog goes down and you\'re too lazy/busy to fix it in a timely manner).\n\nI back from my adventure in Elena where I was teaching English three hours a day at a summer camp for children from all over Bulgaria.  It was great fun but hard work. Little kids demand a lot of energy to keep them on task and big kids require a lot of energy to keep them engaged.\n\nThis said, aside from the first class of the morning when the kids were all still waking up there was plenty of energy floating around camp. The kids love it there.\n\nBasically the schedule is this: Eat breakfast, study English, eat second breakfast (or what I\'d call a snack), study more English, eat lunch, study even more English, play games, have a snack, do some more stuff, have dinner, play some more, have a snack and then go to bed. Repeat the next day.\n\nWhen I volunteered for camp (yep, I did this all without pay) I took a leap of faith and went to camp not really knowing what I would be doing.  I had the vague sense that I\'d be teaching a couple of classes and that I\'d be helping out with sports and crafts and things. I didn\'t know where exactly I\'d be staying or how I\'d get to camp. I had no idea what the camp looked like--rustic cabins in the mountains or state of the art retreat house. And I didn\'t actually know what I\'d be doing. But Villy promised that I\'d get to speak plenty of Bulgarian.\n\nSo for whatever reason, I figured I can do anything for two weeks and I signed on. Or I am a nut. Either way, I went.\n\nHere\'s what I learned the camp \"VillyLand\" is actually in the very small town of Miikovtsi outside of the smallish town of Elena. I would actually be floating around between classes giving conversation classes--this I am beginning to learn is the fate of native speakers--here, talk to (and with) these kids they need access to a native speaker.  What\'s great about this is that you just get to talk to the students, ask them questions, push the limits of their vocabulary and correct their mistakes and urge them forward as necessary. The drawback of course is that you don\'t get to know the students as well and you\'re not the one setting the boundaries and expectations for the students it\'s their regular classroom teacher.  And I\'d be staying in the town of Elena and going up by mini-bus each morning to teach. The afternoons were my own.\n\nI was especially grateful for this in the beginning because I was battling jet-lag and by lunch time the only thing that I could think about was taking a nap. A long one. Then after a couple of days it was great to have the afternoons to myself to practice and work on my Bulgarian with a teacher. More on learning Bulgarian in a latter post.\n\nElena is a lovely little town with a good mix of traditional houses and some serious communist-concrete work. There are a couple of outdoor cafes with unbelievably low prices and I went to a pizza restaurant on the main-square with passably good Bulgarian-style pizza and to a very good Bulgarian restaurant.\n\nIt was really a wonderful way to spend a couple of weeks. My colleagues were incredibly nice and patient with me. The students were quick and unbelievably funny. What\'s more they were funny in both English and Bulgarian. Two examples and then I\'ve got to get on with my day.\n\nFirst, a teenager (she\'s maybe 13 years old) asked me in English: Have you got a husband? Me: No. Her: Why not? Me: I have found the right guy yet. She nods seriously thinking about what I\'ve just said. Her: I think that you should look very carefully for one. Me: What is that? Her: I\'d like you to stay here.\n\n<em>Aw</em>. I mean how cute is that?!\n\nSecond on the way home yesterday, I rode in a van/mini-bus with five kids going back to Sofia. When the van picked me up one of the youngest girls at camp--she\'s just 7 years old--couldn\'t control herself. She was so excited to see me that she\'s jumping. The older kids weren\'t as excited but really, why should they be!?! Because the kids are little, I think they are in the first two beginning English classes I say hi in English and then switch to Bulgarian. The seven-year-old is smiling and smiling. She tells me her name and then all of the other kids do as well. Then she tells me that my English is excellent. Bless her. I tell her it\'s because I am from America. I ask the kids some other questions in Bulgarian and that\'s that.\n\nThen we make a stop to pickup some paperwork and the little one makes a cellphone call to her dad. This is what I hear, we just left camp. I am in the car. I\'ve been speaking English to an American girl. Okay, I love you daddy.\n\nI think, oh she\'s so cute. She\'s been speaking to an American but she hasn\'t been speaking to me in English. Maybe she doesn\'t realize. Or maybe I am the first foreigner to speak to her in Bulgarian.  Either way','Bulgarian Summer Camp','','inherit','open','open','','5380-revision','','','2011-08-14 08:59:46','2011-08-14 06:59:46','',5380,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/08/14/5380-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(5382,1,'2011-08-14 09:01:21','2011-08-14 07:01:21','Hello, hello. It\'s been a while since I\'ve posted anything of real substance but these things happen when you\'re traveling (and when your blog goes down and you\'re too lazy/busy to fix it in a timely manner).\n\nI back from my adventure in Elena where I was teaching English three hours a day at a summer camp for children from all over Bulgaria.  It was great fun but hard work. Little kids demand a lot of energy to keep them on task and big kids require a lot of energy to keep them engaged.\n\nThis said, aside from the first class of the morning when the kids were all still waking up there was plenty of energy floating around camp. The kids love it there.\n\nBasically the schedule is this: Eat breakfast, study English, eat second breakfast (or what I\'d call a snack), study more English, eat lunch, study even more English, play games, have a snack, do some more stuff, have dinner, play some more, have a snack and then go to bed. Repeat the next day.\n\nWhen I volunteered for camp (yep, I did this all without pay) I took a leap of faith and went to camp not really knowing what I would be doing.  I had the vague sense that I\'d be teaching a couple of classes and that I\'d be helping out with sports and crafts and things. I didn\'t know where exactly I\'d be staying or how I\'d get to camp. I had no idea what the camp looked like--rustic cabins in the mountains or state of the art retreat house. And I didn\'t actually know what I\'d be doing. But Villy promised that I\'d get to speak plenty of Bulgarian.\n\nSo for whatever reason, I figured I can do anything for two weeks and I signed on. Or I am a nut. Either way, I went.\n\nHere\'s what I learned the camp \"VillyLand\" is actually in the very small town of Miikovtsi outside of the smallish town of Elena. I would actually be floating around between classes giving conversation classes--this I am beginning to learn is the fate of native speakers--here, talk to (and with) these kids they need access to a native speaker.  What\'s great about this is that you just get to talk to the students, ask them questions, push the limits of their vocabulary and correct their mistakes and urge them forward as necessary. The drawback of course is that you don\'t get to know the students as well and you\'re not the one setting the boundaries and expectations for the students it\'s their regular classroom teacher.  And I\'d be staying in the town of Elena and going up by mini-bus each morning to teach. The afternoons were my own.\n\nI was especially grateful for this in the beginning because I was battling jet-lag and by lunch time the only thing that I could think about was taking a nap. A long one. Then after a couple of days it was great to have the afternoons to myself to practice and work on my Bulgarian with a teacher. More on learning Bulgarian in a latter post.\n\nElena is a lovely little town with a good mix of traditional houses and some serious communist-concrete work. There are a couple of outdoor cafes with unbelievably low prices and I went to a pizza restaurant on the main-square with passably good Bulgarian-style pizza and to a very good Bulgarian restaurant.\n\nIt was really a wonderful way to spend a couple of weeks. My colleagues were incredibly nice and patient with me. The students were quick and unbelievably funny. What\'s more they were funny in both English and Bulgarian. Two examples and then I\'ve got to get on with my day.\n\nFirst, a teenager (she\'s maybe 13 years old) asked me in English: Have you got a husband? Me: No. Her: Why not? Me: I have found the right guy yet. She nods seriously thinking about what I\'ve just said. Her: I think that you should look very carefully for one. Me: What is that? Her: I\'d like you to stay here.\n\n<em>Aw</em>. I mean how cute is that?!\n\nSecond on the way home yesterday, I rode in a van/mini-bus with five kids going back to Sofia. When the van picked me up one of the youngest girls at camp--she\'s just 7 years old--couldn\'t control herself. She was so excited to see me that she\'s jumping. The older kids weren\'t as excited but really, why should they be!?! Because the kids are little, I think they are in the first two beginning English classes I say hi in English and then switch to Bulgarian. The seven-year-old is smiling and smiling. She tells me her name and then all of the other kids do as well. Then she tells me that my English is excellent. Bless her. I tell her it\'s because I am from America. I ask the kids some other questions in Bulgarian and that\'s that.\n\nThen we make a stop to pickup some paperwork and the little one makes a cellphone call to her dad. This is what I hear, we just left camp. I am in the car. I\'ve been speaking English to an American girl. Okay, I love you daddy.\n\nI think, oh she\'s so cute. She\'s been speaking to an American but she hasn\'t been speaking to me in English. Maybe she doesn\'t realize. Or maybe I am the first foreigner to speak to her in Bulgarian.  Either way she was as cute as can be and I didn\'t correct her.','Bulgarian Summer Camp','','inherit','open','open','','5380-revision-2','','','2011-08-14 09:01:21','2011-08-14 07:01:21','',5380,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/08/14/5380-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(5383,1,'2011-08-14 09:13:37','2011-08-14 07:13:37','Hello, hello. It\'s been a while since I\'ve posted anything of real substance but these things happen when you\'re traveling (and when your blog goes down and you\'re too lazy/busy to fix it in a timely manner).\r\n\r\nI back from my adventure in Elena where I was teaching English three hours a day at a summer camp for children from all over Bulgaria.  It was great fun but hard work. Little kids demand a lot of energy to keep them on task and big kids require a lot of energy to keep them engaged.<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Medium\" title=\"Main square Elena\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6040433653/\"><img class=\"alignnone\" src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6201/6040433653_6e401d0de5.jpg\" alt=\"Main square Elena\" width=\"500\" height=\"333\" /></a>\r\n\r\nThis said, aside from the first class of the morning when the kids were all still waking up there was plenty of energy floating around camp. The kids love it there.\r\n\r\nBasically the schedule is this: Eat breakfast, study English, eat second breakfast (or what I\'d call a snack), study more English, eat lunch, study even more English, play games, have a snack, do some more stuff, have dinner, play some more, have a snack and then go to bed. Repeat the next day.\r\n\r\nWhen I volunteered for camp (yep, I did this all without pay) I took a leap of faith and went to camp not really knowing what I would be doing.  I had the vague sense that I\'d be teaching a couple of classes and that I\'d be helping out with sports and crafts and things. I didn\'t know where exactly I\'d be staying or how I\'d get to camp. I had no idea what the camp looked like--rustic cabins in the mountains or state of the art retreat house. And I didn\'t actually know what I\'d be doing. But Villy promised that I\'d get to speak plenty of Bulgarian.\r\n\r\nSo for whatever reason, I figured I can do anything for two weeks and I signed on. Or I am a nut. Either way, I went.\r\n\r\nHere\'s what I learned the camp \"VillyLand\" is actually in the very small town of Miikovtsi outside of the smallish town of Elena. I would actually be floating around between classes giving conversation classes--this I am beginning to learn is the fate of native speakers--here, talk to (and with) these kids they need access to a native speaker.  What\'s great about this is that you just get to talk to the students, ask them questions, push the limits of their vocabulary and correct their mistakes and urge them forward as necessary. The drawback of course is that you don\'t get to know the students as well and you\'re not the one setting the boundaries and expectations for the students it\'s their regular classroom teacher.  And I\'d be staying in the town of Elena and going up by mini-bus each morning to teach. The afternoons were my own.\r\n\r\nI was especially grateful for this in the beginning because I was battling jet-lag and by lunch time the only thing that I could think about was taking a nap. A long one. Then after a couple of days it was great to have the afternoons to myself to practice and work on my Bulgarian with a teacher. More on learning Bulgarian in a latter post.\r\n\r\nElena is a lovely little town with a good mix of traditional houses and some serious communist-concrete work. There are a couple of outdoor cafes with unbelievably low prices and I went to a pizza restaurant on the main-square with passably good Bulgarian-style pizza and to a very good Bulgarian restaurant.\r\n\r\nIt was really a wonderful way to spend a couple of weeks. My colleagues were incredibly nice and patient with me. The students were quick and unbelievably funny. What\'s more they were funny in both English and Bulgarian. Two examples and then I\'ve got to get on with my day.\r\n\r\nFirst, a teenager (she\'s maybe 13 years old) asked me in English: Have you got a husband? Me: No. Her: Why not? Me: I have found the right guy yet. She nods seriously thinking about what I\'ve just said. Her: I think that you should look very carefully for one. Me: What is that? Her: I\'d like you to stay here.\r\n\r\n<em>Aw</em>. I mean how cute is that?!\r\n\r\nSecond on the way home yesterday, I rode in a van/mini-bus with five kids going back to Sofia. When the van picked me up one of the youngest girls at camp--she\'s just 7 years old--couldn\'t control herself. She was so excited to see me that she\'s jumping. The older kids weren\'t as excited but really, why should they be!?! Because the kids are little, I think they are in the first two beginning English classes I say hi in English and then switch to Bulgarian. The seven-year-old is smiling and smiling. She tells me her name and then all of the other kids do as well. Then she tells me that my English is excellent. Bless her. I tell her it\'s because I am from America. I ask the kids some other questions in Bulgarian and that\'s that.\r\n\r\nThen we make a stop to pickup some paperwork and the little one makes a cellphone call to her dad. This is what I hear, we just left camp. I am in the car. I\'ve been speaking English to an American girl. Okay, I love you daddy.\r\n\r\nI think, oh she\'s so cute. She\'s been speaking to an American but she hasn\'t been speaking to me in English. Maybe she doesn\'t realize. Or maybe I am the first foreigner to speak to her in Bulgarian.  Either way she was as cute as can be and I didn\'t correct her.','Bulgarian Summer Camp','','inherit','open','open','','5380-revision-3','','','2011-08-14 09:13:37','2011-08-14 07:13:37','',5380,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/08/14/5380-revision-3/',0,'revision','',0),(5384,1,'2011-08-14 09:14:41','2011-08-14 07:14:41','Hello, hello. It\'s been a while since I\'ve posted anything of real substance but these things happen when you\'re traveling (and when your blog goes down and you\'re too lazy/busy to fix it in a timely manner).\n\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"500\" caption=\"Main square Elena\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Medium\" title=\"Main square Elena\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6040433653/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6201/6040433653_6e401d0de5.jpg\" alt=\"Main square Elena\" width=\"500\" height=\"333\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nI back from my adventure in Elena where I was teaching English three hours a day at a summer camp for children from all over Bulgaria.  It was great fun but hard work. Little kids demand a lot of energy to keep them on task and big kids require a lot of energy to keep them engaged.\n\nThis said, aside from the first class of the morning when the kids were all still waking up there was plenty of energy floating around camp. The kids love it there.\n\nBasically the schedule is this: Eat breakfast, study English, eat second breakfast (or what I\'d call a snack), study more English, eat lunch, study even more English, play games, have a snack, do some more stuff, have dinner, play some more, have a snack and then go to bed. Repeat the next day.\n\nWhen I volunteered for camp (yep, I did this all without pay) I took a leap of faith and went to camp not really knowing what I would be doing.  I had the vague sense that I\'d be teaching a couple of classes and that I\'d be helping out with sports and crafts and things. I didn\'t know where exactly I\'d be staying or how I\'d get to camp. I had no idea what the camp looked like--rustic cabins in the mountains or state of the art retreat house. And I didn\'t actually know what I\'d be doing. But Villy promised that I\'d get to speak plenty of Bulgarian.\n\nSo for whatever reason, I figured I can do anything for two weeks and I signed on. Or I am a nut. Either way, I went.\n\nHere\'s what I learned the camp \"VillyLand\" is actually in the very small town of Miikovtsi outside of the smallish town of Elena. I would actually be floating around between classes giving conversation classes--this I am beginning to learn is the fate of native speakers--here, talk to (and with) these kids they need access to a native speaker.  What\'s great about this is that you just get to talk to the students, ask them questions, push the limits of their vocabulary and correct their mistakes and urge them forward as necessary. The drawback of course is that you don\'t get to know the students as well and you\'re not the one setting the boundaries and expectations for the students it\'s their regular classroom teacher.  And I\'d be staying in the town of Elena and going up by mini-bus each morning to teach. The afternoons were my own.\n\nI was especially grateful for this in the beginning because I was battling jet-lag and by lunch time the only thing that I could think about was taking a nap. A long one. Then after a couple of days it was great to have the afternoons to myself to practice and work on my Bulgarian with a teacher. More on learning Bulgarian in a latter post.\n\nElena is a lovely little town with a good mix of traditional houses and some serious communist-concrete work. There are a couple of outdoor cafes with unbelievably low prices and I went to a pizza restaurant on the main-square with passably good Bulgarian-style pizza and to a very good Bulgarian restaurant.\n\nIt was really a wonderful way to spend a couple of weeks. My colleagues were incredibly nice and patient with me. The students were quick and unbelievably funny. What\'s more they were funny in both English and Bulgarian. Two examples and then I\'ve got to get on with my day.\n\nFirst, a teenager (she\'s maybe 13 years old) asked me in English: Have you got a husband? Me: No. Her: Why not? Me: I have found the right guy yet. She nods seriously thinking about what I\'ve just said. Her: I think that you should look very carefully for one. Me: What is that? Her: I\'d like you to stay here.\n\n<em>Aw</em>. I mean how cute is that?!\n\nSecond on the way home yesterday, I rode in a van/mini-bus with five kids going back to Sofia. When the van picked me up one of the youngest girls at camp--she\'s just 7 years old--couldn\'t control herself. She was so excited to see me that she\'s jumping. The older kids weren\'t as excited but really, why should they be!?! Because the kids are little, I think they are in the first two beginning English classes I say hi in English and then switch to Bulgarian. The seven-year-old is smiling and smiling. She tells me her name and then all of the other kids do as well. Then she tells me that my English is excellent. Bless her. I tell her it\'s because I am from America. I ask the kids some other questions in Bulgarian and that\'s that.\n\nThen we make a stop to pickup some paperwork and the little one makes a cellphone call to her dad. This is what I hear, we just left camp. I am in the car. I\'ve been speaking English to an American girl. Okay, I love you daddy.\n\nI think, oh she\'s so cute. She\'s been speaking to an American but she hasn\'t been speaking to me in English. Maybe she doesn\'t realize. Or maybe I am the first foreigner to speak to her in Bulgarian.  Either way she was as cute as can be and I didn\'t correct her.','Bulgarian Summer Camp','','inherit','open','open','','5380-revision-4','','','2011-08-14 09:14:41','2011-08-14 07:14:41','',5380,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/08/14/5380-revision-4/',0,'revision','',0);
INSERT INTO `wp_posts` VALUES (5385,1,'2011-08-14 09:15:24','2011-08-14 07:15:24','Hello, hello. It\'s been a while since I\'ve posted anything of real substance but these things happen when you\'re traveling (and when your blog goes down and you\'re too lazy/busy to fix it in a timely manner).\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"500\" caption=\"Main square Elena\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Medium\" title=\"Main square Elena\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6040433653/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6201/6040433653_6e401d0de5.jpg\" alt=\"Main square Elena\" width=\"500\" height=\"333\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nI back from my adventure in Elena where I was teaching English three hours a day at a summer camp for children from all over Bulgaria.  It was great fun but hard work. Little kids demand a lot of energy to keep them on task and big kids require a lot of energy to keep them engaged.\r\n\r\nThis said, aside from the first class of the morning when the kids were all still waking up there was plenty of energy floating around camp. The kids love it there.<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Concrete hero in Elena\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6040982018/\"><img class=\"alignnone\" src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6088/6040982018_1e75d958f1_b.jpg\" alt=\"Concrete hero in Elena\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" /></a>\r\n\r\nBasically the schedule is this: Eat breakfast, study English, eat second breakfast (or what I\'d call a snack), study more English, eat lunch, study even more English, play games, have a snack, do some more stuff, have dinner, play some more, have a snack and then go to bed. Repeat the next day.\r\n\r\nWhen I volunteered for camp (yep, I did this all without pay) I took a leap of faith and went to camp not really knowing what I would be doing.  I had the vague sense that I\'d be teaching a couple of classes and that I\'d be helping out with sports and crafts and things. I didn\'t know where exactly I\'d be staying or how I\'d get to camp. I had no idea what the camp looked like--rustic cabins in the mountains or state of the art retreat house. And I didn\'t actually know what I\'d be doing. But Villy promised that I\'d get to speak plenty of Bulgarian.\r\n\r\nSo for whatever reason, I figured I can do anything for two weeks and I signed on. Or I am a nut. Either way, I went.\r\n\r\nHere\'s what I learned the camp \"VillyLand\" is actually in the very small town of Miikovtsi outside of the smallish town of Elena. I would actually be floating around between classes giving conversation classes--this I am beginning to learn is the fate of native speakers--here, talk to (and with) these kids they need access to a native speaker.  What\'s great about this is that you just get to talk to the students, ask them questions, push the limits of their vocabulary and correct their mistakes and urge them forward as necessary. The drawback of course is that you don\'t get to know the students as well and you\'re not the one setting the boundaries and expectations for the students it\'s their regular classroom teacher.  And I\'d be staying in the town of Elena and going up by mini-bus each morning to teach. The afternoons were my own.\r\n\r\nI was especially grateful for this in the beginning because I was battling jet-lag and by lunch time the only thing that I could think about was taking a nap. A long one. Then after a couple of days it was great to have the afternoons to myself to practice and work on my Bulgarian with a teacher. More on learning Bulgarian in a latter post.\r\n\r\nElena is a lovely little town with a good mix of traditional houses and some serious communist-concrete work. There are a couple of outdoor cafes with unbelievably low prices and I went to a pizza restaurant on the main-square with passably good Bulgarian-style pizza and to a very good Bulgarian restaurant.\r\n\r\nIt was really a wonderful way to spend a couple of weeks. My colleagues were incredibly nice and patient with me. The students were quick and unbelievably funny. What\'s more they were funny in both English and Bulgarian. Two examples and then I\'ve got to get on with my day.\r\n\r\nFirst, a teenager (she\'s maybe 13 years old) asked me in English: Have you got a husband? Me: No. Her: Why not? Me: I have found the right guy yet. She nods seriously thinking about what I\'ve just said. Her: I think that you should look very carefully for one. Me: What is that? Her: I\'d like you to stay here.\r\n\r\n<em>Aw</em>. I mean how cute is that?!\r\n\r\nSecond on the way home yesterday, I rode in a van/mini-bus with five kids going back to Sofia. When the van picked me up one of the youngest girls at camp--she\'s just 7 years old--couldn\'t control herself. She was so excited to see me that she\'s jumping. The older kids weren\'t as excited but really, why should they be!?! Because the kids are little, I think they are in the first two beginning English classes I say hi in English and then switch to Bulgarian. The seven-year-old is smiling and smiling. She tells me her name and then all of the other kids do as well. Then she tells me that my English is excellent. Bless her. I tell her it\'s because I am from America. I ask the kids some other questions in Bulgarian and that\'s that.\r\n\r\nThen we make a stop to pickup some paperwork and the little one makes a cellphone call to her dad. This is what I hear, we just left camp. I am in the car. I\'ve been speaking English to an American girl. Okay, I love you daddy.\r\n\r\nI think, oh she\'s so cute. She\'s been speaking to an American but she hasn\'t been speaking to me in English. Maybe she doesn\'t realize. Or maybe I am the first foreigner to speak to her in Bulgarian.  Either way she was as cute as can be and I didn\'t correct her.','Bulgarian Summer Camp','','inherit','open','open','','5380-revision-5','','','2011-08-14 09:15:24','2011-08-14 07:15:24','',5380,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/08/14/5380-revision-5/',0,'revision','',0),(5386,1,'2011-08-14 09:15:48','2011-08-14 07:15:48','Hello, hello. It\'s been a while since I\'ve posted anything of real substance but these things happen when you\'re traveling (and when your blog goes down and you\'re too lazy/busy to fix it in a timely manner).\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"500\" caption=\"Main square Elena\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Medium\" title=\"Main square Elena\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6040433653/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6201/6040433653_6e401d0de5.jpg\" alt=\"Main square Elena\" width=\"500\" height=\"333\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nI back from my adventure in Elena where I was teaching English three hours a day at a summer camp for children from all over Bulgaria.  It was great fun but hard work. Little kids demand a lot of energy to keep them on task and big kids require a lot of energy to keep them engaged.\r\n\r\nThis said, aside from the first class of the morning when the kids were all still waking up there was plenty of energy floating around camp. The kids love it there.<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Concrete hero in Elena\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6040982018/\"><img class=\"alignnone\" src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6088/6040982018_1e75d958f1_b.jpg\" alt=\"Concrete hero in Elena\" width=\"717\" height=\"478\" /></a>\r\n\r\nBasically the schedule is this: Eat breakfast, study English, eat second breakfast (or what I\'d call a snack), study more English, eat lunch, study even more English, play games, have a snack, do some more stuff, have dinner, play some more, have a snack and then go to bed. Repeat the next day.\r\n\r\nWhen I volunteered for camp (yep, I did this all without pay) I took a leap of faith and went to camp not really knowing what I would be doing.  I had the vague sense that I\'d be teaching a couple of classes and that I\'d be helping out with sports and crafts and things. I didn\'t know where exactly I\'d be staying or how I\'d get to camp. I had no idea what the camp looked like--rustic cabins in the mountains or state of the art retreat house. And I didn\'t actually know what I\'d be doing. But Villy promised that I\'d get to speak plenty of Bulgarian.\r\n\r\nSo for whatever reason, I figured I can do anything for two weeks and I signed on. Or I am a nut. Either way, I went.\r\n\r\nHere\'s what I learned the camp \"VillyLand\" is actually in the very small town of Miikovtsi outside of the smallish town of Elena. I would actually be floating around between classes giving conversation classes--this I am beginning to learn is the fate of native speakers--here, talk to (and with) these kids they need access to a native speaker.  What\'s great about this is that you just get to talk to the students, ask them questions, push the limits of their vocabulary and correct their mistakes and urge them forward as necessary. The drawback of course is that you don\'t get to know the students as well and you\'re not the one setting the boundaries and expectations for the students it\'s their regular classroom teacher.  And I\'d be staying in the town of Elena and going up by mini-bus each morning to teach. The afternoons were my own.\r\n\r\nI was especially grateful for this in the beginning because I was battling jet-lag and by lunch time the only thing that I could think about was taking a nap. A long one. Then after a couple of days it was great to have the afternoons to myself to practice and work on my Bulgarian with a teacher. More on learning Bulgarian in a latter post.\r\n\r\nElena is a lovely little town with a good mix of traditional houses and some serious communist-concrete work. There are a couple of outdoor cafes with unbelievably low prices and I went to a pizza restaurant on the main-square with passably good Bulgarian-style pizza and to a very good Bulgarian restaurant.\r\n\r\nIt was really a wonderful way to spend a couple of weeks. My colleagues were incredibly nice and patient with me. The students were quick and unbelievably funny. What\'s more they were funny in both English and Bulgarian. Two examples and then I\'ve got to get on with my day.\r\n\r\nFirst, a teenager (she\'s maybe 13 years old) asked me in English: Have you got a husband? Me: No. Her: Why not? Me: I have found the right guy yet. She nods seriously thinking about what I\'ve just said. Her: I think that you should look very carefully for one. Me: What is that? Her: I\'d like you to stay here.\r\n\r\n<em>Aw</em>. I mean how cute is that?!\r\n\r\nSecond on the way home yesterday, I rode in a van/mini-bus with five kids going back to Sofia. When the van picked me up one of the youngest girls at camp--she\'s just 7 years old--couldn\'t control herself. She was so excited to see me that she\'s jumping. The older kids weren\'t as excited but really, why should they be!?! Because the kids are little, I think they are in the first two beginning English classes I say hi in English and then switch to Bulgarian. The seven-year-old is smiling and smiling. She tells me her name and then all of the other kids do as well. Then she tells me that my English is excellent. Bless her. I tell her it\'s because I am from America. I ask the kids some other questions in Bulgarian and that\'s that.\r\n\r\nThen we make a stop to pickup some paperwork and the little one makes a cellphone call to her dad. This is what I hear, we just left camp. I am in the car. I\'ve been speaking English to an American girl. Okay, I love you daddy.\r\n\r\nI think, oh she\'s so cute. She\'s been speaking to an American but she hasn\'t been speaking to me in English. Maybe she doesn\'t realize. Or maybe I am the first foreigner to speak to her in Bulgarian.  Either way she was as cute as can be and I didn\'t correct her.','Bulgarian Summer Camp','','inherit','open','open','','5380-revision-6','','','2011-08-14 09:15:48','2011-08-14 07:15:48','',5380,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/08/14/5380-revision-6/',0,'revision','',0),(5387,1,'2011-08-14 09:16:21','2011-08-14 07:16:21','Hello, hello. It\'s been a while since I\'ve posted anything of real substance but these things happen when you\'re traveling (and when your blog goes down and you\'re too lazy/busy to fix it in a timely manner).\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"500\" caption=\"Main square Elena\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Medium\" title=\"Main square Elena\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6040433653/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6201/6040433653_6e401d0de5.jpg\" alt=\"Main square Elena\" width=\"500\" height=\"333\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nI back from my adventure in Elena where I was teaching English three hours a day at a summer camp for children from all over Bulgaria.  It was great fun but hard work. Little kids demand a lot of energy to keep them on task and big kids require a lot of energy to keep them engaged.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"645\" caption=\"Concrete hero in Elena\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Concrete hero in Elena\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6040982018/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6088/6040982018_1e75d958f1_b.jpg\" alt=\"Concrete hero in Elena\" width=\"645\" height=\"430\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nThis said, aside from the first class of the morning when the kids were all still waking up there was plenty of energy floating around camp. The kids love it there.\r\n\r\nBasically the schedule is this: Eat breakfast, study English, eat second breakfast (or what I\'d call a snack), study more English, eat lunch, study even more English, play games, have a snack, do some more stuff, have dinner, play some more, have a snack and then go to bed. Repeat the next day.\r\n\r\nWhen I volunteered for camp (yep, I did this all without pay) I took a leap of faith and went to camp not really knowing what I would be doing.  I had the vague sense that I\'d be teaching a couple of classes and that I\'d be helping out with sports and crafts and things. I didn\'t know where exactly I\'d be staying or how I\'d get to camp. I had no idea what the camp looked like--rustic cabins in the mountains or state of the art retreat house. And I didn\'t actually know what I\'d be doing. But Villy promised that I\'d get to speak plenty of Bulgarian.\r\n\r\nSo for whatever reason, I figured I can do anything for two weeks and I signed on. Or I am a nut. Either way, I went.\r\n\r\nHere\'s what I learned the camp \"VillyLand\" is actually in the very small town of Miikovtsi outside of the smallish town of Elena. I would actually be floating around between classes giving conversation classes--this I am beginning to learn is the fate of native speakers--here, talk to (and with) these kids they need access to a native speaker.  What\'s great about this is that you just get to talk to the students, ask them questions, push the limits of their vocabulary and correct their mistakes and urge them forward as necessary. The drawback of course is that you don\'t get to know the students as well and you\'re not the one setting the boundaries and expectations for the students it\'s their regular classroom teacher.  And I\'d be staying in the town of Elena and going up by mini-bus each morning to teach. The afternoons were my own.\r\n\r\nI was especially grateful for this in the beginning because I was battling jet-lag and by lunch time the only thing that I could think about was taking a nap. A long one. Then after a couple of days it was great to have the afternoons to myself to practice and work on my Bulgarian with a teacher. More on learning Bulgarian in a latter post.\r\n\r\nElena is a lovely little town with a good mix of traditional houses and some serious communist-concrete work. There are a couple of outdoor cafes with unbelievably low prices and I went to a pizza restaurant on the main-square with passably good Bulgarian-style pizza and to a very good Bulgarian restaurant.\r\n\r\nIt was really a wonderful way to spend a couple of weeks. My colleagues were incredibly nice and patient with me. The students were quick and unbelievably funny. What\'s more they were funny in both English and Bulgarian. Two examples and then I\'ve got to get on with my day.\r\n\r\nFirst, a teenager (she\'s maybe 13 years old) asked me in English: Have you got a husband? Me: No. Her: Why not? Me: I have found the right guy yet. She nods seriously thinking about what I\'ve just said. Her: I think that you should look very carefully for one. Me: What is that? Her: I\'d like you to stay here.\r\n\r\n<em>Aw</em>. I mean how cute is that?!\r\n\r\nSecond on the way home yesterday, I rode in a van/mini-bus with five kids going back to Sofia. When the van picked me up one of the youngest girls at camp--she\'s just 7 years old--couldn\'t control herself. She was so excited to see me that she\'s jumping. The older kids weren\'t as excited but really, why should they be!?! Because the kids are little, I think they are in the first two beginning English classes I say hi in English and then switch to Bulgarian. The seven-year-old is smiling and smiling. She tells me her name and then all of the other kids do as well. Then she tells me that my English is excellent. Bless her. I tell her it\'s because I am from America. I ask the kids some other questions in Bulgarian and that\'s that.\r\n\r\nThen we make a stop to pickup some paperwork and the little one makes a cellphone call to her dad. This is what I hear, we just left camp. I am in the car. I\'ve been speaking English to an American girl. Okay, I love you daddy.\r\n\r\nI think, oh she\'s so cute. She\'s been speaking to an American but she hasn\'t been speaking to me in English. Maybe she doesn\'t realize. Or maybe I am the first foreigner to speak to her in Bulgarian.  Either way she was as cute as can be and I didn\'t correct her.','Bulgarian Summer Camp','','inherit','open','open','','5380-revision-7','','','2011-08-14 09:16:21','2011-08-14 07:16:21','',5380,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/08/14/5380-revision-7/',0,'revision','',0),(5388,1,'2011-08-14 09:19:23','2011-08-14 07:19:23','[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Main square in Elena\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Main square Elena\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6040433653/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6201/6040433653_6e401d0de5_b.jpg\" alt=\"Main square Elena\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nHello, hello. It\'s been a while since I\'ve posted anything of real substance but these things happen when you\'re traveling (and when your blog goes down and you\'re too lazy/busy to fix it in a timely manner).\r\n\r\nI back from my adventure in Elena where I was teaching English three hours a day at a summer camp for children from all over Bulgaria.  It was great fun but hard work. Little kids demand a lot of energy to keep them on task and big kids require a lot of energy to keep them engaged.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"645\" caption=\"Concrete hero in Elena\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Concrete hero in Elena\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6040982018/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6088/6040982018_1e75d958f1_b.jpg\" alt=\"Concrete hero in Elena\" width=\"645\" height=\"430\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nThis said, aside from the first class of the morning when the kids were all still waking up there was plenty of energy floating around camp. The kids love it there.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Yellow flowers, lazy susans maybe?\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Yellow flowers, lazy susans maybe?\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6040429327/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6210/6040429327_d6df826f12_b.jpg\" alt=\"Yellow flowers, lazy susans maybe?\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nBasically the schedule is this: Eat breakfast, study English, eat second breakfast (or what I\'d call a snack), study more English, eat lunch, study even more English, play games, have a snack, do some more stuff, have dinner, play some more, have a snack and then go to bed. Repeat the next day.\r\n\r\nWhen I volunteered for camp (yep, I did this all without pay) I took a leap of faith and went to camp not really knowing what I would be doing.  I had the vague sense that I\'d be teaching a couple of classes and that I\'d be helping out with sports and crafts and things. I didn\'t know where exactly I\'d be staying or how I\'d get to camp. I had no idea what the camp looked like--rustic cabins in the mountains or state of the art retreat house. And I didn\'t actually know what I\'d be doing. But Villy promised that I\'d get to speak plenty of Bulgarian.\r\n\r\nSo for whatever reason, I figured I can do anything for two weeks and I signed on. Or I am a nut. Either way, I went.\r\n\r\nHere\'s what I learned the camp \"VillyLand\" is actually in the very small town of Miikovtsi outside of the smallish town of Elena. I would actually be floating around between classes giving conversation classes--this I am beginning to learn is the fate of native speakers--here, talk to (and with) these kids they need access to a native speaker.  What\'s great about this is that you just get to talk to the students, ask them questions, push the limits of their vocabulary and correct their mistakes and urge them forward as necessary. The drawback of course is that you don\'t get to know the students as well and you\'re not the one setting the boundaries and expectations for the students it\'s their regular classroom teacher.  And I\'d be staying in the town of Elena and going up by mini-bus each morning to teach. The afternoons were my own.\r\n\r\nI was especially grateful for this in the beginning because I was battling jet-lag and by lunch time the only thing that I could think about was taking a nap. A long one. Then after a couple of days it was great to have the afternoons to myself to practice and work on my Bulgarian with a teacher. More on learning Bulgarian in a latter post.\r\n\r\nElena is a lovely little town with a good mix of traditional houses and some serious communist-concrete work. There are a couple of outdoor cafes with unbelievably low prices and I went to a pizza restaurant on the main-square with passably good Bulgarian-style pizza and to a very good Bulgarian restaurant.\r\n\r\nIt was really a wonderful way to spend a couple of weeks. My colleagues were incredibly nice and patient with me. The students were quick and unbelievably funny. What\'s more they were funny in both English and Bulgarian. Two examples and then I\'ve got to get on with my day.\r\n\r\nFirst, a teenager (she\'s maybe 13 years old) asked me in English: Have you got a husband? Me: No. Her: Why not? Me: I have found the right guy yet. She nods seriously thinking about what I\'ve just said. Her: I think that you should look very carefully for one. Me: What is that? Her: I\'d like you to stay here.\r\n\r\n<em>Aw</em>. I mean how cute is that?!\r\n\r\nSecond on the way home yesterday, I rode in a van/mini-bus with five kids going back to Sofia. When the van picked me up one of the youngest girls at camp--she\'s just 7 years old--couldn\'t control herself. She was so excited to see me that she\'s jumping. The older kids weren\'t as excited but really, why should they be!?! Because the kids are little, I think they are in the first two beginning English classes I say hi in English and then switch to Bulgarian. The seven-year-old is smiling and smiling. She tells me her name and then all of the other kids do as well. Then she tells me that my English is excellent. Bless her. I tell her it\'s because I am from America. I ask the kids some other questions in Bulgarian and that\'s that.\r\n\r\nThen we make a stop to pickup some paperwork and the little one makes a cellphone call to her dad. This is what I hear, we just left camp. I am in the car. I\'ve been speaking English to an American girl. Okay, I love you daddy.\r\n\r\nI think, oh she\'s so cute. She\'s been speaking to an American but she hasn\'t been speaking to me in English. Maybe she doesn\'t realize. Or maybe I am the first foreigner to speak to her in Bulgarian.  Either way she was as cute as can be and I didn\'t correct her.','Bulgarian Summer Camp','','inherit','open','open','','5380-revision-8','','','2011-08-14 09:19:23','2011-08-14 07:19:23','',5380,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/08/14/5380-revision-8/',0,'revision','',0),(5389,1,'2011-08-14 09:22:00','2011-08-14 07:22:00','[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Main square in Elena\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Main square Elena\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6040433653/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6201/6040433653_6e401d0de5_b.jpg\" alt=\"Main square Elena\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nHello, hello. It\'s been a while since I\'ve posted anything of real substance but these things happen when you\'re traveling (and when your blog goes down and you\'re too lazy/busy to fix it in a timely manner).\r\n\r\nI back from my adventure in Elena where I was teaching English three hours a day at a summer camp for children from all over Bulgaria.  It was great fun but hard work. Little kids demand a lot of energy to keep them on task and big kids require a lot of energy to keep them engaged.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"645\" caption=\"Concrete hero in Elena\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Concrete hero in Elena\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6040982018/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6088/6040982018_1e75d958f1_b.jpg\" alt=\"Concrete hero in Elena\" width=\"645\" height=\"430\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nThis said, aside from the first class of the morning when the kids were all still waking up there was plenty of energy floating around camp. The kids love it there.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Yellow flowers, lazy susans maybe?\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Yellow flowers, lazy susans maybe?\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6040429327/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6210/6040429327_d6df826f12_b.jpg\" alt=\"Yellow flowers, lazy susans maybe?\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nBasically the schedule is this: Eat breakfast, study English, eat second breakfast (or what I\'d call a snack), study more English, eat lunch, study even more English, play games, have a snack, do some more stuff, have dinner, play some more, have a snack and then go to bed. Repeat the next day.\r\n\r\nWhen I volunteered for camp (yep, I did this all without pay) I took a leap of faith and went to camp not really knowing what I would be doing.  I had the vague sense that I\'d be teaching a couple of classes and that I\'d be helping out with sports and crafts and things. I didn\'t know where exactly I\'d be staying or how I\'d get to camp. I had no idea what the camp looked like--rustic cabins in the mountains or state of the art retreat house. And I didn\'t actually know what I\'d be doing. But Villy promised that I\'d get to speak plenty of Bulgarian.\r\n\r\nSo for whatever reason, I figured I can do anything for two weeks and I signed on. Or I am a nut. Either way, I went.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Fence\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Fence\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6040980040/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6182/6040980040_c2da5106a8_b.jpg\" alt=\"Fence\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nHere\'s what I learned the camp \"VillyLand\" is actually in the very small town of Miikovtsi outside of the smallish town of Elena. I would actually be floating around between classes giving conversation classes--this I am beginning to learn is the fate of native speakers--here, talk to (and with) these kids they need access to a native speaker.  What\'s great about this is that you just get to talk to the students, ask them questions, push the limits of their vocabulary and correct their mistakes and urge them forward as necessary. The drawback of course is that you don\'t get to know the students as well and you\'re not the one setting the boundaries and expectations for the students it\'s their regular classroom teacher.  And I\'d be staying in the town of Elena and going up by mini-bus each morning to teach. The afternoons were my own.\r\n\r\nI was especially grateful for this in the beginning because I was battling jet-lag and by lunch time the only thing that I could think about was taking a nap. A long one. Then after a couple of days it was great to have the afternoons to myself to practice and work on my Bulgarian with a teacher. More on learning Bulgarian in a latter post.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Moss covered stones\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Moss covered stones\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6040980970/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6148/6040980970_b9b650d3a4_b.jpg\" alt=\"Moss covered stones\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nElena is a lovely little town with a good mix of traditional houses and some serious communist-concrete work. There are a couple of outdoor cafes with unbelievably low prices and I went to a pizza restaurant on the main-square with passably good Bulgarian-style pizza and to a very good Bulgarian restaurant.\r\n\r\nIt was really a wonderful way to spend a couple of weeks. My colleagues were incredibly nice and patient with me. The students were quick and unbelievably funny. What\'s more they were funny in both English and Bulgarian. Two examples and then I\'ve got to get on with my day.\r\n\r\nFirst, a teenager (she\'s maybe 13 years old) asked me in English: Have you got a husband? Me: No. Her: Why not? Me: I have found the right guy yet. She nods seriously thinking about what I\'ve just said. Her: I think that you should look very carefully for one. Me: What is that? Her: I\'d like you to stay here.\r\n\r\n<em>Aw</em>. I mean how cute is that?!\r\n\r\nSecond on the way home yesterday, I rode in a van/mini-bus with five kids going back to Sofia. When the van picked me up one of the youngest girls at camp--she\'s just 7 years old--couldn\'t control herself. She was so excited to see me that she\'s jumping. The older kids weren\'t as excited but really, why should they be!?! Because the kids are little, I think they are in the first two beginning English classes I say hi in English and then switch to Bulgarian. The seven-year-old is smiling and smiling. She tells me her name and then all of the other kids do as well. Then she tells me that my English is excellent. Bless her. I tell her it\'s because I am from America. I ask the kids some other questions in Bulgarian and that\'s that.\r\n\r\nThen we make a stop to pickup some paperwork and the little one makes a cellphone call to her dad. This is what I hear, we just left camp. I am in the car. I\'ve been speaking English to an American girl. Okay, I love you daddy.\r\n\r\nI think, oh she\'s so cute. She\'s been speaking to an American but she hasn\'t been speaking to me in English. Maybe she doesn\'t realize. Or maybe I am the first foreigner to speak to her in Bulgarian.  Either way she was as cute as can be and I didn\'t correct her.','Bulgarian Summer Camp','','inherit','open','open','','5380-revision-9','','','2011-08-14 09:22:00','2011-08-14 07:22:00','',5380,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/08/14/5380-revision-9/',0,'revision','',0),(5390,1,'2011-08-15 10:42:17','2011-08-15 08:42:17','So I went to camp for these past two weeks with hopes of having an opportunity to speak more Bulgarian than I do in my normal day-to-day routine in Sofia and to have an interesting experience.\r\n\r\nI am happy to report that I was successful on both counts. It was great fun to go to Bulgarian summer camp and to see the differences between the kinds of camps I attended when I was younger and the Bulgarian summer camp experience at ChillyVilly. I also got to speak much much more Bulgarian than I normally do.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Snapdragons close-up\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Snapdragons close up\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6044622451/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6066/6044622451_04bc130ec2_b.jpg\" alt=\"Snapdragons close up\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nWhat was most interesting was that while working with the kids at camp, I realized that I actually do have a big vocabulary of Bulgarian nouns.  It happened slowly over the course of a couple of days but when working with the younger students on the topic of what is your favorite food and what kinds of toppings go on pizza I realized--hey, I know all of the words that these kids are looking for in Bulgarian.<!--more-->\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Grapes in the sunlight\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Grapes\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6044625249/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6201/6044625249_4259e5f3fb_b.jpg\" alt=\"Grapes\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nIt went something like this. Oh, well cheese goes on pizza. Tomatoes too. And in Bulgarian...gubi... student looks around desperately for help from her classmates to come up with the right word in English and someone shouts out, mushrooms.\r\n\r\nThen we\'d get to a noun like luk in Bulgarian and no one could come up with the name in English. The faces of the group would fall and I\'d say, tell me what it looks like even though I knew exactly which word they wanted in English. (Oh the power I have as an English teacher!!) So the kids would say it\'s round and white and show me the size in their hands. I would then question them and say, is it an <em>onion</em>? Oh, yes. Oh, yes. They\'d say.