(4146,1,'2011-01-04 08:15:14','2011-01-04 06:15:14','I had a busy year.\r\n\r\nRome, Italy.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4134\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"The Colosseum\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4134\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4134\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4134 \" title=\"The Colosseum\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_2080-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nCasablanca, Marrakesh, and Essaouira Morocco.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4135\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Marrakech: Djemaa el Fna\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4135\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4135\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4135 \" title=\"Djemaa el Fna\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_3142-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4136\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Essaouira: Boats\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4136\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4136\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4136 \" title=\"Boats\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_3575-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nParis, France.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4137\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Paris and the Ef... something\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4137\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4137\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4137 \" title=\"Paris and the Ef... something\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_4089-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nBudapest, Hungry.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4138\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Budapest: Castle Hill\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4138\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4138\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4138 \" title=\"Budapest: Castle Hill\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_4900-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nBelgrade, Serbia.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4144\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Belgrade: Musuem \"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4144\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4144\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4144 \" title=\"Belgrade: Musuem \" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_4966-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nMontenegro.\r\n\r\nTirana and  Albania.\r\n\r\nLake Ohrid and Skopje, Macedonia.\r\n\r\nPristina and Prizren, Kosovo.\r\n\r\nMadrid, Spain.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4143\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Madrid&#39;s Palace\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4143\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4143\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4143 \" title=\"Madrid\'s Palace\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_6642-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]','Where in the World: Taveling in 2010','','inherit','open','open','','4132-revision-7','','','2011-01-04 08:15:14','2011-01-04 06:15:14','',4132,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/01/04/4132-revision-7/',0,'revision','',0),(4147,1,'2011-01-04 18:41:16','2011-01-04 16:41:16','','Kotor: Mts and Church ','Kotor: Mts and Church ','inherit','open','open','','img_5003','','','2011-01-04 18:41:16','2011-01-04 16:41:16','',4132,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_5003.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(4148,1,'2011-01-04 18:49:09','2011-01-04 16:49:09','','Perast: a town by the ocean','Perast: a town by the ocean','inherit','open','open','','img_5141','','','2011-01-04 18:49:09','2011-01-04 16:49:09','',4132,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_5141.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(4149,1,'2011-01-04 18:58:54','2011-01-04 16:58:54','','Beach south of Budva: Sveti Stefan','Beach south of Budva: Sveti Stefan','inherit','open','open','','img_5169','','','2011-01-04 18:58:54','2011-01-04 16:58:54','',4132,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_5169.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(4150,1,'2011-01-04 19:05:44','2011-01-04 17:05:44','','Berat: White Houses at Night','Berat: White Houses at Night','inherit','open','open','','img_5298','','','2011-01-04 19:05:44','2011-01-04 17:05:44','',4132,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_5298.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(4151,1,'2011-01-04 19:13:47','2011-01-04 17:13:47','','Tirana: Rainbow Block Buildings','Tirana: Rainbow Block Buildings','inherit','open','open','','img_5338','','','2011-01-04 19:13:47','2011-01-04 17:13:47','',4132,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_5338.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(4152,1,'2011-01-04 19:18:00','2011-01-04 17:18:00','','Lake Ohrid in White','Lake Ohrid in White','inherit','open','open','','img_5407','','','2011-01-04 19:18:00','2011-01-04 17:18:00','',4132,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_5407.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(4153,1,'2011-01-04 19:22:45','2011-01-04 17:22:45','','Pristina in light rain','Pristina in light rain','inherit','open','open','','img_5413','','','2011-01-04 19:22:45','2011-01-04 17:22:45','',4132,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_5413.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(4154,1,'2011-01-04 19:20:01','2011-01-04 17:20:01','I had a busy year.\n\nRome, Italy.\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_4134\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"The Colosseum\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4134\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4134\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4134 \" title=\"The Colosseum\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_2080-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nCasablanca, Marrakesh, and Essaouira Morocco.\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_4135\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Marrakech: Djemaa el Fna\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4135\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4135\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4135 \" title=\"Djemaa el Fna\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_3142-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_4136\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Essaouira: Boats\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4136\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4136\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4136 \" title=\"Boats\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_3575-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nParis, France.\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_4137\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Paris and the Ef... something\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4137\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4137\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4137 \" title=\"Paris and the Ef... something\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_4089-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nBudapest, Hungry.\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_4138\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Budapest: Castle Hill\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4138\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4138\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4138 \" title=\"Budapest: Castle Hill\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_4900-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nBelgrade, Serbia.\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_4144\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Belgrade: Museum \"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4144\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4144\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4144 \" title=\"Belgrade: Musuem \" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_4966-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_4147\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Kotor: Mts and Church \"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4147\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4147\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4147 \" title=\"Kotor: Mts and Church \" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_5003-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nKotor, Perast and Budva, Montenegro.\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_4148\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Perast: a town by the ocean\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4148\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4148\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4148 \" title=\"Perast: a town by the ocean\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_5141-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_4149\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Beach south of Budva: Sveti Stefan\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4149\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4149\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4149 \" title=\"Beach south of Budva: Sveti Stefan\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_5169-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_4150\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Berat: White Houses at Night\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4150\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4150\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4150 \" title=\"Berat: White Houses at Night\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_5298-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nTirana and Berat, Albania.\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_4151\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Tirana: Rainbow Block Buildings\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4151\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4151\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4151 \" title=\"Tirana: Rainbow Block Buildings\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_5338-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nLake Ohrid and Skopje, Macedonia.\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_4152\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Lake Ohrid in White\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4152\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4152\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4152 \" title=\"Lake Ohrid in White\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_5407-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nPristina and Prizren, Kosovo.\n\nMadrid, Spain.\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_4143\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Madrid&#39;s Palace\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4143\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4143\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4143 \" title=\"Madrid\'s Palace\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_6642-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]','Where in the World: Taveling in 2010','','inherit','open','open','','4132-revision-8','','','2011-01-04 19:20:01','2011-01-04 17:20:01','',4132,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/01/04/4132-revision-8/',0,'revision','',0),(4158,1,'2011-01-04 19:40:05','2011-01-04 17:40:05','I had a busy year.\n\nRome, Italy.\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_4134\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"The Colosseum\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4134\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4134\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4134 \" title=\"The Colosseum\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_2080-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nCasablanca, Marrakesh, and Essaouira Morocco.\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_4135\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Marrakech: Djemaa el Fna\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4135\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4135\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4135 \" title=\"Djemaa el Fna\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_3142-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_4136\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Essaouira: Boats\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4136\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4136\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4136 \" title=\"Boats\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_3575-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nParis, France.\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_4137\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Paris and the Ef... something\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4137\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4137\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4137 \" title=\"Paris and the Ef... something\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_4089-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nBudapest, Hungry.\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_4138\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Budapest: Castle Hill\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4138\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4138\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4138 \" title=\"Budapest: Castle Hill\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_4900-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nBelgrade, Serbia.\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_4144\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Belgrade: Museum \"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4144\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4144\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4144 \" title=\"Belgrade: Musuem \" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_4966-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nKotor, Perast and Budva, Montenegro.\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_4147\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Kotor: Mts and Church \"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4147\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4147\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4147 \" title=\"Kotor: Mts and Church \" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_5003-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_4148\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Perast: a town by the ocean\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4148\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4148\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4148 \" title=\"Perast: a town by the ocean\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_5141-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_4149\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Beach south of Budva: Sveti Stefan\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4149\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4149\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4149 \" title=\"Beach south of Budva: Sveti Stefan\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_5169-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nTirana and Berat, Albania.\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_4151\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Tirana: Rainbow Block Buildings\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4151\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4151\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4151 \" title=\"Tirana: Rainbow Block Buildings\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_5338-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_4150\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Berat: White Houses at Night\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4150\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4150\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4150 \" title=\"Berat: White Houses at Night\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_5298-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nLake Ohrid and Skopje, Macedonia.\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_4152\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Lake Ohrid in White\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4152\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4152\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4152 \" title=\"Lake Ohrid in White\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_5407-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nPristina and Prizren, Kosovo.\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_4153\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Pristina in light rain\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4153\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4153\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4153 \" title=\"Pristina in light rain\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_5413-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nMadrid, Spain.\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_4143\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Madrid&#39;s Palace\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4143\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4143\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4143 \" title=\"Madrid\'s Palace\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_6642-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]','Where in the World: Taveling in 2010','','inherit','open','open','','4132-revision-12','','','2011-01-04 19:40:05','2011-01-04 17:40:05','',4132,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/01/04/4132-revision-12/',0,'revision','',0),(4155,1,'2011-01-04 19:23:52','2011-01-04 17:23:52','I had a busy year.\r\n\r\nRome, Italy.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4134\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"The Colosseum\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4134\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4134\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4134 \" title=\"The Colosseum\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_2080-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nCasablanca, Marrakesh, and Essaouira Morocco.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4135\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Marrakech: Djemaa el Fna\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4135\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4135\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4135 \" title=\"Djemaa el Fna\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_3142-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4136\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Essaouira: Boats\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4136\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4136\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4136 \" title=\"Boats\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_3575-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nParis, France.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4137\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Paris and the Ef... something\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4137\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4137\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4137 \" title=\"Paris and the Ef... something\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_4089-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nBudapest, Hungry.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4138\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Budapest: Castle Hill\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4138\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4138\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4138 \" title=\"Budapest: Castle Hill\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_4900-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nBelgrade, Serbia.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4144\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Belgrade: Museum \"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4144\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4144\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4144 \" title=\"Belgrade: Musuem \" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_4966-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4147\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Kotor: Mts and Church \"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4147\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4147\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4147 \" title=\"Kotor: Mts and Church \" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_5003-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nKotor, Perast and Budva, Montenegro.