As luck would have it, we seem to have joined the rest of Europe now that Sofia is sporting an IKEA. We've got our own blue and yellow block building and in a few weeks our IKEA will open its doors.

Billboards around the city seem to suggest that September 20th will be the big day as does a <a href="http://www.sofiaecho.com/2011/09/09/1152504_ikea-is-here" target="_blank">Sofia Echo article</a>.

I've been thinking about this new addition to our fine city.  I am of two minds.

Here's what I've come up with. I'll start with the problems. First of all, the building is ugly as sin. Secondly, nobody is actually good at putting furniture together based on pictures.  And finally how will I be able to eat my Swedish meatballs without a shopksa salad?!

The good news? Well with advent of IKEA, it seems to me that we must also be getting Craig's List in Sofia. I mean how will twenty-somethings sell their cheaply made, poorly assembled, cookie-cutter furniture when they finally decide that it's finally time to move up to say a real dresser or a well built table? Secondly, It will also be a lot easier for me to spot Mladost from Mt Vitosha given the size and shape of IKEA. <a href="http://nervousshark.wordpress.com/2011/08/30/ikea-otgore/" target="_blank">This excellent post and picture</a> proves as much! Finally, I too will be able to buy the same art, furniture and bedspreads as everyone else in Sofia. I've been wanting