\r\n\r\nSimilar things happened with garlic, parsley and dill. By the time I\'d guessed dill and winked at them, they were on to me and spent the final 10 minutes of class pressing me about how much Bulgarian I know and begging me to speak in Bulgarian. I told them in the last two minutes of class, I\'d answer questions.\r\n\r\nThe first question I got in English was: how many Bulgarian words do you know? Me: I have no idea. A lot.\r\n\r\nThen the students who where mostly 6th and 7th graders started peppering me with questions in Bulgarian: where are you from? what is your name? where do you live? what school do you teach at? what Bulgarian food is your favorite? If they didn\'t like how I pronounced something they\'d make me say it again or if I\'d selected the wrong pronoun or misplaced an article they\'d correct me and make me say it again. Then they\'d laugh and laugh.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Blackberries\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Blackberries\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6044617615/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6071/6044617615_480c89f6c0_b.jpg\" alt=\"Blackberries\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nI think it must be very funny to hear a foreigner speaking Bulgarian.\r\n\r\nAt lunch, the students wanted me to sit with them. (Um, how cute is that?!) So I did. They asked me more questions in Bulgarian and then in a whisper they leaned in and told me that my Bulgarian is better than the other British native speaker. <em>Oh</em>. The told me that my Bulgarian is more-pravilno (correct) and that I don\'t have an village accent.\r\n\r\nWith the teachers at summer camp, I spoke a mixture of Bulgarian and English and one of the teachers I spent the most time with taught German and only spoke a little English so basically we only spoke Bulgarian. The great thing about this is that she was patient with me and was good about repeating things I didn\'t understand. And my crowning moment was explaining the difference between Washington State and Washington DC in Bulgarian!!\r\n\r\nAside from this I also had a Bulgarian lesson each afternoon. I practiced lots of things and realized how funny I must sound sometimes in Bulgarian. For example, in English we have one verb for to go. We go to the store. Go on vacation. Go to school. We go straight ahead. We go to London. However in Bulgarian there are lots of different verbs for the single English verb to go. Now this is okay. I just never learned them and/or they were never well explained to me. So I\'ve been using one verb, hodya, as I would in English. Here\'s the thing, over the last two years I am pretty sure that everyone understood what I was saying but no one ever corrected me about my usage.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Flowers through a Fence\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"flowers through a fence\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6044624783/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6198/6044624783_01e7743348_b.jpg\" alt=\"Flowers through a Fence\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOh well, now I know. The hard part is that now the single verb hodya comes to mind much quickly than any of the other to go verbs in Bulgarian. I guess it will just take time.  But as a reminder, if you know me in \"real life\" and you hear me say something wrong or incorrect in Bulgarian please, please correct me. I really do not want to ingrain incorrect Bulgarian in my day to day speech. I know that it\'s hard to correct people especially one\'s peers who are speaking a second-language but in the long run it\'s worse not to.\r\n\r\nSo I have a couple of new resolutions study a little bit every day, watch an hour (or so) of tv in Bulgarian every day and speak as much Bulgarian as I can each day. Oh yeah, and start writing on my <a href=\"http://daybyeday.tumblr.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Bulgarian blog</a> again after a break this summer.','Bulgarian, Bulgarian ','','publish','open','open','','bulgarian-bulgarian','','','2011-08-15 10:42:17','2011-08-15 08:42:17','',0,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?p=5390',0,'post','',3),(5391,1,'2011-08-15 09:51:55','2011-08-15 07:51:55','So I went to camp for these past two weeks with hopes of having an opportunity to speak more Bulgarian than I do in my normal day-to-day routine in Sofia and to have an interesting experience.\n\nI am happy to report that I was successful on both counts. It was great fun to go to Bulgarian summer camp and to see the differences between the kinds of camps I attended when I was younger and the Bulgarian summer camp experience at ChillyVilly. I also got to speak much much more Bulgarian than I normally do.\n\nWhat was most interesting was that while working with the kids at camp, I realized that I actually do have a big vocabulary of Bulgarian nouns.  It happened slowly over the course of a couple of days but when working with the younger students on the topic of what is your favorite food and what kinds of toppings go on pizza I realized--hey, I know all of the words that these kids are looking for in Bulgarian.\n\nIt went something like this. Oh, well cheese goes on pizza. Tomatoes too. And in Bulgarian...gubi... student looks around desperately for help from her classmates to come up with the right word in English and someone shouts out, mushrooms.\n\nThen we\'d get to a noun like luk in Bulgarian and no one could come up with the name in English. The faces of the group would fall and I\'d say, tell me what it looks like even though I knew exactly which word they wanted in English. (Oh the power I have as an English teacher!!) So the kids would say it\'s round and white and show me the size in their hands. I would then question them and say, is it an <em>onion</em>? Oh, yes. Oh, yes. They\'d say.\n\nSimilar things happened with garlic, parsley and dill. By the time I\'d guessed dill and winked at them, they were on to me and spent the final 10 minutes of class pressing me about how much Bulgarian I know and begging me to speak in Bulgarian. I told them in the last two minutes of class, I\'d answer questions.\n\nThe first question I got in English was: how many Bulgarian words do you know? Me: I have no idea. A lot.\n\nThen the students who where mostly 6th and 7th graders started peppering me with questions in Bulgarian: where are you from? what is your name? where do you live? what school do you teach at? what Bulgarian food is your favorite? If they didn\'t like how I pronounced something they\'d make me say it again or if I\'d selected the wrong pronoun or misplaced an article they\'d correct me and make me say it again. Then they\'d laugh and laugh.\n\nI think it must be very funny to hear a foreigner speaking Bulgarian.\n\nAt lunch, the students wanted me to sit with them. (Um, how cute is that?!) So I did. They asked me more questions in Bulgarian and then in a whisper they leaned in and told me that my Bulgarian is better than the other British native speaker. <em>Oh</em>. The told me that my Bulgarian is more-pravilno (correct) and that I don\'t have an village accent.\n\nWith the teachers at summer camp, I spoke a mixture of Bulgarian and English and one of the teachers I spent the most time with taught German and only spoke a little English so basically we only spoke Bulgarian. The great thing about this is that she was patient with me and was good about repeating things I didn\'t understand. And my crowning moment was explaining the difference between Washington State and Washington DC in Bulgarian!!\n\nAside from this I also had a Bulgarian lesson each afternoon. I practiced lots of things and realized how funny I must sound sometimes in Bulgarian. For example, in English we have one verb for to go. We go to the store. Go on vacation. Go to school. We go straight ahead. We go to London. However in Bulgarian there are lots of different verbs for the single English verb to go. Now this is okay. I just never learned them and/or they were never well explained to me. So I\'ve been using one verb, hodya, as I would in English. Here\'s the thing, over the last two years I am pretty sure that everyone understood what I was saying but no one ever corrected me about my usage.\n\nOh well, now I know. The hard part is that now the single verb hodya comes to mind much quickly than any of the other to go verbs in Bulgarian. I guess it will just take time.  But as a reminder, if you know me in \"real life\" and you hear me say something wrong or incorrect in Bulgarian please, please correct me. I really do not want to ingrain incorrect Bulgarian in my day to day speech. I know that it\'s hard to correct people especially one\'s peers who are speaking a second-language but in the long run it\'s worse not to.\n\nSo I have a couple of new resolutions study a little bit every day, watch an hour (or so) of tv in Bulgarian every day and speak as much Bulgarian as I can each day. Oh yeah, and start writing on my <a href=\"http://daybyeday.tumblr.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Bulgarian blog</a> again after a break this summer.','Bulgarian, Bulgarian ','','inherit','open','open','','5390-revision','','','2011-08-15 09:51:55','2011-08-15 07:51:55','',5390,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/08/15/5390-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(5392,1,'2011-08-15 10:38:16','2011-08-15 08:38:16','So I went to camp for these past two weeks with hopes of having an opportunity to speak more Bulgarian than I do in my normal day-to-day routine in Sofia and to have an interesting experience.\n\nI am happy to report that I was successful on both counts. It was great fun to go to Bulgarian summer camp and to see the differences between the kinds of camps I attended when I was younger and the Bulgarian summer camp experience at ChillyVilly. I also got to speak much much more Bulgarian than I normally do.\n\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Snapdragons close-up\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Snapdragons close up\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6044622451/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6066/6044622451_04bc130ec2_b.jpg\" alt=\"Snapdragons close up\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nWhat was most interesting was that while working with the kids at camp, I realized that I actually do have a big vocabulary of Bulgarian nouns.  It happened slowly over the course of a couple of days but when working with the younger students on the topic of what is your favorite food and what kinds of toppings go on pizza I realized--hey, I know all of the words that these kids are looking for in Bulgarian.\n\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Grapes in the sunlight\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Grapes\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6044625249/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6201/6044625249_4259e5f3fb_b.jpg\" alt=\"Grapes\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nIt went something like this. Oh, well cheese goes on pizza. Tomatoes too. And in Bulgarian...gubi... student looks around desperately for help from her classmates to come up with the right word in English and someone shouts out, mushrooms.\n\nThen we\'d get to a noun like luk in Bulgarian and no one could come up with the name in English. The faces of the group would fall and I\'d say, tell me what it looks like even though I knew exactly which word they wanted in English. (Oh the power I have as an English teacher!!) So the kids would say it\'s round and white and show me the size in their hands. I would then question them and say, is it an <em>onion</em>? Oh, yes. Oh, yes. They\'d say.\n\nSimilar things happened with garlic, parsley and dill. By the time I\'d guessed dill and winked at them, they were on to me and spent the final 10 minutes of class pressing me about how much Bulgarian I know and begging me to speak in Bulgarian. I told them in the last two minutes of class, I\'d answer questions.\n\nThe first question I got in English was: how many Bulgarian words do you know? Me: I have no idea. A lot.\n\nThen the students who where mostly 6th and 7th graders started peppering me with questions in Bulgarian: where are you from? what is your name? where do you live? what school do you teach at? what Bulgarian food is your favorite? If they didn\'t like how I pronounced something they\'d make me say it again or if I\'d selected the wrong pronoun or misplaced an article they\'d correct me and make me say it again. Then they\'d laugh and laugh.\n\n<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Blackberries\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6044617615/\"><img class=\"alignnone\" src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6071/6044617615_480c89f6c0_b.jpg\" alt=\"Blackberries\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" /></a> I think it must be very funny to hear a foreigner speaking Bulgarian.\n\nAt lunch, the students wanted me to sit with them. (Um, how cute is that?!) So I did. They asked me more questions in Bulgarian and then in a whisper they leaned in and told me that my Bulgarian is better than the other British native speaker. <em>Oh</em>. The told me that my Bulgarian is more-pravilno (correct) and that I don\'t have an village accent.\n\nWith the teachers at summer camp, I spoke a mixture of Bulgarian and English and one of the teachers I spent the most time with taught German and only spoke a little English so basically we only spoke Bulgarian. The great thing about this is that she was patient with me and was good about repeating things I didn\'t understand. And my crowning moment was explaining the difference between Washington State and Washington DC in Bulgarian!!\n\nAside from this I also had a Bulgarian lesson each afternoon. I practiced lots of things and realized how funny I must sound sometimes in Bulgarian. For example, in English we have one verb for to go. We go to the store. Go on vacation. Go to school. We go straight ahead. We go to London. However in Bulgarian there are lots of different verbs for the single English verb to go. Now this is okay. I just never learned them and/or they were never well explained to me. So I\'ve been using one verb, hodya, as I would in English. Here\'s the thing, over the last two years I am pretty sure that everyone understood what I was saying but no one ever corrected me about my usage.\n\nOh well, now I know. The hard part is that now the single verb hodya comes to mind much quickly than any of the other to go verbs in Bulgarian. I guess it will just take time.  But as a reminder, if you know me in \"real life\" and you hear me say something wrong or incorrect in Bulgarian please, please correct me. I really do not want to ingrain incorrect Bulgarian in my day to day speech. I know that it\'s hard to correct people especially one\'s peers who are speaking a second-language but in the long run it\'s worse not to.\n\nSo I have a couple of new resolutions study a little bit every day, watch an hour (or so) of tv in Bulgarian every day and speak as much Bulgarian as I can each day. Oh yeah, and start writing on my <a href=\"http://daybyeday.tumblr.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Bulgarian blog</a> again after a break this summer.','Bulgarian, Bulgarian ','','inherit','open','open','','5390-revision-2','','','2011-08-15 10:38:16','2011-08-15 08:38:16','',5390,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/08/15/5390-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(5393,1,'2011-08-15 10:40:37','2011-08-15 08:40:37','So I went to camp for these past two weeks with hopes of having an opportunity to speak more Bulgarian than I do in my normal day-to-day routine in Sofia and to have an interesting experience.\r\n\r\nI am happy to report that I was successful on both counts. It was great fun to go to Bulgarian summer camp and to see the differences between the kinds of camps I attended when I was younger and the Bulgarian summer camp experience at ChillyVilly. I also got to speak much much more Bulgarian than I normally do.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Snapdragons close-up\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Snapdragons close up\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6044622451/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6066/6044622451_04bc130ec2_b.jpg\" alt=\"Snapdragons close up\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nWhat was most interesting was that while working with the kids at camp, I realized that I actually do have a big vocabulary of Bulgarian nouns.  It happened slowly over the course of a couple of days but when working with the younger students on the topic of what is your favorite food and what kinds of toppings go on pizza I realized--hey, I know all of the words that these kids are looking for in Bulgarian.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Grapes in the sunlight\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Grapes\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6044625249/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6201/6044625249_4259e5f3fb_b.jpg\" alt=\"Grapes\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nIt went something like this. Oh, well cheese goes on pizza. Tomatoes too. And in Bulgarian...gubi... student looks around desperately for help from her classmates to come up with the right word in English and someone shouts out, mushrooms.\r\n\r\nThen we\'d get to a noun like luk in Bulgarian and no one could come up with the name in English. The faces of the group would fall and I\'d say, tell me what it looks like even though I knew exactly which word they wanted in English. (Oh the power I have as an English teacher!!) So the kids would say it\'s round and white and show me the size in their hands. I would then question them and say, is it an <em>onion</em>? Oh, yes. Oh, yes. They\'d say.\r\n\r\nSimilar things happened with garlic, parsley and dill. By the time I\'d guessed dill and winked at them, they were on to me and spent the final 10 minutes of class pressing me about how much Bulgarian I know and begging me to speak in Bulgarian. I told them in the last two minutes of class, I\'d answer questions.\r\n\r\nThe first question I got in English was: how many Bulgarian words do you know? Me: I have no idea. A lot.\r\n\r\nThen the students who where mostly 6th and 7th graders started peppering me with questions in Bulgarian: where are you from? what is your name? where do you live? what school do you teach at? what Bulgarian food is your favorite? If they didn\'t like how I pronounced something they\'d make me say it again or if I\'d selected the wrong pronoun or misplaced an article they\'d correct me and make me say it again. Then they\'d laugh and laugh.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Blackberries\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Blackberries\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6044617615/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6071/6044617615_480c89f6c0_b.jpg\" alt=\"Blackberries\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nI think it must be very funny to hear a foreigner speaking Bulgarian.\r\n\r\nAt lunch, the students wanted me to sit with them. (Um, how cute is that?!) So I did. They asked me more questions in Bulgarian and then in a whisper they leaned in and told me that my Bulgarian is better than the other British native speaker. <em>Oh</em>. The told me that my Bulgarian is more-pravilno (correct) and that I don\'t have an village accent.\r\n\r\nWith the teachers at summer camp, I spoke a mixture of Bulgarian and English and one of the teachers I spent the most time with taught German and only spoke a little English so basically we only spoke Bulgarian. The great thing about this is that she was patient with me and was good about repeating things I didn\'t understand. And my crowning moment was explaining the difference between Washington State and Washington DC in Bulgarian!!\r\n\r\nAside from this I also had a Bulgarian lesson each afternoon. I practiced lots of things and realized how funny I must sound sometimes in Bulgarian. For example, in English we have one verb for to go. We go to the store. Go on vacation. Go to school. We go straight ahead. We go to London. However in Bulgarian there are lots of different verbs for the single English verb to go. Now this is okay. I just never learned them and/or they were never well explained to me. So I\'ve been using one verb, hodya, as I would in English. Here\'s the thing, over the last two years I am pretty sure that everyone understood what I was saying but no one ever corrected me about my usage.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Flowers through a Fence\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"flowers through a fence\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6044624783/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6198/6044624783_01e7743348_b.jpg\" alt=\"Flowers through a Fence\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOh well, now I know. The hard part is that now the single verb hodya comes to mind much quickly than any of the other to go verbs in Bulgarian. I guess it will just take time.  But as a reminder, if you know me in \"real life\" and you hear me say something wrong or incorrect in Bulgarian please, please correct me. I really do not want to ingrain incorrect Bulgarian in my day to day speech. I know that it\'s hard to correct people especially one\'s peers who are speaking a second-language but in the long run it\'s worse not to.\r\n\r\nSo I have a couple of new resolutions study a little bit every day, watch an hour (or so) of tv in Bulgarian every day and speak as much Bulgarian as I can each day. Oh yeah, and start writing on my <a href=\"http://daybyeday.tumblr.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Bulgarian blog</a> again after a break this summer.','Bulgarian, Bulgarian ','','inherit','open','open','','5390-revision-3','','','2011-08-15 10:40:37','2011-08-15 08:40:37','',5390,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/08/15/5390-revision-3/',0,'revision','',0),(5394,1,'2011-08-15 10:41:45','2011-08-15 08:41:45','So I went to camp for these past two weeks with hopes of having an opportunity to speak more Bulgarian than I do in my normal day-to-day routine in Sofia and to have an interesting experience.\n\nI am happy to report that I was successful on both counts. It was great fun to go to Bulgarian summer camp and to see the differences between the kinds of camps I attended when I was younger and the Bulgarian summer camp experience at ChillyVilly. I also got to speak much much more Bulgarian than I normally do.\n\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Snapdragons close-up\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Snapdragons close up\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6044622451/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6066/6044622451_04bc130ec2_b.jpg\" alt=\"Snapdragons close up\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nWhat was most interesting was that while working with the kids at camp, I realized that I actually do have a big vocabulary of Bulgarian nouns.  It happened slowly over the course of a couple of days but when working with the younger students on the topic of what is your favorite food and what kinds of toppings go on pizza I realized--hey, I know all of the words that these kids are looking for in Bulgarian.<!--more-->\n\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Grapes in the sunlight\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Grapes\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6044625249/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6201/6044625249_4259e5f3fb_b.jpg\" alt=\"Grapes\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nIt went something like this. Oh, well cheese goes on pizza. Tomatoes too. And in Bulgarian...gubi... student looks around desperately for help from her classmates to come up with the right word in English and someone shouts out, mushrooms.\n\nThen we\'d get to a noun like luk in Bulgarian and no one could come up with the name in English. The faces of the group would fall and I\'d say, tell me what it looks like even though I knew exactly which word they wanted in English. (Oh the power I have as an English teacher!!) So the kids would say it\'s round and white and show me the size in their hands. I would then question them and say, is it an <em>onion</em>? Oh, yes. Oh, yes. They\'d say.\n\nSimilar things happened with garlic, parsley and dill. By the time I\'d guessed dill and winked at them, they were on to me and spent the final 10 minutes of class pressing me about how much Bulgarian I know and begging me to speak in Bulgarian. I told them in the last two minutes of class, I\'d answer questions.\n\nThe first question I got in English was: how many Bulgarian words do you know? Me: I have no idea. A lot.\n\nThen the students who where mostly 6th and 7th graders started peppering me with questions in Bulgarian: where are you from? what is your name? where do you live? what school do you teach at? what Bulgarian food is your favorite? If they didn\'t like how I pronounced something they\'d make me say it again or if I\'d selected the wrong pronoun or misplaced an article they\'d correct me and make me say it again. Then they\'d laugh and laugh.\n\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Blackberries\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Blackberries\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6044617615/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6071/6044617615_480c89f6c0_b.jpg\" alt=\"Blackberries\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nI think it must be very funny to hear a foreigner speaking Bulgarian.\n\nAt lunch, the students wanted me to sit with them. (Um, how cute is that?!) So I did. They asked me more questions in Bulgarian and then in a whisper they leaned in and told me that my Bulgarian is better than the other British native speaker. <em>Oh</em>. The told me that my Bulgarian is more-pravilno (correct) and that I don\'t have an village accent.\n\nWith the teachers at summer camp, I spoke a mixture of Bulgarian and English and one of the teachers I spent the most time with taught German and only spoke a little English so basically we only spoke Bulgarian. The great thing about this is that she was patient with me and was good about repeating things I didn\'t understand. And my crowning moment was explaining the difference between Washington State and Washington DC in Bulgarian!!\n\nAside from this I also had a Bulgarian lesson each afternoon. I practiced lots of things and realized how funny I must sound sometimes in Bulgarian. For example, in English we have one verb for to go. We go to the store. Go on vacation. Go to school. We go straight ahead. We go to London. However in Bulgarian there are lots of different verbs for the single English verb to go. Now this is okay. I just never learned them and/or they were never well explained to me. So I\'ve been using one verb, hodya, as I would in English. Here\'s the thing, over the last two years I am pretty sure that everyone understood what I was saying but no one ever corrected me about my usage.\n\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Flowers through a Fence\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"flowers through a fence\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6044624783/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6198/6044624783_01e7743348_b.jpg\" alt=\"Flowers through a Fence\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOh well, now I know. The hard part is that now the single verb hodya comes to mind much quickly than any of the other to go verbs in Bulgarian. I guess it will just take time.  But as a reminder, if you know me in \"real life\" and you hear me say something wrong or incorrect in Bulgarian please, please correct me. I really do not want to ingrain incorrect Bulgarian in my day to day speech. I know that it\'s hard to correct people especially one\'s peers who are speaking a second-language but in the long run it\'s worse not to.\n\nSo I have a couple of new resolutions study a little bit every day, watch an hour (or so) of tv in Bulgarian every day and speak as much Bulgarian as I can each day. Oh yeah, and start writing on my <a href=\"http://daybyeday.tumblr.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Bulgarian blog</a> again after a break this summer.','Bulgarian, Bulgarian ','','inherit','open','open','','5390-revision-4','','','2011-08-15 10:41:45','2011-08-15 08:41:45','',5390,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/08/15/5390-revision-4/',0,'revision','',0),(5395,1,'2011-08-15 10:43:22','2011-08-15 08:43:22','So I went to camp for these past two weeks with hopes of having an opportunity to speak more Bulgarian than I do in my normal day-to-day routine in Sofia and to have an interesting experience.\n\nI am happy to report that I was successful on both counts. It was great fun to go to Bulgarian summer camp and to see the differences between the kinds of camps I attended when I was younger and the Bulgarian summer camp experience at ChillyVilly. I also got to speak much much more Bulgarian than I normally do.\n\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Snapdragons close-up\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Snapdragons close up\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6044622451/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6066/6044622451_04bc130ec2_b.jpg\" alt=\"Snapdragons close up\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nWhat was most interesting was that while working with the kids at camp, I realized that I actually do have a big vocabulary of Bulgarian nouns.  It happened slowly over the course of a couple of days but when working with the younger students on the topic of what is your favorite food and what kinds of toppings go on pizza I realized--hey, I know all of the words that these kids are looking for in Bulgarian.<!--more-->\n\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Grapes in the sunlight\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Grapes\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6044625249/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6201/6044625249_4259e5f3fb_b.jpg\" alt=\"Grapes\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nIt went something like this. Oh, well cheese goes on pizza. Tomatoes too. And in Bulgarian...gubi... student looks around desperately for help from her classmates to come up with the right word in English and someone shouts out, mushrooms.\n\nThen we\'d get to a noun like luk in Bulgarian and no one could come up with the name in English. The faces of the group would fall and I\'d say, tell me what it looks like even though I knew exactly which word they wanted in English. (Oh the power I have as an English teacher!!) So the kids would say it\'s round and white and show me the size in their hands. I would then question them and say, is it an <em>onion</em>? Oh, yes. Oh, yes. They\'d say.\n\nSimilar things happened with garlic, parsley and dill. By the time I\'d guessed dill and winked at them, they were on to me and spent the final 10 minutes of class pressing me about how much Bulgarian I know and begging me to speak in Bulgarian. I told them in the last two minutes of class, I\'d answer questions.\n\nThe first question I got in English was: how many Bulgarian words do you know? Me: I have no idea. A lot.\n\nThen the students who where mostly 6th and 7th graders started peppering me with questions in Bulgarian: where are you from? what is your name? where do you live? what school do you teach at? what Bulgarian food is your favorite? If they didn\'t like how I pronounced something they\'d make me say it again or if I\'d selected the wrong pronoun or misplaced an article they\'d correct me and make me say it again. Then they\'d laugh and laugh.\n\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Blackberries\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Blackberries\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6044617615/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6071/6044617615_480c89f6c0_b.jpg\" alt=\"Blackberries\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nI think it must be very funny to hear a foreigner speaking Bulgarian.\n\nAt lunch, the students wanted me to sit with them. (Um, how cute is that?!) So I did. They asked me more questions in Bulgarian and then in a whisper they leaned in and told me that my Bulgarian is better than the other British native speaker. <em>Oh</em>. The told me that my Bulgarian is more-pravilno (correct) and that I don\'t have an village accent.\n\nWith the teachers at summer camp, I spoke a mixture of Bulgarian and English and one of the teachers I spent the most time with taught German and only spoke a little English so basically we only spoke Bulgarian. The great thing about this is that she was patient with me and was good about repeating things I didn\'t understand. And my crowning moment was explaining the difference between Washington State and Washington DC in Bulgarian!!\n\nAside from this I also had a Bulgarian lesson each afternoon. I practiced lots of things and realized how funny I must sound sometimes in Bulgarian. For example, in English we have one verb for to go. We go to the store. Go on vacation. Go to school. We go straight ahead. We go to London. However in Bulgarian there are lots of different verbs for the single English verb to go. Now this is okay. I just never learned them and/or they were never well explained to me. So I\'ve been using one verb, hodya, as I would in English. Here\'s the thing, over the last two years I am pretty sure that everyone understood what I was saying but no one ever corrected me about my usage.\n\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Flowers through a Fence\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"flowers through a fence\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6044624783/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6198/6044624783_01e7743348_b.jpg\" alt=\"Flowers through a Fence\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOh well, now I know. The hard part is that now the single verb hodya comes to mind much quickly than any of the other to go verbs in Bulgarian. I guess it will just take time.  But as a reminder, if you know me in \"real life\" and you hear me say something wrong or incorrect in Bulgarian please, please correct me. I really do not want to ingrain incorrect Bulgarian in my day to day speech. I know that it\'s hard to correct people especially one\'s peers who are speaking a second-language but in the long run it\'s worse not to.\n\nSo I have a couple of new resolutions study a little bit every day, watch an hour (or so) of tv in Bulgarian every day and speak as much Bulgarian as I can each day. Oh yeah, and start writing on my <a href=\"http://daybyeday.tumblr.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Bulgarian blog</a> again after a break this summer.','Bulgarian, Bulgarian ','','inherit','open','open','','5390-autosave','','','2011-08-15 10:43:22','2011-08-15 08:43:22','',5390,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/08/15/5390-autosave/',0,'revision','',0),(5396,1,'2011-08-16 08:21:45','2011-08-16 06:21:45','One day in Elena it rained and rained.\r\n\r\nIt was early last week. In fact, I think that it rained throughout the entire country.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Light after 24 hours of rain\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Light after 24 hours of rain\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6044622087/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6073/6044622087_77a1e0b1ed_b.jpg\" alt=\"Light after 24 hours of rain\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nIn Elena it started raining one day at about 5pm and more or less rained for the next 24 hours. Sometimes the rain drops weren\'t as strong but it just rained and rained.\r\n\r\nI thought: hey, I am on vacation. It\'s not supposed to rain like this on holiday. But not even these thoughts made a difference. Go figure. <!--more-->\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Elena after a rainy day\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Elena after a rainy day\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6044621809/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6086/6044621809_622fa8e518_b.jpg\" alt=\"Elena after a rainy day\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nThe next afternoon when the rain finally stopped everything was wet and muddy and the creek that normally ran through town was full of brown-muddy fast moving water. Ug.\r\n\r\nI felt wet and cold although I wasn\'t really either. I was just wearing all of the clothes I brought with me (well, maybe not all of them). I donned jeans, a tank-top, a t-shirt, my hooded sweatshirt, a fleece jacket and tennis shoes. So while I wasn\'t actually cold the weather gave the impression of cold and 24 hours of rain can get a girl down.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Glowing buildings and grape leaves\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Glowing building from the poarch\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6044621537/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6204/6044621537_d41e1f1a93_b.jpg\" alt=\"Glowing building from the poarch\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nBut the most amazing part?\r\n\r\nIn the dusk, the buildings of Elena seemed to be glowing in the setting sun. I think that it must have had to do with the moisture still in the air because no other night in the 14 I was there did the houses glow like this.\r\n\r\nIt was incredibly beautiful. So I ran to get my camera in the hopes of capturing part of the beauty.  I think that I managed to. While I was taking photos I realized that this is the kind of sight that makes you glad that you happened to be there in that moment and that you had your eyes open to be able to see the light on the buildings because really in just a few minutes it was gone.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Houses in Elana after a long, long rain\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Houses in Elana after a long, long rain\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6045170818/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6189/6045170818_eb27ea3088_b.jpg\" alt=\"Houses in Elana after a long, long rain\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nOh yeah and if you like these photos, I\'ve <a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/\" target=\"_blank\">uploaded even more to flickr</a>.','Rain in Elena ','','publish','open','open','','rain-in-elena','','','2011-08-16 08:21:45','2011-08-16 06:21:45','',0,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?p=5396',0,'post','',4),(5397,1,'2011-08-16 08:11:43','2011-08-16 06:11:43','One day in Elena it rained and rained.\n\nIt was early last week. In fact, I think that it rained throughout the entire country.\n\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Light after 24 hours of rain\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Light after 24 hours of rain\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6044622087/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6073/6044622087_77a1e0b1ed_b.jpg\" alt=\"Light after 24 hours of rain\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nIn Elena it started raining one day at about 5pm and more or less rained for the next 24 hours. Sometimes the rain drops weren\'t as strong but it just rained and rained.\n\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Elena after a rainy day\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Elena after a rainy day\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6044621809/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6086/6044621809_622fa8e518_b.jpg\" alt=\"Elena after a rainy day\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nThe next afternoon when the rain finally stopped everything was wet and muddy and the creek that normally ran through town was full of brown-muddy fast moving water.\n\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Glowing buildings and grape leaves\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Glowing building from the poarch\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6044621537/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6204/6044621537_d41e1f1a93_b.jpg\" alt=\"Glowing building from the poarch\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nBut the most amazing part were the buildings which seemed to be glowing in the setting sun. I think that it must have had to do with the moisture still in the air because no other night in the 14 I was there did the houses glow like this.\n\nIt was incredibly beautiful. And the kind of sight that makes you glad that you happened to be there and to see it in the few minutes it was happening.\n\n<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Houses in Elana after a long, long rain\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6045170818/\"><img class=\"alignnone\" src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6189/6045170818_eb27ea3088_b.jpg\" alt=\"Houses in Elana after a long, long rain\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" /></a>\n\nOh yeah and if you like these photos, I\'ve uploaded even more to flickr.','Rain in Elena ','','inherit','open','open','','5396-revision','','','2011-08-16 08:11:43','2011-08-16 06:11:43','',5396,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/08/16/5396-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(5398,1,'2011-08-16 08:12:07','2011-08-16 06:12:07','One day in Elena it rained and rained.\r\n\r\nIt was early last week. In fact, I think that it rained throughout the entire country.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Light after 24 hours of rain\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Light after 24 hours of rain\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6044622087/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6073/6044622087_77a1e0b1ed_b.jpg\" alt=\"Light after 24 hours of rain\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nIn Elena it started raining one day at about 5pm and more or less rained for the next 24 hours. Sometimes the rain drops weren\'t as strong but it just rained and rained.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Elena after a rainy day\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Elena after a rainy day\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6044621809/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6086/6044621809_622fa8e518_b.jpg\" alt=\"Elena after a rainy day\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nThe next afternoon when the rain finally stopped everything was wet and muddy and the creek that normally ran through town was full of brown-muddy fast moving water.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Glowing buildings and grape leaves\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Glowing building from the poarch\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6044621537/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6204/6044621537_d41e1f1a93_b.jpg\" alt=\"Glowing building from the poarch\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nBut the most amazing part were the buildings which seemed to be glowing in the setting sun. I think that it must have had to do with the moisture still in the air because no other night in the 14 I was there did the houses glow like this.\r\n\r\nIt was incredibly beautiful. And the kind of sight that makes you glad that you happened to be there and to see it in the few minutes it was happening.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Houses in Elana after a long, long rain\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Houses in Elana after a long, long rain\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6045170818/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6189/6045170818_eb27ea3088_b.jpg\" alt=\"Houses in Elana after a long, long rain\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOh yeah and if you like these photos, I\'ve uploaded even more to flickr.','Rain in Elena ','','inherit','open','open','','5396-revision-2','','','2011-08-16 08:12:07','2011-08-16 06:12:07','',5396,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/08/16/5396-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(5399,1,'2011-08-16 08:21:17','2011-08-16 06:21:17','One day in Elena it rained and rained.\n\nIt was early last week. In fact, I think that it rained throughout the entire country.\n\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Light after 24 hours of rain\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Light after 24 hours of rain\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6044622087/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6073/6044622087_77a1e0b1ed_b.jpg\" alt=\"Light after 24 hours of rain\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nIn Elena it started raining one day at about 5pm and more or less rained for the next 24 hours. Sometimes the rain drops weren\'t as strong but it just rained and rained.\n\nI thought: hey, I am on vacation. It\'s not supposed to rain like this on holiday. But not even these thoughts made a difference. Go figure. <!--more-->\n\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Elena after a rainy day\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Elena after a rainy day\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6044621809/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6086/6044621809_622fa8e518_b.jpg\" alt=\"Elena after a rainy day\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nThe next afternoon when the rain finally stopped everything was wet and muddy and the creek that normally ran through town was full of brown-muddy fast moving water. Ug.\n\nI felt wet and cold although I wasn\'t really either. I was just wearing all of the clothes I brought with me (well, maybe not all of them). I donned jeans, a tank-top, a t-shirt, my hooded sweatshirt, a fleece jacket and tennis shoes. So while I wasn\'t actually cold the weather gave the impression of cold and 24 hours of rain can get a girl down.\n\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Glowing buildings and grape leaves\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Glowing building from the poarch\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6044621537/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6204/6044621537_d41e1f1a93_b.jpg\" alt=\"Glowing building from the poarch\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nBut the most amazing part?\n\nIn the dusk, the buildings of Elena seemed to be glowing in the setting sun. I think that it must have had to do with the moisture still in the air because no other night in the 14 I was there did the houses glow like this.\n\nIt was incredibly beautiful. So I ran to get my camera in the hopes of capturing part of the beauty.  I think that I managed to. While I was taking photos I realized that this is the kind of sight that makes you glad that you happened to be there in that moment and that you had your eyes open to be able to see the light on the buildings because really in just a few minutes it was happening.\n\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Houses in Elana after a long, long rain\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Houses in Elana after a long, long rain\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6045170818/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6189/6045170818_eb27ea3088_b.jpg\" alt=\"Houses in Elana after a long, long rain\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nOh yeah and if you like these photos, I\'ve <a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/\" target=\"_blank\">uploaded even more to flickr</a>.','Rain in Elena ','','inherit','open','open','','5396-revision-3','','','2011-08-16 08:21:17','2011-08-16 06:21:17','',5396,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/08/16/5396-revision-3/',0,'revision','',0),(5400,1,'2011-08-17 11:19:51','2011-08-17 09:19:51','I haven\'t been a teenage girl for long time. Now I am a newly minted <a href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/05/17/30-things-life-in-bulgaria-has-taught-me/\" target=\"_blank\">thirty-something</a>.\r\n\r\nJust to put things in perspective, I was 19 years old 11 years ago and I was 13 years old in 1994. I got my driver\'s license at 16 and a few months--I passed traffic safety education with flying colors riding my bike to school every afternoon that summer in the 90 degree Fahrenheit heat for something like 6 weeks to the high school to take a class and to log hours of driving practice. At just barely 18, I graduated from high school and I spent my last year of being a teenager at college.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Teenage girls &amp; Me at summer camp!\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Kids at summer camp!\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6052537658/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6080/6052537658_2b995e6208_b.jpg\" alt=\"Kids at summer camp!\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nBut now that I am a high school teacher, I am surrounded by teenagers and I regularly find myself thinking: I wouldn\'t ever want to do-over being a teenager. Being a teenager is angst-riddled hard work. From school to boys to parents and friends, it is not easy to be a teenage girl.\r\n\r\nThis said after two weeks at summer camp, I was reminded that being a teenage girl can also be lots of fun.\r\n\r\nThere was lots of excitement over new (cute) boys from all over Bulgaria and of course, plenty of speculation over who liked whom. The boys from Varna and Burgas seemed to garner the most attention. Ah, summer tans. I guess some things never change.<!--more-->\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Graffiti nail polish in gold on yours truly!\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Graffiti nail polish in gold\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6051988067/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6200/6051988067_511681d32a_b.jpg\" alt=\"Graffiti nail polish in gold\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nThere was enough nail polish at camp to open a couple of salons and girls were endlessly changing their nail color. They were painting on little flowers or other nail art. But the newest trend a nail polish trend is called graffiti which is a type of nail polish that somehow cracks as it dries to reveal the first coat of nail polish you\'d previously painted thus you have a two tone effect and no manicure is identical.\r\n\r\nThere was nervous excitement and energy about first kisses. There were whispered exchanges about who was going to kiss whom and when this would happen. And all of this created lots of giggling, smiling and secret sharing.\r\n\r\nMost interestingly without much if any questioning, girl after girl told me that their perfect boy would have brown hair and bright blue eyes because this a rare combination.  They told me about their desires to go home and to see their friends as well as to eat at their favorite restaurants.  They shared dreams of traveling abroad. Of university.  Of what life could be like in Bulgaria if there were different and the implication was better politicians making better decisions.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"My inner teenage girl loves nail polish &amp; this fortune--Love\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Nail polish, beer and a fortune\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6052538080/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6063/6052538080_e3843ea355_b.jpg\" alt=\"Nail polish, beer and a fortune\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nThe thing is, since I\'ve been back from camp I\'ve started worrying that I am becoming a teenage girl again!!\r\n\r\nYesterday for example, I went to buy some nail polish remover and came out with nail polish remover and a bottle of graffiti nail polish in gold. Then I went to the mall to buy a new pair of sandals after my last pair met an unfortunate death on a very jagged piece of sidewalk in downtown Sofia. I went in every store in the mall looking for the perfect pair. Of course I went back to the first shop I was in to purchase, oh, the second pair I saw.\r\n\r\nFrom there I thought I\'ll have an iced coffee and walk home. Only oh no. The sale signs lured me into a number of other shops. Shops that were clearly catering to teenagers. I found a great new shirt and a new necklace both seriously marked down.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"My coffee table w/laptop, nail polish, beer &amp; my Bulgarian textbook\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"My coffee table\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6051987705/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6185/6051987705_834e8b4232_b.jpg\" alt=\"My coffee table\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nI got home last night thinking about how difficult it can be to be a teenager but also how much fun it can be. Then I sat down to paint my nails. I looked at the array of things on my coffee table and thought: You know what\'s great about not being a teenager?! You can paint your nails &amp; drink beer.','On Being a Teenage Girl','','publish','open','open','','on-being-a-teenage-girl','','','2011-08-17 11:19:51','2011-08-17 09:19:51','',0,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?p=5400',0,'post','',1),(5401,1,'2011-08-17 07:33:13','2011-08-17 05:33:13','I haven\'t been a teenage girl for long time. You know, now that I am a newly minted <a href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/05/17/30-things-life-in-bulgaria-has-taught-me/\" target=\"_blank\">thirty-something</a>.\n\nJust to put things in perspective, I was 19 years old 11 years ago and I was 13 years old in 1994. I got my driver\'s license at 16 and a few months--I passed traffic safety education with flying colors riding my bike to school every afternoon that summer in the 90 degree Fahrenheit heat for something like 6 weeks to the high school to take a class and to log hours of driving practice. At just barely 18, I graduated from high school and I spent my last year of being a teenager at college.\n\nBut now that I am a high school teacher, I am surrounded by teenagers and I regularly find myself thinking: I wouldn\'t ever want to do-over being a teenager. Being a teenager is angst-riddled hard work. From school to boys to parents and friends, it is not easy to be a teenage girl.\n\nThis said after two weeks at summer camp, I was reminded that being a teenage girl can also be lots of fun.\n\nThere was lots of excitement over new (cute) boys from all over Bulgaria and of course, plenty of speculation over who liked whom. The boys from Varna and Burgas seemed to garner the most attention. Ah, summer tans. I guess some things never change.\n\nThere was enough nail polish at camp to open a couple of salons and girls were endlessly changing their nail color. They were painting on little flowers or other nail art. But the newest trend a nail polish trend is called graffiti which is a type of nail polish that somehow cracks as it dries to reveal the first coat of nail polish you\'d previously painted thus you have a two tone effect and no manicure is identical.\n\nThere was nervous excitement and energy about first kisses. There were whispered exchanges about who was going to kiss whom and when this would happen. And all of this created lots of giggling, smiling and secret sharing.\n\nMost interestingly without much if any questioning, girls told me that their perfect boy would have brown hair and bright blue eyes because this a rare combination.  