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4148\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Perast: a town by the ocean\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4148\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4148\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4148 \" title=\"Perast: a town by the ocean\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_5141-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4149\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Beach south of Budva: Sveti Stefan\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4149\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4149\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4149 \" title=\"Beach south of Budva: Sveti Stefan\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_5169-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4150\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Berat: White Houses at Night\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4150\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4150\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4150 \" title=\"Berat: White Houses at Night\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_5298-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nTirana and Berat, Albania.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4151\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Tirana: Rainbow Block Buildings\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4151\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4151\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4151 \" title=\"Tirana: Rainbow Block Buildings\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_5338-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nLake Ohrid and Skopje, Macedonia.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4152\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Lake Ohrid in White\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4152\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4152\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4152 \" title=\"Lake Ohrid in White\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_5407-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nPristina and Prizren, Kosovo.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4153\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Pristina in light rain\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4153\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4153\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4153 \" title=\"Pristina in light rain\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_5413-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nMadrid, Spain.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4143\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Madrid&#39;s Palace\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4143\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4143\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4143 \" title=\"Madrid\'s Palace\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_6642-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]','Where in the World: Taveling in 2010','','inherit','open','open','','4132-revision-9','','','2011-01-04 19:23:52','2011-01-04 17:23:52','',4132,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/01/04/4132-revision-9/',0,'revision','',0),(4156,1,'2011-01-04 19:23:52','2011-01-04 17:23:52','I had a busy year.\r\n\r\nRome, Italy.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4134\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"The Colosseum\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4134\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4134\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4134 \" title=\"The Colosseum\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_2080-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nCasablanca, Marrakesh, and Essaouira Morocco.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4135\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Marrakech: Djemaa el Fna\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4135\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4135\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4135 \" title=\"Djemaa el Fna\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_3142-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4136\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Essaouira: Boats\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4136\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4136\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4136 \" title=\"Boats\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_3575-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nParis, France.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4137\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Paris and the Ef... something\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4137\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4137\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4137 \" title=\"Paris and the Ef... something\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_4089-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nBudapest, Hungry.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4138\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Budapest: Castle Hill\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4138\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4138\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4138 \" title=\"Budapest: Castle Hill\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_4900-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nBelgrade, Serbia.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4144\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Belgrade: Museum \"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4144\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4144\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4144 \" title=\"Belgrade: Musuem \" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_4966-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4147\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Kotor: Mts and Church \"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4147\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4147\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4147 \" title=\"Kotor: Mts and Church \" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_5003-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nKotor, Perast and Budva, Montenegro.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4148\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Perast: a town by the ocean\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4148\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4148\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4148 \" title=\"Perast: a town by the ocean\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_5141-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4149\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Beach south of Budva: Sveti Stefan\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4149\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4149\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4149 \" title=\"Beach south of Budva: Sveti Stefan\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_5169-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4150\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Berat: White Houses at Night\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4150\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4150\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4150 \" title=\"Berat: White Houses at Night\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_5298-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nTirana and Berat, Albania.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4151\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Tirana: Rainbow Block Buildings\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4151\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4151\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4151 \" title=\"Tirana: Rainbow Block Buildings\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_5338-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nLake Ohrid and Skopje, Macedonia.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4152\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Lake Ohrid in White\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4152\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4152\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4152 \" title=\"Lake Ohrid in White\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_5407-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nPristina and Prizren, Kosovo.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4153\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Pristina in light rain\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4153\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4153\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4153 \" title=\"Pristina in light rain\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_5413-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nMadrid, Spain.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4143\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Madrid&#39;s Palace\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4143\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4143\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4143 \" title=\"Madrid\'s Palace\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_6642-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]','Where in the World: Taveling in 2010','','inherit','open','open','','4132-revision-10','','','2011-01-04 19:23:52','2011-01-04 17:23:52','',4132,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/01/04/4132-revision-10/',0,'revision','',0),(4157,1,'2011-01-04 19:23:53','2011-01-04 17:23:53','I had a busy year.\r\n\r\nRome, Italy.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4134\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"The Colosseum\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4134\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4134\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4134 \" title=\"The Colosseum\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_2080-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nCasablanca, Marrakesh, and Essaouira Morocco.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4135\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Marrakech: Djemaa el Fna\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4135\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4135\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4135 \" title=\"Djemaa el Fna\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_3142-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4136\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Essaouira: Boats\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4136\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4136\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4136 \" title=\"Boats\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_3575-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nParis, France.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4137\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Paris and the Ef... something\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4137\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4137\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4137 \" title=\"Paris and the Ef... something\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_4089-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nBudapest, Hungry.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4138\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Budapest: Castle Hill\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4138\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4138\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4138 \" title=\"Budapest: Castle Hill\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_4900-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nBelgrade, Serbia.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4144\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Belgrade: Museum \"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4144\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4144\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4144 \" title=\"Belgrade: Musuem \" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_4966-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4147\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Kotor: Mts and Church \"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4147\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4147\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4147 \" title=\"Kotor: Mts and Church \" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_5003-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nKotor, Perast and Budva, Montenegro.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4148\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Perast: a town by the ocean\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4148\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4148\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4148 \" title=\"Perast: a town by the ocean\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_5141-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4149\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Beach south of Budva: Sveti Stefan\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4149\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4149\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4149 \" title=\"Beach south of Budva: Sveti Stefan\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_5169-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4150\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Berat: White Houses at Night\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4150\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4150\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4150 \" title=\"Berat: White Houses at Night\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_5298-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nTirana and Berat, Albania.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4151\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Tirana: Rainbow Block Buildings\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4151\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4151\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4151 \" title=\"Tirana: Rainbow Block Buildings\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_5338-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nLake Ohrid and Skopje, Macedonia.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4152\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Lake Ohrid in White\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4152\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4152\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4152 \" title=\"Lake Ohrid in White\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_5407-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nPristina and Prizren, Kosovo.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4153\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Pristina in light rain\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4153\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4153\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4153 \" title=\"Pristina in light rain\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_5413-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nMadrid, Spain.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4143\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Madrid&#39;s Palace\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4143\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4143\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4143 \" title=\"Madrid\'s Palace\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_6642-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]','Where in the World: Taveling in 2010','','inherit','open','open','','4132-revision-11','','','2011-01-04 19:23:53','2011-01-04 17:23:53','',4132,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/01/04/4132-revision-11/',0,'revision','',0),(4159,1,'2011-01-04 19:44:11','2011-01-04 17:44:11','I had a busy year.\r\n\r\nRome, Italy.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4134\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"The Colosseum\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4134\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4134\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4134 \" title=\"The Colosseum\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_2080-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nCasablanca, Marrakesh, and Essaouira Morocco.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4135\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Marrakech: Djemaa el Fna\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4135\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4135\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4135 \" title=\"Djemaa el Fna\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_3142-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4136\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Essaouira: Boats\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4136\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4136\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4136 \" title=\"Boats\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_3575-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nParis, France.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4137\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Paris and the Ef... something\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4137\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4137\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4137 \" title=\"Paris and the Ef... something\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_4089-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nBudapest, Hungry.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4138\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Budapest: Castle Hill\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4138\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4138\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4138 \" title=\"Budapest: Castle Hill\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_4900-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nBelgrade, Serbia.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4144\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Belgrade: Museum \"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4144\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4144\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4144 \" title=\"Belgrade: Musuem \" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_4966-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nKotor, Perast and Budva, Montenegro.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4147\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Kotor: Mts and Church \"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4147\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4147\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4147 \" title=\"Kotor: Mts and Church \" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_5003-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4148\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Perast: a town by the ocean\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4148\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4148\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4148 \" title=\"Perast: a town by the ocean\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_5141-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4149\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Beach south of Budva: Sveti Stefan\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4149\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4149\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4149 \" title=\"Beach south of Budva: Sveti Stefan\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_5169-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nTirana and Berat, Albania.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4151\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Tirana: Rainbow Block Buildings\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4151\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4151\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4151 \" title=\"Tirana: Rainbow Block Buildings\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_5338-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4150\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Berat: White Houses at Night\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4150\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4150\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4150 \" title=\"Berat: White Houses at Night\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_5298-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nLake Ohrid and Skopje, Macedonia.