They told me about their desires to go home and eat at their favorite restaurants.  They shared dreams of traveling abroad. Of university.  Of what life could be like in Bulgaria if there were different and the implication was better politicians making better decisions.','Teenage Girls','','inherit','open','open','','5400-revision','','','2011-08-17 07:33:13','2011-08-17 05:33:13','',5400,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/08/17/5400-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(5402,1,'2011-08-17 07:33:27','2011-08-17 05:33:27','I haven\'t been a teenage girl for long time. You know, now that I am a newly minted <a href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/05/17/30-things-life-in-bulgaria-has-taught-me/\" target=\"_blank\">thirty-something</a>.\r\n\r\nJust to put things in perspective, I was 19 years old 11 years ago and I was 13 years old in 1994. I got my driver\'s license at 16 and a few months--I passed traffic safety education with flying colors riding my bike to school every afternoon that summer in the 90 degree Fahrenheit heat for something like 6 weeks to the high school to take a class and to log hours of driving practice. At just barely 18, I graduated from high school and I spent my last year of being a teenager at college.\r\n\r\nBut now that I am a high school teacher, I am surrounded by teenagers and I regularly find myself thinking: I wouldn\'t ever want to do-over being a teenager. Being a teenager is angst-riddled hard work. From school to boys to parents and friends, it is not easy to be a teenage girl.\r\n\r\nThis said after two weeks at summer camp, I was reminded that being a teenage girl can also be lots of fun.\r\n\r\nThere was lots of excitement over new (cute) boys from all over Bulgaria and of course, plenty of speculation over who liked whom. The boys from Varna and Burgas seemed to garner the most attention. Ah, summer tans. I guess some things never change.\r\n\r\nThere was enough nail polish at camp to open a couple of salons and girls were endlessly changing their nail color. They were painting on little flowers or other nail art. But the newest trend a nail polish trend is called graffiti which is a type of nail polish that somehow cracks as it dries to reveal the first coat of nail polish you\'d previously painted thus you have a two tone effect and no manicure is identical.\r\n\r\nThere was nervous excitement and energy about first kisses. There were whispered exchanges about who was going to kiss whom and when this would happen. And all of this created lots of giggling, smiling and secret sharing.\r\n\r\nMost interestingly without much if any questioning, girls told me that their perfect boy would have brown hair and bright blue eyes because this a rare combination.  They told me about their desires to go home and eat at their favorite restaurants.  They shared dreams of traveling abroad. Of university.  Of what life could be like in Bulgaria if there were different and the implication was better politicians making better decisions.','Teenage Girls','','inherit','open','open','','5400-revision-2','','','2011-08-17 07:33:27','2011-08-17 05:33:27','',5400,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/08/17/5400-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(5403,1,'2011-08-17 11:13:15','2011-08-17 09:13:15','I haven\'t been a teenage girl for long time. Now I am a newly minted <a href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/05/17/30-things-life-in-bulgaria-has-taught-me/\" target=\"_blank\">thirty-something</a>.\n\nJust to put things in perspective, I was 19 years old 11 years ago and I was 13 years old in 1994. I got my driver\'s license at 16 and a few months--I passed traffic safety education with flying colors riding my bike to school every afternoon that summer in the 90 degree Fahrenheit heat for something like 6 weeks to the high school to take a class and to log hours of driving practice. At just barely 18, I graduated from high school and I spent my last year of being a teenager at college.\n\nBut now that I am a high school teacher, I am surrounded by teenagers and I regularly find myself thinking: I wouldn\'t ever want to do-over being a teenager. Being a teenager is angst-riddled hard work. From school to boys to parents and friends, it is not easy to be a teenage girl.<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Kids at summer camp!\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6052537658/\"><img class=\"alignnone\" src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6080/6052537658_2b995e6208_b.jpg\" alt=\"Kids at summer camp!\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" /></a>\n\nThis said after two weeks at summer camp, I was reminded that being a teenage girl can also be lots of fun.\n\nThere was lots of excitement over new (cute) boys from all over Bulgaria and of course, plenty of speculation over who liked whom. The boys from Varna and Burgas seemed to garner the most attention. Ah, summer tans. I guess some things never change.<!--more-->\n\nThere was enough nail polish at camp to open a couple of salons and girls were endlessly changing their nail color. They were painting on little flowers or other nail art. But the newest trend a nail polish trend is called graffiti which is a type of nail polish that somehow cracks as it dries to reveal the first coat of nail polish you\'d previously painted thus you have a two tone effect and no manicure is identical.<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Graffiti nail polish in gold\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6051988067/\"><img class=\"alignnone\" src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6200/6051988067_511681d32a_b.jpg\" alt=\"Graffiti nail polish in gold\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" /></a>\n\nThere was nervous excitement and energy about first kisses. There were whispered exchanges about who was going to kiss whom and when this would happen. And all of this created lots of giggling, smiling and secret sharing.\n\nMost interestingly without much if any questioning, girl after girl told me that their perfect boy would have brown hair and bright blue eyes because this a rare combination.  They told me about their desires to go home and to see their friends as well as to eat at their favorite restaurants.  They shared dreams of traveling abroad. Of university.  Of what life could be like in Bulgaria if there were different and the implication was better politicians making better decisions.\n\nThe thing is, since I\'ve been back from camp I\'ve started worrying that I am becoming a teenage girl again!!\n\nYesterday for example, I went to buy some nail polish remover and came out with nail polish remover and a bottle of graffiti nail polish in gold. Then I went to the mall to buy a new pair of sandals after my last pair met an unfortunate death on a very jagged piece of sidewalk in downtown Sofia. I went in every store in the mall looking for the perfect pair. Of course I went back to the first shop I was in to purchase, oh, the second pair I saw.\n\nFrom there I thought I\'ll have an iced coffee and walk home. Only oh no. The sale signs lured me into a number of other shops. Shops that were clearly catering to teenagers. I found a great new shirt and a new necklace both seriously marked down.\n\nI got home last night thinking about how difficult it can be to be a teenager but also how much fun it can be. Then I sat down to paint my nails. I looked at the array of things on my coffee table and thought: You know what\'s great about not being a teenager?! You can paint your nails &amp; drink beer.','On Being a Teenage Girl','','inherit','open','open','','5400-revision-3','','','2011-08-17 11:13:15','2011-08-17 09:13:15','',5400,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/08/17/5400-revision-3/',0,'revision','',0),(5404,1,'2011-08-17 11:17:15','2011-08-17 09:17:15','I haven\'t been a teenage girl for long time. Now I am a newly minted <a href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/05/17/30-things-life-in-bulgaria-has-taught-me/\" target=\"_blank\">thirty-something</a>.\n\nJust to put things in perspective, I was 19 years old 11 years ago and I was 13 years old in 1994. I got my driver\'s license at 16 and a few months--I passed traffic safety education with flying colors riding my bike to school every afternoon that summer in the 90 degree Fahrenheit heat for something like 6 weeks to the high school to take a class and to log hours of driving practice. At just barely 18, I graduated from high school and I spent my last year of being a teenager at college.\n\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Teenage girls &amp; Me at summer camp!\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Kids at summer camp!\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6052537658/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6080/6052537658_2b995e6208_b.jpg\" alt=\"Kids at summer camp!\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nBut now that I am a high school teacher, I am surrounded by teenagers and I regularly find myself thinking: I wouldn\'t ever want to do-over being a teenager. Being a teenager is angst-riddled hard work. From school to boys to parents and friends, it is not easy to be a teenage girl.\n\nThis said after two weeks at summer camp, I was reminded that being a teenage girl can also be lots of fun.\n\nThere was lots of excitement over new (cute) boys from all over Bulgaria and of course, plenty of speculation over who liked whom. The boys from Varna and Burgas seemed to garner the most attention. Ah, summer tans. I guess some things never change.<!--more-->\n\nThere was enough nail polish at camp to open a couple of salons and girls were endlessly changing their nail color. They were painting on little flowers or other nail art. But the newest trend a nail polish trend is called graffiti which is a type of nail polish that somehow cracks as it dries to reveal the first coat of nail polish you\'d previously painted thus you have a two tone effect and no manicure is identical.<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Graffiti nail polish in gold\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6051988067/\"><img class=\"alignnone\" src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6200/6051988067_511681d32a_b.jpg\" alt=\"Graffiti nail polish in gold\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" /></a>\n\nThere was nervous excitement and energy about first kisses. There were whispered exchanges about who was going to kiss whom and when this would happen. And all of this created lots of giggling, smiling and secret sharing.\n\nMost interestingly without much if any questioning, girl after girl told me that their perfect boy would have brown hair and bright blue eyes because this a rare combination.  They told me about their desires to go home and to see their friends as well as to eat at their favorite restaurants.  They shared dreams of traveling abroad. Of university.  Of what life could be like in Bulgaria if there were different and the implication was better politicians making better decisions.\n\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"My inner teenage girl loves nail polish &amp; this fortune--Love\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Nail polish, beer and a fortune\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6052538080/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6063/6052538080_e3843ea355_b.jpg\" alt=\"Nail polish, beer and a fortune\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nThe thing is, since I\'ve been back from camp I\'ve started worrying that I am becoming a teenage girl again!!\n\nYesterday for example, I went to buy some nail polish remover and came out with nail polish remover and a bottle of graffiti nail polish in gold. Then I went to the mall to buy a new pair of sandals after my last pair met an unfortunate death on a very jagged piece of sidewalk in downtown Sofia. I went in every store in the mall looking for the perfect pair. Of course I went back to the first shop I was in to purchase, oh, the second pair I saw.\n\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"My coffee table w/laptop, nail polish, beer &amp; my Bulgarian textbook\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"My coffee table\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6051987705/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6185/6051987705_834e8b4232_b.jpg\" alt=\"My coffee table\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nFrom there I thought I\'ll have an iced coffee and walk home. Only oh no. The sale signs lured me into a number of other shops. Shops that were clearly catering to teenagers. I found a great new shirt and a new necklace both seriously marked down.\n\nI got home last night thinking about how difficult it can be to be a teenager but also how much fun it can be. Then I sat down to paint my nails. I looked at the array of things on my coffee table and thought: You know what\'s great about not being a teenager?! You can paint your nails &amp; drink beer.','On Being a Teenage Girl','','inherit','open','open','','5400-revision-4','','','2011-08-17 11:17:15','2011-08-17 09:17:15','',5400,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/08/17/5400-revision-4/',0,'revision','',0),(5405,1,'2011-08-17 11:18:05','2011-08-17 09:18:05','I haven\'t been a teenage girl for long time. Now I am a newly minted <a href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/05/17/30-things-life-in-bulgaria-has-taught-me/\" target=\"_blank\">thirty-something</a>.\r\n\r\nJust to put things in perspective, I was 19 years old 11 years ago and I was 13 years old in 1994. I got my driver\'s license at 16 and a few months--I passed traffic safety education with flying colors riding my bike to school every afternoon that summer in the 90 degree Fahrenheit heat for something like 6 weeks to the high school to take a class and to log hours of driving practice. At just barely 18, I graduated from high school and I spent my last year of being a teenager at college.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Teenage girls &amp; Me at summer camp!\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Kids at summer camp!\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6052537658/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6080/6052537658_2b995e6208_b.jpg\" alt=\"Kids at summer camp!\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nBut now that I am a high school teacher, I am surrounded by teenagers and I regularly find myself thinking: I wouldn\'t ever want to do-over being a teenager. Being a teenager is angst-riddled hard work. From school to boys to parents and friends, it is not easy to be a teenage girl.\r\n\r\nThis said after two weeks at summer camp, I was reminded that being a teenage girl can also be lots of fun.\r\n\r\nThere was lots of excitement over new (cute) boys from all over Bulgaria and of course, plenty of speculation over who liked whom. The boys from Varna and Burgas seemed to garner the most attention. Ah, summer tans. I guess some things never change.<!--more-->\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Graffiti nail polish in gold on yours truly!\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Graffiti nail polish in gold\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6051988067/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6200/6051988067_511681d32a_b.jpg\" alt=\"Graffiti nail polish in gold\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nThere was enough nail polish at camp to open a couple of salons and girls were endlessly changing their nail color. They were painting on little flowers or other nail art. But the newest trend a nail polish trend is called graffiti which is a type of nail polish that somehow cracks as it dries to reveal the first coat of nail polish you\'d previously painted thus you have a two tone effect and no manicure is identical.\r\n\r\nThere was nervous excitement and energy about first kisses. There were whispered exchanges about who was going to kiss whom and when this would happen. And all of this created lots of giggling, smiling and secret sharing.\r\n\r\nMost interestingly without much if any questioning, girl after girl told me that their perfect boy would have brown hair and bright blue eyes because this a rare combination.  They told me about their desires to go home and to see their friends as well as to eat at their favorite restaurants.  They shared dreams of traveling abroad. Of university.  Of what life could be like in Bulgaria if there were different and the implication was better politicians making better decisions.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"My inner teenage girl loves nail polish &amp; this fortune--Love\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Nail polish, beer and a fortune\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6052538080/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6063/6052538080_e3843ea355_b.jpg\" alt=\"Nail polish, beer and a fortune\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nThe thing is, since I\'ve been back from camp I\'ve started worrying that I am becoming a teenage girl again!!\r\n\r\nYesterday for example, I went to buy some nail polish remover and came out with nail polish remover and a bottle of graffiti nail polish in gold. Then I went to the mall to buy a new pair of sandals after my last pair met an unfortunate death on a very jagged piece of sidewalk in downtown Sofia. I went in every store in the mall looking for the perfect pair. Of course I went back to the first shop I was in to purchase, oh, the second pair I saw.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"My coffee table w/laptop, nail polish, beer &amp; my Bulgarian textbook\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"My coffee table\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6051987705/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6185/6051987705_834e8b4232_b.jpg\" alt=\"My coffee table\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nFrom there I thought I\'ll have an iced coffee and walk home. Only oh no. The sale signs lured me into a number of other shops. Shops that were clearly catering to teenagers. I found a great new shirt and a new necklace both seriously marked down.\r\n\r\nI got home last night thinking about how difficult it can be to be a teenager but also how much fun it can be. Then I sat down to paint my nails. I looked at the array of things on my coffee table and thought: You know what\'s great about not being a teenager?! You can paint your nails &amp; drink beer.','On Being a Teenage Girl','','inherit','open','open','','5400-revision-5','','','2011-08-17 11:18:05','2011-08-17 09:18:05','',5400,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/08/17/5400-revision-5/',0,'revision','',0),(5406,1,'2011-08-17 11:20:57','2011-08-17 09:20:57','I haven\'t been a teenage girl for long time. Now I am a newly minted <a href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/05/17/30-things-life-in-bulgaria-has-taught-me/\" target=\"_blank\">thirty-something</a>.\n\nJust to put things in perspective, I was 19 years old 11 years ago and I was 13 years old in 1994. I got my driver\'s license at 16 and a few months--I passed traffic safety education with flying colors riding my bike to school every afternoon that summer in the 90 degree Fahrenheit heat for something like 6 weeks to the high school to take a class and to log hours of driving practice. At just barely 18, I graduated from high school and I spent my last year of being a teenager at college.\n\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Teenage girls &amp; Me at summer camp!\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Kids at summer camp!\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6052537658/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6080/6052537658_2b995e6208_b.jpg\" alt=\"Kids at summer camp!\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nBut now that I am a high school teacher, I am surrounded by teenagers and I regularly find myself thinking: I wouldn\'t ever want to do-over being a teenager. Being a teenager is angst-riddled hard work. From school to boys to parents and friends, it is not easy to be a teenage girl.\n\nThis said after two weeks at summer camp, I was reminded that being a teenage girl can also be lots of fun.\n\nThere was lots of excitement over new (cute) boys from all over Bulgaria and of course, plenty of speculation over who liked whom. The boys from Varna and Burgas seemed to garner the most attention. Ah, summer tans. I guess some things never change.<!--more-->\n\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Graffiti nail polish in gold on yours truly!\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Graffiti nail polish in gold\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6051988067/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6200/6051988067_511681d32a_b.jpg\" alt=\"Graffiti nail polish in gold\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nThere was enough nail polish at camp to open a couple of salons and girls were endlessly changing their nail color. They were painting on little flowers or other nail art. But the newest trend a nail polish trend is called graffiti which is a type of nail polish that somehow cracks as it dries to reveal the first coat of nail polish you\'d previously painted thus you have a two tone effect and no manicure is identical.\n\nThere was nervous excitement and energy about first kisses. There were whispered exchanges about who was going to kiss whom and when this would happen. And all of this created lots of giggling, smiling and secret sharing.\n\nMost interestingly without much if any questioning, girl after girl told me that their perfect boy would have brown hair and bright blue eyes because this a rare combination.  They told me about their desires to go home and to see their friends as well as to eat at their favorite restaurants.  They shared dreams of traveling abroad. Of university.  Of what life could be like in Bulgaria if there were different and the implication was better politicians making better decisions.\n\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"My inner teenage girl loves nail polish &amp; this fortune--Love\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Nail polish, beer and a fortune\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6052538080/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6063/6052538080_e3843ea355_b.jpg\" alt=\"Nail polish, beer and a fortune\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nThe thing is, since I\'ve been back from camp I\'ve started worrying that I am becoming a teenage girl again!!\n\nYesterday for example, I went to buy some nail polish remover and came out with nail polish remover and a bottle of graffiti nail polish in gold. Then I went to the mall to buy a new pair of sandals after my last pair met an unfortunate death on a very jagged piece of sidewalk in downtown Sofia. I went in every store in the mall looking for the perfect pair. Of course I went back to the first shop I was in to purchase, oh, the second pair I saw.\n\nFrom there I thought I\'ll have an iced coffee and walk home. Only oh no. The sale signs lured me into a number of other shops. Shops that were clearly catering to teenagers. I found a great new shirt and a new necklace both seriously marked down.\n\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"My coffee table w/laptop, nail polish, beer &amp; my Bulgarian textbook\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"My coffee table\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6051987705/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6185/6051987705_834e8b4232_b.jpg\" alt=\"My coffee table\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nI got home last night thinking about how difficult it can be to be a teenager but also how much fun it can be. Then I sat down to paint my nails. I looked at the array of things on my coffee table and thought: You know what\'s great about not being a teenager?! You can paint your nails &amp; drink beer.','On Being a Teenage Girl','','inherit','open','open','','5400-autosave','','','2011-08-17 11:20:57','2011-08-17 09:20:57','',5400,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/08/17/5400-autosave/',0,'revision','',0),(5407,1,'2011-08-18 09:57:27','2011-08-18 07:57:27','I find myself interested in fences in Bulgaria.\r\n\r\nFences as you know are meant to keep unwanted people and things off of your property or alternately on your property. Fences demarcate what is yours.  Fences also often provide some semblance of privacy--you can\'t see what I am doing behind my fence. Fences draw a line between what is public and what is private.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Fence in Elena\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Fence in Elena\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6044624461/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6208/6044624461_57b246ec3b_b.jpg\" alt=\"Fence in Elena\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSo whenever I get the chance I look over fences. I peer through gaps in fences. I take pictures of what I see.\r\n\r\nI wonder: what\'s going on back there? what\'s happening on the other side of the fence? <!--more-->\r\n\r\nIn the States we build fences to keep children, pets and farm animals in (as well as to safe guard them) and to keep everyone else out. Often this is both to physically keep someone out but to also keep their prying eyes out of our business.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Flowers through a Fence\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"flowers through a fence\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6044624783/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6198/6044624783_01e7743348_b.jpg\" alt=\"flowers through a fence\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nIt\'s for all of these reasons that I am drawn to fences in Bulgaria. I want to see what the fence is protecting, guarding, safe-keeping. I want to glance over someone\'s fence and into their yard because I hope that in doing so I\'ll get a glimpse of this person\'s life.\r\n\r\nMany times in Bulgaria fences are slightly depressing.\r\n\r\nThe depressing fences no longer stand straight or need to be repaired or patched. No one looks after the fence anymore. I guess there\'s no need to take care of a fence if you don\'t value what\'s behind it.  But a fence suggests that at some point, someone cared. They cared enough to build it, to put it up.  And I wonder: what happened? what changed?\r\n\r\nOf course, I can guess what happened and what changed but none of these guesses are very happy.  They include death, apathy, old age and abandonment.\r\n\r\nIn my mind the best fences protect something unexpected, something beautiful. Flowers for example.','The Power of Fences ','','publish','open','open','','the-power-of-fences','','','2011-08-18 09:57:27','2011-08-18 07:57:27','',0,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?p=5407',0,'post','',0),(5408,1,'2011-08-18 09:56:35','2011-08-18 07:56:35','I find myself interested in fences in Bulgaria.\n\nFences as you know are meant to keep unwanted people and things off of your property or alternately on your property. Fences demarcate what is yours.  Fences also often provide some semblance of privacy--you can\'t see what I am doing behind my fence. Fences draw a line between what is public and what is private.\n\n<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Fence in Elena\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6044624461/\"><img class=\"alignnone\" src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6208/6044624461_57b246ec3b_b.jpg\" alt=\"Fence in Elena\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" /></a>\n\nSo whenever I get the chance I look over fences. I peer through gaps in fences. I take pictures of what I see.\n\nI wonder: what\'s going on back there? what\'s happening on the other side of the fence? <!--more-->\n\nIn the States we build fences to keep children, pets and farm animals in (as well as to safe guard them) and to keep everyone else out. Often this is both to physically keep someone out but to also keep their prying eyes out of our business.\n\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Flowers through a Fence\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"flowers through a fence\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6044624783/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6198/6044624783_01e7743348_b.jpg\" alt=\"flowers through a fence\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nIt\'s for all of these reasons that I am drawn to fences in Bulgaria. I want to see what the fence is protecting, guarding, safe-keeping. I want to glance over someone\'s fence and into their yard because I hope that in doing so I\'ll get a glimpse of this person\'s life.\n\nMany times in Bulgaria fences are slightly depressing.\n\nThe depressing fences no longer stand straight or need to be repaired or patched. No one looks after the fence anymore. I guess there\'s no need to take care of a fence if you don\'t value what\'s behind it.  But a fence suggests that at some point, someone cared. They cared enough to build it, to put it up.  And I wonder: what happened? what changed?\n\nOf course, I can guess what happened and what changed but none of these guesses are very happy.  They include death, apathy, old age and abandonment.\n\nIn my mind the best fences protect something unexpected, something beautiful. Flowers for example.','The Power of Fences ','','inherit','open','open','','5407-revision','','','2011-08-18 09:56:35','2011-08-18 07:56:35','',5407,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/08/18/5407-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(5409,1,'2011-08-18 09:57:04','2011-08-18 07:57:04','I find myself interested in fences in Bulgaria.\r\n\r\nFences as you know are meant to keep unwanted people and things off of your property or alternately on your property. Fences demarcate what is yours.  Fences also often provide some semblance of privacy--you can\'t see what I am doing behind my fence. Fences draw a line between what is public and what is private.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Fence in Elena\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Fence in Elena\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6044624461/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6208/6044624461_57b246ec3b_b.jpg\" alt=\"Fence in Elena\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSo whenever I get the chance I look over fences. I peer through gaps in fences. I take pictures of what I see.\r\n\r\nI wonder: what\'s going on back there? what\'s happening on the other side of the fence? <!--more-->\r\n\r\nIn the States we build fences to keep children, pets and farm animals in (as well as to safe guard them) and to keep everyone else out. Often this is both to physically keep someone out but to also keep their prying eyes out of our business.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Flowers through a Fence\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"flowers through a fence\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6044624783/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6198/6044624783_01e7743348_b.jpg\" alt=\"flowers through a fence\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nIt\'s for all of these reasons that I am drawn to fences in Bulgaria. I want to see what the fence is protecting, guarding, safe-keeping. I want to glance over someone\'s fence and into their yard because I hope that in doing so I\'ll get a glimpse of this person\'s life.\r\n\r\nMany times in Bulgaria fences are slightly depressing.\r\n\r\nThe depressing fences no longer stand straight or need to be repaired or patched. No one looks after the fence anymore. I guess there\'s no need to take care of a fence if you don\'t value what\'s behind it.  But a fence suggests that at some point, someone cared. They cared enough to build it, to put it up.  And I wonder: what happened? what changed?\r\n\r\nOf course, I can guess what happened and what changed but none of these guesses are very happy.  They include death, apathy, old age and abandonment.\r\n\r\nIn my mind the best fences protect something unexpected, something beautiful. Flowers for example.','The Power of Fences ','','inherit','open','open','','5407-revision-2','','','2011-08-18 09:57:04','2011-08-18 07:57:04','',5407,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/08/18/5407-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(5410,1,'2011-08-18 09:57:04','2011-08-18 07:57:04','I find myself interested in fences in Bulgaria.\r\n\r\nFences as you know are meant to keep unwanted people and things off of your property or alternately on your property. Fences demarcate what is yours.  Fences also often provide some semblance of privacy--you can\'t see what I am doing behind my fence. Fences draw a line between what is public and what is private.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Fence in Elena\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Fence in Elena\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6044624461/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6208/6044624461_57b246ec3b_b.jpg\" alt=\"Fence in Elena\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSo whenever I get the chance I look over fences. I peer through gaps in fences. I take pictures of what I see.\r\n\r\nI wonder: what\'s going on back there? what\'s happening on the other side of the fence? <!--more-->\r\n\r\nIn the States we build fences to keep children, pets and farm animals in (as well as to safe guard them) and to keep everyone else out. Often this is both to physically keep someone out but to also keep their prying eyes out of our business.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Flowers through a Fence\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"flowers through a fence\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6044624783/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6198/6044624783_01e7743348_b.jpg\" alt=\"flowers through a fence\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nIt\'s for all of these reasons that I am drawn to fences in Bulgaria. I want to see what the fence is protecting, guarding, safe-keeping. I want to glance over someone\'s fence and into their yard because I hope that in doing so I\'ll get a glimpse of this person\'s life.\r\n\r\nMany times in Bulgaria fences are slightly depressing.\r\n\r\nThe depressing fences no longer stand straight or need to be repaired or patched. No one looks after the fence anymore. I guess there\'s no need to take care of a fence if you don\'t value what\'s behind it.  But a fence suggests that at some point, someone cared. They cared enough to build it, to put it up.  And I wonder: what happened? what changed?\r\n\r\nOf course, I can guess what happened and what changed but none of these guesses are very happy.  They include death, apathy, old age and abandonment.\r\n\r\nIn my mind the best fences protect something unexpected, something beautiful. Flowers for example.','The Power of Fences ','','inherit','open','open','','5407-revision-3','','','2011-08-18 09:57:04','2011-08-18 07:57:04','',5407,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/08/18/5407-revision-3/',0,'revision','',0),(5411,1,'2011-08-19 08:22:26','2011-08-19 06:22:26','Sometimes I love how quickly plans can change in Bulgaria and sometimes I hate it. Today is one of those days where I love it. I mean I guess it\'s about being open to last minute plans and being willing to throw on a smile, pack up a suitcase/backpack and ask questions later.\r\n\r\nI got a call from a friend last night about the <a href=\"http://www.jeravna.com/?language=en\" target=\"_blank\">Jeravna Folk Life Festival</a>. The question: would I like to go? Um, yes.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Formal picture of us in our Kyustendil costumes\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Formal picture of us in our Kyustendil costumes\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6057902637/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6086/6057902637_4a73db859b_b.jpg\" alt=\"Formal picture of us in our Kyustendil costumes\" width=\"614\" height=\"461\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nYes. Hell yes actually. I said yes for a host of different reasons.\r\n\r\nFirst, you\'re required to wear Bulgarian national costume.\r\n\r\nSecond, the website plainly states that Jeravna is the most beautiful ancient village in Bulgaria.\r\n\r\nThird, it\'s my policy never to turn down a trip/outing/adventure in Bulgaria. <!--more-->\r\n\r\nNow if you\'re Bulgarian (or well anyone) you may be wondering how I will get my hands on a Bulgarian national folk  costume in a few hours so that I can attend the festival. Apparently in a stroke of good luck, foresight or just plain old crazy I bought my very own costume last spring. You know because I <em>clearly</em> need a folk costume hand made for me from the region of Kyustendil.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Costumes from Kyustendil region\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Costumes from Kyustendil region\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6058448832/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6182/6058448832_3632161e28_b.jpg\" alt=\"Costumes from Kyustendil region\" width=\"614\" height=\"461\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nAt the time, a couple of my American colleagues who were moving back to the States wanted to buy costumes and I am a sucker for dresses, aprons and embroidery so I decided to buy a dress too. I also thought: Why not? A dress will be a excellent (future) memento of my time in Bulgaria.\r\n\r\nOh and truth be told, I had a lot of cash in my apartment after <a href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/05/14/still-rocking-my-simple-phone-smartphone-be-damned/\" target=\"_blank\">M-Tel refused to sell me a smart phone</a> because I am a foreigner. And you know what? The lady who makes by hand national costumes didn\'t refuse to make me a dress because I am a foreigner. Nope, she took my measurements and my money and six weeks later I had a beautiful, beautiful dress.\r\n\r\nSo today, I am going to take my dress and my \"simple\" phone, a pair of shoes and my toothbrush, my camera and a smile, with me to Jeravna to celebrate the folk life festival. And I think that this might, <em>just might,</em> be the weekend where two years of Balkan dance classes, countless hours of Bulgarian lessons and the purchasing of my own folk dress pays off.','Zheravna or Jeravna Folk Life Festival ','','publish','open','open','','zheravna-or-jeravna-folk-life-festival','','','2011-08-19 08:22:26','2011-08-19 06:22:26','',0,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?p=5411',0,'post','',6),(5412,1,'2011-08-19 08:19:33','2011-08-19 06:19:33','Sometimes I love how quickly plans can change in Bulgaria and sometimes I hate it. Today is one of those days where I love it. I mean I guess it\'s about being open to last minute plans and being willing to throw on a smile, pack up a suitcase/backpack and ask questions later.\n\nI got a call from a friend last night about the <a href=\"http://www.jeravna.com/?language=en\" target=\"_blank\">Jeravna Folk Life Festival</a>. The question: would I like to go? Um, yes.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nYes. Hell yes actually. I said yes for a host of different reasons.\n\nFirst, you\'re required to wear Bulgarian national costume.\n\nSecond, the website plainly states that Jeravna is the most beautiful ancient village in Bulgaria.\n\nThird, it\'s my policy never to turn down a trip/outing/adventure in Bulgaria.\n\nNow if you\'re Bulgarian (or well anyone) you may be wondering how I will get my hands on a Bulgarian national folk  costume in a few hours so that I can attend the festival. Apparently in a stroke of good luck, foresight or just plain old crazy I bought my very own costume last spring. You know because I <em>clearly</em> need a folk costume hand made for me from the region of Kyustendil.\n\nAt the time, a couple of my American colleagues who were moving back to the States wanted to buy costumes and I am a sucker for dresses, aprons and embroidery so I decided to buy a dress too. I also thought: Why not? A dress will be a excellent (future) memento of my time in Bulgaria.\n\nOh and truth be told, I had a lot of cash in my apartment after <a href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/05/14/still-rocking-my-simple-phone-smartphone-be-damned/\" target=\"_blank\">M-Tel refused to sell me a smart phone</a> because I am a foreigner. And you know what? The lady who makes by hand national costumes didn\'t refuse to make me a dress because I am a foreigner. Nope, she took my measurements and my money and six weeks later I had a beautiful, beautiful dress.\n\nSo today, I am going to take my dress and my \"simple\" phone, a pair of shoes and my toothbrush, my camera and a smile, with me to Jeravna to celebrate the folk life festival. And I think that this might, <em>just might,</em> be the weekend where two years of Balkan dance classes, countless hours of Bulgarian lessons and the purchasing of my own folk dress pays off.','Zheravna or Jeravna Folk Life Festival ','','inherit','open','open','','5411-revision','','','2011-08-19 08:19:33','2011-08-19 06:19:33','',5411,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/08/19/5411-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(5413,1,'2011-08-19 08:20:33','2011-08-19 06:20:33','Sometimes I love how quickly plans can change in Bulgaria and sometimes I hate it. Today is one of those days where I love it. I mean I guess it\'s about being open to last minute plans and being willing to throw on a smile, pack up a suitcase/backpack and ask questions later.\n\nI got a call from a friend last night about the <a href=\"http://www.jeravna.com/?language=en\" target=\"_blank\">Jeravna Folk Life Festival</a>. The question: would I like to go? Um, yes.\n\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Formal picture of us in our Kyustendil costumes\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Formal picture of us in our Kyustendil costumes\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6057902637/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6086/6057902637_4a73db859b_b.jpg\" alt=\"Formal picture of us in our Kyustendil costumes\" width=\"614\" height=\"461\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\nYes. Hell yes actually. I said yes for a host of different reasons.\n\nFirst, you\'re required to wear Bulgarian national costume.\n\nSecond, the website plainly states that Jeravna is the most beautiful ancient village in Bulgaria.\n\nThird, it\'s my policy never to turn down a trip/outing/adventure in Bulgaria.\n\nNow if you\'re Bulgarian (or well anyone) you may be wondering how I will get my hands on a Bulgarian national folk  costume in a few hours so that I can attend the festival. Apparently in a stroke of good luck, foresight or just plain old crazy I bought my very own costume last spring. You know because I <em>clearly</em> need a folk costume hand made for me from the region of Kyustendil.\n\nAt the time, a couple of my American colleagues who were moving back to the States wanted to buy costumes and I am a sucker for dresses, aprons and embroidery so I decided to buy a dress too. I also thought: Why not? A dress will be a excellent (future) memento of my time in Bulgaria.\n\nOh and truth be told, I had a lot of cash in my apartment after <a href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/05/14/still-rocking-my-simple-phone-smartphone-be-damned/\" target=\"_blank\">M-Tel refused to sell me a smart phone</a> because I am a foreigner. And you know what? The lady who makes by hand national costumes didn\'t refuse to make me a dress because I am a foreigner. Nope, she took my measurements and my money and six weeks later I had a beautiful, beautiful dress.\n\nSo today, I am going to take my dress and my \"simple\" phone, a pair of shoes and my toothbrush, my camera and a smile, with me to Jeravna to celebrate the folk life festival. And I think that this might, <em>just might,</em> be the weekend where two years of Balkan dance classes, countless hours of Bulgarian lessons and the purchasing of my own folk dress pays off.','Zheravna or Jeravna Folk Life Festival ','','inherit','open','open','','5411-revision-2','','','2011-08-19 08:20:33','2011-08-19 06:20:33','',5411,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/08/19/5411-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(5414,1,'2011-08-19 08:23:33','2011-08-19 06:23:33','Sometimes I love how quickly plans can change in Bulgaria and sometimes I hate it. Today is one of those days where I love it. I mean I guess it\'s about being open to last minute plans and being willing to throw on a smile, pack up a suitcase/backpack and ask questions later.\n\nI got a call from a friend last night about the <a href=\"http://www.jeravna.com/?language=en\" target=\"_blank\">Jeravna Folk Life Festival</a>. The question: would I like to go? Um, yes.\n\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Formal picture of us in our Kyustendil costumes\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Formal picture of us in our Kyustendil costumes\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6057902637/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6086/6057902637_4a73db859b_b.jpg\" alt=\"Formal picture of us in our Kyustendil costumes\" width=\"614\" height=\"461\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nYes. Hell yes actually. I said yes for a host of different reasons.\n\nFirst, you\'re required to wear Bulgarian national costume.\n\nSecond, the website plainly states that Jeravna is the most beautiful ancient village in Bulgaria.\n\nThird, it\'s my policy never to turn down a trip/outing/adventure in Bulgaria. <!--more-->\n\nNow if you\'re Bulgarian (or well anyone) you may be wondering how I will get my hands on a Bulgarian national folk  costume in a few hours so that I can attend the festival. Apparently in a stroke of good luck, foresight or just plain old crazy I bought my very own costume last spring. You know because I <em>clearly</em> need a folk costume hand made for me from the region of Kyustendil.\n\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Costumes from Kyustendil region\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Costumes from Kyustendil region\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6058448832/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6182/6058448832_3632161e28_b.jpg\" alt=\"Costumes from Kyustendil region\" width=\"614\" height=\"461\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nAt the time, a couple of my American colleagues who were moving back to the States wanted to buy costumes and I am a sucker for dresses, aprons and embroidery so I decided to buy a dress too. I also thought: Why not? A dress will be a excellent (future) memento of my time in Bulgaria.\n\nOh and truth be told, I had a lot of cash in my apartment after <a href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/05/14/still-rocking-my-simple-phone-smartphone-be-damned/\" target=\"_blank\">M-Tel refused to sell me a smart phone</a> because I am a foreigner. And you know what? The lady who makes by hand national costumes didn\'t refuse to make me a dress because I am a foreigner. Nope, she took my measurements and my money and six weeks later I had a beautiful, beautiful dress.\n\nSo today, I am going to take my dress and my \"simple\" phone, a pair of shoes and my toothbrush, my camera and a smile, with me to Jeravna to celebrate the folk life festival. And I think that this might, <em>just might,</em> be the weekend where two years of Balkan dance classes, countless hours of Bulgarian lessons and the purchasing of my own folk dress pays off.','Zheravna or Jeravna Folk Life Festival ','','inherit','open','open','','5411-autosave','','','2011-08-19 08:23:33','2011-08-19 06:23:33','',5411,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/08/19/5411-autosave/',0,'revision','',0),(5415,1,'2011-08-20 09:00:11','2011-08-20 07:00:11','For whatever reason, I just read a <a href=\"http://easyexpat.blogexpat.com/blog/lifestyle/2011/07/27/how-to-battle-culture-shock-and-win\" target=\"_blank\">short piece on the stages of culture shock</a>. Yep, I\'ve lived in Bulgaria for three years and I\'m reading up on culture shock.\r\n\r\nAs an ex-pat, I\'m vaguely interested in this issue of culture shock. I am aware of both my own culture shock and other people\'s and for better or worse sometimes find myself annoyed with other people\'s culture shock. Here\'s the thing, I know that what\'s actually annoying me is the complaint. Sometimes incessant complaint.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Exploring new things: Lakes and streets\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Lakes and streets\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6045169632/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6183/6045169632_b4b669ccac_b.jpg\" alt=\"Lakes and streets\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nStill it\'s often hard for me to separate the complaints which steam from culture shock from the person. I think: Ug, all she (or he) does is complain about life in Bulgaria.\r\n\r\nAnd guess what? Complaining brings me down. I think that there are so many other interesting things to talk about other than complaining or alternately bragging about trips that one has gone on. I don\'t want to spend a night drinking beer and complaining about the food, the transportation, the stray dogs or the long lines at every administrative building.\r\n\r\nThe question in my mind is how can I learn to live with foreigners who are experiencing a different level of culture shock than I am? How do I teach myself to recognize that they have a case of culture shock and that this behavior probably does not actually represent who they are?<!--more-->\r\n\r\nWell after three years here, I am pretty convinced that I can\'t help anyone other than myself through the waves of culture shock that descend upon moving to a country like Bulgaria or upon returning after a holiday away.  Everyone has to deal with culture shock in her own way.\r\n\r\nFor many people this happens through talk--one realizes that they are not alone in their observations of how different Bulgaria is from in my case America. But this kind of talk is often mind numbing for those of us who\'ve lived here for a few years.  I mean if I hear one more discussion about the two Bulgarian cheeses kashkaval and sirene I might scream. Yes, sirene is very similar to Greek feta and I know that pizza isn\'t quite the same with kashkaval rather than mozzarella.\r\n\r\nSo what\'s a girl to do?\r\n\r\nI can\'t very well avoid all new ex-pats until their culture shock has worn off. That would be an impossible task what with a new batch of Fulbrighters each year and forever rotating batch American teachers at school.\r\n\r\nHere\'s my stay-sane strategy.\r\n<ol>\r\n	<li>Be nice to everyone.</li>\r\n	<li>Ask ex-pats that you\'ve just met engaging questions. Maybe you can avoid the complaints by directing the conversation elsewhere.</li>\r\n	<li>Listen to two or three complaints sincerely.</li>\r\n	<li>Offer a specific suggestion for dealing with the complaint be it: Billa generally has a big selection of foreign cheeses or most pizza restaurants will substitute mozzarella cheese on a pizza if you ask. The idea is to help this person discover something new. At least this way you feel helpful.</li>\r\n	<li>Then after you\'ve listened to three complains and offered practical, succinct advice direct the conversation elsewhere. And definitely don\'t engage in complaining of your own.</li>\r\n	<li>If #5 fails, introduce the new ex-pat to someone else at the party/event/bar.</li>\r\n	<li>Don\'t write this new person off until you\'ve met him or her at least twice if not three times. Culture shock is a beast and you don\'t how how long it will take someone to get through the complaining phase. You have to be patient.</li>\r\n	<li>Finally, remember that you were probably just like this person if not worse when you arrived so be kind.</li>\r\n</ol>\r\nThe big problem with culture shock it lurks at the edges of your life and often you\'re not aware of how your culture shock appears to other people. For me now that I\'ve recognized that for many new ex-pats complaint and culture shock are pretty closely linked it\'s much, much easier for me to excuse this behavior or to look past this behavior in order to get to know someone new.\r\n\r\nSure I complain from time to time but I prefer the complaints of seasoned ex-pats that evoke raucous laughter we\'ve all been there rather than the complaints of freshly minted ex-pats that grow out of disillusionment and frustration. The good news? No one stays a newbie ex-pat forever.','Culture shock, Ex-pats & Staying Sane ','','publish','open','open','','culture-shock-ex-pats-staying-sane','','','2011-08-19 12:27:27','2011-08-19 10:27:27','',0,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?p=5415',0,'post','',1),(5416,1,'2011-08-19 12:19:08','2011-08-19 10:19:08','For whatever reason, I just read a <a href=\"http://easyexpat.blogexpat.com/blog/lifestyle/2011/07/27/how-to-battle-culture-shock-and-win\" target=\"_blank\">short piece on the stages of culture shock</a>. Yep, I\'ve lived in Bulgaria for three years and I\'m reading up on culture shock.\n\nAs an ex-pat, I\'m vaguely interested in this issue of culture shock. I am aware of both my own culture shock and other people\'s and for better or worse sometimes find myself annoyed with other people\'s culture shock. Here\'s the thing, I know that what\'s actually annoying me is the complaint. Sometimes incessant complaint.\n\nStill it\'s often hard for me to separate the complaints which steam from culture shock from the person. I think: Ug, all she (or he) does is complain about life in Bulgaria.\n\nAnd guess what? Complaining brings me down. I think that there are so many other interesting things to talk about other than complaining or alternately bragging about trips that one has gone on. I don\'t want to spend a night drinking beer and complaining about the food, the transportation, the stray dogs or the long lines at every administrative building.\n\nThe question in my mind is how can I learn to live with foreigners who are experiencing a different level of culture shock than I am? How do I teach myself to recognize that they have a case of culture shock and that this behavior probably does not actually represent who they are?\n\nWell after three years here, I am pretty convinced that I can\'t help anyone other than myself through the waves of culture shock that descend upon moving to a country like Bulgaria or upon returning after a holiday away.  Everyone has to deal with culture shock in her own way.\n\nFor many people this happens through talk--one realizes that they are not alone in their observations of how different Bulgaria is from in my case America. But this kind of talk is often mind numbing for those of us who\'ve lived here for a few years.  I mean if I hear one more discussion about the two Bulgarian cheeses kashkaval and sirene I might scream. Yes, sirene is very similar to Greek feta and I know that pizza isn\'t quite the same with kashkaval rather than mozzarella.\n\nSo what\'s a girl to do?\n\nI can\'t very well avoid all new ex-pats until their culture shock has worn off. That would be an impossible task what with a new batch of Fulbrighters each year and forever rotating batch American teachers at school.\n\nHere\'s my stay-sane strategy.\n<ol>\n	<li>Be nice to everyone.