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4152\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Lake Ohrid in White\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4152\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4152\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4152 \" title=\"Lake Ohrid in White\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_5407-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nPristina and Prizren, Kosovo.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4153\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Pristina in light rain\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4153\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4153\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4153 \" title=\"Pristina in light rain\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_5413-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nMadrid, Spain.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4143\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Madrid&#39;s Palace\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4143\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4143\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4143 \" title=\"Madrid\'s Palace\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_6642-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]','Where in the World: Taveling in 2010','','inherit','open','open','','4132-revision-13','','','2011-01-04 19:44:11','2011-01-04 17:44:11','',4132,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/01/04/4132-revision-13/',0,'revision','',0),(4160,1,'2011-01-04 19:44:11','2011-01-04 17:44:11','I had a busy year.\r\n\r\nRome, Italy.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4134\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"The Colosseum\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4134\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4134\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4134 \" title=\"The Colosseum\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_2080-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nCasablanca, Marrakesh, and Essaouira Morocco.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4135\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Marrakech: Djemaa el Fna\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4135\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4135\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4135 \" title=\"Djemaa el Fna\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_3142-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4136\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Essaouira: Boats\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4136\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4136\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4136 \" title=\"Boats\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_3575-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nParis, France.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4137\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Paris and the Ef... something\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4137\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4137\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4137 \" title=\"Paris and the Ef... something\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_4089-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nBudapest, Hungry.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4138\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Budapest: Castle Hill\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4138\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4138\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4138 \" title=\"Budapest: Castle Hill\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_4900-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nBelgrade, Serbia.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4144\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Belgrade: Museum \"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4144\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4144\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4144 \" title=\"Belgrade: Musuem \" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_4966-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nKotor, Perast and Budva, Montenegro.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4147\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Kotor: Mts and Church \"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4147\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4147\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4147 \" title=\"Kotor: Mts and Church \" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_5003-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4148\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Perast: a town by the ocean\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4148\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4148\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4148 \" title=\"Perast: a town by the ocean\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_5141-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4149\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Beach south of Budva: Sveti Stefan\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4149\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4149\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4149 \" title=\"Beach south of Budva: Sveti Stefan\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_5169-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nTirana and Berat, Albania.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4151\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Tirana: Rainbow Block Buildings\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4151\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4151\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4151 \" title=\"Tirana: Rainbow Block Buildings\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_5338-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4150\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Berat: White Houses at Night\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4150\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4150\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4150 \" title=\"Berat: White Houses at Night\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_5298-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nLake Ohrid and Skopje, Macedonia.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4152\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Lake Ohrid in White\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4152\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4152\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4152 \" title=\"Lake Ohrid in White\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_5407-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nPristina and Prizren, Kosovo.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4153\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Pristina in light rain\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4153\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4153\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4153 \" title=\"Pristina in light rain\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_5413-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nMadrid, Spain.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4143\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Madrid&#39;s Palace\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4143\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4143\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4143 \" title=\"Madrid\'s Palace\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_6642-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]','Where in the World: Taveling in 2010','','inherit','open','open','','4132-revision-14','','','2011-01-04 19:44:11','2011-01-04 17:44:11','',4132,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/01/04/4132-revision-14/',0,'revision','',0),(4161,1,'2011-01-04 19:44:12','2011-01-04 17:44:12','I had a busy year.\r\n\r\nRome, Italy.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4134\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"The Colosseum\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4134\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4134\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4134 \" title=\"The Colosseum\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_2080-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nCasablanca, Marrakesh, and Essaouira Morocco.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4135\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Marrakech: Djemaa el Fna\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4135\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4135\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4135 \" title=\"Djemaa el Fna\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_3142-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4136\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Essaouira: Boats\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4136\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4136\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4136 \" title=\"Boats\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_3575-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nParis, France.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4137\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Paris and the Ef... something\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4137\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4137\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4137 \" title=\"Paris and the Ef... something\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_4089-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nBudapest, Hungry.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4138\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Budapest: Castle Hill\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4138\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4138\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4138 \" title=\"Budapest: Castle Hill\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_4900-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nBelgrade, Serbia.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4144\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Belgrade: Museum \"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4144\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4144\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4144 \" title=\"Belgrade: Musuem \" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_4966-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nKotor, Perast and Budva, Montenegro.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4147\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Kotor: Mts and Church \"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4147\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4147\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4147 \" title=\"Kotor: Mts and Church \" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_5003-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4148\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Perast: a town by the ocean\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4148\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4148\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4148 \" title=\"Perast: a town by the ocean\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_5141-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4149\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Beach south of Budva: Sveti Stefan\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4149\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4149\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4149 \" title=\"Beach south of Budva: Sveti Stefan\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_5169-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nTirana and Berat, Albania.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4151\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Tirana: Rainbow Block Buildings\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4151\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4151\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4151 \" title=\"Tirana: Rainbow Block Buildings\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_5338-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4150\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Berat: White Houses at Night\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4150\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4150\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4150 \" title=\"Berat: White Houses at Night\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_5298-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nLake Ohrid and Skopje, Macedonia.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4152\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Lake Ohrid in White\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4152\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4152\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4152 \" title=\"Lake Ohrid in White\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_5407-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nPristina and Prizren, Kosovo.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4153\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Pristina in light rain\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4153\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4153\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4153 \" title=\"Pristina in light rain\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_5413-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nMadrid, Spain.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4143\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Madrid&#39;s Palace\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4143\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4143\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4143 \" title=\"Madrid\'s Palace\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_6642-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]','Where in the World: Taveling in 2010','','inherit','open','open','','4132-revision-15','','','2011-01-04 19:44:12','2011-01-04 17:44:12','',4132,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/01/04/4132-revision-15/',0,'revision','',0),(4162,1,'2011-01-04 20:17:33','2011-01-04 18:17:33','When it comes to travel, I had a busy year.\n\nStill wen I thought: I\'ll put together a photo from each of the places I traveled to, I never thought it would take me as long as it has.  First I had a longer list to make than I originally thought. Then I had to look through all of my photos and re-live the day. Finally I had to pick which single photo I wanted to use to represent the city/trip/adventure.\n\nIn January, I went with friends to Rome, Italy. I ate lots of great food and played for a long weekend in Rome.\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_4134\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"The Colosseum\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4134\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4134\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4134 \" title=\"The Colosseum\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_2080-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nFor spring break I hit up Casablanca, Marrakesh, and Essaouira, Morocco with a friend. I\'ve never been to a place like this before--the colors, foods, smells and sights were all incredible.\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_4135\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Marrakech: Djemaa el Fna\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4135\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4135\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4135 \" title=\"Djemaa el Fna\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_3142-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_4136\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Essaouira: Boats\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4136\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4136\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4136 \" title=\"Boats\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_3575-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nI hopped on a plane to spend an extra long weekend in Paris, France. Paris was pretty wonderful in the spring.\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_4137\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Paris and the Ef... something\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4137\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4137\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4137 \" title=\"Paris and the Ef... something\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_4089-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nIn July I went on a whirl-wind tour of the Balkans with my friend R. We met up in Budapest, Hungry.\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_4138\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Budapest: Castle Hill\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4138\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4138\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4138 \" title=\"Budapest: Castle Hill\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_4900-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nAn eight or so hour train ride later we found ourselves in Belgrade, Serbia.\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_4144\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Belgrade: Museum \"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4144\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4144\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4144 \" title=\"Belgrade: Musuem \" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_4966-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nThen we spent a week by the ocean. This was one of the best parts of the trip. Kotor, Perast and Budva, Montenegro have rocky but wildly beautiful beaches.\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_4147\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Kotor: Mts and Church \"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4147\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4147\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4147 \" title=\"Kotor: Mts and Church \" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_5003-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_4148\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Perast: a town by the ocean\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4148\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4148\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4148 \" title=\"Perast: a town by the ocean\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_5141-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_4149\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Beach south of Budva: Sveti Stefan\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4149\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4149\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4149 \" title=\"Beach south of Budva: Sveti Stefan\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_5169-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nFrom Montenegro we headed to Albania. This was a little bit of a shock to start with. Albania is not an outwardly beautiful country but the people we met were some of the nicest on the trip. There were few tourists in either Tirana or Berat, Albania which was a relief after a couple of days in Budva. Tirana is young, hip and modern while Berat feels older--classic Ottoman--and clings to a mountain side.\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_4151\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Tirana: Rainbow Block Buildings\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4151\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4151\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4151 \" title=\"Tirana: Rainbow Block Buildings\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_5338-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_4150\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Berat: White Houses at Night\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4150\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4150\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4150 \" title=\"Berat: White Houses at Night\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_5298-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nWe crossed the boarder between Albania and Macedonia on foot after a crazy drive in a furgon and a longer than anticipated walk from the Macedonian side of the boarder (sorry R.). Luckily Lake Ohrid was great. Plenty of tourists but also some great beaches. From Lake Ohrid we checked out Skopje, Macedonia.\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_4152\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Lake Ohrid in White\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4152\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4152\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4152 \" title=\"Lake Ohrid in White\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_5407-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nThen in the boldest part of our journey we crossed the boarder into Kosovo to explore Pristina and Prizren. It was totally worth it. And kind of strange to think about now that I am at home in Walla Walla writing this post.\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_4153\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Pristina in light rain\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4153\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4153\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4153 \" title=\"Pristina in light rain\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_5413-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nFinally, in November, I met up with my friend D. in Madrid, Spain. Madrid was lovely and exactly the break that I needed in the middle of the first semester of school.\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_4143\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Madrid&#39;s Palace\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4143\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4143\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4143 \" title=\"Madrid\'s Palace\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_6642-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]','Where in the World: Taveling in 2010','','inherit','open','open','','4132-revision-16','','','2011-01-04 20:17:33','2011-01-04 18:17:33','',4132,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/01/04/4132-revision-16/',0,'revision','',0),(4163,1,'2011-01-04 20:17:47','2011-01-04 18:17:47','When it comes to travel, I had a busy year.\r\n\r\nStill wen I thought: I\'ll put together a photo from each of the places I traveled to, I never thought it would take me as long as it has.  First I had a longer list to make than I originally thought. Then I had to look through all of my photos and re-live the day. Finally I had to pick which single photo I wanted to use to represent the city/trip/adventure.\r\n\r\nIn January, I went with friends to Rome, Italy. I ate lots of great food and played for a long weekend in Rome.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4134\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"The Colosseum\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4134\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4134\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4134 \" title=\"The Colosseum\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_2080-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nFor spring break I hit up Casablanca, Marrakesh, and Essaouira, Morocco with a friend. I\'ve never been to a place like this before--the colors, foods, smells and sights were all incredible.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4135\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Marrakech: Djemaa el Fna\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4135\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4135\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4135 \" title=\"Djemaa el Fna\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_3142-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4136\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Essaouira: Boats\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4136\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4136\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4136 \" title=\"Boats\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_3575-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nI hopped on a plane to spend an extra long weekend in Paris, France. Paris was pretty wonderful in the spring.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4137\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Paris and the Ef... something\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4137\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4137\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4137 \" title=\"Paris and the Ef... something\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_4089-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nIn July I went on a whirl-wind tour of the Balkans with my friend R. We met up in Budapest, Hungry.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4138\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Budapest: Castle Hill\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4138\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4138\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4138 \" title=\"Budapest: Castle Hill\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_4900-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nAn eight or so hour train ride later we found ourselves in Belgrade, Serbia.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4144\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Belgrade: Museum \"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4144\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4144\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4144 \" title=\"Belgrade: Musuem \" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_4966-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nThen we spent a week by the ocean. This was one of the best parts of the trip. Kotor, Perast and Budva, Montenegro have rocky but wildly beautiful beaches.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4147\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Kotor: Mts and Church \"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4147\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4147\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4147 \" title=\"Kotor: Mts and Church \" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_5003-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4148\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Perast: a town by the ocean\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4148\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4148\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4148 \" title=\"Perast: a town by the ocean\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_5141-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4149\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Beach south of Budva: Sveti Stefan\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4149\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4149\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4149 \" title=\"Beach south of Budva: Sveti Stefan\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_5169-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nFrom Montenegro we headed to Albania. This was a little bit of a shock to start with. Albania is not an outwardly beautiful country but the people we met were some of the nicest on the trip. There were few tourists in either Tirana or Berat, Albania which was a relief after a couple of days in Budva. Tirana is young, hip and modern while Berat feels older--classic Ottoman--and clings to a mountain side.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4151\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Tirana: Rainbow Block Buildings\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4151\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4151\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4151 \" title=\"Tirana: Rainbow Block Buildings\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_5338-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4150\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Berat: White Houses at Night\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4150\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4150\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4150 \" title=\"Berat: White Houses at Night\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_5298-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nWe crossed the boarder between Albania and Macedonia on foot after a crazy drive in a furgon and a longer than anticipated walk from the Macedonian side of the boarder (sorry R.). Luckily Lake Ohrid was great. Plenty of tourists but also some great beaches. From Lake Ohrid we checked out Skopje, Macedonia.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4152\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Lake Ohrid in White\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4152\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4152\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4152 \" title=\"Lake Ohrid in White\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_5407-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nThen in the boldest part of our journey we crossed the boarder into Kosovo to explore Pristina and Prizren. It was totally worth it. And kind of strange to think about now that I am at home in Walla Walla writing this post.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4153\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Pristina in light rain\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4153\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4153\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4153 \" title=\"Pristina in light rain\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_5413-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nFinally, in November, I met up with my friend D. in Madrid, Spain. Madrid was lovely and exactly the break that I needed in the middle of the first semester of school.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4143\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Madrid&#39;s Palace\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4143\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4143\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4143 \" title=\"Madrid\'s Palace\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_6642-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]','Where in the World: Taveling in 2010','','inherit','open','open','','4132-revision-17','','','2011-01-04 20:17:47','2011-01-04 18:17:47','',4132,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/01/04/4132-revision-17/',0,'revision','',0),(4164,1,'2011-01-04 20:17:47','2011-01-04 18:17:47','When it comes to travel, I had a busy year.\r\n\r\nStill wen I thought: I\'ll put together a photo from each of the places I traveled to, I never thought it would take me as long as it has.  First I had a longer list to make than I originally thought. Then I had to look through all of my photos and re-live the day. Finally I had to pick which single photo I wanted to use to represent the city/trip/adventure.\r\n\r\nIn January, I went with friends to Rome, Italy. I ate lots of great food and played for a long weekend in Rome.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4134\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"The Colosseum\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4134\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4134\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4134 \" title=\"The Colosseum\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_2080-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nFor spring break I hit up Casablanca, Marrakesh, and Essaouira, Morocco with a friend. I\'ve never been to a place like this before--the colors, foods, smells and sights were all incredible.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4135\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Marrakech: Djemaa el Fna\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4135\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4135\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4135 \" title=\"Djemaa el Fna\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_3142-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4136\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Essaouira: Boats\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4136\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4136\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4136 \" title=\"Boats\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_3575-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nI hopped on a plane to spend an extra long weekend in Paris, France. Paris was pretty wonderful in the spring.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4137\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Paris and the Ef... something\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4137\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4137\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4137 \" title=\"Paris and the Ef... something\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_4089-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nIn July I went on a whirl-wind tour of the Balkans with my friend R. We met up in Budapest, Hungry.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4138\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Budapest: Castle Hill\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4138\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4138\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4138 \" title=\"Budapest: Castle Hill\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_4900-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nAn eight or so hour train ride later we found ourselves in Belgrade, Serbia.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4144\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Belgrade: Museum \"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4144\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4144\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4144 \" title=\"Belgrade: Musuem \" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_4966-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nThen we spent a week by the ocean. This was one of the best parts of the trip. Kotor, Perast and Budva, Montenegro have rocky but wildly beautiful beaches.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4147\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Kotor: Mts and Church \"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4147\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4147\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4147 \" title=\"Kotor: Mts and Church \" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_5003-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4148\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Perast: a town by the ocean\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4148\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4148\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4148 \" title=\"Perast: a town by the ocean\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_5141-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4149\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Beach south of Budva: Sveti Stefan\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4149\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4149\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4149 \" title=\"Beach south of Budva: Sveti Stefan\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_5169-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nFrom Montenegro we headed to Albania. This was a little bit of a shock to start with. Albania is not an outwardly beautiful country but the people we met were some of the nicest on the trip. There were few tourists in either Tirana or Berat, Albania which was a relief after a couple of days in Budva. Tirana is young, hip and modern while Berat feels older--classic Ottoman--and clings to a mountain side.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4151\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Tirana: Rainbow Block Buildings\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4151\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4151\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4151 \" title=\"Tirana: Rainbow Block Buildings\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_5338-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4150\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Berat: White Houses at Night\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4150\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4150\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4150 \" title=\"Berat: White Houses at Night\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_5298-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nWe crossed the boarder between Albania and Macedonia on foot after a crazy drive in a furgon and a longer than anticipated walk from the Macedonian side of the boarder (sorry R.). Luckily Lake Ohrid was great. Plenty of tourists but also some great beaches. From Lake Ohrid we checked out Skopje, Macedonia.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4152\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Lake Ohrid in White\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4152\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4152\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4152 \" title=\"Lake Ohrid in White\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_5407-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nThen in the boldest part of our journey we crossed the boarder into Kosovo to explore Pristina and Prizren. It was totally worth it. And kind of strange to think about now that I am at home in Walla Walla writing this post.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4153\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Pristina in light rain\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4153\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4153\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4153 \" title=\"Pristina in light rain\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_5413-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nFinally, in November, I met up with my friend D. in Madrid, Spain. Madrid was lovely and exactly the break that I needed in the middle of the first semester of school.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4143\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Madrid&#39;s Palace\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4143\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4143\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4143 \" title=\"Madrid\'s Palace\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_6642-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]','Where in the World: Taveling in 2010','','inherit','open','open','','4132-revision-18','','','2011-01-04 20:17:47','2011-01-04 18:17:47','',4132,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/01/04/4132-revision-18/',0,'revision','',0),(4165,1,'2011-01-04 20:17:48','2011-01-04 18:17:48','When it comes to travel, I had a busy year.\r\n\r\nStill wen I thought: I\'ll put together a photo from each of the places I traveled to, I never thought it would take me as long as it has.  First I had a longer list to make than I originally thought. Then I had to look through all of my photos and re-live the day. Finally I had to pick which single photo I wanted to use to represent the city/trip/adventure.\r\n\r\nIn January, I went with friends to Rome, Italy. I ate lots of great food and played for a long weekend in Rome.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4134\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"The Colosseum\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4134\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4134\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4134 \" title=\"The Colosseum\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_2080-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nFor spring break I hit up Casablanca, Marrakesh, and Essaouira, Morocco with a friend. I\'ve never been to a place like this before--the colors, foods, smells and sights were all incredible.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4135\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Marrakech: Djemaa el Fna\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4135\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4135\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4135 \" title=\"Djemaa el Fna\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_3142-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4136\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Essaouira: Boats\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4136\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4136\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4136 \" title=\"Boats\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_3575-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nI hopped on a plane to spend an extra long weekend in Paris, France. Paris was pretty wonderful in the spring.