</li>\n	<li>Ask ex-pats that you\'ve just met engaging questions. Maybe you can avoid the complaints by directing the conversation elsewhere.</li>\n	<li>Listen to two or three complaints sincerely.</li>\n	<li>Offer a specific suggestion for dealing with the complaint be it: Billa generally has a big selection of foreign cheeses or most pizza restaurants will substitute mozzarella cheese on a pizza if you ask. The idea is to help this person discover something new. At least this way you feel helpful.</li>\n	<li>Then after you\'ve listened to three complains and offered practical, succinct advice direct the conversation else where. And definitely don\'t engage in complaining of your own.</li>\n	<li>If #5 fails, introduce the new ex-pat to someone else at the party/event/bar.</li>\n	<li>Don\'t write this new person off until you\'ve met him or her at least twice if not three times. Culture shock is a beast and you don\'t how how long it will take someone to get through the complaining phase. You have to be patient.</li>\n	<li>Finally, remember that you were probably just like this person if not worse when you arrived so be kind.</li>\n</ol>\nThe big problem with culture shock it lurks at the edges of your life and often you\'re not aware of how your culture shock appears to other people. For me now that I\'ve recognized that for many new ex-pats complaint and culture shock are pretty closely linked it\'s much, much easier for me to excuse this behavior or to look past this behavior in order to get to know someone new.\n\nSure I complain from time to time but I prefer the complaints of seasoned ex-pats that evoke raucous laughter we\'ve all been there rather than the complaints of freshly minted ex-pats that grow out of disillusionment and frustration. The good news? No one stays a newbie ex-pat forever.','Culture shock, Ex-pats & Staying Sane ','','inherit','open','open','','5415-revision','','','2011-08-19 12:19:08','2011-08-19 10:19:08','',5415,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/08/19/5415-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(5417,1,'2011-08-19 12:21:56','2011-08-19 10:21:56','For whatever reason, I just read a <a href=\"http://easyexpat.blogexpat.com/blog/lifestyle/2011/07/27/how-to-battle-culture-shock-and-win\" target=\"_blank\">short piece on the stages of culture shock</a>. Yep, I\'ve lived in Bulgaria for three years and I\'m reading up on culture shock.\n\nAs an ex-pat, I\'m vaguely interested in this issue of culture shock. I am aware of both my own culture shock and other people\'s and for better or worse sometimes find myself annoyed with other people\'s culture shock. Here\'s the thing, I know that what\'s actually annoying me is the complaint. Sometimes incessant complaint.<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Lakes and streets\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6045169632/\"><img class=\"alignnone\" src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6183/6045169632_b4b669ccac_b.jpg\" alt=\"Lakes and streets\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" /></a>\n\nStill it\'s often hard for me to separate the complaints which steam from culture shock from the person. I think: Ug, all she (or he) does is complain about life in Bulgaria.\n\nAnd guess what? Complaining brings me down. I think that there are so many other interesting things to talk about other than complaining or alternately bragging about trips that one has gone on. I don\'t want to spend a night drinking beer and complaining about the food, the transportation, the stray dogs or the long lines at every administrative building.\n\nThe question in my mind is how can I learn to live with foreigners who are experiencing a different level of culture shock than I am? How do I teach myself to recognize that they have a case of culture shock and that this behavior probably does not actually represent who they are?\n\nWell after three years here, I am pretty convinced that I can\'t help anyone other than myself through the waves of culture shock that descend upon moving to a country like Bulgaria or upon returning after a holiday away.  Everyone has to deal with culture shock in her own way.\n\nFor many people this happens through talk--one realizes that they are not alone in their observations of how different Bulgaria is from in my case America. But this kind of talk is often mind numbing for those of us who\'ve lived here for a few years.  I mean if I hear one more discussion about the two Bulgarian cheeses kashkaval and sirene I might scream. Yes, sirene is very similar to Greek feta and I know that pizza isn\'t quite the same with kashkaval rather than mozzarella.\n\nSo what\'s a girl to do?\n\nI can\'t very well avoid all new ex-pats until their culture shock has worn off. That would be an impossible task what with a new batch of Fulbrighters each year and forever rotating batch American teachers at school.\n\nHere\'s my stay-sane strategy.\n<ol>\n	<li>Be nice to everyone.</li>\n	<li>Ask ex-pats that you\'ve just met engaging questions. Maybe you can avoid the complaints by directing the conversation elsewhere.</li>\n	<li>Listen to two or three complaints sincerely.</li>\n	<li>Offer a specific suggestion for dealing with the complaint be it: Billa generally has a big selection of foreign cheeses or most pizza restaurants will substitute mozzarella cheese on a pizza if you ask. The idea is to help this person discover something new. At least this way you feel helpful.</li>\n	<li>Then after you\'ve listened to three complains and offered practical, succinct advice direct the conversation elsewhere. And definitely don\'t engage in complaining of your own.</li>\n	<li>If #5 fails, introduce the new ex-pat to someone else at the party/event/bar.</li>\n	<li>Don\'t write this new person off until you\'ve met him or her at least twice if not three times. Culture shock is a beast and you don\'t how how long it will take someone to get through the complaining phase. You have to be patient.</li>\n	<li>Finally, remember that you were probably just like this person if not worse when you arrived so be kind.</li>\n</ol>\nThe big problem with culture shock it lurks at the edges of your life and often you\'re not aware of how your culture shock appears to other people. For me now that I\'ve recognized that for many new ex-pats complaint and culture shock are pretty closely linked it\'s much, much easier for me to excuse this behavior or to look past this behavior in order to get to know someone new.\n\nSure I complain from time to time but I prefer the complaints of seasoned ex-pats that evoke raucous laughter we\'ve all been there rather than the complaints of freshly minted ex-pats that grow out of disillusionment and frustration. The good news? No one stays a newbie ex-pat forever.','Culture shock, Ex-pats & Staying Sane ','','inherit','open','open','','5415-revision-2','','','2011-08-19 12:21:56','2011-08-19 10:21:56','',5415,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/08/19/5415-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(5418,1,'2011-08-19 12:22:56','2011-08-19 10:22:56','For whatever reason, I just read a <a href=\"http://easyexpat.blogexpat.com/blog/lifestyle/2011/07/27/how-to-battle-culture-shock-and-win\" target=\"_blank\">short piece on the stages of culture shock</a>. Yep, I\'ve lived in Bulgaria for three years and I\'m reading up on culture shock.\n\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Exploring new things: Lakes and streets\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Lakes and streets\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6045169632/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6183/6045169632_b4b669ccac_b.jpg\" alt=\"Lakes and streets\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nAs an ex-pat, I\'m vaguely interested in this issue of culture shock. I am aware of both my own culture shock and other people\'s and for better or worse sometimes find myself annoyed with other people\'s culture shock. Here\'s the thing, I know that what\'s actually annoying me is the complaint. Sometimes incessant complaint.\n\nStill it\'s often hard for me to separate the complaints which steam from culture shock from the person. I think: Ug, all she (or he) does is complain about life in Bulgaria.\n\nAnd guess what? Complaining brings me down. I think that there are so many other interesting things to talk about other than complaining or alternately bragging about trips that one has gone on. I don\'t want to spend a night drinking beer and complaining about the food, the transportation, the stray dogs or the long lines at every administrative building.\n\nThe question in my mind is how can I learn to live with foreigners who are experiencing a different level of culture shock than I am? How do I teach myself to recognize that they have a case of culture shock and that this behavior probably does not actually represent who they are?\n\nWell after three years here, I am pretty convinced that I can\'t help anyone other than myself through the waves of culture shock that descend upon moving to a country like Bulgaria or upon returning after a holiday away.  Everyone has to deal with culture shock in her own way.\n\nFor many people this happens through talk--one realizes that they are not alone in their observations of how different Bulgaria is from in my case America. But this kind of talk is often mind numbing for those of us who\'ve lived here for a few years.  I mean if I hear one more discussion about the two Bulgarian cheeses kashkaval and sirene I might scream. Yes, sirene is very similar to Greek feta and I know that pizza isn\'t quite the same with kashkaval rather than mozzarella.\n\nSo what\'s a girl to do?\n\nI can\'t very well avoid all new ex-pats until their culture shock has worn off. That would be an impossible task what with a new batch of Fulbrighters each year and forever rotating batch American teachers at school.\n\nHere\'s my stay-sane strategy.\n<ol>\n	<li>Be nice to everyone.</li>\n	<li>Ask ex-pats that you\'ve just met engaging questions. Maybe you can avoid the complaints by directing the conversation elsewhere.</li>\n	<li>Listen to two or three complaints sincerely.</li>\n	<li>Offer a specific suggestion for dealing with the complaint be it: Billa generally has a big selection of foreign cheeses or most pizza restaurants will substitute mozzarella cheese on a pizza if you ask. The idea is to help this person discover something new. At least this way you feel helpful.</li>\n	<li>Then after you\'ve listened to three complains and offered practical, succinct advice direct the conversation elsewhere. And definitely don\'t engage in complaining of your own.</li>\n	<li>If #5 fails, introduce the new ex-pat to someone else at the party/event/bar.</li>\n	<li>Don\'t write this new person off until you\'ve met him or her at least twice if not three times. Culture shock is a beast and you don\'t how how long it will take someone to get through the complaining phase. You have to be patient.</li>\n	<li>Finally, remember that you were probably just like this person if not worse when you arrived so be kind.</li>\n</ol>\nThe big problem with culture shock it lurks at the edges of your life and often you\'re not aware of how your culture shock appears to other people. For me now that I\'ve recognized that for many new ex-pats complaint and culture shock are pretty closely linked it\'s much, much easier for me to excuse this behavior or to look past this behavior in order to get to know someone new.\n\nSure I complain from time to time but I prefer the complaints of seasoned ex-pats that evoke raucous laughter we\'ve all been there rather than the complaints of freshly minted ex-pats that grow out of disillusionment and frustration. The good news? No one stays a newbie ex-pat forever.','Culture shock, Ex-pats & Staying Sane ','','inherit','open','open','','5415-revision-3','','','2011-08-19 12:22:56','2011-08-19 10:22:56','',5415,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/08/19/5415-revision-3/',0,'revision','',0),(5419,1,'2011-08-19 12:24:10','2011-08-19 10:24:10','For whatever reason, I just read a <a href=\"http://easyexpat.blogexpat.com/blog/lifestyle/2011/07/27/how-to-battle-culture-shock-and-win\" target=\"_blank\">short piece on the stages of culture shock</a>. Yep, I\'ve lived in Bulgaria for three years and I\'m reading up on culture shock.\r\n\r\nAs an ex-pat, I\'m vaguely interested in this issue of culture shock. I am aware of both my own culture shock and other people\'s and for better or worse sometimes find myself annoyed with other people\'s culture shock. Here\'s the thing, I know that what\'s actually annoying me is the complaint. Sometimes incessant complaint.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Exploring new things: Lakes and streets\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Lakes and streets\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6045169632/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6183/6045169632_b4b669ccac_b.jpg\" alt=\"Lakes and streets\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nStill it\'s often hard for me to separate the complaints which steam from culture shock from the person. I think: Ug, all she (or he) does is complain about life in Bulgaria.\r\n\r\nAnd guess what? Complaining brings me down. I think that there are so many other interesting things to talk about other than complaining or alternately bragging about trips that one has gone on. I don\'t want to spend a night drinking beer and complaining about the food, the transportation, the stray dogs or the long lines at every administrative building.\r\n\r\nThe question in my mind is how can I learn to live with foreigners who are experiencing a different level of culture shock than I am? How do I teach myself to recognize that they have a case of culture shock and that this behavior probably does not actually represent who they are?\r\n\r\nWell after three years here, I am pretty convinced that I can\'t help anyone other than myself through the waves of culture shock that descend upon moving to a country like Bulgaria or upon returning after a holiday away.  Everyone has to deal with culture shock in her own way.\r\n\r\nFor many people this happens through talk--one realizes that they are not alone in their observations of how different Bulgaria is from in my case America. But this kind of talk is often mind numbing for those of us who\'ve lived here for a few years.  I mean if I hear one more discussion about the two Bulgarian cheeses kashkaval and sirene I might scream. Yes, sirene is very similar to Greek feta and I know that pizza isn\'t quite the same with kashkaval rather than mozzarella.\r\n\r\nSo what\'s a girl to do?\r\n\r\nI can\'t very well avoid all new ex-pats until their culture shock has worn off. That would be an impossible task what with a new batch of Fulbrighters each year and forever rotating batch American teachers at school.\r\n\r\nHere\'s my stay-sane strategy.\r\n<ol>\r\n	<li>Be nice to everyone.</li>\r\n	<li>Ask ex-pats that you\'ve just met engaging questions. Maybe you can avoid the complaints by directing the conversation elsewhere.</li>\r\n	<li>Listen to two or three complaints sincerely.</li>\r\n	<li>Offer a specific suggestion for dealing with the complaint be it: Billa generally has a big selection of foreign cheeses or most pizza restaurants will substitute mozzarella cheese on a pizza if you ask. The idea is to help this person discover something new. At least this way you feel helpful.</li>\r\n	<li>Then after you\'ve listened to three complains and offered practical, succinct advice direct the conversation elsewhere. And definitely don\'t engage in complaining of your own.</li>\r\n	<li>If #5 fails, introduce the new ex-pat to someone else at the party/event/bar.</li>\r\n	<li>Don\'t write this new person off until you\'ve met him or her at least twice if not three times. Culture shock is a beast and you don\'t how how long it will take someone to get through the complaining phase. You have to be patient.</li>\r\n	<li>Finally, remember that you were probably just like this person if not worse when you arrived so be kind.</li>\r\n</ol>\r\nThe big problem with culture shock it lurks at the edges of your life and often you\'re not aware of how your culture shock appears to other people. For me now that I\'ve recognized that for many new ex-pats complaint and culture shock are pretty closely linked it\'s much, much easier for me to excuse this behavior or to look past this behavior in order to get to know someone new.\r\n\r\nSure I complain from time to time but I prefer the complaints of seasoned ex-pats that evoke raucous laughter we\'ve all been there rather than the complaints of freshly minted ex-pats that grow out of disillusionment and frustration. The good news? No one stays a newbie ex-pat forever.','Culture shock, Ex-pats & Staying Sane ','','inherit','open','open','','5415-revision-4','','','2011-08-19 12:24:10','2011-08-19 10:24:10','',5415,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/08/19/5415-revision-4/',0,'revision','',0),(5420,1,'2011-08-19 12:27:16','2011-08-19 10:27:16','For whatever reason, I just read a <a href=\"http://easyexpat.blogexpat.com/blog/lifestyle/2011/07/27/how-to-battle-culture-shock-and-win\" target=\"_blank\">short piece on the stages of culture shock</a>. Yep, I\'ve lived in Bulgaria for three years and I\'m reading up on culture shock.\n\nAs an ex-pat, I\'m vaguely interested in this issue of culture shock. I am aware of both my own culture shock and other people\'s and for better or worse sometimes find myself annoyed with other people\'s culture shock. Here\'s the thing, I know that what\'s actually annoying me is the complaint. Sometimes incessant complaint.\n\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Exploring new things: Lakes and streets\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Lakes and streets\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6045169632/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6183/6045169632_b4b669ccac_b.jpg\" alt=\"Lakes and streets\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nStill it\'s often hard for me to separate the complaints which steam from culture shock from the person. I think: Ug, all she (or he) does is complain about life in Bulgaria.\n\nAnd guess what? Complaining brings me down. I think that there are so many other interesting things to talk about other than complaining or alternately bragging about trips that one has gone on. I don\'t want to spend a night drinking beer and complaining about the food, the transportation, the stray dogs or the long lines at every administrative building.\n\nThe question in my mind is how can I learn to live with foreigners who are experiencing a different level of culture shock than I am? How do I teach myself to recognize that they have a case of culture shock and that this behavior probably does not actually represent who they are?<!--more-->\n\nWell after three years here, I am pretty convinced that I can\'t help anyone other than myself through the waves of culture shock that descend upon moving to a country like Bulgaria or upon returning after a holiday away.  Everyone has to deal with culture shock in her own way.\n\nFor many people this happens through talk--one realizes that they are not alone in their observations of how different Bulgaria is from in my case America. But this kind of talk is often mind numbing for those of us who\'ve lived here for a few years.  I mean if I hear one more discussion about the two Bulgarian cheeses kashkaval and sirene I might scream. Yes, sirene is very similar to Greek feta and I know that pizza isn\'t quite the same with kashkaval rather than mozzarella.\n\nSo what\'s a girl to do?\n\nI can\'t very well avoid all new ex-pats until their culture shock has worn off. That would be an impossible task what with a new batch of Fulbrighters each year and forever rotating batch American teachers at school.\n\nHere\'s my stay-sane strategy.\n<ol>\n	<li>Be nice to everyone.</li>\n	<li>Ask ex-pats that you\'ve just met engaging questions. Maybe you can avoid the complaints by directing the conversation elsewhere.</li>\n	<li>Listen to two or three complaints sincerely.</li>\n	<li>Offer a specific suggestion for dealing with the complaint be it: Billa generally has a big selection of foreign cheeses or most pizza restaurants will substitute mozzarella cheese on a pizza if you ask. The idea is to help this person discover something new. At least this way you feel helpful.</li>\n	<li>Then after you\'ve listened to three complains and offered practical, succinct advice direct the conversation elsewhere. And definitely don\'t engage in complaining of your own.</li>\n	<li>If #5 fails, introduce the new ex-pat to someone else at the party/event/bar.</li>\n	<li>Don\'t write this new person off until you\'ve met him or her at least twice if not three times. Culture shock is a beast and you don\'t how how long it will take someone to get through the complaining phase. You have to be patient.</li>\n	<li>Finally, remember that you were probably just like this person if not worse when you arrived so be kind.</li>\n</ol>\nThe big problem with culture shock it lurks at the edges of your life and often you\'re not aware of how your culture shock appears to other people. For me now that I\'ve recognized that for many new ex-pats complaint and culture shock are pretty closely linked it\'s much, much easier for me to excuse this behavior or to look past this behavior in order to get to know someone new.\n\nSure I complain from time to time but I prefer the complaints of seasoned ex-pats that evoke raucous laughter we\'ve all been there rather than the complaints of freshly minted ex-pats that grow out of disillusionment and frustration. The good news? No one stays a newbie ex-pat forever.','Culture shock, Ex-pats & Staying Sane ','','inherit','open','open','','5415-revision-5','','','2011-08-19 12:27:16','2011-08-19 10:27:16','',5415,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/08/19/5415-revision-5/',0,'revision','',0),(5421,1,'2011-08-19 13:46:53','2011-08-19 11:46:53','For whatever reason, I just read a <a href=\"http://easyexpat.blogexpat.com/blog/lifestyle/2011/07/27/how-to-battle-culture-shock-and-win\" target=\"_blank\">short piece on the stages of culture shock</a>. Yep, I\'ve lived in Bulgaria for three years and I\'m reading up on culture shock.\n\nAs an ex-pat, I\'m vaguely interested in this issue of culture shock. I am aware of both my own culture shock and other people\'s and for better or worse sometimes find myself annoyed with other people\'s culture shock. Here\'s the thing, I know that what\'s actually annoying me is the complaint. Sometimes incessant complaint.\n\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Exploring new things: Lakes and streets\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Lakes and streets\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6045169632/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6183/6045169632_b4b669ccac_b.jpg\" alt=\"Lakes and streets\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nStill it\'s often hard for me to separate the complaints which steam from culture shock from the person. I think: Ug, all she (or he) does is complain about life in Bulgaria.\n\nAnd guess what? Complaining brings me down. I think that there are so many other interesting things to talk about other than complaining or alternately bragging about trips that one has gone on. I don\'t want to spend a night drinking beer and complaining about the food, the transportation, the stray dogs or the long lines at every administrative building.\n\nThe question in my mind is how can I learn to live with foreigners who are experiencing a different level of culture shock than I am? How do I teach myself to recognize that they have a case of culture shock and that this behavior probably does not actually represent who they are?<!--more-->\n\nWell after three years here, I am pretty convinced that I can\'t help anyone other than myself through the waves of culture shock that descend upon moving to a country like Bulgaria or upon returning after a holiday away.  Everyone has to deal with culture shock in her own way.\n\nFor many people this happens through talk--one realizes that they are not alone in their observations of how different Bulgaria is from in my case America. But this kind of talk is often mind numbing for those of us who\'ve lived here for a few years.  I mean if I hear one more discussion about the two Bulgarian cheeses kashkaval and sirene I might scream. Yes, sirene is very similar to Greek feta and I know that pizza isn\'t quite the same with kashkaval rather than mozzarella.\n\nSo what\'s a girl to do?\n\nI can\'t very well avoid all new ex-pats until their culture shock has worn off. That would be an impossible task what with a new batch of Fulbrighters each year and forever rotating batch American teachers at school.\n\nHere\'s my stay-sane strategy.\n<ol>\n	<li>Be nice to everyone.</li>\n	<li>Ask ex-pats that you\'ve just met engaging questions. Maybe you can avoid the complaints by directing the conversation elsewhere.</li>\n	<li>Listen to two or three complaints sincerely.</li>\n	<li>Offer a specific suggestion for dealing with the complaint be it: Billa generally has a big selection of foreign cheeses or most pizza restaurants will substitute mozzarella cheese on a pizza if you ask. The idea is to help this person discover something new. At least this way you feel helpful.</li>\n	<li>Then after you\'ve listened to three complains and offered practical, succinct advice direct the conversation elsewhere. And definitely don\'t engage in complaining of your own.</li>\n	<li>If #5 fails, introduce the new ex-pat to someone else at the party/event/bar.</li>\n	<li>Don\'t write this new person off until you\'ve met him or her at least twice if not three times. Culture shock is a beast and you don\'t how how long it will take someone to get through the complaining phase. You have to be patient.</li>\n	<li>Finally, remember that you were probably just like this person if not worse when you arrived so be kind.</li>\n</ol>\nThe big problem with culture shock it lurks at the edges of your life and often you\'re not aware of how your culture shock appears to other people. For me now that I\'ve recognized that for many new ex-pats complaint and culture shock are pretty closely linked it\'s much, much easier for me to excuse this behavior or to look past this behavior in order to get to know someone new.\n\nSure I complain from time to time but I prefer the complaints of seasoned ex-pats that evoke raucous laughter we\'ve all been there rather than the complaints of freshly minted ex-pats that grow out of disillusionment and frustration. The good news? No one stays a newbie ex-pat forever.','Culture shock, Ex-pats & Staying Sane ','','inherit','open','open','','5415-autosave','','','2011-08-19 13:46:53','2011-08-19 11:46:53','',5415,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/08/19/5415-autosave/',0,'revision','',0),(5423,1,'2011-08-22 12:20:24','2011-08-22 10:20:24','I just got back from a weekend at the<a href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/08/19/zheravna-or-jeravna-folk-life-festival/\" target=\"_blank\"> Folk Life Festival in Zheravna</a>. I had the <em>best</em> time. It was really incredible to see thousands of people dressed up in costumes from all over Bulgaria and to be a part of that.\n\nMoreover to see such reverence for a women\'s craft was really wonderful. I found myself amazed by the small details like the embroidery and the time and care that it takes to embroider row after row of flowers or other geometric designs on women\'s dresses and men\'s shirts. To think about how many collective hours different women both past and present spent embroidering these patterns is mind boggling let alone to think about sewing the entire costume.\n\nNow here\'s the thing, the festival tries to evoke a feeling of life in Bulgaria in the 19th century and if I\'d read the program\'s website a little more carefully I would have realized that things like sunglasses, cellphones and cameras are not allowed into the actual festival. But of course, I didn\'t. I was too excited about the thought of wearing my costume for two entire days to think: hey maybe you should bring your small purse sized camera <em>and</em> your cannon rebel xsi. I could have easily snuck my little camera in as must people did but instead I was forced to actually follow the rules and leave my cannon rebel in the room.\n\nThe good thing about this? Well, I got to really focus on the festival. The bad thing? I don\'t have the kind of photos that I wished I did. I did manage to get out early on Sunday morning and capture a lot of photos of men and women in costume wandering around the streets of Zheravna. You can see these photos in my <a href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/08/19/zheravna-or-jeravna-folk-life-festival/\" target=\"_blank\">flickr photo album</a>.  These pictures are lovely in the mix of old and new in them but aren\'t as impressive as I imagine photos from the festival itself would have been. Ah well. Such is life.\n\nI would say the festival was well planned. It cost 20 leva for two days and there was plenty of traditional food to buy at very reasonable prices--2 leva for salad or a bowl of bean soup, a giant cup of wine for 5 leva or rakiya for 2 leva, grilled meat starting at 1 leva. This is one of the things that never ceases to amaze me. In the States at a festival like this food and drink prices are twice what you would normally pay because you are, well, a captive audience but in Bulgaria even at music festivals/concerts prices are about what you would pay in restaurant/bar. This is very strange to me but I can\'t complain.\n\nAs for the actual program there was lots of two things: singing and dancing. Both of these things were accompanied by live music/drums. Much of the program was meant to be observed so I spent a lot of time on Saturday sitting on a hill watching performances while shifting position regularly. I think that some how we picked the most uncomfortable place to sit (or maybe I am getting old).  Oh yeah, if you\'re planning on going in the future make sure that you bring a good (read, big) blanket to sit on. I was incredibly jealous of the people who had enough space to lie down in the middle of the rather hot afternoon.\n\nOne of the highlights of the festival was to see a group fire-dance. This is something I\'d read about but for whatever reason I never expected to actually see anyone dance on burning embers. I mean, the whole thing is a little crazy.\n\nBasically this what happens. All day a fire made of hard wood burns and burns. Then as the logs burn down--ideally at dusk--a mound of embers is made. When the dance actually started there\'s a man responsible for spreading out the embers. First he pulled them off the mound with a shovel-like tool in four different directions to make a cross. Then he spread the embers out out to make a large circle.\n\nMeanwhile there was music playing and a girl in a while dress holding an icon.  When it was actually time for her to dance because the embers had been spread out appropriately the music increased and she danced around the embers and right up to the edge a few times before actually crossing the field of glowing embers with the icon held high above her head. As she crossed smoke came off her feet.\n\nIn the dance that I saw then two men also joined her in dancing through the embers. There was a lot of drama in the dance as dancers kicked embers with their feet making them fly up to knee height in the night air but wild part was when the two men separately danced across the embers one holding a very small child seemingly plucked from the audience and the other man carried a young women across the embers. At one point this man stopped in the middle with the young woman squatting down over the embers with her in his arms--she was precariously close to the burning embers and his feet were unmoving. It was clearly a feat of strength, will-power, determination and faith.\n\nOnce the dance was over, the embers remained spread out and people from the audience went to test their luck at dancing (or in most cases sprinting) across the embers. I did not.\n\nAfter this a huge bonfire was started across the field and the mass of people moved from watching fire-dancing to dancing the horo around the bonfire. It was the biggest horo I\'ve ever danced in and it incredibly hot dancing near the fire but it was well worth it everyone was having so much fun.\n\nI\'ll end on this note, lots of people have asked me why I picked the Kyustendil costume and the truth is I thought it was beautiful. I was torn between the Kyustendil costume and the Shoppe costume seeing as the latter is from the Sofia region but the Kyustendil costume won me over with the lace, the braiding, the apron and the cut of the top. Then this weekend it was also pointed out to me that one of Bulgaria\'s famous artists Vladimir Dimitrov, The Master, painted many girls from the Kyustendil region.\n\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"640\" caption=\"Girl from Kyustendil\"]<img title=\"Girl from Kyustendil\" src=\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OGFa1nb7OYg/TdOWO4f_KgI/AAAAAAAAADg/EuAxNsiZjfQ/s640/master016.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"544\" />[/caption]','A Weekend in Zheravna','','inherit','open','open','','5422-revision','','','2011-08-22 12:20:24','2011-08-22 10:20:24','',5422,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/08/22/5422-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(5424,1,'2011-08-22 12:27:06','2011-08-22 10:27:06','[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Me in costume (Sorry the lighting is less than ideal)\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Me in costume\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6068360343/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6069/6068360343_441a11aafa_b.jpg\" alt=\"Me in costume\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nI just got back from a weekend at the<a href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/08/19/zheravna-or-jeravna-folk-life-festival/\" target=\"_blank\"> Folk Life Festival in Zheravna</a>. I had the <em>best</em> time. It was really incredible to see thousands of people dressed up in costumes from all over Bulgaria and to be a part of that.\n\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Detail of the edge of my apron\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Detail of the edge of my apron\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6068361107/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6066/6068361107_4823f9332a_b.jpg\" alt=\"Detail of the edge of my apron\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nMoreover to see such reverence for a women\'s craft was really wonderful. I found myself amazed by the small details like the embroidery and the time and care that it takes to embroider row after row of flowers or other geometric designs on women\'s dresses and men\'s shirts. To think about how many collective hours different women both past and present spent embroidering these patterns is mind boggling let alone to think about sewing the entire costume.\n\nNow here\'s the thing, the festival tries to evoke a feeling of life in Bulgaria in the 19th century and if I\'d read the program\'s website a little more carefully I would have realized that things like sunglasses, cellphones and cameras are not allowed into the actual festival. But of course, I didn\'t. I was too excited about the thought of wearing my costume for two entire days to think: hey maybe you should bring your small purse sized camera <em>and</em> your cannon rebel xsi. I could have easily snuck my little camera in as must people did but instead I was forced to actually follow the rules and leave my cannon rebel in the room.\n\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Mother in costume\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Mother in costume\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6068931288/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6197/6068931288_f7d13e3e9a_b.jpg\" alt=\"Mother in costume\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nThe good thing about this? Well, I got to really focus on the festival. The bad thing? I don\'t have the kind of photos that I wished I did. I did manage to get out early on Sunday morning and capture a lot of photos of men and women in costume wandering around the streets of Zheravna. You can see these photos in my <a href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/08/19/zheravna-or-jeravna-folk-life-festival/\" target=\"_blank\">flickr photo album</a>.  These pictures are lovely in the mix of old and new in them but aren\'t as impressive as I imagine photos from the festival itself would have been. Ah well. Such is life.\n\nI would say the festival was well planned. It cost 20 leva for two days and there was plenty of traditional food to buy at very reasonable prices--2 leva for salad or a bowl of bean soup, a giant cup of wine for 5 leva or rakiya for 2 leva, grilled meat starting at 1 leva. This is one of the things that never ceases to amaze me. In the States at a festival like this food and drink prices are twice what you would normally pay because you are, well, a captive audience but in Bulgaria even at music festivals/concerts prices are about what you would pay in restaurant/bar. This is very strange to me but I can\'t complain.<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Women walking in costume\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6068912708/\"><img class=\"alignnone\" src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6193/6068912708_4e5c0d9f82_b.jpg\" alt=\"Women walking in costume\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" /></a>\n\nAs for the actual program there was lots of two things: singing and dancing. Both of these things were accompanied by live music/drums. Much of the program was meant to be observed so I spent a lot of time on Saturday sitting on a hill watching performances while shifting position regularly. I think that some how we picked the most uncomfortable place to sit (or maybe I am getting old).  Oh yeah, if you\'re planning on going in the future make sure that you bring a good (read, big) blanket to sit on. I was incredibly jealous of the people who had enough space to lie down in the middle of the rather hot afternoon.<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Like father, like son\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6068387249/\"><img class=\"alignnone\" src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6198/6068387249_b0fca1d91a_b.jpg\" alt=\"Like father, like son\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" /></a>\n\nOne of the highlights of the festival was to see a group fire-dance. This is something I\'d read about but for whatever reason I never expected to actually see anyone dance on burning embers. I mean, the whole thing is a little crazy.\n\nBasically this what happens. All day a fire made of hard wood burns and burns. Then as the logs burn down--ideally at dusk--a mound of embers is made. When the dance actually started there\'s a man responsible for spreading out the embers. First he pulled them off the mound with a shovel-like tool in four different directions to make a cross. Then he spread the embers out out to make a large circle.\n\nMeanwhile there was music playing and a girl in a while dress holding an icon.  When it was actually time for her to dance because the embers had been spread out appropriately the music increased and she danced around the embers and right up to the edge a few times before actually crossing the field of glowing embers with the icon held high above her head. As she crossed smoke came off her feet.\n\nIn the dance that I saw then two men also joined her in dancing through the embers. There was a lot of drama in the dance as dancers kicked embers with their feet making them fly up to knee height in the night air but wild part was when the two men separately danced across the embers one holding a very small child seemingly plucked from the audience and the other man carried a young women across the embers. At one point this man stopped in the middle with the young woman squatting down over the embers with her in his arms--she was precariously close to the burning embers and his feet were unmoving. It was clearly a feat of strength, will-power, determination and faith.\n\nOnce the dance was over, the embers remained spread out and people from the audience went to test their luck at dancing (or in most cases sprinting) across the embers. I did not.\n\nAfter this a huge bonfire was started across the field and the mass of people moved from watching fire-dancing to dancing the horo around the bonfire. It was the biggest horo I\'ve ever danced in and it incredibly hot dancing near the fire but it was well worth it everyone was having so much fun.\n\nI\'ll end on this note, lots of people have asked me why I picked the Kyustendil costume and the truth is I thought it was beautiful. I was torn between the Kyustendil costume and the Shoppe costume seeing as the latter is from the Sofia region but the Kyustendil costume won me over with the lace, the braiding, the apron and the cut of the top. Then this weekend it was also pointed out to me that one of Bulgaria\'s famous artists Vladimir Dimitrov, The Master, painted many girls from the Kyustendil region.\n\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"640\" caption=\"Vladimir Dimitrov &amp; a Girl from Kyustendil\"]<img title=\"Girl from Kyustendil\" src=\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OGFa1nb7OYg/TdOWO4f_KgI/AAAAAAAAADg/EuAxNsiZjfQ/s640/master016.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"544\" />[/caption]','A Weekend in Zheravna','','inherit','open','open','','5422-revision-2','','','2011-08-22 12:27:06','2011-08-22 10:27:06','',5422,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/08/22/5422-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(5425,1,'2011-08-22 12:28:06','2011-08-22 10:28:06','[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Me in costume (Sorry the lighting is less than ideal)\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Me in costume\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6068360343/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6069/6068360343_441a11aafa_b.jpg\" alt=\"Me in costume\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nI just got back from a weekend at the<a href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/08/19/zheravna-or-jeravna-folk-life-festival/\" target=\"_blank\"> Folk Life Festival in Zheravna</a>. I had the <em>best</em> time. It was really incredible to see thousands of people dressed up in costumes from all over Bulgaria and to be a part of that.\n\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Detail of the edge of my apron\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Detail of the edge of my apron\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6068361107/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6066/6068361107_4823f9332a_b.jpg\" alt=\"Detail of the edge of my apron\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nMoreover to see such reverence for a women\'s craft was really wonderful. I found myself amazed by the small details like the embroidery and the time and care that it takes to embroider row after row of flowers or other geometric designs on women\'s dresses and men\'s shirts. To think about how many collective hours different women both past and present spent embroidering these patterns is mind boggling let alone to think about sewing the entire costume.\n\nNow here\'s the thing, the festival tries to evoke a feeling of life in Bulgaria in the 19th century and if I\'d read the program\'s website a little more carefully I would have realized that things like sunglasses, cellphones and cameras are not allowed into the actual festival. But of course, I didn\'t. I was too excited about the thought of wearing my costume for two entire days to think: hey maybe you should bring your small purse sized camera <em>and</em> your cannon rebel xsi. I could have easily snuck my little camera in as must people did but instead I was forced to actually follow the rules and leave my cannon rebel in the room.\n\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Mother in costume\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Mother in costume\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6068931288/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6197/6068931288_f7d13e3e9a_b.jpg\" alt=\"Mother in costume\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nThe good thing about this? Well, I got to really focus on the festival. The bad thing? I don\'t have the kind of photos that I wished I did. I did manage to get out early on Sunday morning and capture a lot of photos of men and women in costume wandering around the streets of Zheravna. You can see these photos in my <a href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/08/19/zheravna-or-jeravna-folk-life-festival/\" target=\"_blank\">flickr photo album</a>.  These pictures are lovely in the mix of old and new in them but aren\'t as impressive as I imagine photos from the festival itself would have been. Ah well. Such is life.\n\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Women walking in costume\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Women walking in costume\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6068912708/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6193/6068912708_4e5c0d9f82_b.jpg\" alt=\"Women walking in costume\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nI would say the festival was well planned. It cost 20 leva for two days and there was plenty of traditional food to buy at very reasonable prices--2 leva for salad or a bowl of bean soup, a giant cup of wine for 5 leva or rakiya for 2 leva, grilled meat starting at 1 leva. This is one of the things that never ceases to amaze me. In the States at a festival like this food and drink prices are twice what you would normally pay because you are, well, a captive audience but in Bulgaria even at music festivals/concerts prices are about what you would pay in restaurant/bar. This is very strange to me but I can\'t complain.\n\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Like father, like son\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Like father, like son\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6068387249/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6198/6068387249_b0fca1d91a_b.jpg\" alt=\"Like father, like son\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nAs for the actual program there was lots of two things: singing and dancing. Both of these things were accompanied by live music/drums. Much of the program was meant to be observed so I spent a lot of time on Saturday sitting on a hill watching performances while shifting position regularly. I think that some how we picked the most uncomfortable place to sit (or maybe I am getting old).  Oh yeah, if you\'re planning on going in the future make sure that you bring a good (read, big) blanket to sit on. I was incredibly jealous of the people who had enough space to lie down in the middle of the rather hot afternoon.\n\nOne of the highlights of the festival was to see a group fire-dance. This is something I\'d read about but for whatever reason I never expected to actually see anyone dance on burning embers. I mean, the whole thing is a little crazy.\n\nBasically this what happens. All day a fire made of hard wood burns and burns. Then as the logs burn down--ideally at dusk--a mound of embers is made. When the dance actually started there\'s a man responsible for spreading out the embers. First he pulled them off the mound with a shovel-like tool in four different directions to make a cross. Then he spread the embers out out to make a large circle.\n\nMeanwhile there was music playing and a girl in a while dress holding an icon.  When it was actually time for her to dance because the embers had been spread out appropriately the music increased and she danced around the embers and right up to the edge a few times before actually crossing the field of glowing embers with the icon held high above her head. As she crossed smoke came off her feet.\n\nIn the dance that I saw then two men also joined her in dancing through the embers. There was a lot of drama in the dance as dancers kicked embers with their feet making them fly up to knee height in the night air but wild part was when the two men separately danced across the embers one holding a very small child seemingly plucked from the audience and the other man carried a young women across the embers. At one point this man stopped in the middle with the young woman squatting down over the embers with her in his arms--she was precariously close to the burning embers and his feet were unmoving. It was clearly a feat of strength, will-power, determination and faith.\n\nOnce the dance was over, the embers remained spread out and people from the audience went to test their luck at dancing (or in most cases sprinting) across the embers. I did not.\n\nAfter this a huge bonfire was started across the field and the mass of people moved from watching fire-dancing to dancing the horo around the bonfire. It was the biggest horo I\'ve ever danced in and it incredibly hot dancing near the fire but it was well worth it everyone was having so much fun.\n\nI\'ll end on this note, lots of people have asked me why I picked the Kyustendil costume and the truth is I thought it was beautiful. I was torn between the Kyustendil costume and the Shoppe costume seeing as the latter is from the Sofia region but the Kyustendil costume won me over with the lace, the braiding, the apron and the cut of the top. Then this weekend it was also pointed out to me that one of Bulgaria\'s famous artists Vladimir Dimitrov, The Master, painted many girls from the Kyustendil region.\n\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"640\" caption=\"Vladimir Dimitrov &amp; a Girl from Kyustendil\"]<img title=\"Girl from Kyustendil\" src=\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OGFa1nb7OYg/TdOWO4f_KgI/AAAAAAAAADg/EuAxNsiZjfQ/s640/master016.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"544\" />[/caption]','A Weekend in Zheravna','','inherit','open','open','','5422-revision-3','','','2011-08-22 12:28:06','2011-08-22 10:28:06','',5422,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/08/22/5422-revision-3/',0,'revision','',0),(5426,1,'2011-08-22 12:31:36','2011-08-22 10:31:36','[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Me in costume (Sorry the lighting is less than ideal)\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Me in costume\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6068360343/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6069/6068360343_441a11aafa_b.jpg\" alt=\"Me in costume\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nI just got back from a weekend at the<a href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/08/19/zheravna-or-jeravna-folk-life-festival/\" target=\"_blank\"> Folk Life Festival in Zheravna</a>. I had the <em>best</em> time. It was really incredible to see thousands of people dressed up in costumes from all over Bulgaria and to be a part of that.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Detail of the edge of my apron\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Detail of the edge of my apron\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6068361107/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6066/6068361107_4823f9332a_b.jpg\" alt=\"Detail of the edge of my apron\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nMoreover to see such reverence for a women\'s craft was really wonderful. I found myself amazed by the small details like the embroidery and the time and care that it takes to embroider row after row of flowers or other geometric designs on women\'s dresses and men\'s shirts. To think about how many collective hours different women both past and present spent embroidering these patterns is mind boggling let alone to think about sewing the entire costume.<!--more-->\r\n\r\nNow here\'s the thing, the festival tries to evoke a feeling of life in Bulgaria in the 19th century and if I\'d read the program\'s website a little more carefully I would have realized that things like sunglasses, cellphones and cameras are not allowed into the actual festival. But of course, I didn\'t. I was too excited about the thought of wearing my costume for two entire days to think: hey maybe you should bring your small purse sized camera <em>and</em> your cannon rebel xsi. I could have easily snuck my little camera in as must people did but instead I was forced to actually follow the rules and leave my cannon rebel in the room.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Mother in costume\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Mother in costume\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6068931288/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6197/6068931288_f7d13e3e9a_b.jpg\" alt=\"Mother in costume\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nThe good thing about this? Well, I got to really focus on the festival. The bad thing? I don\'t have the kind of photos that I wished I did. I did manage to get out early on Sunday morning and capture a lot of photos of men and women in costume wandering around the streets of Zheravna. You can see these photos in my <a href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/08/19/zheravna-or-jeravna-folk-life-festival/\" target=\"_blank\">flickr photo album</a>.  These pictures are lovely in the mix of old and new in them but aren\'t as impressive as I imagine photos from the festival itself would have been. Ah well. Such is life.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Women walking in costume\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Women walking in costume\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6068912708/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6193/6068912708_4e5c0d9f82_b.jpg\" alt=\"Women walking in costume\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nI would say the festival was well planned. It cost 20 leva for two days and there was plenty of traditional food to buy at very reasonable prices--2 leva for salad or a bowl of bean soup, a giant cup of wine for 5 leva or rakiya for 2 leva, grilled meat starting at 1 leva. This is one of the things that never ceases to amaze me. In the States at a festival like this food and drink prices are twice what you would normally pay because you are, well, a captive audience but in Bulgaria even at music festivals/concerts prices are about what you would pay in restaurant/bar. This is very strange to me but I can\'t complain.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Like father, like son\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Like father, like son\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6068387249/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6198/6068387249_b0fca1d91a_b.jpg\" alt=\"Like father, like son\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nAs for the actual program there was lots of two things: singing and dancing. Both of these things were accompanied by live music/drums. Much of the program was meant to be observed so I spent a lot of time on Saturday sitting on a hill watching performances while shifting position regularly. I think that some how we picked the most uncomfortable place to sit (or maybe I am getting old).  Oh yeah, if you\'re planning on going in the future make sure that you bring a good (read, big) blanket to sit on. I was incredibly jealous of the people who had enough space to lie down in the middle of the rather hot afternoon.