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4137\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Paris and the Ef... something\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4137\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4137\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4137 \" title=\"Paris and the Ef... something\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_4089-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nIn July I went on a whirl-wind tour of the Balkans with my friend R. We met up in Budapest, Hungry.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4138\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Budapest: Castle Hill\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4138\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4138\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4138 \" title=\"Budapest: Castle Hill\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_4900-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nAn eight or so hour train ride later we found ourselves in Belgrade, Serbia.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4144\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Belgrade: Museum \"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4144\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4144\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4144 \" title=\"Belgrade: Musuem \" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_4966-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nThen we spent a week by the ocean. This was one of the best parts of the trip. Kotor, Perast and Budva, Montenegro have rocky but wildly beautiful beaches.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4147\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Kotor: Mts and Church \"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4147\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4147\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4147 \" title=\"Kotor: Mts and Church \" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_5003-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4148\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Perast: a town by the ocean\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4148\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4148\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4148 \" title=\"Perast: a town by the ocean\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_5141-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4149\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Beach south of Budva: Sveti Stefan\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4149\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4149\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4149 \" title=\"Beach south of Budva: Sveti Stefan\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_5169-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nFrom Montenegro we headed to Albania. This was a little bit of a shock to start with. Albania is not an outwardly beautiful country but the people we met were some of the nicest on the trip. There were few tourists in either Tirana or Berat, Albania which was a relief after a couple of days in Budva. Tirana is young, hip and modern while Berat feels older--classic Ottoman--and clings to a mountain side.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4151\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Tirana: Rainbow Block Buildings\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4151\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4151\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4151 \" title=\"Tirana: Rainbow Block Buildings\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_5338-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4150\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Berat: White Houses at Night\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4150\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4150\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4150 \" title=\"Berat: White Houses at Night\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_5298-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nWe crossed the boarder between Albania and Macedonia on foot after a crazy drive in a furgon and a longer than anticipated walk from the Macedonian side of the boarder (sorry R.). Luckily Lake Ohrid was great. Plenty of tourists but also some great beaches. From Lake Ohrid we checked out Skopje, Macedonia.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4152\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Lake Ohrid in White\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4152\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4152\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4152 \" title=\"Lake Ohrid in White\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_5407-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nThen in the boldest part of our journey we crossed the boarder into Kosovo to explore Pristina and Prizren. It was totally worth it. And kind of strange to think about now that I am at home in Walla Walla writing this post.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4153\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Pristina in light rain\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4153\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4153\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4153 \" title=\"Pristina in light rain\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_5413-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nFinally, in November, I met up with my friend D. in Madrid, Spain. Madrid was lovely and exactly the break that I needed in the middle of the first semester of school.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4143\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Madrid&#39;s Palace\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4143\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4143\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4143 \" title=\"Madrid\'s Palace\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_6642-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]','Where in the World: Taveling in 2010','','inherit','open','open','','4132-revision-19','','','2011-01-04 20:17:48','2011-01-04 18:17:48','',4132,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/01/04/4132-revision-19/',0,'revision','',0),(4166,1,'2011-01-04 20:19:53','2011-01-04 18:19:53','When it comes to travel, I had a busy year.\n\nStill when I thought: I\'ll put together a photo from each of the places I traveled to, I never thought it would take me as long as it has.  First I had a longer list to make than I originally thought. Then I had to look through all of my photos and re-live the day. Finally I had to pick which single photo I wanted to use to represent the city/trip/adventure.\n\nIn January, I went with friends to Rome, Italy. I ate lots of great food and played for a long weekend in Rome.\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_4134\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"The Colosseum\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4134\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4134\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4134 \" title=\"The Colosseum\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_2080-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nFor spring break I hit up Casablanca, Marrakesh, and Essaouira, Morocco with a friend. I\'ve never been to a place like this before--the colors, foods, smells and sights were all incredible.\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_4135\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Marrakech: Djemaa el Fna\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4135\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4135\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4135 \" title=\"Djemaa el Fna\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_3142-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_4136\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Essaouira: Boats\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4136\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4136\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4136 \" title=\"Boats\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_3575-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nI hopped on a plane to spend an extra long weekend in Paris, France. Paris was pretty wonderful in the spring.\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_4137\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Paris and the Ef... something\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4137\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4137\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4137 \" title=\"Paris and the Ef... something\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_4089-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nIn July I went on a whirl-wind tour of the Balkans with my friend R. We met up in Budapest, Hungry.\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_4138\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Budapest: Castle Hill\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4138\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4138\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4138 \" title=\"Budapest: Castle Hill\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_4900-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nAn eight or so hour train ride later we found ourselves in Belgrade, Serbia.\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_4144\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Belgrade: Museum \"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4144\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4144\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4144 \" title=\"Belgrade: Musuem \" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_4966-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nThen we spent a week by the ocean. This was one of the best parts of the trip. Kotor, Perast and Budva, Montenegro have rocky but wildly beautiful beaches.\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_4147\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Kotor: Mts and Church \"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4147\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4147\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4147 \" title=\"Kotor: Mts and Church \" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_5003-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_4148\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Perast: a town by the ocean\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4148\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4148\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4148 \" title=\"Perast: a town by the ocean\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_5141-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_4149\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Beach south of Budva: Sveti Stefan\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4149\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4149\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4149 \" title=\"Beach south of Budva: Sveti Stefan\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_5169-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nFrom Montenegro we headed to Albania. This was a little bit of a shock to start with. Albania is not an outwardly beautiful country but the people we met were some of the nicest on the trip. There were few tourists in either Tirana or Berat, Albania which was a relief after a couple of days in Budva. Tirana is young, hip and modern while Berat feels older--classic Ottoman--and clings to a mountain side.\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_4151\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Tirana: Rainbow Block Buildings\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4151\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4151\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4151 \" title=\"Tirana: Rainbow Block Buildings\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_5338-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_4150\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Berat: White Houses at Night\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4150\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4150\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4150 \" title=\"Berat: White Houses at Night\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_5298-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nWe crossed the boarder between Albania and Macedonia on foot after a crazy drive in a furgon and a longer than anticipated walk from the Macedonian side of the boarder (sorry R.). Luckily Lake Ohrid was great. Plenty of tourists but also some great beaches. From Lake Ohrid we checked out Skopje, Macedonia.\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_4152\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Lake Ohrid in White\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4152\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4152\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4152 \" title=\"Lake Ohrid in White\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_5407-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nThen in the boldest part of our journey we crossed the boarder into Kosovo to explore Pristina and Prizren. It was totally worth it. And kind of strange to think about now that I am at home in Walla Walla writing this post.\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_4153\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Pristina in light rain\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4153\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4153\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4153 \" title=\"Pristina in light rain\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_5413-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nFinally, in November, I met up with my friend D. in Madrid, Spain. Madrid was lovely and exactly the break that I needed in the middle of the first semester of school.\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_4143\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Madrid&#39;s Palace\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4143\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4143\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4143 \" title=\"Madrid\'s Palace\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_6642-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nNow I guess the only question is: where will I go in 2011?! ','Where in the World: Taveling in 2010','','inherit','open','open','','4132-revision-20','','','2011-01-04 20:19:53','2011-01-04 18:19:53','',4132,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/01/04/4132-revision-20/',0,'revision','',0),(4167,1,'2011-01-04 20:20:09','2011-01-04 18:20:09','When it comes to travel, I had a busy year.\r\n\r\nStill when I thought: I\'ll put together a photo from each of the places I traveled to, I never thought it would take me as long as it has.  First I had a longer list to make than I originally thought. Then I had to look through all of my photos and re-live the day. Finally I had to pick which single photo I wanted to use to represent the city/trip/adventure.\r\n\r\nIn January, I went with friends to Rome, Italy. I ate lots of great food and played for a long weekend in Rome.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4134\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"The Colosseum\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4134\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4134\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4134 \" title=\"The Colosseum\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_2080-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nFor spring break I hit up Casablanca, Marrakesh, and Essaouira, Morocco with a friend. I\'ve never been to a place like this before--the colors, foods, smells and sights were all incredible.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4135\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Marrakech: Djemaa el Fna\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4135\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4135\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4135 \" title=\"Djemaa el Fna\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_3142-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4136\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Essaouira: Boats\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4136\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4136\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4136 \" title=\"Boats\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_3575-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nI hopped on a plane to spend an extra long weekend in Paris, France. Paris was pretty wonderful in the spring.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4137\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Paris and the Ef... something\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4137\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4137\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4137 \" title=\"Paris and the Ef... something\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_4089-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nIn July I went on a whirl-wind tour of the Balkans with my friend R. We met up in Budapest, Hungry.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4138\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Budapest: Castle Hill\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4138\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4138\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4138 \" title=\"Budapest: Castle Hill\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_4900-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nAn eight or so hour train ride later we found ourselves in Belgrade, Serbia.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4144\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Belgrade: Museum \"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4144\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4144\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4144 \" title=\"Belgrade: Musuem \" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_4966-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nThen we spent a week by the ocean. This was one of the best parts of the trip. Kotor, Perast and Budva, Montenegro have rocky but wildly beautiful beaches.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4147\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Kotor: Mts and Church \"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4147\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4147\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4147 \" title=\"Kotor: Mts and Church \" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_5003-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4148\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Perast: a town by the ocean\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4148\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4148\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4148 \" title=\"Perast: a town by the ocean\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_5141-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4149\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Beach south of Budva: Sveti Stefan\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4149\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4149\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4149 \" title=\"Beach south of Budva: Sveti Stefan\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_5169-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nFrom Montenegro we headed to Albania. This was a little bit of a shock to start with. Albania is not an outwardly beautiful country but the people we met were some of the nicest on the trip. There were few tourists in either Tirana or Berat, Albania which was a relief after a couple of days in Budva. Tirana is young, hip and modern while Berat feels older--classic Ottoman--and clings to a mountain side.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4151\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Tirana: Rainbow Block Buildings\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4151\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4151\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4151 \" title=\"Tirana: Rainbow Block Buildings\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_5338-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4150\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Berat: White Houses at Night\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4150\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4150\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4150 \" title=\"Berat: White Houses at Night\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_5298-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nWe crossed the boarder between Albania and Macedonia on foot after a crazy drive in a furgon and a longer than anticipated walk from the Macedonian side of the boarder (sorry R.). Luckily Lake Ohrid was great. Plenty of tourists but also some great beaches. From Lake Ohrid we checked out Skopje, Macedonia.