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Me in Costume\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Me in Costume\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6068360045/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6187/6068360045_d38fb14ed7_b.jpg\" alt=\"Me in Costume\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nOne of the highlights of the festival was to see a group fire-dance. This is something I\'d read about but for whatever reason I never expected to actually see anyone dance on burning embers. I mean, the whole thing is a little crazy.\r\n\r\nBasically this what happens. All day a fire made of hard wood burns and burns. Then as the logs burn down--ideally at dusk--a mound of embers is made. When the dance actually started there\'s a man responsible for spreading out the embers. First he pulled them off the mound with a shovel-like tool in four different directions to make a cross. Then he spread the embers out out to make a large circle.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"410\" caption=\"Guest House\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Guest House\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6068377169/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6208/6068377169_bc19614e2c_b.jpg\" alt=\"Guest House\" width=\"410\" height=\"614\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nMeanwhile there was music playing and a girl in a while dress holding an icon.  When it was actually time for her to dance because the embers had been spread out appropriately the music increased and she danced around the embers and right up to the edge a few times before actually crossing the field of glowing embers with the icon held high above her head. As she crossed smoke came off her feet.\r\n\r\nIn the dance that I saw then two men also joined her in dancing through the embers. There was a lot of drama in the dance as dancers kicked embers with their feet making them fly up to knee height in the night air but wild part was when the two men separately danced across the embers one holding a very small child seemingly plucked from the audience and the other man carried a young women across the embers. At one point this man stopped in the middle with the young woman squatting down over the embers with her in his arms--she was precariously close to the burning embers and his feet were unmoving. It was clearly a feat of strength, will-power, determination and faith.\r\n\r\nOnce the dance was over, the embers remained spread out and people from the audience went to test their luck at dancing (or in most cases sprinting) across the embers. I did not.\r\n\r\nAfter this a huge bonfire was started across the field and the mass of people moved from watching fire-dancing to dancing the horo around the bonfire. It was the biggest horo I\'ve ever danced in and it incredibly hot dancing near the fire but it was well worth it everyone was having so much fun.\r\n\r\nI\'ll end on this note, lots of people have asked me why I picked the Kyustendil costume and the truth is I thought it was beautiful. I was torn between the Kyustendil costume and the Shoppe costume seeing as the latter is from the Sofia region but the Kyustendil costume won me over with the lace, the braiding, the apron and the cut of the top. Then this weekend it was also pointed out to me that one of Bulgaria\'s famous artists Vladimir Dimitrov, The Master, painted many girls from the Kyustendil region.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"640\" caption=\"Vladimir Dimitrov &amp; a Girl from Kyustendil\"]<img title=\"Girl from Kyustendil\" src=\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OGFa1nb7OYg/TdOWO4f_KgI/AAAAAAAAADg/EuAxNsiZjfQ/s640/master016.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"544\" />[/caption]','A Weekend in Zheravna','','inherit','open','open','','5422-revision-4','','','2011-08-22 12:31:36','2011-08-22 10:31:36','',5422,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/08/22/5422-revision-4/',0,'revision','',0),(5427,1,'2011-08-22 12:37:22','2011-08-22 10:37:22','[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Me in costume (Sorry the lighting is less than ideal)\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Me in costume\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6068360343/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6069/6068360343_441a11aafa_b.jpg\" alt=\"Me in costume\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nI just got back from a weekend at the<a href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/08/19/zheravna-or-jeravna-folk-life-festival/\" target=\"_blank\"> Folk Life Festival in Zheravna</a>. I had the <em>best</em> time. It was really incredible to see thousands of people dressed up in costumes from all over Bulgaria and to be a part of that.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Detail of the edge of my apron\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Detail of the edge of my apron\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6068361107/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6066/6068361107_4823f9332a_b.jpg\" alt=\"Detail of the edge of my apron\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nMoreover to see such reverence for a women\'s craft was really wonderful. I found myself amazed by the small details like the embroidery and the time and care that it takes to embroider row after row of flowers or other geometric designs on women\'s dresses and men\'s shirts. To think about how many collective hours different women both past and present spent embroidering these patterns is mind boggling let alone to think about sewing the entire costume.<!--more-->\r\n\r\nNow here\'s the thing, the festival tries to evoke a feeling of life in Bulgaria in the 19th century and if I\'d read the program\'s website a little more carefully I would have realized that things like sunglasses, cellphones and cameras are not allowed into the actual festival. But of course, I didn\'t. I was too excited about the thought of wearing my costume for two entire days to think: hey maybe you should bring your small purse sized camera <em>and</em> your cannon rebel xsi. I could have easily snuck my little camera in as must people did but instead I was forced to actually follow the rules and leave my cannon rebel in the room.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Mother in costume\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Mother in costume\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6068931288/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6197/6068931288_f7d13e3e9a_b.jpg\" alt=\"Mother in costume\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nThe good thing about this? Well, I got to really focus on the festival. The bad thing? I don\'t have the kind of photos that I wished I did. I did manage to get out early on Sunday morning and capture a lot of photos of men and women in costume wandering around the streets of Zheravna. You can see these photos in my <a href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/08/19/zheravna-or-jeravna-folk-life-festival/\" target=\"_blank\">flickr photo album</a>.  These pictures are lovely in the mix of old and new in them but aren\'t as impressive as I imagine photos from the festival itself would have been. Ah well. Such is life.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Women walking in costume\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Women walking in costume\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6068912708/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6193/6068912708_4e5c0d9f82_b.jpg\" alt=\"Women walking in costume\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nI would say the festival was well planned. It cost 20 leva for two days and there was plenty of traditional food to buy at very reasonable prices--2 leva for salad or a bowl of bean soup, a giant cup of wine for 5 leva or rakiya for 2 leva, grilled meat starting at 1 leva. This is one of the things that never ceases to amaze me. In the States at a festival like this food and drink prices are twice what you would normally pay because you are, well, a captive audience but in Bulgaria even at music festivals/concerts prices are about what you would pay in restaurant/bar. This is very strange to me but I can\'t complain.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Like father, like son\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Like father, like son\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6068387249/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6198/6068387249_b0fca1d91a_b.jpg\" alt=\"Like father, like son\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nAs for the actual program there was lots of two things: singing and dancing. Both of these things were accompanied by live music/drums. Much of the program was meant to be observed so I spent a lot of time on Saturday sitting on a hill watching performances while shifting position regularly. I think that some how we picked the most uncomfortable place to sit (or maybe I am getting old).  Oh yeah, if you\'re planning on going in the future make sure that you bring a good (read, big) blanket to sit on. I was incredibly jealous of the people who had enough space to lie down in the middle of the rather hot afternoon.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Me in Costume\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Me in Costume\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6068360045/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6187/6068360045_d38fb14ed7_b.jpg\" alt=\"Me in Costume\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nOne of the highlights of the festival was to see a group fire-dance. This is something I\'d read about but for whatever reason I never expected to actually see anyone dance on burning embers. I mean, the whole thing is a little crazy.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Us in costume\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Us in costume\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6068908454/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6073/6068908454_d9649f4ef9_b.jpg\" alt=\"Us in costume\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nBasically this what happens. All day a fire made of hard wood burns and burns. Then as the logs burn down--ideally at dusk--a mound of embers is made. When the dance actually started there\'s a man responsible for spreading out the embers. First he pulled them off the mound with a shovel-like tool in four different directions to make a cross. Then he spread the embers out out to make a large circle.\r\n\r\nMeanwhile there was music playing and a girl in a while dress holding an icon.  When it was actually time for her to dance because the embers had been spread out appropriately the music increased and she danced around the embers and right up to the edge a few times before actually crossing the field of glowing embers with the icon held high above her head. As she crossed smoke came off her feet.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Shopping in Costume\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Shopping in Costume\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6068382377/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6206/6068382377_09cdbc0089_b.jpg\" alt=\"Shopping in Costume\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nIn the dance that I saw then two men also joined her in dancing through the embers. There was a lot of drama in the dance as dancers kicked embers with their feet making them fly up to knee height in the night air but wild part was when the two men separately danced across the embers one holding a very small child seemingly plucked from the audience and the other man carried a young women across the embers. At one point this man stopped in the middle with the young woman squatting down over the embers with her in his arms--she was precariously close to the burning embers and his feet were unmoving. It was clearly a feat of strength, will-power, determination and faith.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Father and son\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Father and son\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6068918342/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6068/6068918342_7bd82fee31_b.jpg\" alt=\"Father and son\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nOnce the dance was over, the embers remained spread out and people from the audience went to test their luck at dancing (or in most cases sprinting) across the embers. I did not.\r\n\r\nAfter this a huge bonfire was started across the field and the mass of people moved from watching fire-dancing to dancing the horo around the bonfire. It was the biggest horo I\'ve ever danced in and it incredibly hot dancing near the fire but it was well worth it everyone was having so much fun.\r\n\r\nI\'ll end on this note, lots of people have asked me why I picked the Kyustendil costume and the truth is I thought it was beautiful. I was torn between the Kyustendil costume and the Shoppe costume seeing as the latter is from the Sofia region but the Kyustendil costume won me over with the lace, the braiding, the apron and the cut of the top. Then this weekend it was also pointed out to me that one of Bulgaria\'s famous artists Vladimir Dimitrov, The Master, painted many girls from the Kyustendil region.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"640\" caption=\"Vladimir Dimitrov &amp; a Girl from Kyustendil\"]<img title=\"Girl from Kyustendil\" src=\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OGFa1nb7OYg/TdOWO4f_KgI/AAAAAAAAADg/EuAxNsiZjfQ/s640/master016.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"544\" />[/caption]','A Weekend in Zheravna','','inherit','open','open','','5422-revision-5','','','2011-08-22 12:37:22','2011-08-22 10:37:22','',5422,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/08/22/5422-revision-5/',0,'revision','',0),(5428,1,'2011-08-22 12:39:41','2011-08-22 10:39:41','[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Me in costume (Sorry the lighting is less than ideal)\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Me in costume\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6068360343/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6069/6068360343_441a11aafa_b.jpg\" alt=\"Me in costume\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nI just got back from a weekend at the<a href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/08/19/zheravna-or-jeravna-folk-life-festival/\" target=\"_blank\"> Folk Life Festival in Zheravna</a>. I had the <em>best</em> time. It was really incredible to see thousands of people dressed up in costumes from all over Bulgaria and to be a part of that.\n\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Detail of the edge of my apron\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Detail of the edge of my apron\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6068361107/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6066/6068361107_4823f9332a_b.jpg\" alt=\"Detail of the edge of my apron\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nMoreover to see such reverence for a women\'s craft was really wonderful. I found myself amazed by the small details like the embroidery and the time and care that it takes to embroider row after row of flowers or other geometric designs on women\'s dresses and men\'s shirts. To think about how many collective hours different women both past and present spent embroidering these patterns is mind boggling let alone to think about sewing the entire costume.<!--more-->\n\nNow here\'s the thing, the festival tries to evoke a feeling of life in Bulgaria in the 19th century and if I\'d read the program\'s website a little more carefully I would have realized that things like sunglasses, cellphones and cameras are not allowed into the actual festival. But of course, I didn\'t. I was too excited about the thought of wearing my costume for two entire days to think: hey maybe you should bring your small purse sized camera <em>and</em> your cannon rebel xsi. I could have easily snuck my little camera in as must people did but instead I was forced to actually follow the rules and leave my cannon rebel in the room.\n\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Mother in costume\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Mother in costume\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6068931288/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6197/6068931288_f7d13e3e9a_b.jpg\" alt=\"Mother in costume\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nThe good thing about this? Well, I got to really focus on the festival. The bad thing? I don\'t have the kind of photos that I wished I did. I did manage to get out early on Sunday morning and capture a lot of photos of men and women in costume wandering around the streets of Zheravna. You can see these photos in my <a href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/08/19/zheravna-or-jeravna-folk-life-festival/\" target=\"_blank\">flickr photo album</a>.  These pictures are lovely in the mix of old and new in them but aren\'t as impressive as I imagine photos from the festival itself would have been. Ah well. Such is life.\n\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Women walking in costume\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Women walking in costume\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6068912708/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6193/6068912708_4e5c0d9f82_b.jpg\" alt=\"Women walking in costume\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nI would say the festival was well planned. It cost 20 leva for two days and there was plenty of traditional food to buy at very reasonable prices--2 leva for salad or a bowl of bean soup, a giant cup of wine for 5 leva or rakiya for 2 leva, grilled meat starting at 1 leva. This is one of the things that never ceases to amaze me. In the States at a festival like this food and drink prices are twice what you would normally pay because you are, well, a captive audience but in Bulgaria even at music festivals/concerts prices are about what you would pay in restaurant/bar. This is very strange to me but I can\'t complain.\n\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Like father, like son\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Like father, like son\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6068387249/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6198/6068387249_b0fca1d91a_b.jpg\" alt=\"Like father, like son\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nAs for the actual program there was lots of two things: singing and dancing. Both of these things were accompanied by live music/drums. Much of the program was meant to be observed so I spent a lot of time on Saturday sitting on a hill watching performances while shifting position regularly. I think that some how we picked the most uncomfortable place to sit (or maybe I am getting old).  Oh yeah, if you\'re planning on going in the future make sure that you bring a good (read, big) blanket to sit on. I was incredibly jealous of the people who had enough space to lie down in the middle of the rather hot afternoon.\n\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Me in Costume\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Me in Costume\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6068360045/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6187/6068360045_d38fb14ed7_b.jpg\" alt=\"Me in Costume\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nOne of the highlights of the festival was to see a group fire-dance. This is something I\'d read about but for whatever reason I never expected to actually see anyone dance on burning embers. I mean, the whole thing is a little crazy.\n\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Us in costume\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Us in costume\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6068908454/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6073/6068908454_d9649f4ef9_b.jpg\" alt=\"Us in costume\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nBasically this what happens. All day a fire made of hard wood burns and burns. Then as the logs burn down--ideally at dusk--a mound of embers is made. When the dance actually started there\'s a man responsible for spreading out the embers. First he pulled them off the mound with a shovel-like tool in four different directions to make a cross. Then he spread the embers out out to make a large circle.\n\nMeanwhile there was music playing and a girl in a while dress holding an icon.  When it was actually time for her to dance because the embers had been spread out appropriately the music increased and she danced around the embers and right up to the edge a few times before actually crossing the field of glowing embers with the icon held high above her head. As she crossed smoke came off her feet.\n\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Shopping in Costume\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Shopping in Costume\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6068382377/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6206/6068382377_09cdbc0089_b.jpg\" alt=\"Shopping in Costume\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nIn the dance that I saw then two men also joined her in dancing through the embers. There was a lot of drama in the dance as dancers kicked embers with their feet making them fly up to knee height in the night air but wild part was when the two men separately danced across the embers one holding a very small child seemingly plucked from the audience and the other man carried a young women across the embers. At one point this man stopped in the middle with the young woman squatting down over the embers with her in his arms--she was precariously close to the burning embers and his feet were unmoving. It was clearly a feat of strength, will-power, determination and faith.\n\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Father and son\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Father and son\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6068918342/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6068/6068918342_7bd82fee31_b.jpg\" alt=\"Father and son\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nOnce the dance was over, the embers remained spread out and people from the audience went to test their luck at dancing (or in most cases sprinting) across the embers. I did not.\n\nAfter this a huge bonfire was started across the field and the mass of people moved from watching fire-dancing to dancing the horo around the bonfire. It was the biggest horo I\'ve ever danced in and it incredibly hot dancing near the fire but it was well worth it everyone was having so much fun.\n\nI\'ll end on this note, lots of people have asked me why I picked the Kyustendil costume and the truth is I thought it was beautiful. I was torn between the Kyustendil costume and the Shoppe costume seeing as the latter is from the Sofia region but the Kyustendil costume won me over with the lace, the braiding, the apron and the cut of the top. Then this weekend it was also pointed out to me that one of Bulgaria\'s famous artists Vladimir Dimitrov, The Master, painted many girls from the Kyustendil region.\n\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"640\" caption=\"Vladimir Dimitrov &amp; a Girl from Kyustendil\"]<img title=\"Girl from Kyustendil\" src=\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OGFa1nb7OYg/TdOWO4f_KgI/AAAAAAAAADg/EuAxNsiZjfQ/s640/master016.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"544\" />[/caption]','A Weekend in Zheravna','','inherit','open','open','','5422-autosave','','','2011-08-22 12:39:41','2011-08-22 10:39:41','',5422,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/08/22/5422-autosave/',0,'revision','',0),(5491,1,'2011-08-30 10:36:19','2011-08-30 08:36:19','Holy smokes, work starts on Friday. <em>This Friday</em>. Friday the 2nd.\r\n\r\nDon\'t get me wrong, I\'ve known this for a while. It\'s just snuck up on me. I\'ve been enjoying two months of summer vacation and in July September seemed so far away. Now September is nearly upon us.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"In my parents backyard\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"In my parents backyard\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6095536663/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6194/6095536663_dfc7bb2421_b.jpg\" alt=\"In my parents backyard\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nSchool is about to start. <em>School</em>. School starts on September 15th.\r\n\r\nThe good news that\'s still more than 15 days away and in a month I\'ll be able to start accessorizing with scarfs again.  I do like fall.<!--more-->\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Hot dog, beer and corn\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Hot dog, beer and corn\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6096078478/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6064/6096078478_5e484fdb2e_b.jpg\" alt=\"Hot dog, beer and corn\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nIt doesn\'t seem like it could possibly be time for school to start up again. But it is. Or at least that\'s what my calendar tells me.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Silly sisters\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Silly sister photo, two\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6095535869/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6200/6095535869_9d9b7cdd8d_b.jpg\" alt=\"Silly sister photo, two\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nRather than dwell on that, I decided to pull together some snap shots from the summer. That\'s a much better use of my time after all and more productive than drinking a beer at a cafe in downtown Sofia and lamenting the loss of summer.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Silly sisters, two\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Silly sister photo, one\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6096078156/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6206/6096078156_7f35e4b076_b.jpg\" alt=\"Silly sister photo, one\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nLuckily for me, I had a great summer vacation and as if that wasn\'t great enough, we also have some serious holidays during the month of September. We\'re not talking one three day weekend like we\'d get in the States for Labor Day. No sir. We\'ve got two four day weekends in September.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Brother and me at a baseball game\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Brother and me at a baseball game\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6096077652/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6067/6096077652_e69a7f6211_b.jpg\" alt=\"Brother and me at a baseball game\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Taking photos with dAd\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Taking photos with dAd\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6096079166/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6188/6096079166_59060fa09e_b.jpg\" alt=\"Taking photos with dAd\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nAfter the first day of work, we have a four day weekend from September 3-6th! Hip-hip-houray. Black Sea here I come. Then school starts in the middle of a week and the very next week we have another four day weekend from the 22nd to the 25th.  I\'ll be hopping on a plane and heading to Stuttgart for the Cannstatter Volksfest.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"In Elena with teachers\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"In Elena\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6096079458/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6080/6096079458_73501276a0_b.jpg\" alt=\"In Elena\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nThree cheers for holidays in Bulgaria. Oh and three cheers for my cuttie-puttie high school students. I\'m not-so-secretly looking forward to seeing their smiling faces as well.','Gasp, where did my summer go? ','','publish','open','open','','gasp-where-did-my-summer-go','','','2011-08-30 10:36:19','2011-08-30 08:36:19','',0,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?p=5491',0,'post','',0),(5431,1,'2011-08-23 14:19:05','2011-08-23 12:19:05','As you probably know by now, I <em>love</em> coffee. In fact, if you google \"<a href=\"http://www.google.com/search?q=Karolinka+coffee&amp;ie=utf-8&amp;oe=utf-8&amp;aq=t&amp;rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&amp;client=firefox-a#hl=en&amp;client=firefox-a&amp;hs=09&amp;rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&amp;q=+site:karolinkabulgaria.com+Karolinka+coffee&amp;sa=X&amp;ei=bZRTToyXE9DBtAbZ7Lz5Dw&amp;ved=0CAIQqAQwBA&amp;bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_cp.&amp;fp=a0030c204cd7ff60&amp;biw=1280&amp;bih=637\" target=\"_blank\">karolinka coffee</a>\" you can get a sense of just how often I write about coffee. It\'s a lot. Maybe, just maybe I should be embarrassed by how much I write about coffee.\r\n\r\nThis said, I don\'t drink a lot of Turkish coffee.\r\n\r\nI had a cup this weekend and I was reminded why. <a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Turkish Coffee\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6068936306/\"><img class=\"alignnone\" src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6081/6068936306_6ac6e97af9_b.jpg\" alt=\"Turkish Coffee\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>\r\n\r\nI like the idea of the coffee but I don\'t love the mouth feel.\r\n\r\nIt\'s the bits of finely ground coffee on the roof of my mouth that I don\'t dig. I like the richness of the coffee. It\'s intensely coffee-y. But while I really like the intense coffee favor it doesn\'t usually balance out the fact that most of the time the coffee has been made too sweet for my taste.\r\n\r\nMaybe I need to start making my own but I can\'t help but think: if I don\'t love it in a shop, will I love it any more if I make it at home?\r\n\r\nThe thing is I can and do drink Turkish coffee, I just don\'t enjoy it the same way I enjoy other cups of coffee like espresso, french press or drip.','Turkish Coffee','','publish','open','open','','turkish-coffee','','','2011-08-23 14:19:05','2011-08-23 12:19:05','',0,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?p=5431',0,'post','',7),(5432,1,'2011-08-23 13:55:46','2011-08-23 11:55:46','As you probably know by now, I <em>love</em> coffee. In fact, if you google \"karolinka coffee\" you can get a sense of just how often I write about coffee. It\'s a lot. It\'s so much that maybe I should be embarrassed.','Turkish Coffee','','inherit','open','open','','5431-revision','','','2011-08-23 13:55:46','2011-08-23 11:55:46','',5431,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/08/23/5431-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(5433,1,'2011-08-23 13:56:46','2011-08-23 11:56:46','As you probably know by now, I <em>love</em> coffee. In fact, if you google \"<a href=\"http://www.google.com/search?q=Karolinka+coffee&amp;ie=utf-8&amp;oe=utf-8&amp;aq=t&amp;rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&amp;client=firefox-a#hl=en&amp;client=firefox-a&amp;hs=09&amp;rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&amp;q=+site:karolinkabulgaria.com+Karolinka+coffee&amp;sa=X&amp;ei=bZRTToyXE9DBtAbZ7Lz5Dw&amp;ved=0CAIQqAQwBA&amp;bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_cp.&amp;fp=a0030c204cd7ff60&amp;biw=1280&amp;bih=637\" target=\"_blank\">karolinka coffee</a>\" you can get a sense of just how often I write about coffee. It\'s a lot. It\'s so much that maybe I should be embarrassed.','Turkish Coffee','','inherit','open','open','','5431-revision-2','','','2011-08-23 13:56:46','2011-08-23 11:56:46','',5431,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/08/23/5431-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(5434,1,'2011-08-23 14:11:52','2011-08-23 12:11:52','As you probably know by now, I <em>love</em> coffee. In fact, if you google \"<a href=\"http://www.google.com/search?q=Karolinka+coffee&amp;ie=utf-8&amp;oe=utf-8&amp;aq=t&amp;rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&amp;client=firefox-a#hl=en&amp;client=firefox-a&amp;hs=09&amp;rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&amp;q=+site:karolinkabulgaria.com+Karolinka+coffee&amp;sa=X&amp;ei=bZRTToyXE9DBtAbZ7Lz5Dw&amp;ved=0CAIQqAQwBA&amp;bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_cp.&amp;fp=a0030c204cd7ff60&amp;biw=1280&amp;bih=637\" target=\"_blank\">karolinka coffee</a>\" you can get a sense of just how often I write about coffee. It\'s a lot. Maybe, just maybe I should be embarrassed by how much I write about coffee.\r\n\r\nThis said, I don\'t drink a lot of Turkish coffee.\r\n\r\nI had a cup this weekend and I was reminded why. <a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Turkish Coffee\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6068936306/\"><img class=\"alignnone\" src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6081/6068936306_6ac6e97af9_b.jpg\" alt=\"Turkish Coffee\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>\r\n\r\nI don\'t love the mouth feel. It\'s the bits of finely ground coffee on the roof of my mouth that I don\'t dig. I like the richness of the coffee. It\'s intensely coffee-y. But while I really like the intense coffee favor it doesn\'t usually balance out the fact that most of the time the coffee has been made way too sweet for my taste.\r\n\r\nThe thing is I can and do drink Turkish coffee, I just don\'t enjoy it the same way I enjoy other cups of coffee like espresso, french press or drip.\r\n\r\nWhat I think is interesting is the way that','Turkish Coffee','','inherit','open','open','','5431-revision-3','','','2011-08-23 14:11:52','2011-08-23 12:11:52','',5431,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/08/23/5431-revision-3/',0,'revision','',0),(5435,1,'2011-08-23 14:20:11','2011-08-23 12:20:11','As you probably know by now, I <em>love</em> coffee. In fact, if you google \"<a href=\"http://www.google.com/search?q=Karolinka+coffee&amp;ie=utf-8&amp;oe=utf-8&amp;aq=t&amp;rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&amp;client=firefox-a#hl=en&amp;client=firefox-a&amp;hs=09&amp;rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&amp;q=+site:karolinkabulgaria.com+Karolinka+coffee&amp;sa=X&amp;ei=bZRTToyXE9DBtAbZ7Lz5Dw&amp;ved=0CAIQqAQwBA&amp;bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_cp.&amp;fp=a0030c204cd7ff60&amp;biw=1280&amp;bih=637\" target=\"_blank\">karolinka coffee</a>\" you can get a sense of just how often I write about coffee. It\'s a lot. Maybe, just maybe I should be embarrassed by how much I write about coffee.\n\nThis said, I don\'t drink a lot of Turkish coffee.\n\nI had a cup this weekend and I was reminded why. <a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Turkish Coffee\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6068936306/\"><img class=\"alignnone\" src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6081/6068936306_6ac6e97af9_b.jpg\" alt=\"Turkish Coffee\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>\n\nI like the idea of the coffee but I don\'t love the mouth feel.\n\nIt\'s the bits of finely ground coffee on the roof of my mouth that I don\'t dig. I like the richness of the coffee. It\'s intensely coffee-y. But while I really like the intense coffee favor it doesn\'t usually balance out the fact that most of the time the coffee has been made too sweet for my taste.\n\nMaybe I need to start making my own but I can\'t help but think: if I don\'t love it in a shop, will I love it any more if I make it at home?\n\nThe thing is I can and do drink Turkish coffee, I just don\'t enjoy it the same way I enjoy other cups of coffee like espresso, french press or drip.','Turkish Coffee','','inherit','open','open','','5431-autosave','','','2011-08-23 14:20:11','2011-08-23 12:20:11','',5431,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/08/23/5431-autosave/',0,'revision','',0),(5508,1,'2011-09-01 08:01:02','2011-09-01 06:01:02','After my last post on <a href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/08/23/turkish-coffee/\" target=\"_blank\">drinking Turkish coffee in Zheravna</a>, I was urged to try Turkish coffee again. Given my longstanding commitment to coffee it really wasn\'t such a hard thing for me to decide to do.\r\n\r\nI took up loyal reader Andreytcho on his kind offer to take me to a cafe that he knows near to South Park that makes and serves excellent Turkish coffee.\r\n\r\nWe walked right in the cafe and I never once looked at the name of said cafe. I am that <em>awesome.</em> It\'s not like I write a blog about my life and the interesting places I go that you too might want to go to one day. <em>\r\n</em>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Hey there&#39;s a large lizard in the window\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Large lizard\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6102405428/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6069/6102405428_9f1b956859_b.jpg\" alt=\"Large lizard\" width=\"614\" height=\"461\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nBut, I do have a pretty good excuse. I was too busy looking at the large lizard in the window.\r\n\r\nAndreytcho ordered the coffee. Then we talked and talked.<!--more--><!--more-->\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Cups and coffee\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Cups and coffee\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6101856329/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6069/6101856329_c2cb0bfbf1_b.jpg\" alt=\"Cups and coffee\" width=\"614\" height=\"461\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nThe waitress started bringing glasses and cups to the table. A lot of them. Then came the coffee.\r\n\r\n<em>Delicious</em>.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Pouring Turkish Coffee\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Pouring Turkish Coffee\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6101856799/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6202/6101856799_3acde211ee_b.jpg\" alt=\"Pouring Turkish Coffee\" width=\"614\" height=\"461\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"The mint infused sugar\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"The mint infused sugar\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6101856187/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6071/6101856187_04377a5744_b.jpg\" alt=\"The mint infused sugar\" width=\"614\" height=\"461\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nThe coffee was not pre-sweetened and I think that this made the difference. It was thick and rich tasting. The flavors were layered and intense. Depending on your taste you can add sweetness to the coffee with a spoon of taffy like sugar-mint floating in water. I realize that\'s a confusing sentence--look at the picture. You can either submerge the spoon the cup or you can take a bite of the sugar-spoon and then drink the coffee.\r\n\r\nI went with the latter given my professed dislike of Turkish coffee because it\'s too sweet for me.  I have to say, I am sold. This coffee was excellent. It was smooth but slightly thick with a hint of acidity that lingered on the tongue.  One of my earlier complaints about mouth feel went right out the window. This was just good strong coffee.\r\n\r\nSo here\'s the conclusion, I don\'t think I am tossing my coffee maker out in order to simplify my life and make room for a Turkish coffee pot but I am not going to shy away from Turkish coffee as I have in the past.  I may not go out of my way solely for Turkish coffee but I don\'t actually dislike it as I suspected earlier.\r\n\r\nThe experience got me thinking about this, I\'ve had a lot of bad cups of coffee in my life but I still continue to drink it and I learned a few lessons along the way. For example my dAd makes a better cup of coffee than the guy behind a counter at the gas station does. I like dark roasted coffee better than a light roast. Independent coffee houses are better than chains (sorry Starbucks and Onda). Iced Americanos (espresso, water and ice) are better than just about any other iced drink you can stack them up against (and no I don\'t want any added flavor).  You\'ve got to have both coffee beans and water in your coffee maker at 6am to actually make a pot of coffee.\r\n\r\nThe lesson learned this time is that just like every other bad cup of coffee/espresso I\'ve had in my life, there are bad cups of Turkish coffee as well and you\'ve just got to figure out who makes the best cup or how to make it yourself and then you\'re set. So I am glad that I gave Turkish coffee another go.\r\n\r\nAfter all, I was told recently that, and I quote, \" it\'s the one good thing the Turks left us with.\" The \"us\" in this case I\'m pretty sure includes both the people and the country of Bulgaria.\r\n\r\nOh and a big thanks to Andreytcho who convinced me to give Turkish coffee another shot!!','Another round of Turkish coffee, this time in Sofia','','publish','open','open','','another-round-of-turkish-coffee-this-time-in-sofia','','','2011-09-01 08:01:02','2011-09-01 06:01:02','',0,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?p=5508',0,'post','',2),(5437,1,'2011-08-24 15:06:44','2011-08-24 13:06:44','I just thought that you should know, I am wildly in love with tomatoes right now.\r\n\r\nLast night for dinner, I ate large slices of tomatoes with cheese, bread and olives and a glass of wine. This morning after a long hot walk, I came back home and thought: yogurt with a peach? No thank-you. I want to eat another tomato.\r\n\r\nSo I did.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Local Bulgarian tomoatos\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Local Bulgarian tomoatos\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6075597599/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6181/6075597599_ae851d04a7_b.jpg\" alt=\"Local Bulgarian tomoatos\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nThe thing about tomatoes is that when they are good, they are really, really good. And these tomatoes right now are incredible. While they might not be 100% perfect on the outside it\'s worth looking past that for what\'s on the inside. What\'s on the inside is deeply red, fully ripened, slightly sweet tomato flesh.\r\n\r\nEvery time I slice into a tomato I am shocked to see that they are entirely red. I\'ve lived for  such a long time eating the semi-ripe, barely ripened, greenhouse tomatoes which prevail in the States that it\'s difficult to imagine a tomato any other way.\r\n\r\nNow don\'t get me wrong. This is a lovely surprise.\r\n\r\nEvery time I cut into a tomato, I think about how lucky I am to be slicing such a perfect tomato in Bulgaria. <!--more-->Yes, when it comes to tomatoes, I am both melodramatic and sappy.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Local Bulgarian tomoato sliced\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Local Bulgarian tomoato sliced\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6075597993/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6201/6075597993_a7666632d3_b.jpg\" alt=\"Local Bulgarian tomoato sliced\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nYesterday I came across a <a href=\"http://www.nytimes.com/slideshow/2011/08/03/dining/20110803-tomato-recipes.html?ref=style\" target=\"_blank\">collection of recipes for tomatoes on the NYT</a> and I looked through the pictures and recipes hoping to find a treasure hoping to find the perfect new dish or spin on tomatoes but to no avail. I have no desire to turn my tomatoes into soup, to cook them in the oven, to make them in to jam or jelly or to make the <a href=\"http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/21/health/nutrition/21recipe.html\" target=\"_blank\">\"Summer Salad with Feta</a>\"--<a href=\"http://www.macheesmo.com/2011/08/traditional-bulgaria/\" target=\"_blank\">shopska salad anyone</a>?!\r\n\r\nNo, I am quite content to eat my tomatoes by the slice. Maybe I\'ll give them a dash of salt and pepper or if I am feeling adventurous top a slice with cheese but right now this is enough for me.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Tomatoes with cottage cheese, sirene and mozzarella\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Tomatoes with cottage cheese, sirene and mozzarella\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6076134696/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6190/6076134696_0775171727_b.jpg\" alt=\"Tomatoes with cottage cheese, sirene and mozzarella\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nOh and I have to say, to my great surprise and pleasure Billa is now carrying cottage cheese in the refrigerator section right after the eggs, ouzo and some prepackaged salads.  It\'s sandwiched in right next to the ricotta cheese.\r\n\r\nThis is extra delightful because I grew up eating tomatoes on cottage cheese in the summer months. The creamy slightly salty cottage cheese with a ripe tomato is divine.  Growing up in a farm town in the West, I\'d never heard of people eating a salad of tomatoes, mozzarella and fresh basil but this is also a quick satisfying way to eat tomatoes in the summer. And in Bulgaria? Well, the easiest thing I can imagine is a sliced tomato topped with sirene cheese.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Mozzarella, sirene and Cottage cheese\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Cottage cheese, sirene and mozzarella\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6076134236/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6087/6076134236_1a22b96996_b.jpg\" alt=\"Cottage cheese, sirene and mozzarella\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nSo I made a plate of all three combinations up. Then I ate it standing over the sink. I\'m classy like that.\r\n\r\nNow here\'s the wild part. On top of being delicious, these tomatoes are inexpensive at less than 2 leva a kilo (or about a $1.50 for a kilogram and for the record 1 kilogram is 2.2 pounds).\r\n\r\nI\'ll conclude on this note, I used to think that Bulgarians were kind of nuts when they went on and on about their produce and how tasty both the cucumbers and tomatoes are. I mean come on they are good but they are just vegetables. Now, however with this post, I find myself joining their ranks. I too am extolling the greatness of Bulgarian tomatoes. It\'s funny what a good tomato on a unbearably hot day will move you write.\r\n\r\nAnd so because tomatoes can\'t speak for themselves, I\'ve written a 600 word post on the Bulgarian tomato and I can do this because I write a blog about my adventures in Bulgaria and these include such riveting posts on subjects such as the tomato!!','Because tomatoes can\'t speak for themselves','','publish','open','open','','because-tomatoes-cant-speak-for-themselves','','','2011-08-24 15:06:44','2011-08-24 13:06:44','',0,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?p=5437',0,'post','',6),(5438,1,'2011-08-24 15:00:54','2011-08-24 13:00:54','I just thought that you should know, I am wildly in love with tomatoes right now.  Last night for dinner, I ate large slices of tomatoes with cheese, bread and olives and a glass of wine. The morning after a long hot walk I came back and thought: yogurt with a peach? No thank-you. I want to eat another tomato.\n\nSo I did. <a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Local Bulgarian tomoatos\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6075597599/\"><img class=\"alignnone\" src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6181/6075597599_ae851d04a7_b.jpg\" alt=\"Local Bulgarian tomoatos\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" /></a>\n\nThe thing about tomatoes is that when they are good, they are really, really good. And these tomatoes right now are incredible. While they might not be 100% perfect on the outside it\'s worth looking past that for what\'s on the inside. What\'s on the inside is deeply red, fully ripened, slightly sweet tomato flesh.\n\nEvery time I slice into a tomato I am shocked to see that they are entirely red. I\'ve lived for  such a long time eating the semi-ripe, barely ripened, greenhouse tomatoes which prevail in the States that it\'s difficult to imagine a tomato any other way.\n\nNow don\'t get me wrong. This is a lovely surprise.\n\nEvery time I cut into a tomato, I think about how lucky I am to be slicing such a perfect tomato. <!--more-->Yes, when it comes to tomatoes, I am both melodramatic and sappy.\n\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Local Bulgarian tomoato sliced\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Local Bulgarian tomoato sliced\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6075597993/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6201/6075597993_a7666632d3_b.jpg\" alt=\"Local Bulgarian tomoato sliced\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nYesterday I came across a <a href=\"http://www.nytimes.com/slideshow/2011/08/03/dining/20110803-tomato-recipes.html?ref=style\" target=\"_blank\">collection of recipes for tomatoes on the NYT</a> and I looked through the pictures and recipes hoping to find a treasure hoping to find the perfect new dish or spin on tomatoes but to no avail. I have no desire to turn my tomatoes into soup, to cook them in the oven, to make them in to jam or jelly or to make the <a href=\"http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/21/health/nutrition/21recipe.html\" target=\"_blank\">\"Summer Salad with Feta</a>\"--<a href=\"http://www.macheesmo.com/2011/08/traditional-bulgaria/\" target=\"_blank\">shopska salad anyone</a>?!\n\nNo, I am quite content to eat my tomatoes by the slice. Maybe I\'ll give them a dash of salt and pepper or if I am feeling adventurous top a slice with cheese but right now this is enough for me.\n\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Tomatoes with cottage cheese, sirene and mozzarella\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Tomatoes with cottage cheese, sirene and mozzarella\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6076134696/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6190/6076134696_0775171727_b.jpg\" alt=\"Tomatoes with cottage cheese, sirene and mozzarella\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nOh and I have to say, to my great surprise and pleasure Billa is now carrying cottage cheese in the refrigerator section right after the eggs, ouzo and some prepackaged salads.  It\'s sandwiched in right next to the ricotta cheese.\n\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Mozzarella, sirene and Cottage cheese\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Cottage cheese, sirene and mozzarella\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6076134236/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6087/6076134236_1a22b96996_b.jpg\" alt=\"Cottage cheese, sirene and mozzarella\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nThis is extra delightful because I grew up eating tomatoes on cottage cheese in the summer months. The creamy slightly salty cottage cheese with a ripe tomato is divine.  Growing up in a farm town in the West, I\'d never heard of people eating a salad of tomatoes, mozzarella and fresh basil but this is also a quick satisfying way to eat tomatoes in the summer. And in Bulgaria? Well, the easiest thing I can imagine is a sliced tomato topped with sirene cheese.\n\nSo I made a plate of all three combinations up. Then I ate it standing over the sink. I\'m classy like that.\n\nNow here\'s the wild part. On top of being delicious, these tomatoes are inexpensive at less than 2 leva a kilo (or about a $1.50 for a kilogram and for the record 1 kilogram is 2.2 pounds).\n\nI\'ll conclude on this note, I used to think that Bulgarians were kind of nuts when they went on and on about their produce and how tasty both the cucumbers and tomatoes are. I mean come on they are good but they are just vegetables. Now, however with this post, I find myself joining their ranks. I too am extolling the greatness of Bulgarian tomatoes. It\'s funny what a good tomato on a unbearably hot day will move you write.\n\nAnd so because tomatoes can\'t speak for themselves, I\'ve written a 600 word post on the Bulgarian tomato and I can do this because I write a blog about my adventures in Bulgaria and these include such riveting posts on subjects such as the tomato!!','Because tomatoes can\'t speak for themselves','','inherit','open','open','','5437-revision','','','2011-08-24 15:00:54','2011-08-24 13:00:54','',5437,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/08/24/5437-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(5439,1,'2011-08-24 15:01:54','2011-08-24 13:01:54','I just thought that you should know, I am wildly in love with tomatoes right now.  Last night for dinner, I ate large slices of tomatoes with cheese, bread and olives and a glass of wine. The morning after a long hot walk I came back and thought: yogurt with a peach? No thank-you. I want to eat another tomato.\n\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Local Bulgarian tomoatos\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Local Bulgarian tomoatos\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6075597599/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6181/6075597599_ae851d04a7_b.jpg\" alt=\"Local Bulgarian tomoatos\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nSo I did.\n\nThe thing about tomatoes is that when they are good, they are really, really good. And these tomatoes right now are incredible. While they might not be 100% perfect on the outside it\'s worth looking past that for what\'s on the inside. What\'s on the inside is deeply red, fully ripened, slightly sweet tomato flesh.\n\nEvery time I slice into a tomato I am shocked to see that they are entirely red. I\'ve lived for  such a long time eating the semi-ripe, barely ripened, greenhouse tomatoes which prevail in the States that it\'s difficult to imagine a tomato any other way.\n\nNow don\'t get me wrong. This is a lovely surprise.\n\nEvery time I cut into a tomato, I think about how lucky I am to be slicing such a perfect tomato. <!--more-->Yes, when it comes to tomatoes, I am both melodramatic and sappy.\n\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Local Bulgarian tomoato sliced\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Local Bulgarian tomoato sliced\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6075597993/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6201/6075597993_a7666632d3_b.jpg\" alt=\"Local Bulgarian tomoato sliced\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nYesterday I came across a <a href=\"http://www.nytimes.com/slideshow/2011/08/03/dining/20110803-tomato-recipes.html?ref=style\" target=\"_blank\">collection of recipes for tomatoes on the NYT</a> and I looked through the pictures and recipes hoping to find a treasure hoping to find the perfect new dish or spin on tomatoes but to no avail. I have no desire to turn my tomatoes into soup, to cook them in the oven, to make them in to jam or jelly or to make the <a href=\"http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/21/health/nutrition/21recipe.html\" target=\"_blank\">\"Summer Salad with Feta</a>\"--<a href=\"http://www.macheesmo.com/2011/08/traditional-bulgaria/\" target=\"_blank\">shopska salad anyone</a>?!\n\nNo, I am quite content to eat my tomatoes by the slice. Maybe I\'ll give them a dash of salt and pepper or if I am feeling adventurous top a slice with cheese but right now this is enough for me.\n\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Tomatoes with cottage cheese, sirene and mozzarella\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Tomatoes with cottage cheese, sirene and mozzarella\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6076134696/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6190/6076134696_0775171727_b.jpg\" alt=\"Tomatoes with cottage cheese, sirene and mozzarella\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nOh and I have to say, to my great surprise and pleasure Billa is now carrying cottage cheese in the refrigerator section right after the eggs, ouzo and some prepackaged salads.  