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4152\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Lake Ohrid in White\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4152\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4152\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4152 \" title=\"Lake Ohrid in White\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_5407-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nThen in the boldest part of our journey we crossed the boarder into Kosovo to explore Pristina and Prizren. It was totally worth it. And kind of strange to think about now that I am at home in Walla Walla writing this post.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4153\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Pristina in light rain\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4153\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4153\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4153 \" title=\"Pristina in light rain\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_5413-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nFinally, in November, I met up with my friend D. in Madrid, Spain. Madrid was lovely and exactly the break that I needed in the middle of the first semester of school.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4143\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Madrid&#39;s Palace\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4143\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4143\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4143 \" title=\"Madrid\'s Palace\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_6642-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nNow I guess the only question is: where will I go in 2011?! ','Where in the World: Taveling in 2010','','inherit','open','open','','4132-revision-21','','','2011-01-04 20:20:09','2011-01-04 18:20:09','',4132,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/01/04/4132-revision-21/',0,'revision','',0),(4168,1,'2011-01-04 20:24:15','2011-01-04 18:24:15','When it comes to travel, I had a busy year.\n\nStill when I thought: I\'ll put together a photo from each of the places I traveled to, I never thought it would take me as long as it has.  First I had a longer list to make than I originally thought. Then I had to look through all of my photos and re-live the day. Finally I had to pick which single photo I wanted to use to represent the city/trip/adventure.\n\nIn January, I went with friends to Rome, Italy. I ate lots of great food and played for a long weekend in Rome.\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_4134\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"The Colosseum\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4134\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4134\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4134 \" title=\"The Colosseum\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_2080-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nFor spring break I hit up Casablanca, Marrakesh, and Essaouira, Morocco with a friend. I\'ve never been to a place like this before--the colors, foods, smells and sights were all incredible.\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_4135\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Marrakech: Djemaa el Fna\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4135\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4135\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4135 \" title=\"Djemaa el Fna\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_3142-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_4136\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Essaouira: Boats\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4136\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4136\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4136 \" title=\"Boats\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_3575-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nI hopped on a plane to spend an extra long weekend in Paris, France. Paris was pretty wonderful in the spring. I thought I might not like Paris. I thought it might be too cutesy. But Paris won me over. Don\'t worry.\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_4137\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Paris and the Ef... something\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4137\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4137\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4137 \" title=\"Paris and the Ef... something\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_4089-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n<!--more-->In July I went on a whirl-wind tour of the Balkans with my friend R. We met up in Budapest, Hungry. R. used to live there and this was my third visit. So we ate and drank and gossiped rather than go sight-seeing.\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_4138\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Budapest: Castle Hill\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4138\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4138\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4138 \" title=\"Budapest: Castle Hill\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_4900-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nAn eight or so hour train ride later we found ourselves in Belgrade, Serbia. Belgrade is a pretty great city. I really dig walking around this town.\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_4144\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Belgrade: Museum \"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4144\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4144\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4144 \" title=\"Belgrade: Musuem \" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_4966-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nThen we spent a week by the ocean. This was one of the best parts of the trip. Kotor, Perast and Budva, Montenegro have rocky but wildly beautiful beaches.\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_4147\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Kotor: Mts and Church \"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4147\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4147\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4147 \" title=\"Kotor: Mts and Church \" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_5003-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_4148\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Perast: a town by the ocean\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4148\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4148\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4148 \" title=\"Perast: a town by the ocean\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_5141-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_4149\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Beach south of Budva: Sveti Stefan\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4149\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4149\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4149 \" title=\"Beach south of Budva: Sveti Stefan\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_5169-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nFrom Montenegro we headed to Albania. This was a little bit of a shock to start with. Albania is not an outwardly beautiful country but the people we met were some of the nicest on the trip. There were few tourists in either Tirana or Berat, Albania which was a relief after a couple of days in Budva. Tirana is young, hip and modern while Berat feels older--classic Ottoman--and clings to a mountain side.\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_4151\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Tirana: Rainbow Block Buildings\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4151\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4151\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4151 \" title=\"Tirana: Rainbow Block Buildings\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_5338-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_4150\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Berat: White Houses at Night\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4150\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4150\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4150 \" title=\"Berat: White Houses at Night\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_5298-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nWe crossed the boarder between Albania and Macedonia on foot after a crazy drive in a furgon and a longer than anticipated walk from the Macedonian side of the boarder (sorry R.). Luckily Lake Ohrid was great. Plenty of tourists but also some great beaches. From Lake Ohrid we checked out Skopje, Macedonia.\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_4152\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Lake Ohrid in White\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4152\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4152\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4152 \" title=\"Lake Ohrid in White\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_5407-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nThen in the boldest part of our journey we crossed the boarder into Kosovo to explore Pristina and Prizren. It was totally worth it. And kind of strange to think about now that I am at home in Walla Walla writing this post.\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_4153\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Pristina in light rain\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4153\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4153\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4153 \" title=\"Pristina in light rain\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_5413-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nFinally, in November, I met up with my friend D. in Madrid, Spain. Madrid was lovely and exactly the break that I needed in the middle of the first semester of school.\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_4143\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Madrid&#39;s Palace\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4143\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4143\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4143 \" title=\"Madrid\'s Palace\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_6642-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nNow I guess the only question is: where will I go in 2011?!','Where in the World: Taveling in 2010','','inherit','open','open','','4132-revision-22','','','2011-01-04 20:24:15','2011-01-04 18:24:15','',4132,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/01/04/4132-revision-22/',0,'revision','',0),(4169,1,'2011-01-04 20:24:19','2011-01-04 18:24:19','When it comes to travel, I had a busy year.\r\n\r\nStill when I thought: I\'ll put together a photo from each of the places I traveled to, I never thought it would take me as long as it has.  First I had a longer list to make than I originally thought. Then I had to look through all of my photos and re-live the day. Finally I had to pick which single photo I wanted to use to represent the city/trip/adventure.\r\n\r\nIn January, I went with friends to Rome, Italy. I ate lots of great food and played for a long weekend in Rome.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4134\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"The Colosseum\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4134\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4134\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4134 \" title=\"The Colosseum\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_2080-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nFor spring break I hit up Casablanca, Marrakesh, and Essaouira, Morocco with a friend. I\'ve never been to a place like this before--the colors, foods, smells and sights were all incredible.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4135\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Marrakech: Djemaa el Fna\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4135\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4135\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4135 \" title=\"Djemaa el Fna\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_3142-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4136\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Essaouira: Boats\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4136\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4136\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4136 \" title=\"Boats\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_3575-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nI hopped on a plane to spend an extra long weekend in Paris, France. Paris was pretty wonderful in the spring. I thought I might not like Paris. I thought it might be too cutesy. But Paris won me over. Don\'t worry.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4137\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Paris and the Ef... something\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4137\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4137\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4137 \" title=\"Paris and the Ef... something\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_4089-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n<!--more-->In July I went on a whirl-wind tour of the Balkans with my friend R. We met up in Budapest, Hungry. R. used to live there and this was my third visit. So we ate and drank and gossiped rather than go sight-seeing.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4138\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Budapest: Castle Hill\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4138\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4138\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4138 \" title=\"Budapest: Castle Hill\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_4900-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nAn eight or so hour train ride later we found ourselves in Belgrade, Serbia. Belgrade is a pretty great city. I really dig walking around this town.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4144\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Belgrade: Museum \"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4144\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4144\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4144 \" title=\"Belgrade: Musuem \" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_4966-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nThen we spent a week by the ocean. This was one of the best parts of the trip. Kotor, Perast and Budva, Montenegro have rocky but wildly beautiful beaches.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4147\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Kotor: Mts and Church \"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4147\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4147\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4147 \" title=\"Kotor: Mts and Church \" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_5003-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4148\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Perast: a town by the ocean\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4148\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4148\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4148 \" title=\"Perast: a town by the ocean\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_5141-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4149\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Beach south of Budva: Sveti Stefan\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4149\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4149\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4149 \" title=\"Beach south of Budva: Sveti Stefan\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_5169-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nFrom Montenegro we headed to Albania. This was a little bit of a shock to start with. Albania is not an outwardly beautiful country but the people we met were some of the nicest on the trip. There were few tourists in either Tirana or Berat, Albania which was a relief after a couple of days in Budva. Tirana is young, hip and modern while Berat feels older--classic Ottoman--and clings to a mountain side.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4151\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Tirana: Rainbow Block Buildings\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4151\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4151\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4151 \" title=\"Tirana: Rainbow Block Buildings\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_5338-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4150\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Berat: White Houses at Night\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4150\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4150\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4150 \" title=\"Berat: White Houses at Night\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_5298-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nWe crossed the boarder between Albania and Macedonia on foot after a crazy drive in a furgon and a longer than anticipated walk from the Macedonian side of the boarder (sorry R.). Luckily Lake Ohrid was great. Plenty of tourists but also some great beaches. From Lake Ohrid we checked out Skopje, Macedonia.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4152\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Lake Ohrid in White\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4152\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4152\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4152 \" title=\"Lake Ohrid in White\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_5407-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nThen in the boldest part of our journey we crossed the boarder into Kosovo to explore Pristina and Prizren. It was totally worth it. And kind of strange to think about now that I am at home in Walla Walla writing this post.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4153\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Pristina in light rain\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4153\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4153\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4153 \" title=\"Pristina in light rain\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_5413-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nFinally, in November, I met up with my friend D. in Madrid, Spain. Madrid was lovely and exactly the break that I needed in the middle of the first semester of school.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4143\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Madrid&#39;s Palace\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4143\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4143\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4143 \" title=\"Madrid\'s Palace\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_6642-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nNow I guess the only question is: where will I go in 2011?!','Where in the World: Taveling in 2010','','inherit','open','open','','4132-revision-23','','','2011-01-04 20:24:19','2011-01-04 18:24:19','',4132,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/01/04/4132-revision-23/',0,'revision','',0),(4170,1,'2011-01-04 20:25:25','2011-01-04 18:25:25','When it comes to travel, I had a busy year.\n\nStill when I thought: I\'ll put together a photo from each of the places I traveled to, I never thought it would take me as long as it has.  First I had a longer list to make than I originally thought. Then I had to look through all of my photos and re-live the day. Finally I had to pick which single photo I wanted to use to represent the city/trip/adventure.\n\nIn January, I went with friends to Rome, Italy. I ate lots of great food and played for a long weekend in Rome.\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_4134\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"The Colosseum\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4134\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/01/04/where-in-the-world-taveling-in-2010/img_2080/\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4134 \" title=\"The Colosseum\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_2080-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nFor spring break I hit up Casablanca, Marrakesh, and Essaouira, Morocco with a friend. I\'ve never been to a place like this before--the colors, foods, smells and sights were all incredible.