It\'s sandwiched in right next to the ricotta cheese.\n\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Mozzarella, sirene and Cottage cheese\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Cottage cheese, sirene and mozzarella\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6076134236/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6087/6076134236_1a22b96996_b.jpg\" alt=\"Cottage cheese, sirene and mozzarella\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nThis is extra delightful because I grew up eating tomatoes on cottage cheese in the summer months. The creamy slightly salty cottage cheese with a ripe tomato is divine.  Growing up in a farm town in the West, I\'d never heard of people eating a salad of tomatoes, mozzarella and fresh basil but this is also a quick satisfying way to eat tomatoes in the summer. And in Bulgaria? Well, the easiest thing I can imagine is a sliced tomato topped with sirene cheese.\n\nSo I made a plate of all three combinations up. Then I ate it standing over the sink. I\'m classy like that.\n\nNow here\'s the wild part. On top of being delicious, these tomatoes are inexpensive at less than 2 leva a kilo (or about a $1.50 for a kilogram and for the record 1 kilogram is 2.2 pounds).\n\nI\'ll conclude on this note, I used to think that Bulgarians were kind of nuts when they went on and on about their produce and how tasty both the cucumbers and tomatoes are. I mean come on they are good but they are just vegetables. Now, however with this post, I find myself joining their ranks. I too am extolling the greatness of Bulgarian tomatoes. It\'s funny what a good tomato on a unbearably hot day will move you write.\n\nAnd so because tomatoes can\'t speak for themselves, I\'ve written a 600 word post on the Bulgarian tomato and I can do this because I write a blog about my adventures in Bulgaria and these include such riveting posts on subjects such as the tomato!!','Because tomatoes can\'t speak for themselves','','inherit','open','open','','5437-revision-2','','','2011-08-24 15:01:54','2011-08-24 13:01:54','',5437,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/08/24/5437-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(5441,1,'2011-08-24 15:05:46','2011-08-24 13:05:46','I just thought that you should know, I am wildly in love with tomatoes right now.\n\nLast night for dinner, I ate large slices of tomatoes with cheese, bread and olives and a glass of wine. This morning after a long hot walk, I came back home and thought: yogurt with a peach? No thank-you. I want to eat another tomato.\n\nSo I did.\n\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Local Bulgarian tomoatos\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Local Bulgarian tomoatos\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6075597599/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6181/6075597599_ae851d04a7_b.jpg\" alt=\"Local Bulgarian tomoatos\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nThe thing about tomatoes is that when they are good, they are really, really good. And these tomatoes right now are incredible. While they might not be 100% perfect on the outside it\'s worth looking past that for what\'s on the inside. What\'s on the inside is deeply red, fully ripened, slightly sweet tomato flesh.\n\nEvery time I slice into a tomato I am shocked to see that they are entirely red. I\'ve lived for  such a long time eating the semi-ripe, barely ripened, greenhouse tomatoes which prevail in the States that it\'s difficult to imagine a tomato any other way.\n\nNow don\'t get me wrong. This is a lovely surprise.\n\nEvery time I cut into a tomato, I think about how lucky I am to be slicing such a perfect tomato in Bulgaria. <!--more-->Yes, when it comes to tomatoes, I am both melodramatic and sappy.\n\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Local Bulgarian tomoato sliced\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Local Bulgarian tomoato sliced\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6075597993/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6201/6075597993_a7666632d3_b.jpg\" alt=\"Local Bulgarian tomoato sliced\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nYesterday I came across a <a href=\"http://www.nytimes.com/slideshow/2011/08/03/dining/20110803-tomato-recipes.html?ref=style\" target=\"_blank\">collection of recipes for tomatoes on the NYT</a> and I looked through the pictures and recipes hoping to find a treasure hoping to find the perfect new dish or spin on tomatoes but to no avail. I have no desire to turn my tomatoes into soup, to cook them in the oven, to make them in to jam or jelly or to make the <a href=\"http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/21/health/nutrition/21recipe.html\" target=\"_blank\">\"Summer Salad with Feta</a>\"--<a href=\"http://www.macheesmo.com/2011/08/traditional-bulgaria/\" target=\"_blank\">shopska salad anyone</a>?!\n\nNo, I am quite content to eat my tomatoes by the slice. Maybe I\'ll give them a dash of salt and pepper or if I am feeling adventurous top a slice with cheese but right now this is enough for me.\n\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Tomatoes with cottage cheese, sirene and mozzarella\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Tomatoes with cottage cheese, sirene and mozzarella\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6076134696/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6190/6076134696_0775171727_b.jpg\" alt=\"Tomatoes with cottage cheese, sirene and mozzarella\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nOh and I have to say, to my great surprise and pleasure Billa is now carrying cottage cheese in the refrigerator section right after the eggs, ouzo and some prepackaged salads.  It\'s sandwiched in right next to the ricotta cheese.\n\nThis is extra delightful because I grew up eating tomatoes on cottage cheese in the summer months. The creamy slightly salty cottage cheese with a ripe tomato is divine.  Growing up in a farm town in the West, I\'d never heard of people eating a salad of tomatoes, mozzarella and fresh basil but this is also a quick satisfying way to eat tomatoes in the summer. And in Bulgaria? Well, the easiest thing I can imagine is a sliced tomato topped with sirene cheese.\n\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Mozzarella, sirene and Cottage cheese\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Cottage cheese, sirene and mozzarella\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6076134236/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6087/6076134236_1a22b96996_b.jpg\" alt=\"Cottage cheese, sirene and mozzarella\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nSo I made a plate of all three combinations up. Then I ate it standing over the sink. I\'m classy like that.\n\nNow here\'s the wild part. On top of being delicious, these tomatoes are inexpensive at less than 2 leva a kilo (or about a $1.50 for a kilogram and for the record 1 kilogram is 2.2 pounds).\n\nI\'ll conclude on this note, I used to think that Bulgarians were kind of nuts when they went on and on about their produce and how tasty both the cucumbers and tomatoes are. I mean come on they are good but they are just vegetables. Now, however with this post, I find myself joining their ranks. I too am extolling the greatness of Bulgarian tomatoes. It\'s funny what a good tomato on a unbearably hot day will move you write.\n\nAnd so because tomatoes can\'t speak for themselves, I\'ve written a 600 word post on the Bulgarian tomato and I can do this because I write a blog about my adventures in Bulgaria and these include such riveting posts on subjects such as the tomato!!','Because tomatoes can\'t speak for themselves','','inherit','open','open','','5437-revision-4','','','2011-08-24 15:05:46','2011-08-24 13:05:46','',5437,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/08/24/5437-revision-4/',0,'revision','',0),(5440,1,'2011-08-24 15:02:41','2011-08-24 13:02:41','I just thought that you should know, I am wildly in love with tomatoes right now.\r\n\r\nLast night for dinner, I ate large slices of tomatoes with cheese, bread and olives and a glass of wine. The morning after a long hot walk I came back and thought: yogurt with a peach? No thank-you. I want to eat another tomato.\r\n\r\nSo I did.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Local Bulgarian tomoatos\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Local Bulgarian tomoatos\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6075597599/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6181/6075597599_ae851d04a7_b.jpg\" alt=\"Local Bulgarian tomoatos\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nThe thing about tomatoes is that when they are good, they are really, really good. And these tomatoes right now are incredible. While they might not be 100% perfect on the outside it\'s worth looking past that for what\'s on the inside. What\'s on the inside is deeply red, fully ripened, slightly sweet tomato flesh.\r\n\r\nEvery time I slice into a tomato I am shocked to see that they are entirely red. I\'ve lived for  such a long time eating the semi-ripe, barely ripened, greenhouse tomatoes which prevail in the States that it\'s difficult to imagine a tomato any other way.\r\n\r\nNow don\'t get me wrong. This is a lovely surprise.\r\n\r\nEvery time I cut into a tomato, I think about how lucky I am to be slicing such a perfect tomato. <!--more-->Yes, when it comes to tomatoes, I am both melodramatic and sappy.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Local Bulgarian tomoato sliced\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Local Bulgarian tomoato sliced\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6075597993/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6201/6075597993_a7666632d3_b.jpg\" alt=\"Local Bulgarian tomoato sliced\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nYesterday I came across a <a href=\"http://www.nytimes.com/slideshow/2011/08/03/dining/20110803-tomato-recipes.html?ref=style\" target=\"_blank\">collection of recipes for tomatoes on the NYT</a> and I looked through the pictures and recipes hoping to find a treasure hoping to find the perfect new dish or spin on tomatoes but to no avail. I have no desire to turn my tomatoes into soup, to cook them in the oven, to make them in to jam or jelly or to make the <a href=\"http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/21/health/nutrition/21recipe.html\" target=\"_blank\">\"Summer Salad with Feta</a>\"--<a href=\"http://www.macheesmo.com/2011/08/traditional-bulgaria/\" target=\"_blank\">shopska salad anyone</a>?!\r\n\r\nNo, I am quite content to eat my tomatoes by the slice. Maybe I\'ll give them a dash of salt and pepper or if I am feeling adventurous top a slice with cheese but right now this is enough for me.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Tomatoes with cottage cheese, sirene and mozzarella\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Tomatoes with cottage cheese, sirene and mozzarella\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6076134696/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6190/6076134696_0775171727_b.jpg\" alt=\"Tomatoes with cottage cheese, sirene and mozzarella\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nOh and I have to say, to my great surprise and pleasure Billa is now carrying cottage cheese in the refrigerator section right after the eggs, ouzo and some prepackaged salads.  It\'s sandwiched in right next to the ricotta cheese.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Mozzarella, sirene and Cottage cheese\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Cottage cheese, sirene and mozzarella\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6076134236/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6087/6076134236_1a22b96996_b.jpg\" alt=\"Cottage cheese, sirene and mozzarella\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nThis is extra delightful because I grew up eating tomatoes on cottage cheese in the summer months. The creamy slightly salty cottage cheese with a ripe tomato is divine.  Growing up in a farm town in the West, I\'d never heard of people eating a salad of tomatoes, mozzarella and fresh basil but this is also a quick satisfying way to eat tomatoes in the summer. And in Bulgaria? Well, the easiest thing I can imagine is a sliced tomato topped with sirene cheese.\r\n\r\nSo I made a plate of all three combinations up. Then I ate it standing over the sink. I\'m classy like that.\r\n\r\nNow here\'s the wild part. On top of being delicious, these tomatoes are inexpensive at less than 2 leva a kilo (or about a $1.50 for a kilogram and for the record 1 kilogram is 2.2 pounds).\r\n\r\nI\'ll conclude on this note, I used to think that Bulgarians were kind of nuts when they went on and on about their produce and how tasty both the cucumbers and tomatoes are. I mean come on they are good but they are just vegetables. Now, however with this post, I find myself joining their ranks. I too am extolling the greatness of Bulgarian tomatoes. It\'s funny what a good tomato on a unbearably hot day will move you write.\r\n\r\nAnd so because tomatoes can\'t speak for themselves, I\'ve written a 600 word post on the Bulgarian tomato and I can do this because I write a blog about my adventures in Bulgaria and these include such riveting posts on subjects such as the tomato!!','Because tomatoes can\'t speak for themselves','','inherit','open','open','','5437-revision-3','','','2011-08-24 15:02:41','2011-08-24 13:02:41','',5437,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/08/24/5437-revision-3/',0,'revision','',0),(5442,1,'2011-08-24 15:05:54','2011-08-24 13:05:54','I just thought that you should know, I am wildly in love with tomatoes right now.\r\n\r\nLast night for dinner, I ate large slices of tomatoes with cheese, bread and olives and a glass of wine. This morning after a long hot walk, I came back home and thought: yogurt with a peach? No thank-you. I want to eat another tomato.\r\n\r\nSo I did.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Local Bulgarian tomoatos\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Local Bulgarian tomoatos\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6075597599/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6181/6075597599_ae851d04a7_b.jpg\" alt=\"Local Bulgarian tomoatos\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nThe thing about tomatoes is that when they are good, they are really, really good. And these tomatoes right now are incredible. While they might not be 100% perfect on the outside it\'s worth looking past that for what\'s on the inside. What\'s on the inside is deeply red, fully ripened, slightly sweet tomato flesh.\r\n\r\nEvery time I slice into a tomato I am shocked to see that they are entirely red. I\'ve lived for  such a long time eating the semi-ripe, barely ripened, greenhouse tomatoes which prevail in the States that it\'s difficult to imagine a tomato any other way.\r\n\r\nNow don\'t get me wrong. This is a lovely surprise.\r\n\r\nEvery time I cut into a tomato, I think about how lucky I am to be slicing such a perfect tomato in Bulgaria. <!--more-->Yes, when it comes to tomatoes, I am both melodramatic and sappy.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Local Bulgarian tomoato sliced\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Local Bulgarian tomoato sliced\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6075597993/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6201/6075597993_a7666632d3_b.jpg\" alt=\"Local Bulgarian tomoato sliced\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nYesterday I came across a <a href=\"http://www.nytimes.com/slideshow/2011/08/03/dining/20110803-tomato-recipes.html?ref=style\" target=\"_blank\">collection of recipes for tomatoes on the NYT</a> and I looked through the pictures and recipes hoping to find a treasure hoping to find the perfect new dish or spin on tomatoes but to no avail. I have no desire to turn my tomatoes into soup, to cook them in the oven, to make them in to jam or jelly or to make the <a href=\"http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/21/health/nutrition/21recipe.html\" target=\"_blank\">\"Summer Salad with Feta</a>\"--<a href=\"http://www.macheesmo.com/2011/08/traditional-bulgaria/\" target=\"_blank\">shopska salad anyone</a>?!\r\n\r\nNo, I am quite content to eat my tomatoes by the slice. Maybe I\'ll give them a dash of salt and pepper or if I am feeling adventurous top a slice with cheese but right now this is enough for me.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Tomatoes with cottage cheese, sirene and mozzarella\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Tomatoes with cottage cheese, sirene and mozzarella\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6076134696/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6190/6076134696_0775171727_b.jpg\" alt=\"Tomatoes with cottage cheese, sirene and mozzarella\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nOh and I have to say, to my great surprise and pleasure Billa is now carrying cottage cheese in the refrigerator section right after the eggs, ouzo and some prepackaged salads.  It\'s sandwiched in right next to the ricotta cheese.\r\n\r\nThis is extra delightful because I grew up eating tomatoes on cottage cheese in the summer months. The creamy slightly salty cottage cheese with a ripe tomato is divine.  Growing up in a farm town in the West, I\'d never heard of people eating a salad of tomatoes, mozzarella and fresh basil but this is also a quick satisfying way to eat tomatoes in the summer. And in Bulgaria? Well, the easiest thing I can imagine is a sliced tomato topped with sirene cheese.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Mozzarella, sirene and Cottage cheese\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Cottage cheese, sirene and mozzarella\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6076134236/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6087/6076134236_1a22b96996_b.jpg\" alt=\"Cottage cheese, sirene and mozzarella\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nSo I made a plate of all three combinations up. Then I ate it standing over the sink. I\'m classy like that.\r\n\r\nNow here\'s the wild part. On top of being delicious, these tomatoes are inexpensive at less than 2 leva a kilo (or about a $1.50 for a kilogram and for the record 1 kilogram is 2.2 pounds).\r\n\r\nI\'ll conclude on this note, I used to think that Bulgarians were kind of nuts when they went on and on about their produce and how tasty both the cucumbers and tomatoes are. I mean come on they are good but they are just vegetables. Now, however with this post, I find myself joining their ranks. I too am extolling the greatness of Bulgarian tomatoes. It\'s funny what a good tomato on a unbearably hot day will move you write.\r\n\r\nAnd so because tomatoes can\'t speak for themselves, I\'ve written a 600 word post on the Bulgarian tomato and I can do this because I write a blog about my adventures in Bulgaria and these include such riveting posts on subjects such as the tomato!!','Because tomatoes can\'t speak for themselves','','inherit','open','open','','5437-revision-5','','','2011-08-24 15:05:54','2011-08-24 13:05:54','',5437,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/08/24/5437-revision-5/',0,'revision','',0),(5443,1,'2011-08-24 15:05:55','2011-08-24 13:05:55','I just thought that you should know, I am wildly in love with tomatoes right now.\r\n\r\nLast night for dinner, I ate large slices of tomatoes with cheese, bread and olives and a glass of wine. This morning after a long hot walk, I came back home and thought: yogurt with a peach? No thank-you. I want to eat another tomato.\r\n\r\nSo I did.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Local Bulgarian tomoatos\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Local Bulgarian tomoatos\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6075597599/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6181/6075597599_ae851d04a7_b.jpg\" alt=\"Local Bulgarian tomoatos\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nThe thing about tomatoes is that when they are good, they are really, really good. And these tomatoes right now are incredible. While they might not be 100% perfect on the outside it\'s worth looking past that for what\'s on the inside. What\'s on the inside is deeply red, fully ripened, slightly sweet tomato flesh.\r\n\r\nEvery time I slice into a tomato I am shocked to see that they are entirely red. I\'ve lived for  such a long time eating the semi-ripe, barely ripened, greenhouse tomatoes which prevail in the States that it\'s difficult to imagine a tomato any other way.\r\n\r\nNow don\'t get me wrong. This is a lovely surprise.\r\n\r\nEvery time I cut into a tomato, I think about how lucky I am to be slicing such a perfect tomato in Bulgaria. <!--more-->Yes, when it comes to tomatoes, I am both melodramatic and sappy.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Local Bulgarian tomoato sliced\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Local Bulgarian tomoato sliced\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6075597993/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6201/6075597993_a7666632d3_b.jpg\" alt=\"Local Bulgarian tomoato sliced\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nYesterday I came across a <a href=\"http://www.nytimes.com/slideshow/2011/08/03/dining/20110803-tomato-recipes.html?ref=style\" target=\"_blank\">collection of recipes for tomatoes on the NYT</a> and I looked through the pictures and recipes hoping to find a treasure hoping to find the perfect new dish or spin on tomatoes but to no avail. I have no desire to turn my tomatoes into soup, to cook them in the oven, to make them in to jam or jelly or to make the <a href=\"http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/21/health/nutrition/21recipe.html\" target=\"_blank\">\"Summer Salad with Feta</a>\"--<a href=\"http://www.macheesmo.com/2011/08/traditional-bulgaria/\" target=\"_blank\">shopska salad anyone</a>?!\r\n\r\nNo, I am quite content to eat my tomatoes by the slice. Maybe I\'ll give them a dash of salt and pepper or if I am feeling adventurous top a slice with cheese but right now this is enough for me.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Tomatoes with cottage cheese, sirene and mozzarella\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Tomatoes with cottage cheese, sirene and mozzarella\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6076134696/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6190/6076134696_0775171727_b.jpg\" alt=\"Tomatoes with cottage cheese, sirene and mozzarella\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nOh and I have to say, to my great surprise and pleasure Billa is now carrying cottage cheese in the refrigerator section right after the eggs, ouzo and some prepackaged salads.  It\'s sandwiched in right next to the ricotta cheese.\r\n\r\nThis is extra delightful because I grew up eating tomatoes on cottage cheese in the summer months. The creamy slightly salty cottage cheese with a ripe tomato is divine.  Growing up in a farm town in the West, I\'d never heard of people eating a salad of tomatoes, mozzarella and fresh basil but this is also a quick satisfying way to eat tomatoes in the summer. And in Bulgaria? Well, the easiest thing I can imagine is a sliced tomato topped with sirene cheese.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Mozzarella, sirene and Cottage cheese\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Cottage cheese, sirene and mozzarella\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6076134236/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6087/6076134236_1a22b96996_b.jpg\" alt=\"Cottage cheese, sirene and mozzarella\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nSo I made a plate of all three combinations up. Then I ate it standing over the sink. I\'m classy like that.\r\n\r\nNow here\'s the wild part. On top of being delicious, these tomatoes are inexpensive at less than 2 leva a kilo (or about a $1.50 for a kilogram and for the record 1 kilogram is 2.2 pounds).\r\n\r\nI\'ll conclude on this note, I used to think that Bulgarians were kind of nuts when they went on and on about their produce and how tasty both the cucumbers and tomatoes are. I mean come on they are good but they are just vegetables. Now, however with this post, I find myself joining their ranks. I too am extolling the greatness of Bulgarian tomatoes. It\'s funny what a good tomato on a unbearably hot day will move you write.\r\n\r\nAnd so because tomatoes can\'t speak for themselves, I\'ve written a 600 word post on the Bulgarian tomato and I can do this because I write a blog about my adventures in Bulgaria and these include such riveting posts on subjects such as the tomato!!','Because tomatoes can\'t speak for themselves','','inherit','open','open','','5437-revision-6','','','2011-08-24 15:05:55','2011-08-24 13:05:55','',5437,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/08/24/5437-revision-6/',0,'revision','',0),(5444,1,'2011-08-24 15:07:50','2011-08-24 13:07:50','I just thought that you should know, I am wildly in love with tomatoes right now.\n\nLast night for dinner, I ate large slices of tomatoes with cheese, bread and olives and a glass of wine. This morning after a long hot walk, I came back home and thought: yogurt with a peach? No thank-you. I want to eat another tomato.\n\nSo I did.\n\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Local Bulgarian tomoatos\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Local Bulgarian tomoatos\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6075597599/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6181/6075597599_ae851d04a7_b.jpg\" alt=\"Local Bulgarian tomoatos\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nThe thing about tomatoes is that when they are good, they are really, really good. And these tomatoes right now are incredible. While they might not be 100% perfect on the outside it\'s worth looking past that for what\'s on the inside. What\'s on the inside is deeply red, fully ripened, slightly sweet tomato flesh.\n\nEvery time I slice into a tomato I am shocked to see that they are entirely red. I\'ve lived for  such a long time eating the semi-ripe, barely ripened, greenhouse tomatoes which prevail in the States that it\'s difficult to imagine a tomato any other way.\n\nNow don\'t get me wrong. This is a lovely surprise.\n\nEvery time I cut into a tomato, I think about how lucky I am to be slicing such a perfect tomato in Bulgaria. <!--more-->Yes, when it comes to tomatoes, I am both melodramatic and sappy.\n\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Local Bulgarian tomoato sliced\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Local Bulgarian tomoato sliced\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6075597993/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6201/6075597993_a7666632d3_b.jpg\" alt=\"Local Bulgarian tomoato sliced\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nYesterday I came across a <a href=\"http://www.nytimes.com/slideshow/2011/08/03/dining/20110803-tomato-recipes.html?ref=style\" target=\"_blank\">collection of recipes for tomatoes on the NYT</a> and I looked through the pictures and recipes hoping to find a treasure hoping to find the perfect new dish or spin on tomatoes but to no avail. I have no desire to turn my tomatoes into soup, to cook them in the oven, to make them in to jam or jelly or to make the <a href=\"http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/21/health/nutrition/21recipe.html\" target=\"_blank\">\"Summer Salad with Feta</a>\"--<a href=\"http://www.macheesmo.com/2011/08/traditional-bulgaria/\" target=\"_blank\">shopska salad anyone</a>?!\n\nNo, I am quite content to eat my tomatoes by the slice. Maybe I\'ll give them a dash of salt and pepper or if I am feeling adventurous top a slice with cheese but right now this is enough for me.\n\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Tomatoes with cottage cheese, sirene and mozzarella\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Tomatoes with cottage cheese, sirene and mozzarella\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6076134696/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6190/6076134696_0775171727_b.jpg\" alt=\"Tomatoes with cottage cheese, sirene and mozzarella\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nOh and I have to say, to my great surprise and pleasure Billa is now carrying cottage cheese in the refrigerator section right after the eggs, ouzo and some prepackaged salads.  It\'s sandwiched in right next to the ricotta cheese.\n\nThis is extra delightful because I grew up eating tomatoes on cottage cheese in the summer months. The creamy slightly salty cottage cheese with a ripe tomato is divine.  Growing up in a farm town in the West, I\'d never heard of people eating a salad of tomatoes, mozzarella and fresh basil but this is also a quick satisfying way to eat tomatoes in the summer. And in Bulgaria? Well, the easiest thing I can imagine is a sliced tomato topped with sirene cheese.\n\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Mozzarella, sirene and Cottage cheese\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Cottage cheese, sirene and mozzarella\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6076134236/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6087/6076134236_1a22b96996_b.jpg\" alt=\"Cottage cheese, sirene and mozzarella\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nSo I made a plate of all three combinations up. Then I ate it standing over the sink. I\'m classy like that.\n\nNow here\'s the wild part. On top of being delicious, these tomatoes are inexpensive at less than 2 leva a kilo (or about a $1.50 for a kilogram and for the record 1 kilogram is 2.2 pounds).\n\nI\'ll conclude on this note, I used to think that Bulgarians were kind of nuts when they went on and on about their produce and how tasty both the cucumbers and tomatoes are. I mean come on they are good but they are just vegetables. Now, however with this post, I find myself joining their ranks. I too am extolling the greatness of Bulgarian tomatoes. It\'s funny what a good tomato on a unbearably hot day will move you write.\n\nAnd so because tomatoes can\'t speak for themselves, I\'ve written a 600 word post on the Bulgarian tomato and I can do this because I write a blog about my adventures in Bulgaria and these include such riveting posts on subjects such as the tomato!!','Because tomatoes can\'t speak for themselves','','inherit','open','open','','5437-autosave','','','2011-08-24 15:07:50','2011-08-24 13:07:50','',5437,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/08/24/5437-autosave/',0,'revision','',0),(5445,1,'2011-08-26 09:10:09','2011-08-26 07:10:09','Two days ago I <a href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/08/24/because-tomatoes-cant-speak-for-themselves/\" target=\"_blank\">professed my love for tomatoes</a> on this blog and <a href=\"http://daybyeday.tumblr.com/post/9335221648\" target=\"_blank\">on my Bulgarian blog</a>. Really, what\'s not to love?!\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Finished product: Tomato Pie\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Finished product Tomato Pie\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6081580873/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6192/6081580873_d0b17e0d64_b.jpg\" alt=\"Finished product Tomato Pie\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nAnyhow my Aunt Ruth who lives in <a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louisville,_Kentucky\" target=\"_blank\">Louisville, Kentucky</a> commented on the post about a tomato pie that she claims is a \"Southern thing.\" Growing up on the West Coast, I can honestly say that I\'ve certainly never heard of such a thing--we do sweet pies where I am from but a savory tomato pie? Well, that\'s something I had to try.\r\n\r\nSo, she sent me the recipe. The recipe is great. Not only does the dish sound incredibly tasty but it also has a lot of variations (and/or possible substitutions)  which means that you can make it with you have on hand.<!--more-->\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Tomatoes!\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Tomatoes!\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6082115484/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6069/6082115484_f259911db2_b.jpg\" alt=\"Tomatoes!\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nMy aunt explained in her email: The long-time food editor at the C-J (that\'s the local newspaper the <a href=\"http://www.courier-journal.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Louisville Courier-Journal</a>) used to print it from time to time. She has been gone for years, but people apparently lose their recipe and write in for a reprint occasionally.\r\n\r\nRather than a reprint, here\'s my remake of the recipe in Bulgaria.  Fair warning, even if you think that your west facing apartment is already so hot that it can\'t get much hotter by turning on the oven--you\'re fooling yourself. This said, the pie goes great with a glass of crisp white wine and I can only imagine it would go down equally well with a cold beer.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Sliced Tomatoes\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Sliced Tomatoes\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6081579307/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6082/6081579307_0bdf799674_b.jpg\" alt=\"Sliced Tomatoes\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nThe most important thing to do before you get started making the pie is to figure out what kind of a pan you\'re going to cook it in. I didn\'t have a pie plate (and cursed myself for this) but I realized that I did have a spring-form pan. Not perfect but better than nothing. So I cut the crust recipe in half and at the end topped my pie with breadcrumbs.\r\n\r\nHeavenly Tomato Pie\r\n\r\nIngredients for the Crust (below is the full recipe):\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Two cups  flour (1 white and 1 whole wheat)</li>\r\n	<li>1 teaspoon pepper</li>\r\n	<li>1 teaspoon salt</li>\r\n	<li>1 teaspoon finely chopped dried rosemary (fresh would be better)</li>\r\n	<li>2 teaspoons baking powder</li>\r\n	<li>1/2 cup butter</li>\r\n	<li>2/3 cup milk</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nIngredients for the Filling:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>2 to 3 pounds tomatoes, peeled, seeded and sliced thickly</li>\r\n	<li>3-4 tablespoons of fresh chopped dill</li>\r\n	<li>1-2 teaspoons of dried basil (but fresh would be better)</li>\r\n	<li>2 cups cheese grated cheddar cheese is recommended. I wanted a rich deep taste and texture so I mixed in grated cheddar, cottage cheese and sirene until I got to the 2 cup equivalent.</li>\r\n	<li>2/3 cup mayonnaise (I didn\'t have enough mayonnaise so I mixed in sour cream)</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nHow to make the Crust:\r\n\r\nCombine flour, pepper, salt, rosemary and baking powder in a bowl. Use two knives to cut the butter into the flour mixture. You want the butter pieces to be little pea sizes. Add milk and stir to gently blend well. The dough should be soft and just a little sticky. Don\'t mix it too much. Turn onto a lightly floured surface and knead the dough by folding it over a few times. Again handle as little as possible.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Dough\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Dough\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6081578525/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6188/6081578525_c4d5580fff_b.jpg\" alt=\"Dough\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nChill for 10 minutes. Divide the dough in half and roll out half of it to fit a 10-inch deep-dish pie plate (or whatever pie pan you have). Heat oven to 400 degrees.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Dough rolled out\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Dough rolled out\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6082117158/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6072/6082117158_eb61afece6_b.jpg\" alt=\"Dough rolled out\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Savory pie shell\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Savory pie shell\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6082117310/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6085/6082117310_7088de632e_b.jpg\" alt=\"Savory pie shell\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nHow to make the Filling:\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Removing seeds\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Removing seeds\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6081579073/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6202/6081579073_45c76c067c_b.jpg\" alt=\"Removing seeds\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nThe original recipe said to peal the tomatoes but that\'s too much work for me and I don\'t mind the skin. So I just cut the tomatoes in half horizontally. Scoop the seeds out of the seed pockets with your index finger. Don’t be too obsessive about getting every seed – one scoop per seed pocket will generally do the trick.\r\n\r\nIn a small bowl mix together mayo, sour cream, dill and basil.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Mayo-cream-dill filling\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Mayo-cream-dill filling\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6081579487/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6077/6081579487_8d2cb2646f_b.jpg\" alt=\"Mayo-cream-dill filling\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nSlice the tomatoes thickly and place a layer in the pie.  Lightly spread the mayo-dill mixture over the first layer. Continue layering and spreading the mayo sauce on the top of each layer until pan is basically full or you run out to tomatoes. Top with grated (or cottage) cheese, then spread the remaining mayonnaise over the top (this is not a particularly tidy process).\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Cheese and dill\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Cheese and dill\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6081578761/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6187/6081578761_e341867ba9_b.jpg\" alt=\"Cheese and dill\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nI wasn\'t convinced that I could top the pie with a crust given the pan I was using to bake the pie so I decided to top my pie with crumbled up bread crumbs. But if you have a better pan that me, roll out the remaining dough and cover the pie, crimping the edges to seal them. Cut several slits in the top of the pie and brush milk or cream (you can sprinkle the top with a little coarse salt or Parmesan cheese if desired). Note: in hindsight I could have topped the pie with a lid of pie crust. Maybe I will next time.\r\n\r\nBake 25 minutes. Let rest 5 or 10 minutes before slicing.\r\n\r\nServes 6 to 8 people. Serve with green salad.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Cheese Filling\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Cheese Filling\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6081580445/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6182/6081580445_49b2f7e53c_b.jpg\" alt=\"Cheese Filling\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nIf your tomatoes are runny: When you cut into the pie, just lift the slice out to (??) then tip the pie dish into the sink to pour off the juices. If you find your tomatoes give off lots of juice, consider sprinkling a layer of tomatoes with a tablespoon of flour.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Slice (or a chunk) of Tomato Pie\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Tomato Pie\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6082118276/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6184/6082118276_00766caf64_b.jpg\" alt=\"Tomato Pie\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nI was really down about the pie after I\'d made it yesterday. I was hot. Really hot and while the pie was tasty I thought: it\'s a lot of work for one person and I don\'t think that it will keep well as leftovers so I dished up servings for my friends leaving me about a 1/4 of a pie. This morning however I was curious about my pie. So I had a slice. I think that\'s okay--it\'s a vegetable pie after all--and I have to say, even the next day it was good. I mean really good. Sure the bottom was a little soggy-gooey but the tomato filling is to die for. I shouldn\'t have worried so much about the pie.\r\n\r\nIt\'s funny the difference a day makes because today, I am really excited about the pie and I\'ve been thinking about making another one in the near future. Maybe this time I\'ll layer in spicy peppers or add a little spicy brown mustard to the mayo-dill mix for a little extra pizazz. Oh, the options!!','An American-in-Bulgaria\'s take on Heavenly Tomato Pie','','publish','open','open','','an-american-in-bulgarias-take-on-heavenly-tomato-pie','','','2011-08-26 09:10:09','2011-08-26 07:10:09','',0,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?p=5445',0,'post','',6),(5446,1,'2011-08-24 20:10:43','2011-08-24 18:10:43','Heavenly Tomato Pie\n\n&nbsp;\n\nCrust:\n\nTwo cups all-purpose flour (I often use part King Arthur white whole wheat flour)\n\n1 teaspoon (freshly ground) pepper\n\n1 teaspoon salt (I use a bit, sometimes a lot less)\n\n2 teaspoons baking powder\n\n1/2 cup unsalted butter\n\n2/3 cup milk\n\n&nbsp;\n\nFilling:\n\n2 to 3 pounds tomatoes, peeled, seeded and sliced thickly (the more delectable, the better the pie)\n\n¼ cup fresh chopped basil ( I use a bit more)\n\n2 cups grated cheddar cheese\n\n(I use cottage cheese because I cannot eat cheese. Also, I use somewhat less than two cups -- an indeterminate amount that somehow seems to fit the pie.)\n\n2/3 cup mayonnaise (Again, I use less.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nCrust:\n\nCombine flour, pepper, salt and baking powder in a bowl. Use two knives to cut the butter into the flour mixture.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAdd milk and stir to gently blend well. The dough should be soft and just a little sticky.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nTurn onto a lightly floured surface and knead the dough by folding it over a few times.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nChill for 10 minutes. Divide the dough in half and roll out half of it to fit a 10-inch deep-dish pie plate (or whatever pie pan you have). Heat oven to 400 degrees.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nFilling:\n\nTo peel the tomatoes, dip in boiling water for 10 seconds. Core them with a small knife, then slip the peel off.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nCut the tomatoes in half horizontally. Scoop the seeds out of the seed pockets with your index finger. Don’t be too obsessive about getting every seed – one scoop per seed pocket will generally do the trick.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSlice the tomatoes thickly and place a layer in the pie. Sprinkle a little salt and basil, then layer with more tomatoes, repeating the process. Repeat the process until all the tomatoes are used.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nTop with grated (or cottage) cheese, then spread the mayonnaise over the top (this is not a particularly tidy process). Use just enough tomatoes to fill the pie generously – you may need more or less depending on how deep and wide your pie pan is.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nRoll out the remaining dough and cover the pie, crimping the edges to seal them. Cut several slits in the top of the pie and brush milk or cream (you can sprinkle the top with a little coarse salt or Parmesan cheese if desired).\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBake 25 minutes. Let rest 5 or 10 minutes before slicing.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nServes 6 to 8 people. Serve with green salad.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIf your tomatoes are runny: When you cut into the pie, just lift the slice out to (??) then tip the pie dish into the sink to pour off the juices. If you find your tomatoes give off lots of juice, consider sprinkling a layer of tomatoes with a tablespoon of flour.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAdditional Sarah Fritschner notes:\n\nThe pie tastes of fresh tomatoes, basil and cheese. It isn’t a custard pie. We’ve resisted adding flour to thicken the juices of the tomato, preferring to just pour them out of the pan if they accumulate. We prefer the fully fresh tomato flavor to the flour-thickened juices.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOther Sarah suggestions:\n\n&nbsp;\n\n• Substitute other herbs for the basil. Fresh oregano, thyme and rosemary are a good combination.\n\n• Change the cheese to a sharp or aged Swiss or Italian cheese.\n\n• Add hot peppers to the layers.\n\n• Use your favorite pie pastry instead of the biscuit pastry.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nRuth notes:\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThe pie we ate had fresh rosemary added to the biscuit dough. The tomatoes were cut up and held aside until the pie was made up just before baking so that the crust would not be goopy. Holding the tomatoes aside also allowed them to drain somewhat. The crusts were rolled out and placed in the pie pan and held aside ready to put together just before baking.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','An American ','','inherit','open','open','','5445-revision','','','2011-08-24 20:10:43','2011-08-24 18:10:43','',5445,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/08/24/5445-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(5447,1,'2011-08-24 20:30:52','2011-08-24 18:30:52','Two days ago I <a href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/08/24/because-tomatoes-cant-speak-for-themselves/\" target=\"_blank\">professed my love for tomatoes</a> on this blog and <a href=\"http://daybyeday.tumblr.com/post/9335221648\" target=\"_blank\">on my Bulgarian blog</a>. Really, what\'s not to love?!\n\nAnyhow my Aunt Ruth who lives in <a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louisville,_Kentucky\" target=\"_blank\">Louisville, Kentucky</a> commented on the post about a tomato pie that she claims is a \"Southern thing.\" Growing up on the West Coast, I can honestly say that I\'ve certainly never heard of such a thing. She sent me the recipe. The recipe is great. Not only does the dish sound incredibly tasty but it also has a lot of variations (and/or possible substitutions)  which means that you can make it with you have on hand.\n\nMy aunt explained in her email: The long-time food editor at the C-J (that\'s the local newspaper the <a href=\"http://www.courier-journal.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Louisville Courier-Journal</a>) used to print it from time to time. She has been gone for years, but people apparently lose their recipe and write in for a reprint occasionally.\n\nHeavenly Tomato Pie\n\nCrust:\n\nTwo cups all-purpose flour (I often use part King Arthur white whole wheat flour)\n\n1 teaspoon (freshly ground) pepper\n\n1 teaspoon salt (I use a bit, sometimes a lot less)\n\n2 teaspoons baking powder\n\n1/2 cup unsalted butter\n\n2/3 cup milk\n\n&nbsp;\n\nFilling:\n\n2 to 3 pounds tomatoes, peeled, seeded and sliced thickly (the more delectable, the better the pie)\n\n¼ cup fresh chopped basil ( I use a bit more)\n\n2 cups grated cheddar cheese\n\n(I use cottage cheese because I cannot eat cheese. Also, I use somewhat less than two cups -- an indeterminate amount that somehow seems to fit the pie.)\n\n2/3 cup mayonnaise (Again, I use less.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nCrust:\n\nCombine flour, pepper, salt and baking powder in a bowl. Use two knives to cut the butter into the flour mixture.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAdd milk and stir to gently blend well. The dough should be soft and just a little sticky.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nTurn onto a lightly floured surface and knead the dough by folding it over a few times.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nChill for 10 minutes. Divide the dough in half and roll out half of it to fit a 10-inch deep-dish pie plate (or whatever pie pan you have). Heat oven to 400 degrees.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nFilling:\n\nTo peel the tomatoes, dip in boiling water for 10 seconds. Core them with a small knife, then slip the peel off.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nCut the tomatoes in half horizontally. Scoop the seeds out of the seed pockets with your index finger. Don’t be too obsessive about getting every seed – one scoop per seed pocket will generally do the trick.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSlice the tomatoes thickly and place a layer in the pie. Sprinkle a little salt and basil, then layer with more tomatoes, repeating the process. Repeat the process until all the tomatoes are used.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nTop with grated (or cottage) cheese, then spread the mayonnaise over the top (this is not a particularly tidy process). Use just enough tomatoes to fill the pie generously – you may need more or less depending on how deep and wide your pie pan is.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nRoll out the remaining dough and cover the pie, crimping the edges to seal them. Cut several slits in the top of the pie and brush milk or cream (you can sprinkle the top with a little coarse salt or Parmesan cheese if desired).\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBake 25 minutes. Let rest 5 or 10 minutes before slicing.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nServes 6 to 8 people. Serve with green salad.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIf your tomatoes are runny: When you cut into the pie, just lift the slice out to (??) then tip the pie dish into the sink to pour off the juices. If you find your tomatoes give off lots of juice, consider sprinkling a layer of tomatoes with a tablespoon of flour.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAdditional Sarah Fritschner notes:\n\nThe pie tastes of fresh tomatoes, basil and cheese. It isn’t a custard pie. We’ve resisted adding flour to thicken the juices of the tomato, preferring to just pour them out of the pan if they accumulate. We prefer the fully fresh tomato flavor to the flour-thickened juices.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOther Sarah suggestions:\n\n&nbsp;\n\n• Substitute other herbs for the basil. Fresh oregano, thyme and rosemary are a good combination.\n\n• Change the cheese to a sharp or aged Swiss or Italian cheese.\n\n• Add hot peppers to the layers.\n\n• Use your favorite pie pastry instead of the biscuit pastry.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nRuth notes:\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThe pie we ate had fresh rosemary added to the biscuit dough. The tomatoes were cut up and held aside until the pie was made up just before baking so that the crust would not be goopy. Holding the tomatoes aside also allowed them to drain somewhat. The crusts were rolled out and placed in the pie pan and held aside ready to put together just before baking.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','An American-in-Bulgaria\'s take on Heavenly Tomato Pie','','inherit','open','open','','5445-revision-2','','','2011-08-24 20:30:52','2011-08-24 18:30:52','',5445,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/08/24/5445-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(5448,1,'2011-08-24 20:41:27','2011-08-24 18:41:27','Two days ago I <a href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/08/24/because-tomatoes-cant-speak-for-themselves/\" target=\"_blank\">professed my love for tomatoes</a> on this blog and <a href=\"http://daybyeday.tumblr.com/post/9335221648\" target=\"_blank\">on my Bulgarian blog</a>. Really, what\'s not to love?!\n\nAnyhow my Aunt Ruth who lives in <a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louisville,_Kentucky\" target=\"_blank\">Louisville, Kentucky</a> commented on the post about a tomato pie that she claims is a \"Southern thing.\" Growing up on the West Coast, I can honestly say that I\'ve certainly never heard of such a thing. She sent me the recipe. The recipe is great. Not only does the dish sound incredibly tasty but it also has a lot of variations (and/or possible substitutions)  which means that you can make it with you have on hand.\n\nMy aunt explained in her email: The long-time food editor at the C-J (that\'s the local newspaper the <a href=\"http://www.courier-journal.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Louisville Courier-Journal</a>) used to print it from time to time. She has been gone for years, but people apparently lose their recipe and write in for a reprint occasionally.\n\nHeavenly Tomato Pie\n\nCrust:\n<ul>\n	<li>Two cups all-purpose flour (I often use part King Arthur white whole wheat flour)</li>\n	<li>1 teaspoon (freshly ground) pepper</li>\n	<li>1 teaspoon salt (I use a bit, sometimes a lot less)</li>\n	<li>2 teaspoons baking powder</li>\n	<li>1/2 cup unsalted butter</li>\n	<li>2/3 cup milk</li>\n</ul>\nFilling:\n<ul>\n	<li>2 to 3 pounds tomatoes, peeled, seeded and sliced thickly (the more delectable, the better the pie)</li>\n	<li>¼ cup fresh chopped basil ( I use a bit more)</li>\n	<li>2 cups grated cheddar cheese (I use cottage cheese because I cannot eat cheese. Also, I use somewhat less than two cups -- an indeterminate amount that somehow seems to fit the pie.)</li>\n	<li>2/3 cup mayonnaise (Again, I use less.)</li>\n</ul>\nCrust:\n\nCombine flour, pepper, salt and baking powder in a bowl. Use two knives to cut the butter into the flour mixture.\n\nAdd milk and stir to gently blend well. The dough should be soft and just a little sticky.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nTurn onto a lightly floured surface and knead the dough by folding it over a few times.\n\nChill for 10 minutes. Divide the dough in half and roll out half of it to fit a 10-inch deep-dish pie plate (or whatever pie pan you have). Heat oven to 400 degrees.\n\nFilling:\n\nTo peel the tomatoes, dip in boiling water for 10 seconds. Core them with a small knife, then slip the peel off.\n\nCut the tomatoes in half horizontally. Scoop the seeds out of the seed pockets with your index finger. Don’t be too obsessive about getting every seed – one scoop per seed pocket will generally do the trick.\n\nSlice the tomatoes thickly and place a layer in the pie. Sprinkle a little salt and basil, then layer with more tomatoes, repeating the process. Repeat the process until all the tomatoes are used.\n\nTop with grated (or cottage) cheese, then spread the mayonnaise over the top (this is not a particularly tidy process). Use just enough tomatoes to fill the pie generously – you may need more or less depending on how deep and wide your pie pan is.\n\nRoll out the remaining dough and cover the pie, crimping the edges to seal them. Cut several slits in the top of the pie and brush milk or cream (you can sprinkle the top with a little coarse salt or Parmesan cheese if desired).\n\nBake 25 minutes. Let rest 5 or 10 minutes before slicing.\n\nServes 6 to 8 people. Serve with green salad.\n\nIf your tomatoes are runny: When you cut into the pie, just lift the slice out to (??) then tip the pie dish into the sink to pour off the juices. If you find your tomatoes give off lots of juice, consider sprinkling a layer of tomatoes with a tablespoon of flour.\n\nAdditional Sarah Fritschner notes:\n\nThe pie tastes of fresh tomatoes, basil and cheese. It isn’t a custard pie. We’ve resisted adding flour to thicken the juices of the tomato, preferring to just pour them out of the pan if they accumulate. We prefer the fully fresh tomato flavor to the flour-thickened juices.\n\nOther Sarah suggestions:\n<ul>\n	<li>Substitute other herbs for the basil. Fresh oregano, thyme and rosemary are a good combination.</li>\n	<li>Change the cheese to a sharp or aged Swiss or Italian cheese.</li>\n	<li>Add hot peppers to the layers. Use your favorite pie pastry instead of the biscuit pastry.</li>\n</ul>\n&nbsp;\n\nRuth notes:\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThe pie we ate had fresh rosemary added to the biscuit dough. The tomatoes were cut up and held aside until the pie was made up just before baking so that the crust would not be goopy. Holding the tomatoes aside also allowed them to drain somewhat. The crusts were rolled out and placed in the pie pan and held aside ready to put together just before baking.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','An American-in-Bulgaria\'s take on Heavenly Tomato Pie','','inherit','open','open','','5445-revision-3','','','2011-08-24 20:41:27','2011-08-24 18:41:27','',5445,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/08/24/5445-revision-3/',0,'revision','',0),(5449,1,'2011-08-24 20:44:06','2011-08-24 18:44:06','Two days ago I <a href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/08/24/because-tomatoes-cant-speak-for-themselves/\" target=\"_blank\">professed my love for tomatoes</a> on this blog and <a href=\"http://daybyeday.tumblr.com/post/9335221648\" target=\"_blank\">on my Bulgarian blog</a>. Really, what\'s not to love?!\n\nAnyhow my Aunt Ruth who lives in <a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louisville,_Kentucky\" target=\"_blank\">Louisville, Kentucky</a> commented on the post about a tomato pie that she claims is a \"Southern thing.\" Growing up on the West Coast, I can honestly say that I\'ve certainly never heard of such a thing. She sent me the recipe. The recipe is great. Not only does the dish sound incredibly tasty but it also has a lot of variations (and/or possible substitutions)  which means that you can make it with you have on hand.\n\nMy aunt explained in her email: The long-time food editor at the C-J (that\'s the local newspaper the <a href=\"http://www.courier-journal.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Louisville Courier-Journal</a>) used to print it from time to time. She has been gone for years, but people apparently lose their recipe and write in for a reprint occasionally.\n\nHeavenly Tomato Pie\n\nIngredients for the Crust:\n<ul>\n	<li>Two cups all-purpose flour (I often use part King Arthur white whole wheat flour)</li>\n	<li>1 teaspoon (freshly ground) pepper</li>\n	<li>1 teaspoon salt (I use a bit, sometimes a lot less)</li>\n	<li>2 teaspoons baking powder</li>\n	<li>1/2 cup unsalted butter</li>\n	<li>2/3 cup milk</li>\n</ul>\nIngredients for the Filling:\n<ul>\n	<li>2 to 3 pounds tomatoes, peeled, seeded and sliced thickly (the more delectable, the better the pie)</li>\n	<li>¼ cup fresh chopped basil ( I use a bit more)</li>\n	<li>2 cups grated cheddar cheese (I use cottage cheese because I cannot eat cheese. Also, I use somewhat less than two cups -- an indeterminate amount that somehow seems to fit the pie.)</li>\n	<li>2/3 cup mayonnaise (Again, I use less.)</li>\n</ul>\nHow to make the Crust:\n\nCombine flour, pepper, salt and baking powder in a bowl. Use two knives to cut the butter into the flour mixture.\n\nAdd milk and stir to gently blend well. The dough should be soft and just a little sticky.\n\nTurn onto a lightly floured surface and knead the dough by folding it over a few times.\n\nChill for 10 minutes. Divide the dough in half and roll out half of it to fit a 10-inch deep-dish pie plate (or whatever pie pan you have). Heat oven to 400 degrees.\n\nHow to make the Filling:\n\nTo peel the tomatoes, dip in boiling water for 10 seconds. Core them with a small knife, then slip the peel off.\n\nCut the tomatoes in half horizontally. Scoop the seeds out of the seed pockets with your index finger. Don’t be too obsessive about getting every seed – one scoop per seed pocket will generally do the trick.\n\nSlice the tomatoes thickly and place a layer in the pie. Sprinkle a little salt and basil, then layer with more tomatoes, repeating the process. Repeat the process until all the tomatoes are used.\n\nTop with grated (or cottage) cheese, then spread the mayonnaise over the top (this is not a particularly tidy process). Use just enough tomatoes to fill the pie generously – you may need more or less depending on how deep and wide your pie pan is.\n\nRoll out the remaining dough and cover the pie, crimping the edges to seal them. Cut several slits in the top of the pie and brush milk or cream (you can sprinkle the top with a little coarse salt or Parmesan cheese if desired).\n\nBake 25 minutes. Let rest 5 or 10 minutes before slicing.\n\nServes 6 to 8 people. Serve with green salad.\n\nIf your tomatoes are runny: When you cut into the pie, just lift the slice out to (??) then tip the pie dish into the sink to pour off the juices. If you find your tomatoes give off lots of juice, consider sprinkling a layer of tomatoes with a tablespoon of flour.\n\nAdditional Sarah Fritschner notes:\n\nThe pie tastes of fresh tomatoes, basil and cheese. It isn’t a custard pie. We’ve resisted adding flour to thicken the juices of the tomato, preferring to just pour them out of the pan if they accumulate. We prefer the fully fresh tomato flavor to the flour-thickened juices.\n\nOther Sarah suggestions:\n<ul>\n	<li>Substitute other herbs for the basil. Fresh oregano, thyme and rosemary are a good combination.</li>\n	<li>Change the cheese to a sharp or aged Swiss or Italian cheese.</li>\n	<li>Add hot peppers to the layers.</li>\n	<li>Use your favorite pie pastry instead of the biscuit pastry.</li>\n</ul>\nRuth notes:\n\nThe pie we ate had fresh rosemary added to the biscuit dough. The tomatoes were cut up and held aside until the pie was made up just before baking so that the crust would not be goopy. Holding the tomatoes aside also allowed them to drain somewhat. The crusts were rolled out and placed in the pie pan and held aside ready to put together just before baking.','An American-in-Bulgaria\'s take on Heavenly Tomato Pie','','inherit','open','open','','5445-revision-4','','','2011-08-24 20:44:06','2011-08-24 18:44:06','',5445,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/08/24/5445-revision-4/',0,'revision','',0),(5450,1,'2011-08-29 12:53:53','2011-08-29 10:53:53','We\'ve got a new-ish bike path in Mladost. Watch out world, we\'re moving on up!!\r\n\r\nIt \"opened\" this past spring. I use \"opened\" because I am not really sure if there\'s a better verb for the establishment of the new bike path in Mladost beside some combination of the verbs it was built/poured/established this past spring.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"New Bike Path\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"New Bike Path\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6092581946/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6198/6092581946_29027c47a1_b.jpg\" alt=\"New Bike Path\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nNow for those of you who don\'t live in Sofia, I should make this clear: Sofia is <em>not</em> a bike friendly place. It\'s not even a pedestrian friendly place. As best as I can make out, cars rule the roads. The bigger the better and it\'s your job if you\'re not in the biggest car to get out of its way.\r\n\r\nSo the new bike path is a sight to be seen and a welcome addition to the Mladosts.\r\n\r\nThe bike lane is dyed red asphalt and it\'s been delineated with cobble stones and then there\'s regular old black asphalt for everyone else.  I don\'t own a bike. And I wont be buying one any time soon but I\'m down with the bike path.<!--more-->\r\n\r\nWhat\'s great about the bike path? First of all, I\'ve seen so many more people riding their bikes in the last two weeks than ever before. Second with the inception of the bike path the sidewalk became much, much nicer to walk on. The asphalt is even and currently in great shape as opposed to much of the asphalt and concrete-tiles that line the sidewalks in Mladost.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"New Mladost Bike Path\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"New Mladost Bike Path\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6092581076/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6182/6092581076_e6aae2118b_b.jpg\" alt=\"New Mladost Bike Path\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nI\'ve been inspired by the bike path. Every morning over the past two weeks I\'ve been out taking a serious lap through the Mladosts. I\'ve been doing it for health, for peace of mind and simply because I can. It\'s actually pleasant to walk along the bike path in Mladost. Mostly, I don\'t have to worry about uneven sidewalks which makes me a happy camper.\r\n\r\nThe bike path though is clearly a new thing for people. I\'ve noticed that lots of people choose to walk on it even if they could walk next to it and plenty of moms push their baby-filled strollers on it. The result is that bikes often have to weave around pedestrians. This is something that might annoy me if I was a biking but to date I\'ve never heard a biker use a bell or yell at anyone in their way. That\'s pretty cool.\r\n\r\nThe one thing I\'ve noticed?\r\n\r\nNo matter what time I am out and walking I never see anyone else walking or running for health/exercise even though the road conditions make it seemingly the perfect place for it. Sure there are lots of people out and walking--walking to the bus stop, meandering to the grocery store or pushing a stroller in two inch heals but no one else seems to be enjoying a morning walk. Well, maybe the moms are but how they can enjoy a walk in heels is beyond me and many of them seem more concerned with their cigarettes than anything else.\r\n\r\nSo that\'s that. We\'ve got a new bike path and I like it. I like it so much, I want more of it. Bike paths make good sense for everyone and I want to see more of them in Sofia.','What?! What?! A Bike Path in Mladost','','publish','open','open','','what-what-a-bike-path-in-mladost','','','2011-08-29 12:53:53','2011-08-29 10:53:53','',0,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?p=5450',0,'post','',5),(5451,1,'2011-08-24 21:31:34','2011-08-24 19:31:34','We\'ve got a new-ish bike path in Mladost. It \"opened\" this past spring. I use \"opened\" because I am not really sure if there\'s a better verb beside some combination of it was built/poured/established this past spring.\n\nNow for those of you who don\'t live in Sofia, I should make this clear: Sofia is <em>not</em> a bike friendly place. It\'s not even a pedestrian friendly place. As best as I can make out, cars rule the roads. The bigger the better and it\'s your job if you\'re not in the biggest car to get out of its way.\n\nSo the new bike path is a sight to be seen.\n\nThe bike lane is dyed red asphalt and it\'s been delineated with cobble stones and then there\'s regular old black asphalt for everyone else.  I don\'t own a bike. And I wont be buying one any time soon but I\'m down with the bike path.\n\nFirst of all, I\'ve seen so many more people riding their bikes in the last two weeks than ever before. Second with the inception of the bike path the sidewalk became much, much nicer to walk on. The asphalt is even and currently in great shape as opposed to much of the asphalt and concrete-tiles that line the sidewalks in Mladost.\n\nThe result? Every morning over the past two weeks I\'ve been out taking a serious lap through the Mladosts. I\'ve been doing it for health, for peace of mind and simply because I can. It\'s actually pleasant to walk along the bike path in Mladost. Mostly, I don\'t have to worry about uneven sidewalks which makes me a happy camper.\n\nThe bike path though is clearly a new thing for people. I\'ve noticed that lots of people choose to walk on it even if they could walk next to it and plenty of mom\'','Bike path in Mladost','','inherit','open','open','','5450-revision','','','2011-08-24 21:31:34','2011-08-24 19:31:34','',5450,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/08/24/5450-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(5452,1,'2011-08-24 21:32:03','2011-08-24 19:32:03','We\'ve got a new-ish bike path in Mladost. It \"opened\" this past spring. I use \"opened\" because I am not really sure if there\'s a better verb beside some combination of it was built/poured/established this past spring.\r\n\r\nNow for those of you who don\'t live in Sofia, I should make this clear: Sofia is <em>not</em> a bike friendly place. It\'s not even a pedestrian friendly place. As best as I can make out, cars rule the roads. The bigger the better and it\'s your job if you\'re not in the biggest car to get out of its way.\r\n\r\nSo the new bike path is a sight to be seen.\r\n\r\nThe bike lane is dyed red asphalt and it\'s been delineated with cobble stones and then there\'s regular old black asphalt for everyone else.  I don\'t own a bike. And I wont be buying one any time soon but I\'m down with the bike path.\r\n\r\nFirst of all, I\'ve seen so many more people riding their bikes in the last two weeks than ever before. Second with the inception of the bike path the sidewalk became much, much nicer to walk on. The asphalt is even and currently in great shape as opposed to much of the asphalt and concrete-tiles that line the sidewalks in Mladost.\r\n\r\nThe result? Every morning over the past two weeks I\'ve been out taking a serious lap through the Mladosts. I\'ve been doing it for health, for peace of mind and simply because I can. It\'s actually pleasant to walk along the bike path in Mladost. Mostly, I don\'t have to worry about uneven sidewalks which makes me a happy camper.\r\n\r\nThe bike path though is clearly a new thing for people. I\'ve noticed that lots of people choose to walk on it even if they could walk next to it and plenty of moms push their baby-filled strollers on it.','Bike path in Mladost','','inherit','open','open','','5450-revision-2','','','2011-08-24 21:32:03','2011-08-24 19:32:03','',5450,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/08/24/5450-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(5453,1,'2011-08-25 08:52:32','2011-08-25 06:52:32','I woke up this morning with Taylor Swift\'s song \"Mean\" running through my head.  Why I woke up today with it playing on repeat this morning in my head, I am not sure. These things happen sometimes.\r\n\r\nMaybe just maybe it\'s because the song played all of the time this summer on the radio in Walla Walla. That\'s what happens when you grow up in a farm town with more country radio stations than rock stations.\r\n\r\nThe worst part was that I knew about two lines of the song. Seriously. How do you get a song stuck in your head when you only know two lines?! Somehow I managed to. The two lines I knew:  Someday I\'ll be living in a big ole city./ And all you\'re ever gonna be is mean.\r\n\r\n<iframe src=\"http://www.youtube.com/embed/jYa1eI1hpDE\" frameborder=\"0\" width=\"560\" height=\"345\"></iframe>\r\n\r\nSo I looked up the video and listened to it <del>a couple of times</del> half a dozen times. One thing I noticed is that Taylor Swift apparently also plays banjo in addition to singing and being cute. That\'s pretty cool.\r\n\r\nThen I realized how funny it was that I was listening to a county song on repeat about living in a \"big ole city\" in Sofia, Bulgaria. Yep. Sofia is a big <em>ole</em> city just maybe not the one imagined in the song.','My Big Ole City','','publish','open','open','','my-big-ole-city','','','2011-08-25 08:52:32','2011-08-25 06:52:32','',0,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?p=5453',0,'post','',1),(5454,1,'2011-08-25 08:37:26','2011-08-25 06:37:26','I woke up this morning with Taylor Swift\'s song \"Mean\" running through my head.  It played all of the time this summer on the radio in Walla Walla.\n\nWhy I woke up with it playing on repeat this morning in my head, I am not sure. These things happen sometimes. The worst part was that I knew about two lines of the song:  Someday I\'ll be living in a big ole city./ And all you\'re ever gonna be is mean. <a href=\"http://youtu.be/jYa1eI1hpDE\">Mean by Taylor Swift</a>\n\nSo I looked up the video. Man-oh-man. Taylor Swift is a cutie and she apparently also plays banjo. That\'s pretty cool.','','','inherit','open','open','','5453-revision','','','2011-08-25 08:37:26','2011-08-25 06:37:26','',5453,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/08/25/5453-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(5456,1,'2011-08-25 08:40:06','2011-08-25 06:40:06','I woke up this morning with Taylor Swift\'s song \"Mean\" running through my head.  It played all of the time this summer on the radio in Walla Walla.\r\n\r\nWhy I woke up with it playing on repeat this morning in my head, I am not sure. These things happen sometimes. The worst part was that I knew about two lines of the song:  Someday I\'ll be living in a big ole city./ And all you\'re ever gonna be is mean.\r\n\r\n<a>Mean by Taylor Swift</a>\r\n\r\nSo I looked up the video. Man-oh-man. Taylor Swift is a cutie and she apparently also plays banjo. That\'s pretty cool.','','','inherit','open','open','','5453-revision-3','','','2011-08-25 08:40:06','2011-08-25 06:40:06','',5453,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/08/25/5453-revision-3/',0,'revision','',0),(5455,1,'2011-08-25 08:37:36','2011-08-25 06:37:36','I woke up this morning with Taylor Swift\'s song \"Mean\" running through my head.  It played all of the time this summer on the radio in Walla Walla.\r\n\r\nWhy I woke up with it playing on repeat this morning in my head, I am not sure. These things happen sometimes. The worst part was that I knew about two lines of the song:  Someday I\'ll be living in a big ole city./ And all you\'re ever gonna be is mean.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://youtu.be/jYa1eI1hpDE\">Mean by Taylor Swift</a>\r\n\r\nSo I looked up the video. Man-oh-man. Taylor Swift is a cutie and she apparently also plays banjo. That\'s pretty cool.','','','inherit','open','open','','5453-revision-2','','','2011-08-25 08:37:36','2011-08-25 06:37:36','',5453,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/08/25/5453-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(5457,1,'2011-08-25 08:40:56','2011-08-25 06:40:56','I woke up this morning with Taylor Swift\'s song \"Mean\" running through my head.  It played all of the time this summer on the radio in Walla Walla.\r\n\r\nWhy I woke up with it playing on repeat this morning in my head, I am not sure. These things happen sometimes. The worst part was that I knew about two lines of the song:  Someday I\'ll be living in a big ole city./ And all you\'re ever gonna be is mean.\r\n\r\n<iframe src=\"http://www.youtube.com/embed/jYa1eI1hpDE\" frameborder=\"0\" width=\"560\" height=\"345\"></iframe>\r\n\r\nSo I looked up the video. Man-oh-man. Taylor Swift is a cutie and she apparently also plays banjo. That\'s pretty cool.','','','inherit','open','open','','5453-revision-4','','','2011-08-25 08:40:56','2011-08-25 06:40:56','',5453,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/08/25/5453-revision-4/',0,'revision','',0),(5458,1,'2011-08-25 08:45:41','2011-08-25 06:45:41','I woke up this morning with Taylor Swift\'s song \"Mean\" running through my head.  It played all of the time this summer on the radio in Walla Walla. That\'s what happens when you grow up in a town with more country radio stations than rock stations.\r\n\r\nWhy I woke up today with it playing on repeat this morning in my head, I am not sure. These things happen sometimes.\r\n\r\nThe worst part was that I knew about two lines of the song:  Someday I\'ll be living in a big ole city./ And all you\'re ever gonna be is mean.\r\n\r\n<iframe src=\"http://www.youtube.com/embed/jYa1eI1hpDE\" frameborder=\"0\" width=\"560\" height=\"345\"></iframe>\r\n\r\nSo I looked up the video. Taylor Swift apparently also plays banjo in addition to singing and being cute. That\'s pretty cool.\r\n\r\nThen I realized how funny it was that I was listening to a county song about living in a \"big ole city\" in Sofia, Bulgaria. Yep. Sofia is a big <em>ole</em> city.','','','inherit','open','open','','5453-revision-5','','','2011-08-25 08:45:41','2011-08-25 06:45:41','',5453,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/08/25/5453-revision-5/',0,'revision','',0),(5459,1,'2011-08-25 08:47:16','2011-08-25 06:47:16','I woke up this morning with Taylor Swift\'s song \"Mean\" running through my head.\r\n\r\nIt played all of the time this summer on the radio in Walla Walla. That\'s what happens when you grow up in a town with more country radio stations than rock stations.\r\n\r\nWhy I woke up today with it playing on repeat this morning in my head, I am not sure. These things happen sometimes.\r\n\r\nThe worst part was that I knew about two lines of the song:  Someday I\'ll be living in a big ole city./ And all you\'re ever gonna be is mean.\r\n\r\n<iframe src=\"http://www.youtube.com/embed/jYa1eI1hpDE\" frameborder=\"0\" width=\"560\" height=\"345\"></iframe>\r\n\r\nSo I looked up the video. Taylor Swift apparently also plays banjo in addition to singing and being cute. That\'s pretty cool.\r\n\r\nThen I realized how funny it was that I was listening to a county song about living in a \"big ole city\" in Sofia, Bulgaria. Yep. Sofia is a big <em>ole</em> city.','','','inherit','open','open','','5453-revision-6','','','2011-08-25 08:47:16','2011-08-25 06:47:16','',5453,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/08/25/5453-revision-6/',0,'revision','',0),(5460,1,'2011-08-25 08:53:41','2011-08-25 06:53:41','I woke up this morning with Taylor Swift\'s song \"Mean\" running through my head.  Why I woke up today with it playing on repeat this morning in my head, I am not sure. These things happen sometimes.\n\nMaybe just maybe it\'s because the song played all of the time this summer on the radio in Walla Walla. That\'s what happens when you grow up in a farm town with more country radio stations than rock stations.\n\nThe worst part was that I knew about two lines of the song. Seriously. How do you get a song stuck in your head when you only know two lines?! Somehow I managed to. The two lines I knew:  Someday I\'ll be living in a big ole city./ And all you\'re ever gonna be is mean.\n\n<iframe src=\"http://www.youtube.com/embed/jYa1eI1hpDE\" frameborder=\"0\" width=\"560\" height=\"345\"></iframe>\n\nSo I looked up the video and listened to it <del>a couple of times</del> half a dozen times. One thing I noticed is that Taylor Swift apparently also plays banjo in addition to singing and being cute. That\'s pretty cool.\n\nThen I realized how funny it was that I was listening to a county song on repeat about living in a \"big ole city\" in Sofia, Bulgaria. Yep. Sofia is a big <em>ole</em> city just maybe not the one imagined in the song.','My Big Ole City','','inherit','open','open','','5453-autosave','','','2011-08-25 08:53:41','2011-08-25 06:53:41','',5453,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/08/25/5453-autosave/',0,'revision','',0),(5461,1,'2011-08-26 08:25:48','2011-08-26 06:25:48','Two days ago I <a href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/08/24/because-tomatoes-cant-speak-for-themselves/\" target=\"_blank\">professed my love for tomatoes</a> on this blog and <a href=\"http://daybyeday.tumblr.com/post/9335221648\" target=\"_blank\">on my Bulgarian blog</a>. Really, what\'s not to love?!\n\nAnyhow my Aunt Ruth who lives in <a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louisville,_Kentucky\" target=\"_blank\">Louisville, Kentucky</a> commented on the post about a tomato pie that she claims is a \"Southern thing.\" Growing up on the West Coast, I can honestly say that I\'ve certainly never heard of such a thing--we do sweet pies where I am from but a savory tomato pie? Well, that\'s something I had to try.\n\nSo, she sent me the recipe. The recipe is great. Not only does the dish sound incredibly tasty but it also has a lot of variations (and/or possible substitutions)  which means that you can make it with you have on hand.\n\nMy aunt explained in her email: The long-time food editor at the C-J (that\'s the local newspaper the <a href=\"http://www.courier-journal.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Louisville Courier-Journal</a>) used to print it from time to time. She has been gone for years, but people apparently lose their recipe and write in for a reprint occasionally.\n\nRather than a reprint, here\'s my remake of the recipe in Bulgaria.  Fair warning, even if you think that your west facing apartment is already so hot that it can\'t get much hotter by turning on the oven--you\'re fooling yourself. This said, the pie goes great with a glass of crisp white wine and I can only imagine it would go down equally well with a cold beer.\n\nThe most important thing to do before you get started making the pie is to figure out what kind of a pan you\'re going to cook it in. I didn\'t have a pie plate (and cursed myself for this) but I realized that I did have a spring-form pan. Not perfect but better than nothing. So I cut the crust recipe in half and at the end topped my pie with breadcrumbs.\n\nHeavenly Tomato Pie\n\nIngredients for the Crust (below is the full recipe):\n<ul>\n	<li>Two cups  flour (1 white and 1 whole wheat)</li>\n	<li>1 teaspoon pepper</li>\n	<li>1 teaspoon salt</li>\n	<li>1 teaspoon finely chopped dried rosemary (fresh would be better)</li>\n	<li>2 teaspoons baking powder</li>\n	<li>1/2 cup butter</li>\n	<li>2/3 cup milk</li>\n</ul>\nIngredients for the Filling:\n<ul>\n	<li>2 to 3 pounds tomatoes, peeled, seeded and sliced thickly</li>\n	<li>3-4 tablespoons of fresh chopped dill</li>\n	<li>1-2 teaspoons of dried basil (but fresh would be better)</li>\n	<li>2 cups cheese grated cheddar cheese is recommended. I wanted a rich deep taste and texture so I mixed in grated cheddar, cottage cheese and sirene until I got to the 2 cup equivalent.</li>\n	<li>2/3 cup mayonnaise (I didn\'t have enough mayonnaise so I mixed in sour cream)</li>\n</ul>\nHow to make the Crust:\n\nCombine flour, pepper, salt, rosemary and baking powder in a bowl. Use two knives to cut the butter into the flour mixture. You want the butter pieces to be little pea sizes.  Add milk and stir to gently blend well. The dough should be soft and just a little sticky. Don\'t mix it too much.  Turn onto a lightly floured surface and knead the dough by folding it over a few times. Again handle as little as possible.\n\nChill for 10 minutes. Divide the dough in half and roll out half of it to fit a 10-inch deep-dish pie plate (or whatever pie pan you have). Heat oven to 400 degrees.\n\nHow to make the Filling:\n\nThe original recipe said to peal the tomatoes but that\'s too much work for me and I don\'t mind the skin. So I just cut the tomatoes in half horizontally. Scoop the seeds out of the seed pockets with your index finger. Don’t be too obsessive about getting every seed – one scoop per seed pocket will generally do the trick.\n\nIn a small bowl mix together mayo, sour cream, dill and basil.\n\nSlice the tomatoes thickly and place a layer in the pie.  Lightly spread the mayo-dill mixture over the first layer. Continue layering and spreading the mayo sauce on the top of each layer until pan is basically full or you run out to tomatoes. Top with grated (or cottage) cheese, then spread the remaining mayonnaise over the top (this is not a particularly tidy process).\n\nI wasn\'t convinced that I could top the pie with a crust given the pan I was using to bake the pie so I decided to top my pie with crumbled up bread crumbs. But if you have a better pan that me, roll out the remaining dough and cover the pie, crimping the edges to seal them. Cut several slits in the top of the pie and brush milk or cream (you can sprinkle the top with a little coarse salt or Parmesan cheese if desired). Note: in hindsight I could have topped the pie with a lid of pie crust. Maybe I will next time.\n\nBake 25 minutes. Let rest 5 or 10 minutes before slicing.\n\nServes 6 to 8 people. Serve with green salad.\n\nIf your tomatoes are runny: When you cut into the pie, just lift the slice out to (??) then tip the pie dish into the sink to pour off the juices. If you find your tomatoes give off lots of juice, consider sprinkling a layer of tomatoes with a tablespoon of flour.\n\nI was really down about the pie after I\'d made it yesterday. I was hot. Really hot and while the pie was tasty I thought: it\'s a lot of work for one person and I don\'t think that it will keep well as leftovers so I dished up servings for my friends leaving me about a 1/4 of a pie. This morning however I was curious about my pie. So I had a slice. I think that\'s okay--it\'s a vegetable pie after all--and I have to say, even the next day it was good. I mean really good. Sure the bottom was a little soggy-gooey but the tomato filling is to die for. I shouldn\'t have worried so much about','An American-in-Bulgaria\'s take on Heavenly Tomato Pie','','inherit','open','open','','5445-revision-5','','','2011-08-26 08:25:48','2011-08-26 06:25:48','',5445,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/08/26/5445-revision-5/',0,'revision','',0),(5462,1,'2011-08-26 08:27:47','2011-08-26 06:27:47','Two days ago I <a href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/08/24/because-tomatoes-cant-speak-for-themselves/\" target=\"_blank\">professed my love for tomatoes</a> on this blog and <a href=\"http://daybyeday.tumblr.com/post/9335221648\" target=\"_blank\">on my Bulgarian blog</a>. Really, what\'s not to love?!\n\nAnyhow my Aunt Ruth who lives in <a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louisville,_Kentucky\" target=\"_blank\">Louisville, Kentucky</a> commented on the post about a tomato pie that she claims is a \"Southern thing.\" Growing up on the West Coast, I can honestly say that I\'ve certainly never heard of such a thing--we do sweet pies where I am from but a savory tomato pie? Well, that\'s something I had to try.\n\nSo, she sent me the recipe. The recipe is great. Not only does the dish sound incredibly tasty but it also has a lot of variations (and/or possible substitutions)  which means that you can make it with you have on hand.\n\nMy aunt explained in her email: The long-time food editor at the C-J (that\'s the local newspaper the <a href=\"http://www.courier-journal.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Louisville Courier-Journal</a>) used to print it from time to time. She has been gone for years, but people apparently lose their recipe and write in for a reprint occasionally.\n\nRather than a reprint, here\'s my remake of the recipe in Bulgaria.  Fair warning, even if you think that your west facing apartment is already so hot that it can\'t get much hotter by turning on the oven--you\'re fooling yourself. This said, the pie goes great with a glass of crisp white wine and I can only imagine it would go down equally well with a cold beer.\n\nThe most important thing to do before you get started making the pie is to figure out what kind of a pan you\'re going to cook it in. I didn\'t have a pie plate (and cursed myself for this) but I realized that I did have a spring-form pan. Not perfect but better than nothing. So I cut the crust recipe in half and at the end topped my pie with breadcrumbs.\n\nHeavenly Tomato Pie\n\nIngredients for the Crust (below is the full recipe):\n<ul>\n	<li>Two cups  flour (1 white and 1 whole wheat)</li>\n	<li>1 teaspoon pepper</li>\n	<li>1 teaspoon salt</li>\n	<li>1 teaspoon finely chopped dried rosemary (fresh would be better)</li>\n	<li>2 teaspoons baking powder</li>\n	<li>1/2 cup butter</li>\n	<li>2/3 cup milk</li>\n</ul>\nIngredients for the Filling:\n<ul>\n	<li>2 to 3 pounds tomatoes, peeled, seeded and sliced thickly</li>\n	<li>3-4 tablespoons of fresh chopped dill</li>\n	<li>1-2 teaspoons of dried basil (but fresh would be better)</li>\n	<li>2 cups cheese grated cheddar cheese is recommended. I wanted a rich deep taste and texture so I mixed in grated cheddar, cottage cheese and sirene until I got to the 2 cup equivalent.</li>\n	<li>2/3 cup mayonnaise (I didn\'t have enough mayonnaise so I mixed in sour cream)</li>\n</ul>\nHow to make the Crust:\n\nCombine flour, pepper, salt, rosemary and baking powder in a bowl. Use two knives to cut the butter into the flour mixture. You want the butter pieces to be little pea sizes.  Add milk and stir to gently blend well. The dough should be soft and just a little sticky. Don\'t mix it too much.  Turn onto a lightly floured surface and knead the dough by folding it over a few times. Again handle as little as possible.\n\nChill for 10 minutes. Divide the dough in half and roll out half of it to fit a 10-inch deep-dish pie plate (or whatever pie pan you have). Heat oven to 400 degrees.\n\nHow to make the Filling:\n\nThe original recipe said to peal the tomatoes but that\'s too much work for me and I don\'t mind the skin. So I just cut the tomatoes in half horizontally. Scoop the seeds out of the seed pockets with your index finger. Don’t be too obsessive about getting every seed – one scoop per seed pocket will generally do the trick.\n\nIn a small bowl mix together mayo, sour cream, dill and basil.\n\nSlice the tomatoes thickly and place a layer in the pie.  Lightly spread the mayo-dill mixture over the first layer. Continue layering and spreading the mayo sauce on the top of each layer until pan is basically full or you run out to tomatoes. Top with grated (or cottage) cheese, then spread the remaining mayonnaise over the top (this is not a particularly tidy process).\n\nI wasn\'t convinced that I could top the pie with a crust given the pan I was using to bake the pie so I decided to top my pie with crumbled up bread crumbs. But if you have a better pan that me, roll out the remaining dough and cover the pie, crimping the edges to seal them. Cut several slits in the top of the pie and brush milk or cream (you can sprinkle the top with a little coarse salt or Parmesan cheese if desired). Note: in hindsight I could have topped the pie with a lid of pie crust. Maybe I will next time.\n\nBake 25 minutes. Let rest 5 or 10 minutes before slicing.\n\nServes 6 to 8 people. Serve with green salad.\n\nIf your tomatoes are runny: When you cut into the pie, just lift the slice out to (??) then tip the pie dish into the sink to pour off the juices. If you find your tomatoes give off lots of juice, consider sprinkling a layer of tomatoes with a tablespoon of flour.\n\nI was really down about the pie after I\'d made it yesterday. I was hot. Really hot and while the pie was tasty I thought: it\'s a lot of work for one person and I don\'t think that it will keep well as leftovers so I dished up servings for my friends leaving me about a 1/4 of a pie. This morning however I was curious about my pie. So I had a slice. I think that\'s okay--it\'s a vegetable pie after all--and I have to say, even the next day it was good. I mean really good. Sure the bottom was a little soggy-gooey but the tomato filling is to die for. I shouldn\'t have worried so much about the pie.','An American-in-Bulgaria\'s take on Heavenly Tomato Pie','','inherit','open','open','','5445-revision-6','','','2011-08-26 08:27:47','2011-08-26 06:27:47','',5445,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/08/26/5445-revision-6/',0,'revision','',0),(5463,1,'2011-08-26 09:01:03','2011-08-26 07:01:03','Two days ago I <a href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/08/24/because-tomatoes-cant-speak-for-themselves/\" target=\"_blank\">professed my love for tomatoes</a> on this blog and <a href=\"http://daybyeday.tumblr.com/post/9335221648\" target=\"_blank\">on my Bulgarian blog</a>. Really, what\'s not to love?!\n\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Finished product: Tomato Pie\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Finished product Tomato Pie\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6081580873/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6192/6081580873_d0b17e0d64_b.jpg\" alt=\"Finished product Tomato Pie\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nAnyhow my Aunt Ruth who lives in <a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louisville,_Kentucky\" target=\"_blank\">Louisville, Kentucky</a> commented on the post about a tomato pie that she claims is a \"Southern thing.\" Growing up on the West Coast, I can honestly say that I\'ve certainly never heard of such a thing--we do sweet pies where I am from but a savory tomato pie? Well, that\'s something I had to try.\n\nSo, she sent me the recipe. The recipe is great. Not only does the dish sound incredibly tasty but it also has a lot of variations (and/or possible substitutions)  which means that you can make it with you have on hand.\n\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Tomatoes!\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Tomatoes!\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6082115484/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6069/6082115484_f259911db2_b.jpg\" alt=\"Tomatoes!\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nMy aunt explained in her email: The long-time food editor at the C-J (that\'s the local newspaper the <a href=\"http://www.courier-journal.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Louisville Courier-Journal</a>) used to print it from time to time. She has been gone for years, but people apparently lose their recipe and write in for a reprint occasionally.\n\nRather than a reprint, here\'s my remake of the recipe in Bulgaria.  Fair warning, even if you think that your west facing apartment is already so hot that it can\'t get much hotter by turning on the oven--you\'re fooling yourself. This said, the pie goes great with a glass of crisp white wine and I can only imagine it would go down equally well with a cold beer.\n\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Sliced Tomatoes\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Sliced Tomatoes\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6081579307/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6082/6081579307_0bdf799674_b.jpg\" alt=\"Sliced Tomatoes\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nThe most important thing to do before you get started making the pie is to figure out what kind of a pan you\'re going to cook it in. I didn\'t have a pie plate (and cursed myself for this) but I realized that I did have a spring-form pan. Not perfect but better than nothing. So I cut the crust recipe in half and at the end topped my pie with breadcrumbs.\n\nHeavenly Tomato Pie\n\nIngredients for the Crust (below is the full recipe):\n<ul>\n	<li>Two cups  flour (1 white and 1 whole wheat)</li>\n	<li>1 teaspoon pepper</li>\n	<li>1 teaspoon salt</li>\n	<li>1 teaspoon finely chopped dried rosemary (fresh would be better)</li>\n	<li>2 teaspoons baking powder</li>\n	<li>1/2 cup butter</li>\n	<li>2/3 cup milk</li>\n</ul>\nIngredients for the Filling:\n<ul>\n	<li>2 to 3 pounds tomatoes, peeled, seeded and sliced thickly</li>\n	<li>3-4 tablespoons of fresh chopped dill</li>\n	<li>1-2 teaspoons of dried basil (but fresh would be better)</li>\n	<li>2 cups cheese grated cheddar cheese is recommended. I wanted a rich deep taste and texture so I mixed in grated cheddar, cottage cheese and sirene until I got to the 2 cup equivalent.</li>\n	<li>2/3 cup mayonnaise (I didn\'t have enough mayonnaise so I mixed in sour cream)</li>\n</ul>\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Dough\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Dough\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6081578525/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6188/6081578525_c4d5580fff_b.jpg\" alt=\"Dough\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nHow to make the Crust:\n\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Dough rolled out\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Dough rolled out\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6082117158/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6072/6082117158_eb61afece6_b.jpg\" alt=\"Dough rolled out\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nCombine flour, pepper, salt, rosemary and baking powder in a bowl. Use two knives to cut the butter into the flour mixture. You want the butter pieces to be little pea sizes.  Add milk and stir to gently blend well. The dough should be soft and just a little sticky. Don\'t mix it too much.  Turn onto a lightly floured surface and knead the dough by folding it over a few times. Again handle as little as possible.\n\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Savory pie shell\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Savory pie shell\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6082117310/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6085/6082117310_7088de632e_b.jpg\" alt=\"Savory pie shell\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nChill for 10 minutes. Divide the dough in half and roll out half of it to fit a 10-inch deep-dish pie plate (or whatever pie pan you have). Heat oven to 400 degrees.\n\nHow to make the Filling:\n\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Removing seeds\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Removing seeds\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6081579073/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6202/6081579073_45c76c067c_b.jpg\" alt=\"Removing seeds\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nThe original recipe said to peal the tomatoes but that\'s too much work for me and I don\'t mind the skin. So I just cut the tomatoes in half horizontally. Scoop the seeds out of the seed pockets with your index finger. Don’t be too obsessive about getting every seed – one scoop per seed pocket will generally do the trick.\n\nIn a small bowl mix together mayo, sour cream, dill and basil.\n\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Mayo-cream-dill filling\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Mayo-cream-dill filling\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6081579487/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6077/6081579487_8d2cb2646f_b.jpg\" alt=\"Mayo-cream-dill filling\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nSlice the tomatoes thickly and place a layer in the pie.  Lightly spread the mayo-dill mixture over the first layer. Continue layering and spreading the mayo sauce on the top of each layer until pan is basically full or you run out to tomatoes. Top with grated (or cottage) cheese, then spread the remaining mayonnaise over the top (this is not a particularly tidy process).\n\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Cheese and dill\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Cheese and dill\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6081578761/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6187/6081578761_e341867ba9_b.jpg\" alt=\"Cheese and dill\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nI wasn\'t convinced that I could top the pie with a crust given the pan I was using to bake the pie so I decided to top my pie with crumbled up bread crumbs. But if you have a better pan that me, roll out the remaining dough and cover the pie, crimping the edges to seal them. Cut several slits in the top of the pie and brush milk or cream (you can sprinkle the top with a little coarse salt or Parmesan cheese if desired). Note: in hindsight I could have topped the pie with a lid of pie crust. Maybe I will next time.\n\nBake 25 minutes. Let rest 5 or 10 minutes before slicing.\n\nServes 6 to 8 people. Serve with green salad.\n\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Slice of Tomato Pie\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Tomato Pie\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6082118276/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6184/6082118276_00766caf64_b.jpg\" alt=\"Tomato Pie\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Cheese Filling\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Cheese Filling\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6081580445/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6182/6081580445_49b2f7e53c_b.jpg\" alt=\"Cheese Filling\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nIf your tomatoes are runny: When you cut into the pie, just lift the slice out to (??) then tip the pie dish into the sink to pour off the juices. If you find your tomatoes give off lots of juice, consider sprinkling a layer of tomatoes with a tablespoon of flour.\n\nI was really down about the pie after I\'d made it yesterday. I was hot. Really hot and while the pie was tasty I thought: it\'s a lot of work for one person and I don\'t think that it will keep well as leftovers so I dished up servings for my friends leaving me about a 1/4 of a pie. This morning however I was curious about my pie. So I had a slice. I think that\'s okay--it\'s a vegetable pie after all--and I have to say, even the next day it was good. I mean really good. Sure the bottom was a little soggy-gooey but the tomato filling is to die for. I shouldn\'t have worried so much about the pie.','An American-in-Bulgaria\'s take on Heavenly Tomato Pie','','inherit','open','open','','5445-revision-7','','','2011-08-26 09:01:03','2011-08-26 07:01:03','',5445,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/08/26/5445-revision-7/',0,'revision','',0),(5465,1,'2011-08-26 09:06:22','2011-08-26 07:06:22','Two days ago I <a href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/08/24/because-tomatoes-cant-speak-for-themselves/\" target=\"_blank\">professed my love for tomatoes</a> on this blog and <a href=\"http://daybyeday.tumblr.com/post/9335221648\" target=\"_blank\">on my Bulgarian blog</a>. Really, what\'s not to love?!\n\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Finished product: Tomato Pie\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Finished product Tomato Pie\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6081580873/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6192/6081580873_d0b17e0d64_b.jpg\" alt=\"Finished product Tomato Pie\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nAnyhow my Aunt Ruth who lives in <a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louisville,_Kentucky\" target=\"_blank\">Louisville, Kentucky</a> commented on the post about a tomato pie that she claims is a \"Southern thing.\" Growing up on the West Coast, I can honestly say that I\'ve certainly never heard of such a thing--we do sweet pies where I am from but a savory tomato pie? Well, that\'s something I had to try.\n\nSo, she sent me the recipe. The recipe is great. Not only does the dish sound incredibly tasty but it also has a lot of variations (and/or possible substitutions)  which means that you can make it with you have on hand.\n\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Tomatoes!\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Tomatoes!\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6082115484/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6069/6082115484_f259911db2_b.jpg\" alt=\"Tomatoes!\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nMy aunt explained in her email: The long-time food editor at the C-J (that\'s the local newspaper the <a href=\"http://www.courier-journal.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Louisville Courier-Journal</a>) used to print it from time to time. She has been gone for years, but people apparently lose their recipe and write in for a reprint occasionally.\n\nRather than a reprint, here\'s my remake of the recipe in Bulgaria.  Fair warning, even if you think that your west facing apartment is already so hot that it can\'t get much hotter by turning on the oven--you\'re fooling yourself. This said, the pie goes great with a glass of crisp white wine and I can only imagine it would go down equally well with a cold beer.\n\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Sliced Tomatoes\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Sliced Tomatoes\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6081579307/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6082/6081579307_0bdf799674_b.jpg\" alt=\"Sliced Tomatoes\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nThe most important thing to do before you get started making the pie is to figure out what kind of a pan you\'re going to cook it in. I didn\'t have a pie plate (and cursed myself for this) but I realized that I did have a spring-form pan. Not perfect but better than nothing. So I cut the crust recipe in half and at the end topped my pie with breadcrumbs.\n\nHeavenly Tomato Pie\n\nIngredients for the Crust (below is the full recipe):\n<ul>\n	<li>Two cups  flour (1 white and 1 whole wheat)</li>\n	<li>1 teaspoon pepper</li>\n	<li>1 teaspoon salt</li>\n	<li>1 teaspoon finely chopped dried rosemary (fresh would be better)</li>\n	<li>2 teaspoons baking powder</li>\n	<li>1/2 cup butter</li>\n	<li>2/3 cup milk</li>\n</ul>\nIngredients for the Filling:\n<ul>\n	<li>2 to 3 pounds tomatoes, peeled, seeded and sliced thickly</li>\n	<li>3-4 tablespoons of fresh chopped dill</li>\n	<li>1-2 teaspoons of dried basil (but fresh would be better)</li>\n	<li>2 cups cheese grated cheddar cheese is recommended. I wanted a rich deep taste and texture so I mixed in grated cheddar, cottage cheese and sirene until I got to the 2 cup equivalent.</li>\n	<li>2/3 cup mayonnaise (I didn\'t have enough mayonnaise so I mixed in sour cream)</li>\n</ul>\n\nHow to make the Crust:\n\nCombine flour, pepper, salt, rosemary and baking powder in a bowl. Use two knives to cut the butter into the flour mixture. You want the butter pieces to be little pea sizes.  Add milk and stir to gently blend well. The dough should be soft and just a little sticky. Don\'t mix it too much.  Turn onto a lightly floured surface and knead the dough by folding it over a few times. Again handle as little as possible.\n\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Dough\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Dough\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6081578525/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6188/6081578525_c4d5580fff_b.jpg\" alt=\"Dough\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nChill for 10 minutes. Divide the dough in half and roll out half of it to fit a 10-inch deep-dish pie plate (or whatever pie pan you have). Heat oven to 400 degrees.\n\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Dough rolled out\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Dough rolled out\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6082117158/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6072/6082117158_eb61afece6_b.jpg\" alt=\"Dough rolled out\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Savory pie shell\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Savory pie shell\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6082117310/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6085/6082117310_7088de632e_b.jpg\" alt=\"Savory pie shell\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nHow to make the Filling:\n\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Removing seeds\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Removing seeds\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6081579073/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6202/6081579073_45c76c067c_b.jpg\" alt=\"Removing seeds\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nThe original recipe said to peal the tomatoes but that\'s too much work for me and I don\'t mind the skin. So I just cut the tomatoes in half horizontally. Scoop the seeds out of the seed pockets with your index finger. Don’t be too obsessive about getting every seed – one scoop per seed pocket will generally do the trick.\n\nIn a small bowl mix together mayo, sour cream, dill and basil.\n\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Mayo-cream-dill filling\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Mayo-cream-dill filling\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6081579487/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6077/6081579487_8d2cb2646f_b.jpg\" alt=\"Mayo-cream-dill filling\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nSlice the tomatoes thickly and place a layer in the pie.  Lightly spread the mayo-dill mixture over the first layer. Continue layering and spreading the mayo sauce on the top of each layer until pan is basically full or you run out to tomatoes. Top with grated (or cottage) cheese, then spread the remaining mayonnaise over the top (this is not a particularly tidy process).\n\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Cheese and dill\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Cheese and dill\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6081578761/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6187/6081578761_e341867ba9_b.jpg\" alt=\"Cheese and dill\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nI wasn\'t convinced that I could top the pie with a crust given the pan I was using to bake the pie so I decided to top my pie with crumbled up bread crumbs. But if you have a better pan that me, roll out the remaining dough and cover the pie, crimping the edges to seal them. Cut several slits in the top of the pie and brush milk or cream (you can sprinkle the top with a little coarse salt or Parmesan cheese if desired). Note: in hindsight I could have topped the pie with a lid of pie crust. Maybe I will next time.\n\nBake 25 minutes. Let rest 5 or 10 minutes before slicing.\n\nServes 6 to 8 people. Serve with green salad.\n\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Slice of Tomato Pie\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Tomato Pie\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6082118276/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6184/6082118276_00766caf64_b.jpg\" alt=\"Tomato Pie\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Cheese Filling\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Cheese Filling\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6081580445/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6182/6081580445_49b2f7e53c_b.jpg\" alt=\"Cheese Filling\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nIf your tomatoes are runny: When you cut into the pie, just lift the slice out to (??) then tip the pie dish into the sink to pour off the juices. If you find your tomatoes give off lots of juice, consider sprinkling a layer of tomatoes with a tablespoon of flour.\n\nI was really down about the pie after I\'d made it yesterday. I was hot. Really hot and while the pie was tasty I thought: it\'s a lot of work for one person and I don\'t think that it will keep well as leftovers so I dished up servings for my friends leaving me about a 1/4 of a pie. This morning however I was curious about my pie. So I had a slice. I think that\'s okay--it\'s a vegetable pie after all--and I have to say, even the next day it was good. I mean really good. Sure the bottom was a little soggy-gooey but the tomato filling is to die for. I shouldn\'t have worried so much about the pie.','An American-in-Bulgaria\'s take on Heavenly Tomato Pie','','inherit','open','open','','5445-revision-9','','','2011-08-26 09:06:22','2011-08-26 07:06:22','',5445,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/08/26/5445-revision-9/',0,'revision','',0),(5464,1,'2011-08-26 09:01:13','2011-08-26 07:01:13','Two days ago I <a href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/08/24/because-tomatoes-cant-speak-for-themselves/\" target=\"_blank\">professed my love for tomatoes</a> on this blog and <a href=\"http://daybyeday.tumblr.com/post/9335221648\" target=\"_blank\">on my Bulgarian blog</a>. Really, what\'s not to love?!