\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_4135\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Marrakech: Djemaa el Fna\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4135\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/01/04/where-in-the-world-taveling-in-2010/img_3142-2/\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4135 \" title=\"Djemaa el Fna\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_3142-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_4136\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Essaouira: Boats\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4136\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/01/04/where-in-the-world-taveling-in-2010/img_3575/\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4136 \" title=\"Boats\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_3575-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nI hopped on a plane to spend an extra long weekend in Paris, France. Paris was pretty wonderful in the spring. I thought I might not like Paris. I thought it might be too cutesy. But Paris won me over. Don\'t worry.\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_4137\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Paris and the Ef... something\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4137\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/01/04/where-in-the-world-taveling-in-2010/img_4089/\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4137 \" title=\"Paris and the Ef... something\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_4089-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n<!--more-->In July I went on a whirl-wind tour of the Balkans with my friend R. We met up in Budapest, Hungry. R. used to live there and this was my third visit. So we ate and drank and gossiped rather than go sight-seeing.\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_4138\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Budapest: Castle Hill\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4138\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/01/04/where-in-the-world-taveling-in-2010/img_4900/\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4138 \" title=\"Budapest: Castle Hill\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_4900-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nAn eight or so hour train ride later we found ourselves in Belgrade, Serbia. Belgrade is a pretty great city. I really dig walking around this town.\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_4144\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Belgrade: Museum \"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4144\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/01/04/where-in-the-world-taveling-in-2010/img_4966-2/\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4144 \" title=\"Belgrade: Musuem \" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_4966-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nThen we spent a week by the ocean. This was one of the best parts of the trip. Kotor, Perast and Budva, Montenegro have rocky but wildly beautiful beaches.\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_4147\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Kotor: Mts and Church \"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4147\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/01/04/where-in-the-world-taveling-in-2010/img_5003/\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4147 \" title=\"Kotor: Mts and Church \" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_5003-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_4148\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Perast: a town by the ocean\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4148\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/01/04/where-in-the-world-taveling-in-2010/img_5141/\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4148 \" title=\"Perast: a town by the ocean\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_5141-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_4149\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Beach south of Budva: Sveti Stefan\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4149\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/01/04/where-in-the-world-taveling-in-2010/img_5169/\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4149 \" title=\"Beach south of Budva: Sveti Stefan\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_5169-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nFrom Montenegro we headed to Albania. This was a little bit of a shock to start with. Albania is not an outwardly beautiful country but the people we met were some of the nicest on the trip. There were few tourists in either Tirana or Berat, Albania which was a relief after a couple of days in Budva. Tirana is young, hip and modern while Berat feels older--classic Ottoman--and clings to a mountain side.\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_4151\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Tirana: Rainbow Block Buildings\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4151\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/01/04/where-in-the-world-taveling-in-2010/img_5338/\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4151 \" title=\"Tirana: Rainbow Block Buildings\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_5338-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_4150\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Berat: White Houses at Night\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4150\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/01/04/where-in-the-world-taveling-in-2010/img_5298/\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4150 \" title=\"Berat: White Houses at Night\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_5298-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nWe crossed the boarder between Albania and Macedonia on foot after a crazy drive in a furgon and a longer than anticipated walk from the Macedonian side of the boarder (sorry R.). Luckily Lake Ohrid was great. Plenty of tourists but also some great beaches. From Lake Ohrid we checked out Skopje, Macedonia.\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_4152\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Lake Ohrid in White\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4152\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/01/04/where-in-the-world-taveling-in-2010/img_5407/\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4152 \" title=\"Lake Ohrid in White\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_5407-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nThen in the boldest part of our journey we crossed the boarder into Kosovo to explore Pristina and Prizren. It was totally worth it. And kind of strange to think about now that I am at home in Walla Walla writing this post.\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_4153\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Pristina in light rain\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4153\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/01/04/where-in-the-world-taveling-in-2010/img_5413/\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4153 \" title=\"Pristina in light rain\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_5413-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nFinally, in November, I met up with my friend D. in Madrid, Spain. Madrid was lovely and exactly the break that I needed in the middle of the first semester of school.\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_4143\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Madrid&#39;s Palace\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4143\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/01/04/where-in-the-world-taveling-in-2010/img_6642-2/\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4143 \" title=\"Madrid\'s Palace\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_6642-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nNow I guess the only question is: where will I go in 2011?!','Where in the World: Taveling in 2010','','inherit','open','open','','4132-autosave','','','2011-01-04 20:25:25','2011-01-04 18:25:25','',4132,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/01/04/4132-autosave/',0,'revision','',0),(4171,1,'2011-01-06 02:45:05','0000-00-00 00:00:00','It\'s been quite a month in the last three weeks, I\'ve seen two different doctors. One in Sofia, Bulgaria for a urinary tract infection and one in Walla Walla, WA for pneumonia.  I haven\'t been to see the doctor this many times in such a short period of time since I had tonsillitis and a week later a tonsillectomy.\n\nThe urinary tract infection was more annoying than anything else.  It\'s one of the two most commonly diagnosed illnesses among women in the States.  Pneumonia on the other hand was a bummer--first I thought it was the flu and then it got worse.  Four days of antibiotics later, I am on the mend again.\n\nWith these two experiences back to back and literally within days of each other, it  got me thinking about doctors, medicine and illness.\n\nIn Bulgaria, I got sick on a Saturday and was sure that the clinic Americans go to wouldn\'t be open. I gave Greenberg\'s a call and much to my surprise they were open.  I figured that I\'d be there an hour or two but not much longer than that. It ended up being much longer. In part because the clinic that caters to expats doesn\'t really have anyone on staff on the weekends (and maybe on the weekdays) who is fluent in English.\n\nI did my intake in Bulgarian. But, my Bulgarian wasn\'t good enough to communicate what was actually wrong with me. My Bulgarian textbook has a list of about a dozen different things that can ail you: my back hurt, my head hurts, my leg hurts, my kidneys hurt, my tooth hurts and on and on. I however don\'t know how to tell the doctor that I have a urinary tract infection.  And while she speaks some English, she doesn\'t understand urinary tract infection.\n\nSo I am forced to call the registrar at school on a Saturday and explain where I am and what\'s wrong with me. Then I hand my cellphone to the doctor so that she can talk to the registrar and so on until we had this thing worked out.  It\'s a little bit embarrassing but a girl\'s got to do what she\'s got to do.\n\nThe doctor writes out a prescription for me, tells me that I have to come back the next day when the laboratory is open.','A Visit to the Doctor','','draft','open','open','','','','','2011-01-06 02:45:05','2011-01-06 00:45:05','',0,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?p=4171',0,'post','',0),(4172,1,'2011-01-05 20:26:51','2011-01-05 18:26:51','It\'s been quite a month in the last three weeks, I\'ve seen two different doctors. One in Sofia, Bulgaria for a urinary tract infection and one in Walla Walla, WA for pneumonia.  I haven\'t been to see the doctor this many times in such a short period of time since I had tonsillitis and a week later a tonsillectomy.\n\nThe urinary tract infection was more annoying than anything else.  It\'s one of the two most commonly diagnosed illnesses among women in the States.  Pneumonia on the other hand was a bummer--first I thought it was the flu and then it got worse.  Four days of antibiotics later, I am on the mend again.\n\nWith these two experiences back to back and literally within days of each other, it  got me thinking about doctors, medicine and illness.\n\nIn Bulgaria, I got sick on a Saturday and was sure that the clinic Americans go to wouldn\'t be open. I gave Greenberg\'s a call and much to my surprise they were open.  I figured that I\'d be there an hour or two but not much longer than that. It ended up being much longer','A Visit to the Doctor','','inherit','open','open','','4171-revision','','','2011-01-05 20:26:51','2011-01-05 18:26:51','',4171,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/01/05/4171-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(4173,1,'2011-01-05 20:48:33','2011-01-05 18:48:33','It\'s been quite a month in the last three weeks, I\'ve seen two different doctors. One in Sofia, Bulgaria for a urinary tract infection and one in Walla Walla, WA for pneumonia.  I haven\'t been to see the doctor this many times in such a short period of time since I had tonsillitis and a week later a tonsillectomy.\n\nThe urinary tract infection was more annoying than anything else.  It\'s one of the two most commonly diagnosed illnesses among women in the States.  Pneumonia on the other hand was a bummer--first I thought it was the flu and then it got worse.  Four days of antibiotics later, I am on the mend again.\n\nWith these two experiences back to back and literally within days of each other, it  got me thinking about doctors, medicine and illness.\n\nIn Bulgaria, I got sick on a Saturday and was sure that the clinic Americans go to wouldn\'t be open. I gave Greenberg\'s a call and much to my surprise they were open.  I figured that I\'d be there an hour or two but not much longer than that. It ended up being much longer. In part because the clinic that caters to expats doesn\'t really have anyone on staff on the weekends (and maybe on the weekdays) who is fluent in English.\n\nI did my intake in Bulgarian. But, my Bulgarian wasn\'t good enough to communicate what was actually wrong with me. My Bulgarian textbook has a list of about a dozen different things that can ail you: my back hurt, my head hurts, my leg hurts, my kidneys hurt, my tooth hurts and on and on. I however don\'t know how to tell the doctor that I have a urinary tract infection.  And while she speaks some English, she doesn\'t understand urinary tract infection.\n\nSo I am forced to call the registrar at school on a Saturday and explain where I am and what\'s wrong with me. Then I hand my cellphone to the doctor so that she can talk to the registrar and so on until we had this thing worked out.  It\'s a little bit embarrassing but a girl\'s got to do what she\'s got to do.\n\nThe doctor writes out a prescription for me, tells me that I have to come back the next day when the labratory is open.','A Visit to the Doctor','','inherit','open','open','','4171-revision-2','','','2011-01-05 20:48:33','2011-01-05 18:48:33','',4171,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/01/05/4171-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(4174,1,'2011-01-08 18:16:39','2011-01-08 16:16:39','I know, I know. I\'ve been very bad at updating this blog. I am afraid that it might be this way for a few more days as I am traveling back to Sofia today and part of Sunday. Then I\'ll be teaching and recovering from jet lag for a few days as well. I guess that\'s the life of an international teacher/traveler.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4175\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Snowy Day\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4175\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/01/08/walla-walla-and-snow/img_6916/\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4175 \" title=\"Snowy Day\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_6916-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nI\'ve got Walla Walla on my mind. It was nice to be home but it wasn\'t the trip that I expected. I guess these things happen when you spend most of your vacation drinking tea, sleeping on the couch or watching tv. Luckily I had a little fun with my dAd.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4176\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"White Farm\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4176\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/01/08/walla-walla-and-snow/img_6927/\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4176 \" title=\"White Farm \" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_6927-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nWe drove around and took some pictures of Walla Walla in the snow.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4177\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Grapes in Winter \"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4177\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/01/08/walla-walla-and-snow/img_6933/\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4177 \" title=\"Grapes in Winter \" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_6933-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nSo here you are! Enjoy.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4178\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Sunset in Walla Walla \"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4178\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/01/08/walla-walla-and-snow/img_6941/\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4178 \" title=\"Sunset in Walla Walla \" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_6941-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]','Walla Walla and Snow','','publish','open','open','','walla-walla-and-snow','','','2011-01-08 18:16:39','2011-01-08 16:16:39','',0,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?p=4174',0,'post','',3),(4175,1,'2011-01-08 18:10:59','2011-01-08 16:10:59','','Snowy Day','Snowy Day','inherit','open','open','','img_6916','','','2011-01-08 18:10:59','2011-01-08 16:10:59','',4174,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_6916.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(4176,1,'2011-01-08 18:12:13','2011-01-08 16:12:13','','White Farm ','White Farm','inherit','open','open','','img_6927','','','2011-01-08 18:12:13','2011-01-08 16:12:13','',4174,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_6927.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(4177,1,'2011-01-08 18:13:58','2011-01-08 16:13:58','','Grapes in Winter ','Grapes in Winter ','inherit','open','open','','img_6933','','','2011-01-08 18:13:58','2011-01-08 16:13:58','',4174,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_6933.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(4178,1,'2011-01-08 18:15:04','2011-01-08 16:15:04','','Sunset in Walla Walla ','Sunset in Walla Walla ','inherit','open','open','','img_6941','','','2011-01-08 18:15:04','2011-01-08 16:15:04','',4174,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_6941.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(4179,1,'2011-01-08 18:16:04','2011-01-08 16:16:04','I know, I know. I\'ve been very bad at updating this blog. I am afraid that it might be this way for a few more days as I am traveling back to Sofia today and part of Sunday. Then I\'ll be teaching and recovering from jet lag for a few days as well. I guess that\'s the life of an international teacher/traveler.\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_4175\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Snowy Day\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4175\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4175\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4175 \" title=\"Snowy Day\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_6916-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nI\'ve got Walla Walla on my mind. It was nice to be home but it wasn\'t the trip that I expected. I guess these things happen when you spend most of your vacation drinking tea, sleeping on the couch or watching tv. Luckily I had a little fun with my dAd.\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_4176\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"White Farm\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4176\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4176\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4176 \" title=\"White Farm \" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_6927-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nWe drove around and took some pictures of Walla Walla in the snow.\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_4177\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Grapes in Winter \"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4177\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4177\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4177 \" title=\"Grapes in Winter \" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_6933-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nSo here you are! Enjoy.\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_4178\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"1024\" caption=\"Sunset in Walla Walla \"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4178\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4178\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4178\" title=\"Sunset in Walla Walla \" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_6941-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" /></a>[/caption]','Walla Walla and Snow','','inherit','open','open','','4174-revision','','','2011-01-08 18:16:04','2011-01-08 16:16:04','',4174,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/01/08/4174-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(4180,1,'2011-01-08 18:16:39','2011-01-08 16:16:39','I know, I know. I\'ve been very bad at updating this blog. I am afraid that it might be this way for a few more days as I am traveling back to Sofia today and part of Sunday. Then I\'ll be teaching and recovering from jet lag for a few days as well. I guess that\'s the life of an international teacher/traveler.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4175\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Snowy Day\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4175\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4175\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4175 \" title=\"Snowy Day\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_6916-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nI\'ve got Walla Walla on my mind. It was nice to be home but it wasn\'t the trip that I expected. I guess these things happen when you spend most of your vacation drinking tea, sleeping on the couch or watching tv. Luckily I had a little fun with my dAd.