\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Finished product: Tomato Pie\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Finished product Tomato Pie\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6081580873/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6192/6081580873_d0b17e0d64_b.jpg\" alt=\"Finished product Tomato Pie\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nAnyhow my Aunt Ruth who lives in <a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louisville,_Kentucky\" target=\"_blank\">Louisville, Kentucky</a> commented on the post about a tomato pie that she claims is a \"Southern thing.\" Growing up on the West Coast, I can honestly say that I\'ve certainly never heard of such a thing--we do sweet pies where I am from but a savory tomato pie? Well, that\'s something I had to try.\r\n\r\nSo, she sent me the recipe. The recipe is great. Not only does the dish sound incredibly tasty but it also has a lot of variations (and/or possible substitutions)  which means that you can make it with you have on hand.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Tomatoes!\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Tomatoes!\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6082115484/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6069/6082115484_f259911db2_b.jpg\" alt=\"Tomatoes!\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nMy aunt explained in her email: The long-time food editor at the C-J (that\'s the local newspaper the <a href=\"http://www.courier-journal.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Louisville Courier-Journal</a>) used to print it from time to time. She has been gone for years, but people apparently lose their recipe and write in for a reprint occasionally.\r\n\r\nRather than a reprint, here\'s my remake of the recipe in Bulgaria.  Fair warning, even if you think that your west facing apartment is already so hot that it can\'t get much hotter by turning on the oven--you\'re fooling yourself. This said, the pie goes great with a glass of crisp white wine and I can only imagine it would go down equally well with a cold beer.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Sliced Tomatoes\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Sliced Tomatoes\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6081579307/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6082/6081579307_0bdf799674_b.jpg\" alt=\"Sliced Tomatoes\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nThe most important thing to do before you get started making the pie is to figure out what kind of a pan you\'re going to cook it in. I didn\'t have a pie plate (and cursed myself for this) but I realized that I did have a spring-form pan. Not perfect but better than nothing. So I cut the crust recipe in half and at the end topped my pie with breadcrumbs.\r\n\r\nHeavenly Tomato Pie\r\n\r\nIngredients for the Crust (below is the full recipe):\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Two cups  flour (1 white and 1 whole wheat)</li>\r\n	<li>1 teaspoon pepper</li>\r\n	<li>1 teaspoon salt</li>\r\n	<li>1 teaspoon finely chopped dried rosemary (fresh would be better)</li>\r\n	<li>2 teaspoons baking powder</li>\r\n	<li>1/2 cup butter</li>\r\n	<li>2/3 cup milk</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nIngredients for the Filling:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>2 to 3 pounds tomatoes, peeled, seeded and sliced thickly</li>\r\n	<li>3-4 tablespoons of fresh chopped dill</li>\r\n	<li>1-2 teaspoons of dried basil (but fresh would be better)</li>\r\n	<li>2 cups cheese grated cheddar cheese is recommended. I wanted a rich deep taste and texture so I mixed in grated cheddar, cottage cheese and sirene until I got to the 2 cup equivalent.</li>\r\n	<li>2/3 cup mayonnaise (I didn\'t have enough mayonnaise so I mixed in sour cream)</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Dough\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Dough\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6081578525/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6188/6081578525_c4d5580fff_b.jpg\" alt=\"Dough\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nHow to make the Crust:\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Dough rolled out\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Dough rolled out\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6082117158/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6072/6082117158_eb61afece6_b.jpg\" alt=\"Dough rolled out\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nCombine flour, pepper, salt, rosemary and baking powder in a bowl. Use two knives to cut the butter into the flour mixture. You want the butter pieces to be little pea sizes.  Add milk and stir to gently blend well. The dough should be soft and just a little sticky. Don\'t mix it too much.  Turn onto a lightly floured surface and knead the dough by folding it over a few times. Again handle as little as possible.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Savory pie shell\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Savory pie shell\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6082117310/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6085/6082117310_7088de632e_b.jpg\" alt=\"Savory pie shell\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nChill for 10 minutes. Divide the dough in half and roll out half of it to fit a 10-inch deep-dish pie plate (or whatever pie pan you have). Heat oven to 400 degrees.\r\n\r\nHow to make the Filling:\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Removing seeds\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Removing seeds\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6081579073/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6202/6081579073_45c76c067c_b.jpg\" alt=\"Removing seeds\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nThe original recipe said to peal the tomatoes but that\'s too much work for me and I don\'t mind the skin. So I just cut the tomatoes in half horizontally. Scoop the seeds out of the seed pockets with your index finger. Don’t be too obsessive about getting every seed – one scoop per seed pocket will generally do the trick.\r\n\r\nIn a small bowl mix together mayo, sour cream, dill and basil.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Mayo-cream-dill filling\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Mayo-cream-dill filling\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6081579487/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6077/6081579487_8d2cb2646f_b.jpg\" alt=\"Mayo-cream-dill filling\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nSlice the tomatoes thickly and place a layer in the pie.  Lightly spread the mayo-dill mixture over the first layer. Continue layering and spreading the mayo sauce on the top of each layer until pan is basically full or you run out to tomatoes. Top with grated (or cottage) cheese, then spread the remaining mayonnaise over the top (this is not a particularly tidy process).\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Cheese and dill\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Cheese and dill\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6081578761/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6187/6081578761_e341867ba9_b.jpg\" alt=\"Cheese and dill\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nI wasn\'t convinced that I could top the pie with a crust given the pan I was using to bake the pie so I decided to top my pie with crumbled up bread crumbs. But if you have a better pan that me, roll out the remaining dough and cover the pie, crimping the edges to seal them. Cut several slits in the top of the pie and brush milk or cream (you can sprinkle the top with a little coarse salt or Parmesan cheese if desired). Note: in hindsight I could have topped the pie with a lid of pie crust. Maybe I will next time.\r\n\r\nBake 25 minutes. Let rest 5 or 10 minutes before slicing.\r\n\r\nServes 6 to 8 people. Serve with green salad.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Slice of Tomato Pie\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Tomato Pie\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6082118276/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6184/6082118276_00766caf64_b.jpg\" alt=\"Tomato Pie\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Cheese Filling\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Cheese Filling\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6081580445/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6182/6081580445_49b2f7e53c_b.jpg\" alt=\"Cheese Filling\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nIf your tomatoes are runny: When you cut into the pie, just lift the slice out to (??) then tip the pie dish into the sink to pour off the juices. If you find your tomatoes give off lots of juice, consider sprinkling a layer of tomatoes with a tablespoon of flour.\r\n\r\nI was really down about the pie after I\'d made it yesterday. I was hot. Really hot and while the pie was tasty I thought: it\'s a lot of work for one person and I don\'t think that it will keep well as leftovers so I dished up servings for my friends leaving me about a 1/4 of a pie. This morning however I was curious about my pie. So I had a slice. I think that\'s okay--it\'s a vegetable pie after all--and I have to say, even the next day it was good. I mean really good. Sure the bottom was a little soggy-gooey but the tomato filling is to die for. I shouldn\'t have worried so much about the pie.','An American-in-Bulgaria\'s take on Heavenly Tomato Pie','','inherit','open','open','','5445-revision-8','','','2011-08-26 09:01:13','2011-08-26 07:01:13','',5445,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/08/26/5445-revision-8/',0,'revision','',0),(5466,1,'2011-08-26 09:06:42','2011-08-26 07:06:42','Two days ago I <a href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/08/24/because-tomatoes-cant-speak-for-themselves/\" target=\"_blank\">professed my love for tomatoes</a> on this blog and <a href=\"http://daybyeday.tumblr.com/post/9335221648\" target=\"_blank\">on my Bulgarian blog</a>. Really, what\'s not to love?!\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Finished product: Tomato Pie\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Finished product Tomato Pie\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6081580873/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6192/6081580873_d0b17e0d64_b.jpg\" alt=\"Finished product Tomato Pie\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nAnyhow my Aunt Ruth who lives in <a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louisville,_Kentucky\" target=\"_blank\">Louisville, Kentucky</a> commented on the post about a tomato pie that she claims is a \"Southern thing.\" Growing up on the West Coast, I can honestly say that I\'ve certainly never heard of such a thing--we do sweet pies where I am from but a savory tomato pie? Well, that\'s something I had to try.\r\n\r\nSo, she sent me the recipe. The recipe is great. Not only does the dish sound incredibly tasty but it also has a lot of variations (and/or possible substitutions)  which means that you can make it with you have on hand.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Tomatoes!\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Tomatoes!\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6082115484/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6069/6082115484_f259911db2_b.jpg\" alt=\"Tomatoes!\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nMy aunt explained in her email: The long-time food editor at the C-J (that\'s the local newspaper the <a href=\"http://www.courier-journal.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Louisville Courier-Journal</a>) used to print it from time to time. She has been gone for years, but people apparently lose their recipe and write in for a reprint occasionally.\r\n\r\nRather than a reprint, here\'s my remake of the recipe in Bulgaria.  Fair warning, even if you think that your west facing apartment is already so hot that it can\'t get much hotter by turning on the oven--you\'re fooling yourself. This said, the pie goes great with a glass of crisp white wine and I can only imagine it would go down equally well with a cold beer.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Sliced Tomatoes\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Sliced Tomatoes\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6081579307/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6082/6081579307_0bdf799674_b.jpg\" alt=\"Sliced Tomatoes\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nThe most important thing to do before you get started making the pie is to figure out what kind of a pan you\'re going to cook it in. I didn\'t have a pie plate (and cursed myself for this) but I realized that I did have a spring-form pan. Not perfect but better than nothing. So I cut the crust recipe in half and at the end topped my pie with breadcrumbs.\r\n\r\nHeavenly Tomato Pie\r\n\r\nIngredients for the Crust (below is the full recipe):\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Two cups  flour (1 white and 1 whole wheat)</li>\r\n	<li>1 teaspoon pepper</li>\r\n	<li>1 teaspoon salt</li>\r\n	<li>1 teaspoon finely chopped dried rosemary (fresh would be better)</li>\r\n	<li>2 teaspoons baking powder</li>\r\n	<li>1/2 cup butter</li>\r\n	<li>2/3 cup milk</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nIngredients for the Filling:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>2 to 3 pounds tomatoes, peeled, seeded and sliced thickly</li>\r\n	<li>3-4 tablespoons of fresh chopped dill</li>\r\n	<li>1-2 teaspoons of dried basil (but fresh would be better)</li>\r\n	<li>2 cups cheese grated cheddar cheese is recommended. I wanted a rich deep taste and texture so I mixed in grated cheddar, cottage cheese and sirene until I got to the 2 cup equivalent.</li>\r\n	<li>2/3 cup mayonnaise (I didn\'t have enough mayonnaise so I mixed in sour cream)</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n\r\nHow to make the Crust:\r\n\r\nCombine flour, pepper, salt, rosemary and baking powder in a bowl. Use two knives to cut the butter into the flour mixture. You want the butter pieces to be little pea sizes.  Add milk and stir to gently blend well. The dough should be soft and just a little sticky. Don\'t mix it too much.  Turn onto a lightly floured surface and knead the dough by folding it over a few times. Again handle as little as possible.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Dough\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Dough\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6081578525/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6188/6081578525_c4d5580fff_b.jpg\" alt=\"Dough\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nChill for 10 minutes. Divide the dough in half and roll out half of it to fit a 10-inch deep-dish pie plate (or whatever pie pan you have). Heat oven to 400 degrees.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Dough rolled out\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Dough rolled out\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6082117158/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6072/6082117158_eb61afece6_b.jpg\" alt=\"Dough rolled out\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Savory pie shell\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Savory pie shell\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6082117310/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6085/6082117310_7088de632e_b.jpg\" alt=\"Savory pie shell\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nHow to make the Filling:\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Removing seeds\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Removing seeds\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6081579073/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6202/6081579073_45c76c067c_b.jpg\" alt=\"Removing seeds\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nThe original recipe said to peal the tomatoes but that\'s too much work for me and I don\'t mind the skin. So I just cut the tomatoes in half horizontally. Scoop the seeds out of the seed pockets with your index finger. Don’t be too obsessive about getting every seed – one scoop per seed pocket will generally do the trick.\r\n\r\nIn a small bowl mix together mayo, sour cream, dill and basil.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Mayo-cream-dill filling\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Mayo-cream-dill filling\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6081579487/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6077/6081579487_8d2cb2646f_b.jpg\" alt=\"Mayo-cream-dill filling\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nSlice the tomatoes thickly and place a layer in the pie.  Lightly spread the mayo-dill mixture over the first layer. Continue layering and spreading the mayo sauce on the top of each layer until pan is basically full or you run out to tomatoes. Top with grated (or cottage) cheese, then spread the remaining mayonnaise over the top (this is not a particularly tidy process).\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Cheese and dill\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Cheese and dill\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6081578761/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6187/6081578761_e341867ba9_b.jpg\" alt=\"Cheese and dill\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nI wasn\'t convinced that I could top the pie with a crust given the pan I was using to bake the pie so I decided to top my pie with crumbled up bread crumbs. But if you have a better pan that me, roll out the remaining dough and cover the pie, crimping the edges to seal them. Cut several slits in the top of the pie and brush milk or cream (you can sprinkle the top with a little coarse salt or Parmesan cheese if desired). Note: in hindsight I could have topped the pie with a lid of pie crust. Maybe I will next time.\r\n\r\nBake 25 minutes. Let rest 5 or 10 minutes before slicing.\r\n\r\nServes 6 to 8 people. Serve with green salad.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Cheese Filling\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Cheese Filling\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6081580445/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6182/6081580445_49b2f7e53c_b.jpg\" alt=\"Cheese Filling\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nIf your tomatoes are runny: When you cut into the pie, just lift the slice out to (??) then tip the pie dish into the sink to pour off the juices. If you find your tomatoes give off lots of juice, consider sprinkling a layer of tomatoes with a tablespoon of flour.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Slice of Tomato Pie\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Tomato Pie\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6082118276/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6184/6082118276_00766caf64_b.jpg\" alt=\"Tomato Pie\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nI was really down about the pie after I\'d made it yesterday. I was hot. Really hot and while the pie was tasty I thought: it\'s a lot of work for one person and I don\'t think that it will keep well as leftovers so I dished up servings for my friends leaving me about a 1/4 of a pie. This morning however I was curious about my pie. So I had a slice. I think that\'s okay--it\'s a vegetable pie after all--and I have to say, even the next day it was good. I mean really good. Sure the bottom was a little soggy-gooey but the tomato filling is to die for. I shouldn\'t have worried so much about the pie.','An American-in-Bulgaria\'s take on Heavenly Tomato Pie','','inherit','open','open','','5445-revision-10','','','2011-08-26 09:06:42','2011-08-26 07:06:42','',5445,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/08/26/5445-revision-10/',0,'revision','',0),(5467,1,'2011-08-26 09:09:49','2011-08-26 07:09:49','Two days ago I <a href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/08/24/because-tomatoes-cant-speak-for-themselves/\" target=\"_blank\">professed my love for tomatoes</a> on this blog and <a href=\"http://daybyeday.tumblr.com/post/9335221648\" target=\"_blank\">on my Bulgarian blog</a>. Really, what\'s not to love?!\n\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Finished product: Tomato Pie\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Finished product Tomato Pie\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6081580873/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6192/6081580873_d0b17e0d64_b.jpg\" alt=\"Finished product Tomato Pie\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nAnyhow my Aunt Ruth who lives in <a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louisville,_Kentucky\" target=\"_blank\">Louisville, Kentucky</a> commented on the post about a tomato pie that she claims is a \"Southern thing.\" Growing up on the West Coast, I can honestly say that I\'ve certainly never heard of such a thing--we do sweet pies where I am from but a savory tomato pie? Well, that\'s something I had to try.\n\nSo, she sent me the recipe. The recipe is great. Not only does the dish sound incredibly tasty but it also has a lot of variations (and/or possible substitutions)  which means that you can make it with you have on hand.<!--more-->\n\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Tomatoes!\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Tomatoes!\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6082115484/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6069/6082115484_f259911db2_b.jpg\" alt=\"Tomatoes!\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nMy aunt explained in her email: The long-time food editor at the C-J (that\'s the local newspaper the <a href=\"http://www.courier-journal.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Louisville Courier-Journal</a>) used to print it from time to time. She has been gone for years, but people apparently lose their recipe and write in for a reprint occasionally.\n\nRather than a reprint, here\'s my remake of the recipe in Bulgaria.  Fair warning, even if you think that your west facing apartment is already so hot that it can\'t get much hotter by turning on the oven--you\'re fooling yourself. This said, the pie goes great with a glass of crisp white wine and I can only imagine it would go down equally well with a cold beer.\n\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Sliced Tomatoes\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Sliced Tomatoes\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6081579307/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6082/6081579307_0bdf799674_b.jpg\" alt=\"Sliced Tomatoes\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nThe most important thing to do before you get started making the pie is to figure out what kind of a pan you\'re going to cook it in. I didn\'t have a pie plate (and cursed myself for this) but I realized that I did have a spring-form pan. Not perfect but better than nothing. So I cut the crust recipe in half and at the end topped my pie with breadcrumbs.\n\nHeavenly Tomato Pie\n\nIngredients for the Crust (below is the full recipe):\n<ul>\n	<li>Two cups  flour (1 white and 1 whole wheat)</li>\n	<li>1 teaspoon pepper</li>\n	<li>1 teaspoon salt</li>\n	<li>1 teaspoon finely chopped dried rosemary (fresh would be better)</li>\n	<li>2 teaspoons baking powder</li>\n	<li>1/2 cup butter</li>\n	<li>2/3 cup milk</li>\n</ul>\nIngredients for the Filling:\n<ul>\n	<li>2 to 3 pounds tomatoes, peeled, seeded and sliced thickly</li>\n	<li>3-4 tablespoons of fresh chopped dill</li>\n	<li>1-2 teaspoons of dried basil (but fresh would be better)</li>\n	<li>2 cups cheese grated cheddar cheese is recommended. I wanted a rich deep taste and texture so I mixed in grated cheddar, cottage cheese and sirene until I got to the 2 cup equivalent.</li>\n	<li>2/3 cup mayonnaise (I didn\'t have enough mayonnaise so I mixed in sour cream)</li>\n</ul>\nHow to make the Crust:\n\nCombine flour, pepper, salt, rosemary and baking powder in a bowl. Use two knives to cut the butter into the flour mixture. You want the butter pieces to be little pea sizes. Add milk and stir to gently blend well. The dough should be soft and just a little sticky. Don\'t mix it too much. Turn onto a lightly floured surface and knead the dough by folding it over a few times. Again handle as little as possible.\n\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Dough\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Dough\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6081578525/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6188/6081578525_c4d5580fff_b.jpg\" alt=\"Dough\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nChill for 10 minutes. Divide the dough in half and roll out half of it to fit a 10-inch deep-dish pie plate (or whatever pie pan you have). Heat oven to 400 degrees.\n\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Dough rolled out\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Dough rolled out\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6082117158/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6072/6082117158_eb61afece6_b.jpg\" alt=\"Dough rolled out\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Savory pie shell\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Savory pie shell\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6082117310/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6085/6082117310_7088de632e_b.jpg\" alt=\"Savory pie shell\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nHow to make the Filling:\n\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Removing seeds\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Removing seeds\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6081579073/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6202/6081579073_45c76c067c_b.jpg\" alt=\"Removing seeds\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nThe original recipe said to peal the tomatoes but that\'s too much work for me and I don\'t mind the skin. So I just cut the tomatoes in half horizontally. Scoop the seeds out of the seed pockets with your index finger. Don’t be too obsessive about getting every seed – one scoop per seed pocket will generally do the trick.\n\nIn a small bowl mix together mayo, sour cream, dill and basil.\n\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Mayo-cream-dill filling\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Mayo-cream-dill filling\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6081579487/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6077/6081579487_8d2cb2646f_b.jpg\" alt=\"Mayo-cream-dill filling\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nSlice the tomatoes thickly and place a layer in the pie.  Lightly spread the mayo-dill mixture over the first layer. Continue layering and spreading the mayo sauce on the top of each layer until pan is basically full or you run out to tomatoes. Top with grated (or cottage) cheese, then spread the remaining mayonnaise over the top (this is not a particularly tidy process).\n\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Cheese and dill\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Cheese and dill\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6081578761/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6187/6081578761_e341867ba9_b.jpg\" alt=\"Cheese and dill\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nI wasn\'t convinced that I could top the pie with a crust given the pan I was using to bake the pie so I decided to top my pie with crumbled up bread crumbs. But if you have a better pan that me, roll out the remaining dough and cover the pie, crimping the edges to seal them. Cut several slits in the top of the pie and brush milk or cream (you can sprinkle the top with a little coarse salt or Parmesan cheese if desired). Note: in hindsight I could have topped the pie with a lid of pie crust. Maybe I will next time.\n\nBake 25 minutes. Let rest 5 or 10 minutes before slicing.\n\nServes 6 to 8 people. Serve with green salad.\n\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Cheese Filling\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Cheese Filling\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6081580445/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6182/6081580445_49b2f7e53c_b.jpg\" alt=\"Cheese Filling\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nIf your tomatoes are runny: When you cut into the pie, just lift the slice out to (??) then tip the pie dish into the sink to pour off the juices. If you find your tomatoes give off lots of juice, consider sprinkling a layer of tomatoes with a tablespoon of flour.\n\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Slice (or a chunk) of Tomato Pie\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Tomato Pie\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6082118276/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6184/6082118276_00766caf64_b.jpg\" alt=\"Tomato Pie\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nI was really down about the pie after I\'d made it yesterday. I was hot. Really hot and while the pie was tasty I thought: it\'s a lot of work for one person and I don\'t think that it will keep well as leftovers so I dished up servings for my friends leaving me about a 1/4 of a pie. This morning however I was curious about my pie. So I had a slice. I think that\'s okay--it\'s a vegetable pie after all--and I have to say, even the next day it was good. I mean really good. Sure the bottom was a little soggy-gooey but the tomato filling is to die for. I shouldn\'t have worried so much about the pie.\n\nIt\'s funny the difference a day makes becaoday, I am really excited about the pie and I\'ve been thinking about making another one in the near future. Maybe this time I\'ll layer in spicy peppers or add a little spicy brown mustard to the mayo-dill mix for a little extra pizazz.','An American-in-Bulgaria\'s take on Heavenly Tomato Pie','','inherit','open','open','','5445-revision-11','','','2011-08-26 09:09:49','2011-08-26 07:09:49','',5445,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/08/26/5445-revision-11/',0,'revision','',0),(5468,1,'2011-08-26 09:11:15','2011-08-26 07:11:15','Two days ago I <a href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/08/24/because-tomatoes-cant-speak-for-themselves/\" target=\"_blank\">professed my love for tomatoes</a> on this blog and <a href=\"http://daybyeday.tumblr.com/post/9335221648\" target=\"_blank\">on my Bulgarian blog</a>. Really, what\'s not to love?!\n\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Finished product: Tomato Pie\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Finished product Tomato Pie\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6081580873/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6192/6081580873_d0b17e0d64_b.jpg\" alt=\"Finished product Tomato Pie\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nAnyhow my Aunt Ruth who lives in <a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louisville,_Kentucky\" target=\"_blank\">Louisville, Kentucky</a> commented on the post about a tomato pie that she claims is a \"Southern thing.\" Growing up on the West Coast, I can honestly say that I\'ve certainly never heard of such a thing--we do sweet pies where I am from but a savory tomato pie? Well, that\'s something I had to try.\n\nSo, she sent me the recipe. The recipe is great. Not only does the dish sound incredibly tasty but it also has a lot of variations (and/or possible substitutions)  which means that you can make it with you have on hand.<!--more-->\n\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Tomatoes!\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Tomatoes!\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6082115484/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6069/6082115484_f259911db2_b.jpg\" alt=\"Tomatoes!\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nMy aunt explained in her email: The long-time food editor at the C-J (that\'s the local newspaper the <a href=\"http://www.courier-journal.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Louisville Courier-Journal</a>) used to print it from time to time. She has been gone for years, but people apparently lose their recipe and write in for a reprint occasionally.\n\nRather than a reprint, here\'s my remake of the recipe in Bulgaria.  Fair warning, even if you think that your west facing apartment is already so hot that it can\'t get much hotter by turning on the oven--you\'re fooling yourself. This said, the pie goes great with a glass of crisp white wine and I can only imagine it would go down equally well with a cold beer.\n\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Sliced Tomatoes\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Sliced Tomatoes\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6081579307/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6082/6081579307_0bdf799674_b.jpg\" alt=\"Sliced Tomatoes\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nThe most important thing to do before you get started making the pie is to figure out what kind of a pan you\'re going to cook it in. I didn\'t have a pie plate (and cursed myself for this) but I realized that I did have a spring-form pan. Not perfect but better than nothing. So I cut the crust recipe in half and at the end topped my pie with breadcrumbs.\n\nHeavenly Tomato Pie\n\nIngredients for the Crust (below is the full recipe):\n<ul>\n	<li>Two cups  flour (1 white and 1 whole wheat)</li>\n	<li>1 teaspoon pepper</li>\n	<li>1 teaspoon salt</li>\n	<li>1 teaspoon finely chopped dried rosemary (fresh would be better)</li>\n	<li>2 teaspoons baking powder</li>\n	<li>1/2 cup butter</li>\n	<li>2/3 cup milk</li>\n</ul>\nIngredients for the Filling:\n<ul>\n	<li>2 to 3 pounds tomatoes, peeled, seeded and sliced thickly</li>\n	<li>3-4 tablespoons of fresh chopped dill</li>\n	<li>1-2 teaspoons of dried basil (but fresh would be better)</li>\n	<li>2 cups cheese grated cheddar cheese is recommended. I wanted a rich deep taste and texture so I mixed in grated cheddar, cottage cheese and sirene until I got to the 2 cup equivalent.</li>\n	<li>2/3 cup mayonnaise (I didn\'t have enough mayonnaise so I mixed in sour cream)</li>\n</ul>\nHow to make the Crust:\n\nCombine flour, pepper, salt, rosemary and baking powder in a bowl. Use two knives to cut the butter into the flour mixture. You want the butter pieces to be little pea sizes. Add milk and stir to gently blend well. The dough should be soft and just a little sticky. Don\'t mix it too much. Turn onto a lightly floured surface and knead the dough by folding it over a few times. Again handle as little as possible.\n\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Dough\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Dough\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6081578525/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6188/6081578525_c4d5580fff_b.jpg\" alt=\"Dough\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nChill for 10 minutes. Divide the dough in half and roll out half of it to fit a 10-inch deep-dish pie plate (or whatever pie pan you have). Heat oven to 400 degrees.\n\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Dough rolled out\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Dough rolled out\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6082117158/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6072/6082117158_eb61afece6_b.jpg\" alt=\"Dough rolled out\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Savory pie shell\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Savory pie shell\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6082117310/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6085/6082117310_7088de632e_b.jpg\" alt=\"Savory pie shell\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nHow to make the Filling:\n\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Removing seeds\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Removing seeds\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6081579073/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6202/6081579073_45c76c067c_b.jpg\" alt=\"Removing seeds\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nThe original recipe said to peal the tomatoes but that\'s too much work for me and I don\'t mind the skin. So I just cut the tomatoes in half horizontally. Scoop the seeds out of the seed pockets with your index finger. Don’t be too obsessive about getting every seed – one scoop per seed pocket will generally do the trick.\n\nIn a small bowl mix together mayo, sour cream, dill and basil.\n\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Mayo-cream-dill filling\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Mayo-cream-dill filling\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6081579487/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6077/6081579487_8d2cb2646f_b.jpg\" alt=\"Mayo-cream-dill filling\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nSlice the tomatoes thickly and place a layer in the pie.  Lightly spread the mayo-dill mixture over the first layer. Continue layering and spreading the mayo sauce on the top of each layer until pan is basically full or you run out to tomatoes. Top with grated (or cottage) cheese, then spread the remaining mayonnaise over the top (this is not a particularly tidy process).\n\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Cheese and dill\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Cheese and dill\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6081578761/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6187/6081578761_e341867ba9_b.jpg\" alt=\"Cheese and dill\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nI wasn\'t convinced that I could top the pie with a crust given the pan I was using to bake the pie so I decided to top my pie with crumbled up bread crumbs. But if you have a better pan that me, roll out the remaining dough and cover the pie, crimping the edges to seal them. Cut several slits in the top of the pie and brush milk or cream (you can sprinkle the top with a little coarse salt or Parmesan cheese if desired). Note: in hindsight I could have topped the pie with a lid of pie crust. Maybe I will next time.\n\nBake 25 minutes. Let rest 5 or 10 minutes before slicing.\n\nServes 6 to 8 people. Serve with green salad.\n\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Cheese Filling\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Cheese Filling\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6081580445/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6182/6081580445_49b2f7e53c_b.jpg\" alt=\"Cheese Filling\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nIf your tomatoes are runny: When you cut into the pie, just lift the slice out to (??) then tip the pie dish into the sink to pour off the juices. If you find your tomatoes give off lots of juice, consider sprinkling a layer of tomatoes with a tablespoon of flour.\n\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Slice (or a chunk) of Tomato Pie\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"Tomato Pie\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6082118276/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6184/6082118276_00766caf64_b.jpg\" alt=\"Tomato Pie\" width=\"614\" height=\"410\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nI was really down about the pie after I\'d made it yesterday. I was hot. Really hot and while the pie was tasty I thought: it\'s a lot of work for one person and I don\'t think that it will keep well as leftovers so I dished up servings for my friends leaving me about a 1/4 of a pie. This morning however I was curious about my pie. So I had a slice. I think that\'s okay--it\'s a vegetable pie after all--and I have to say, even the next day it was good. I mean really good. Sure the bottom was a little soggy-gooey but the tomato filling is to die for. I shouldn\'t have worried so much about the pie.\n\nIt\'s funny the difference a day makes because today, I am really excited about the pie and I\'ve been thinking about making another one in the near future. Maybe this time I\'ll layer in spicy peppers or add a little spicy brown mustard to the mayo-dill mix for a little extra pizazz. Oh, the options!!','An American-in-Bulgaria\'s take on Heavenly Tomato Pie','','inherit','open','open','','5445-autosave','','','2011-08-26 09:11:15','2011-08-26 07:11:15','',5445,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/08/26/5445-autosave/',0,'revision','',0),(5469,1,'2011-08-27 12:20:43','2011-08-27 10:20:43','[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"295\" caption=\"The red star that graced Communist Party headquarters in detail against a wall\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"The red star that graced Communist Party headquarters\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6085258752/\"><img class=\"  \" src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6184/6085258752_84ba3234e2_b.jpg\" alt=\"The red star that graced Communist Party headquarters\" width=\"295\" height=\"442\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nSofia is opening a new museum!\r\n\r\nA Museum of Socialist Art.\r\n\r\nThe expected opening has been covered by the <a href=\"http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=131521\" target=\"_blank\">Sofia News Agency/novinite</a> and by the <a href=\"http://news.yahoo.com/bulgaria-opening-museum-socialist-art-124651273.html\" target=\"_blank\">Associated Press/yahoo</a>. However neither of these articles revealed the actual location of the museum. <em>Awesome</em>. Really, who needs to know that?!\r\n\r\nBut there has a big deal made about the red star which once graced Communist Party headquarters. It\'s in most of the photos illustrating the articles announcing the new museum. This star will be on display again.\r\n\r\nThat\'s probably better than it\'s previous home. It was tucked away behind a fence and leaning up against the Sofia Bathhouse in downtown Sofia.\r\n\r\nThe start was pointed out to me on <a href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/04/23/sofia-and-easter-weekend/\" target=\"_blank\">a tour with Free Sofia Tour</a>. Very likely, I would have never noticed the broken red star or if I had I wouldn\'t have known the history of the battered star. (Want a better look at the star? Check it out in <a href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6085259136/\" target=\"_blank\">my flickr accoun</a>t. The lighting is pretty horrible but you can see the whole star.)<!--more-->Luckily, I also stumbled across the \"address\" for the new museum in a <a href=\"http://www.sofiaecho.com/2011/08/26/1145333_national-art-gallery-in-sofia-to-close-for-four-months\" target=\"_blank\">Sofia Echo article</a> regarding the National Gallery in Sofia closing for 4 months for renovation. This is something the museum has been in desperate need of <a href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2009/06/29/museum-kind-of-day/\" target=\"_blank\">since I\'ve lived in Sofia</a> so I was very glad to read this.\r\n\r\nThe new museum? Well, apparently it\'s on Lachezar Stanchev Street in the Izgrev borough, near the Sofia office of the traffic police. But I have no idea where that is. Google wasn\'t really anymore helpful--the google arrow seems to be plopped down on an unnamed street close to the GM Dimitrov Metro stop.\r\n\r\nHum. This whole thing seems very, um, Bulgarian: we\'re opening a museum but we\'re not going to give you the address or the hours. Don\'t get me wrong. I am going to check out the museum--that is once I know where it is and when I can visit.\r\n\r\nI like museums. I like history. I like old things. I like Bulgaria. So this museum seems right up my alley but what I\'m really looking forward to seeing is how this museum and the collection has been curated.','A New Museum in Sofia: Socialist Art ','','publish','open','open','','a-new-museum-in-sofia-socialist-art','','','2011-08-27 12:20:43','2011-08-27 10:20:43','',0,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?p=5469',0,'post','',9),(5470,1,'2011-08-27 12:05:28','2011-08-27 10:05:28','Apparently, Sofia is opening a new museum of Socialist Art.\n\nThe expected opening has been covered by the <a href=\"http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=131521\" target=\"_blank\">Sofia News Agency/novinite</a> and by the <a href=\"http://news.yahoo.com/bulgaria-opening-museum-socialist-art-124651273.html\" target=\"_blank\">Associated Press/yahoo</a>. However neither of these articles revealed the actual location of the museum. <em>Awesome</em>. Really, who needs to know that?!\n\nBut there has a big deal made about the red star which once graced Communist Party headquarters--it\'s in most of the photos illustrating the articles announcing the new museum. This star will be on display again. That\'s probably better than it\'s previous home. It was tucked away behind a fence and leaning up against the Sofia Bathhouse in downtown Sofia. I came across this find on <a href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/04/23/sofia-and-easter-weekend/\" target=\"_blank\">a tour with Free Sofia Tour</a>. I would have never know what the broken glass star was from without them.\n\nLuckily, I also stumbled across the \"address\" for the new museum in a <a href=\"http://www.sofiaecho.com/2011/08/26/1145333_national-art-gallery-in-sofia-to-close-for-four-months\" target=\"_blank\">Sofia Echo article</a> regarding the National Gallery in Sofia closing for 4 months for renovation. This is something the museum has been in desperate need of <a href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2009/06/29/museum-kind-of-day/\" target=\"_blank\">since I\'ve lived in Sofia</a> so I was very glad to read this.\n\nThe new museum? Well, apparently it\'s on Lachezar Stanchev Street in the Izgrev borough, near the Sofia office of the traffic police. But I have no idea where that is. Google wasn\'t really anymore helpful--the google arrow seems to be plopped down on an unnamed street close to the GM Dimitrov Metro stop.\n\nHum. This whole thing seems very, um, Bulgarian.  We\'re opening a museum but we\'re not going to give you the address or the hours. Don\'t get me wrong. I am going to check out the museum--that is once I know where it is and when I can visit.','A new museum in Sofia: Socialist Art ','','inherit','open','open','','5469-revision','','','2011-08-27 12:05:28','2011-08-27 10:05:28','',5469,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/08/27/5469-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(5471,1,'2011-08-27 12:06:59','2011-08-27 10:06:59','[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"410\" caption=\"The red star that graced Communist Party headquarters in detail against a wall\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"The red star that graced Communist Party headquarters\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6085258752/\"><img src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6184/6085258752_84ba3234e2_b.jpg\" alt=\"The red star that graced Communist Party headquarters\" width=\"410\" height=\"614\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nApparently, Sofia is opening a new museum of Socialist Art.\r\n\r\nThe expected opening has been covered by the <a href=\"http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=131521\" target=\"_blank\">Sofia News Agency/novinite</a> and by the <a href=\"http://news.yahoo.com/bulgaria-opening-museum-socialist-art-124651273.html\" target=\"_blank\">Associated Press/yahoo</a>. However neither of these articles revealed the actual location of the museum. <em>Awesome</em>. Really, who needs to know that?!\r\n\r\nBut there has a big deal made about the red star which once graced Communist Party headquarters--it\'s in most of the photos illustrating the articles announcing the new museum. This star will be on display again. That\'s probably better than it\'s previous home. It was tucked away behind a fence and leaning up against the Sofia Bathhouse in downtown Sofia. I came across this find on <a href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/04/23/sofia-and-easter-weekend/\" target=\"_blank\">a tour with Free Sofia Tour</a>. I would have never know what the broken glass star was from without them.\r\n\r\nLuckily, I also stumbled across the \"address\" for the new museum in a <a href=\"http://www.sofiaecho.com/2011/08/26/1145333_national-art-gallery-in-sofia-to-close-for-four-months\" target=\"_blank\">Sofia Echo article</a> regarding the National Gallery in Sofia closing for 4 months for renovation. This is something the museum has been in desperate need of <a href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2009/06/29/museum-kind-of-day/\" target=\"_blank\">since I\'ve lived in Sofia</a> so I was very glad to read this.\r\n\r\nThe new museum? Well, apparently it\'s on Lachezar Stanchev Street in the Izgrev borough, near the Sofia office of the traffic police. But I have no idea where that is. Google wasn\'t really anymore helpful--the google arrow seems to be plopped down on an unnamed street close to the GM Dimitrov Metro stop.\r\n\r\nHum. This whole thing seems very, um, Bulgarian.  We\'re opening a museum but we\'re not going to give you the address or the hours. Don\'t get me wrong. I am going to check out the museum--that is once I know where it is and when I can visit.','A new museum in Sofia: Socialist Art ','','inherit','open','open','','5469-revision-2','','','2011-08-27 12:06:59','2011-08-27 10:06:59','',5469,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/08/27/5469-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(5472,1,'2011-08-27 12:07:32','2011-08-27 10:07:32','[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"246\" caption=\"The red star that graced Communist Party headquarters in detail against a wall\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"The red star that graced Communist Party headquarters\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6085258752/\"><img class=\" \" src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6184/6085258752_84ba3234e2_b.jpg\" alt=\"The red star that graced Communist Party headquarters\" width=\"246\" height=\"368\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nApparently, Sofia is opening a new museum of Socialist Art.\r\n\r\nThe expected opening has been covered by the <a href=\"http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=131521\" target=\"_blank\">Sofia News Agency/novinite</a> and by the <a href=\"http://news.yahoo.com/bulgaria-opening-museum-socialist-art-124651273.html\" target=\"_blank\">Associated Press/yahoo</a>. However neither of these articles revealed the actual location of the museum. <em>Awesome</em>. Really, who needs to know that?!\r\n\r\nBut there has a big deal made about the red star which once graced Communist Party headquarters--it\'s in most of the photos illustrating the articles announcing the new museum. This star will be on display again. That\'s probably better than it\'s previous home. It was tucked away behind a fence and leaning up against the Sofia Bathhouse in downtown Sofia. I came across this find on <a href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/04/23/sofia-and-easter-weekend/\" target=\"_blank\">a tour with Free Sofia Tour</a>. I would have never know what the broken glass star was from without them.\r\n\r\nLuckily, I also stumbled across the \"address\" for the new museum in a <a href=\"http://www.sofiaecho.com/2011/08/26/1145333_national-art-gallery-in-sofia-to-close-for-four-months\" target=\"_blank\">Sofia Echo article</a> regarding the National Gallery in Sofia closing for 4 months for renovation. This is something the museum has been in desperate need of <a href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2009/06/29/museum-kind-of-day/\" target=\"_blank\">since I\'ve lived in Sofia</a> so I was very glad to read this.\r\n\r\nThe new museum? Well, apparently it\'s on Lachezar Stanchev Street in the Izgrev borough, near the Sofia office of the traffic police. But I have no idea where that is. Google wasn\'t really anymore helpful--the google arrow seems to be plopped down on an unnamed street close to the GM Dimitrov Metro stop.\r\n\r\nHum. This whole thing seems very, um, Bulgarian.  We\'re opening a museum but we\'re not going to give you the address or the hours. Don\'t get me wrong. I am going to check out the museum--that is once I know where it is and when I can visit.','A new museum in Sofia: Socialist Art ','','inherit','open','open','','5469-revision-3','','','2011-08-27 12:07:32','2011-08-27 10:07:32','',5469,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/08/27/5469-revision-3/',0,'revision','',0),(5473,1,'2011-08-27 12:08:17','2011-08-27 10:08:17','[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"295\" caption=\"The red star that graced Communist Party headquarters in detail against a wall\"]<a class=\"tt-flickr tt-flickr-Large\" title=\"The red star that graced Communist Party headquarters\" href=\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/29050866@N06/6085258752/\"><img class=\"  \" src=\"http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6184/6085258752_84ba3234e2_b.jpg\" alt=\"The red star that graced Communist Party headquarters\" width=\"295\" height=\"442\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nApparently, Sofia is opening a new museum of Socialist Art.\r\n\r\nThe expected opening has been covered by the <a href=\"http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=131521\" target=\"_blank\">Sofia News Agency/novinite</a> and by the <a href=\"http://news.yahoo.com/bulgaria-opening-museum-socialist-art-124651273.html\" target=\"_blank\">Associated Press/yahoo</a>. However neither of these articles revealed the actual location of the museum. <em>Awesome</em>. Really, who needs to know that?!\r\n\r\nBut there has a big deal made about the red star which once graced Communist Party headquarters--it\'s in most of the photos illustrating the articles announcing the new museum. This star will be on display again. That\'s probably better than it\'s previous home. It was tucked away behind a fence and leaning up against the Sofia Bathhouse in downtown Sofia. I came across this find on <a href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/04/23/sofia-and-easter-weekend/\" target=\"_blank\">a tour with Free Sofia Tour</a>. I would have never know what the broken glass star was from without them.\r\n\r\nLuckily, I also stumbled across the \"address\" for the new museum in a <a href=\"http://www.sofiaecho.com/2011/08/26/1145333_national-art-gallery-in-sofia-to-close-for-four-months\" target=\"_blank\">Sofia Echo article</a> regarding the National Gallery in Sofia closing for 4 months for renovation. This is something the museum has been in desperate need of <a href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2009/06/29/museum-kind-of-day/\" target=\"_blank\">since I\'ve lived in Sofia</a> so I was very glad to read this.\r\n\r\nThe new museum? Well, apparently it\'s on Lachezar Stanchev Street in the Izgrev borough, near the Sofia office of the traffic police. But I have no idea where that is. Google wasn\'t really anymore helpful--the google arrow seems to be plopped down on an unnamed street close to the GM Dimitrov Metro stop.\r\n\r\nHum. This whole thing seems very, um, Bulgarian.  We\'re opening a museum but we\'re not going to give you the address or the hours. Don\'t get me wrong. I am going to check out the museum--that is once I know where it is and when I can visit.','A new museum in Sofia: Socialist Art ','','inherit','open','open','','5469-revision-4','','','2011-08-27 12:08:17','2011-08-27 10:08:17','',5469,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/08/27/5469-revision-4/',0,'revision','',0),