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4176\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"White Farm\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4176\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4176\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4176 \" title=\"White Farm \" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_6927-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nWe drove around and took some pictures of Walla Walla in the snow.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4177\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Grapes in Winter \"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4177\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4177\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4177 \" title=\"Grapes in Winter \" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_6933-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nSo here you are! Enjoy.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4178\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Sunset in Walla Walla \"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4178\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4178\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4178 \" title=\"Sunset in Walla Walla \" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_6941-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]','Walla Walla and Snow','','inherit','open','open','','4174-revision-2','','','2011-01-08 18:16:39','2011-01-08 16:16:39','',4174,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/01/08/4174-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(4219,1,'2011-01-17 19:45:03','2011-01-17 17:45:03','Tonight I was walking home with a bag of groceries from Hit.  I\'d just crossed the street and was finishing of my standard refrain of please don\'t hit me, please don\'t hit me, please don\'t hit me. Don\'t worry I don\'t usually say these out loud so maybe it\'s more of a mantra than a refrain.\r\n\r\nAnyhow I looked down and there was a rat crawling into a hole in the sidewalk.\r\n\r\nI realized: I\'ve never seen a rat before in Sofia.\r\n\r\nThis realization was sort of surprising yet at the same time pretty banal. A rat. I saw a rat. Big deal I know.\r\n\r\nBut it was kind of a big deal. For some reason, I was reminded of life in Washington DC.  In the up and coming neighborhood I lived in three years ago, 14th and U-Street NW rats were standard issue and the closer you got to Adams Morgan the bigger they got. Rats the size of kittens used to regularly scare the daylights out of me jumping out of garbage cans or running across the sidewalk.\r\n\r\nThen there was the year we caught not one but two rats in our group house. Now It\'s a great story to tell about urban living (and my bad-ass roommate S.). At the time, it was a nightmare. <!--more-->\r\n\r\nWe saw the first rat during one of the baseball world series game. The next day I bought a rat trap. Basically these are giant oversized mouse traps with a spring that\'s so strong it looks like it could break your finger.\r\n\r\nNow I am not a city girl. I\'ve seen mice in traps. I know how they work. But the next morning when there was a big gray rat in the trap and no one around to help me get it out of the trap or clean up the mess, I figured that for $3 I could buy another rat trap. So I threw out the whole thing. Man, rats have long tails.\r\n\r\nWe called the landlords. He called an extermination company.\r\n\r\nThey came and looked around the house. Then they insisted in putting down snap traps in the basement but sticky traps in the kitchen. Ug. We weren\'t very excited about this. The sticky traps just trap the still live (and now screaming) rat in the trap.  The extermination company said sticky traps are safer in living spaces. No broken toes. They say just call and we\'ll come and get the rat. <em>Really?</em>\r\n\r\nWe catch a rat that night. It wakes my roommate M. up. Yes the screaming rat stuck in a trap in the kitchen on the first floor wakes her up in her bedroom on the second floor. She wakes me up and we wake one of our male roommates S. up.  2 am. He\'s groggy and tells us he\'ll be downstairs in a minute. He shows up a couple of minutes later in pj pants and tennis shoes with work gloves and a hammer in hand. Yes, a hammer.\r\n\r\nWe can\'t just throw the rat away because it is still  screaming and trashing around since his tail is sticking out of the  trap.<em> Awesome</em>.\r\n\r\nEditorial Note: if you like happy endings of the Disney fairytales persuasion rather than the Grimm Brother variety now\'s the time to stop reading. It doesn\'t end well for the rat. This said it ends well for us.\r\n\r\nSo, S. tells us we can go to bed. We do.  As he tells it upon being woken up at 2am he contemplated trying to run his car over it, trying to suffocate it in a plastic bag and then decided he\'d take it outside in a plastic bag and hit it on the head with a hammer to kill it on the front steps of our very urban row house.\r\n\r\nThis is exactly what he did. It wasn\'t pleasant but it worked.  And for the record, he got a lot of millage out of that act and the story.\r\n\r\nShortly there after we discovered that the rats were coming along the gas pipe for the stove after having chewed a bigger hole around the gas. We plugged it up with a piece of steal wool and that was that. No more rats.\r\n\r\nNeedless to say, after spending the better part of a week being totally obsessed by rats in my house I kind of have a things for rats. I hate them.\r\n\r\nBut today when I saw the rat, I was just kind of amused.  Especially when I realized this was the first rat I\'ve seen in Bulgaria and I\'ve lived here two and a half years.\r\n\r\nThen I wondered: do I have the stray dogs to thank for that?','A BG First ','','publish','open','open','','a-bg-first','','','2011-01-19 06:39:07','2011-01-19 04:39:07','',0,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?p=4219',0,'post','',10),(4182,1,'2011-01-10 04:51:41','2011-01-10 02:51:41','Well, I\'m back in Sofia alright but I am not actually <em>dreaming</em> of Walla Walla. You see I\'ve been awake since 3am.\r\n\r\nI made myself stay in bed until 3:30am. I mean a girl\'s gotta sleep in when she can. But when this turns into obsessing over the first day of school back from Christmas break, over the fact that you\'re awake at 3am rather than sleeping as you\'d like to be and then you start planning your outfit for the day in your head-- you realize there\'s no point staying in bed.\r\n\r\nAll of this said, it turns out at that at 3:30am there\'s nothing on tv and no friends awake to skype with/gchat or otherwise annoy. What\'s a girl to do?\r\n\r\nWell if you\'re like this girl you decide to unpack your suitcase, open and close your fridge door until you realize that you\'re not hungry so you make a pot of coffee instead. This also makes you realize that the \"I double heart Walla Walla\" bumper sticker you bought in Walla Walla for just $2.50 (but still had to pay for your with your debit card because of the shops rule: no cash) and just unpacked would look great on your refrigerator.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4183\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Walla Walla: I double heart you. \"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4183\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/01/10/back-in-sofia-and-dreaming-of-walla-walla/img_6986/\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4183 \" title=\"Walla Walla: I double heart you. \" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_6986-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nBut hanging a bumper sticker on your fridge with magnets only takes so much time. So it\'s back to the computer coffee in hand. You delete one piece of spam and read your three emails. Then you read everyone\'s facebook updates/status and flip through a couple of online albums before you realize that you could be doing something more meaningful with your time. Enter twitter.\r\n\r\nThe problem is that at 140 characters these read pretty quickly. So now it\'s on to google reader. Nine unread stories. <em>Great!</em> But it turns out half of them are artsy photos that one of your friends loves to share. <em>Oh well</em>.\r\n\r\nThat\'s when I thought: Carolyn, maybe you should upload artsy photos to flickr. Or maybe, you should suck it up and write a legit blog post for the first time in a couple of weeks.\r\n\r\nHum. Now that\'s an idea.<!--more-->\r\n\r\nMy head has been kind of foggy for the last two or so weeks and it\'s been hard to put together substantive posts. I guess it\'s to be expected. The first part of my vacation it was hard to write through tears (thanks for the foggy weather Sofia and for canceling my flight home for Christmas). Then after 20+ hours of traveling home for Christmas (after Christmas) all a girl wants to do is take a shower, eat some food and sleep. For the record, it\'s hard to write when you\'re sleeping.\r\n\r\nBut it\'s even harder to write when you\'re fighting the flu/pneumonia. Or in my case when the flu fakes you out and turns into pneumonia and then pneumonia starts karate chopping you over the head. Thank god for antibiotics! I just wish the antibiotics had started working a little better a little sooner.  The first day that actually felt better was Thursday. And I flew out of Walla Walla to Seattle on Friday at 2:40pm.\r\n\r\nThere\'s something horribly unfair feeling about that but that\'s what happens sometimes.\r\n\r\nSometimes a holiday isn\'t at all what you expect. Like when I got hit by a senior citizen who was too old to be driving in front of the local post office as I was trying to cross the street. My dAd/chauffeur said he watched it happen in slow motion. Not me. One minute I was standing trying to cross the street. The next minute a little old lady has backed her car into me. I whack the back of her car with my hand. Luckily I am okay.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4184\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Doughnuts\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4184\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/01/10/back-in-sofia-and-dreaming-of-walla-walla/img_6976/\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4184 \" title=\"Doughnuts\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_6976-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nIt\'s also lucky that doughnuts cure almost anything. Like the shock of being hit by a little white haired lady outside of the post office.\r\n\r\nOh wait, dAd and I had already been planning on going to the local doughnut joint. I love. <em>Love</em>. Apple fritters. dAd had a maple bar.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4185\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Front: apple fritter and back: maple bar\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4185\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/01/10/back-in-sofia-and-dreaming-of-walla-walla/img_6978/\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4185 \" title=\"Front: apple fritter and back: maple bar\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_6978-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nThere\'s nothing quite like a fresh made doughnut and a crappy cup of coffee. We ate all of our doughnuts, drank half of our coffees and that was that.\r\n\r\nFriday, I roped my dAd into running some more errands with me. We swung by the house at lunch time so that I could say good-bye to my brother N. and his girlfriend K. Climbing out of the car, I happened to look down and partially hidden under some leaves was a $10 bill.\r\n\r\nHow lucky is that?! I gave it to my dAd. It\'s the start of his \"Bulgarian Vacation Fund.\"','Back in Sofia and Dreaming of Walla Walla ','','publish','open','open','','back-in-sofia-and-dreaming-of-walla-walla','','','2011-01-10 04:51:41','2011-01-10 02:51:41','',0,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?p=4182',0,'post','',9),(4183,1,'2011-01-10 04:38:20','2011-01-10 02:38:20','','Walla Walla: I double heart you. ','Walla Walla: I double heart you. ','inherit','open','open','','img_6986','','','2011-01-10 04:38:20','2011-01-10 02:38:20','',4182,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_6986.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(4184,1,'2011-01-10 04:40:17','2011-01-10 02:40:17','','Doughnuts','Doughnuts','inherit','open','open','','img_6976','','','2011-01-10 04:40:17','2011-01-10 02:40:17','',4182,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_6976.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(4185,1,'2011-01-10 04:44:55','2011-01-10 02:44:55','','Front: apple fritter and back: maple bar','Front: apple fritter and back: maple bar','inherit','open','open','','img_6978','','','2011-01-10 04:44:55','2011-01-10 02:44:55','',4182,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_6978.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(4186,1,'2011-01-10 04:49:39','2011-01-10 02:49:39','Well, I\'m back in Sofia alright but I am not actually <em>dreaming</em> of Walla Walla. You see I\'ve been awake since 3am.\n\nI made myself stay in bed until 3:30am. I mean a girl\'s gotta sleep in when she can. But when this turns into obsessing over the first day of school back from Christmas break, over the fact that you\'re awake at 3am rather than sleeping as you\'d like to be and then you start planning your outfit for the day in your head-- you realize there\'s no point staying in bed.\n\nAll of this said, it turns out at that at 3:30am there\'s nothing on tv and no friends awake to skype with/gchat or otherwise annoy. What\'s a girl to do?\n\nWell if you\'re like this girl you decide to unpack your suitcase, open and close your fridge door until you realize that you\'re not hungry so you make a pot of coffee instead. This also makes you realize that the \"I double heart Walla Walla\" bumper sticker you bought in Walla Walla for just $2.50 (but still had to pay for your with your debit card because of the shops rule: no cash) and just unpacked would look great on your refrigerator.\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_4183\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Walla Walla: I double heart you. \"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4183\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4183\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4183 \" title=\"Walla Walla: I double heart you. \" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_6986-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nBut hanging a bumper sticker on your fridge with magnets only takes so much time. So it\'s back to the computer coffee in hand. You delete one piece of spam and read your three emails. Then you read everyone\'s facebook updates/status and flip through a couple of online albums before you realize that you could be doing something more meaningful with your time. Enter twitter.\n\nThe problem is that at 140 characters these read pretty quickly. So now it\'s on to google reader. Nine unread stories. <em>Great!</em> But it turns out half of them are artsy photos that one of your friends loves to share. <em>Oh well</em>.\n\nThat\'s when I thought: Carolyn, maybe you should upload artsy photos to flickr. Or maybe, you should suck it up and write a legit blog post for the first time in a couple of weeks.\n\nHum. Now that\'s an idea.\n\nMy head has been kind of foggy for the last two or so weeks and it\'s been hard to put together substantive posts. I guess it\'s to be expected. The first part of my vacation it was hard to write through tears (thanks for the foggy weather Sofia and for canceling my flight home for Christmas). Then after 20+ hours of traveling home for Christmas (after Christmas) all a girl wants to do is take a shower, eat some food and sleep. For the record, it\'s hard to write when you\'re sleeping.\n\nBut it\'s even harder to write when you\'re fighting the flu/pneumonia. Or in my case when the flu fakes you out and turns into pneumonia and then pneumonia starts karate chopping you over the head. Thank god for antibiotics! I just wish the antibiotics had started working a little better a little sooner.  The first day that actually felt better was Thursday. And I flew out of Walla Walla to Seattle on Friday at 2:40pm.\n\nThere\'s something horribly unfair feeling about that but that\'s what happens sometimes.\n\nSometimes a holiday isn\'t at all what you expect. Like when I got hit by a senior citizen who was too old to be driving in front of the local post office as I was trying to cross the street. My dAd/chauffeur said he watched it happen in slow motion. Not me. One minute I was standing trying to cross the street. The next minute a little old lady has backed her car into me. I whack the back of her car with my hand. Luckily I am okay.\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_4184\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Doughnuts\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4184\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4184\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4184 \" title=\"Doughnuts\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_6976-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nIt\'s also lucky that doughnuts cure almost anything. Like the shock of being hit by a little white haired lady outside of the post office.\n\nOh wait, dAd and I had already been planning on going to the local doughnut joint. I love. <em>Love</em>. Apple fritters. dAd had a maple bar.\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_4185\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Front: apple fritter and back: maple bar\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4185\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4185\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4185 \" title=\"Front: apple fritter and back: maple bar\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_6978-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nThere\'s nothing quite like a fresh made doughnut and a crappy cup of coffee. We ate all of our doughnuts, drank half of our coffees and that was that.\n\nFriday, I roped my dAd into running some more errands with me. We swung by the house at lunch time so that I could say good-bye to my brother N. and his girlfriend K. Climbing out of the car, I happened to look down and partially hidden under some leaves was a $10 bill.\n\nHow lucky is that?! I gave it to my dAd. It\'s the start of his \"Bulgarian Vacation Fund.\"','Back in Sofia and Dreaming of Walla Walla ','','inherit','open','open','','4182-revision','','','2011-01-10 04:49:39','2011-01-10 02:49:39','',4182,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/01/10/4182-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(4190,1,'2011-01-10 04:51:12','2011-01-10 02:51:12','Well, I\'m back in Sofia alright but I am not actually <em>dreaming</em> of Walla Walla. You see I\'ve been awake since 3am.\n\nI made myself stay in bed until 3:30am. I mean a girl\'s gotta sleep in when she can. But when this turns into obsessing over the first day of school back from Christmas break, over the fact that you\'re awake at 3am rather than sleeping as you\'d like to be and then you start planning your outfit for the day in your head-- you realize there\'s no point staying in bed.\n\nAll of this said, it turns out at that at 3:30am there\'s nothing on tv and no friends awake to skype with/gchat or otherwise annoy. What\'s a girl to do?\n\nWell if you\'re like this girl you decide to unpack your suitcase, open and close your fridge door until you realize that you\'re not hungry so you make a pot of coffee instead. This also makes you realize that the \"I double heart Walla Walla\" bumper sticker you bought in Walla Walla for just $2.50 (but still had to pay for your with your debit card because of the shops rule: no cash) and just unpacked would look great on your refrigerator.\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_4183\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Walla Walla: I double heart you. \"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4183\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4183\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4183 \" title=\"Walla Walla: I double heart you. \" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_6986-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nBut hanging a bumper sticker on your fridge with magnets only takes so much time. So it\'s back to the computer coffee in hand. You delete one piece of spam and read your three emails. Then you read everyone\'s facebook updates/status and flip through a couple of online albums before you realize that you could be doing something more meaningful with your time. Enter twitter.\n\nThe problem is that at 140 characters these read pretty quickly. So now it\'s on to google reader. Nine unread stories. <em>Great!</em> But it turns out half of them are artsy photos that one of your friends loves to share. <em>Oh well</em>.\n\nThat\'s when I thought: Carolyn, maybe you should upload artsy photos to flickr. Or maybe, you should suck it up and write a legit blog post for the first time in a couple of weeks.\n\nHum. Now that\'s an idea.\n\nMy head has been kind of foggy for the last two or so weeks and it\'s been hard to put together substantive posts. I guess it\'s to be expected. The first part of my vacation it was hard to write through tears (thanks for the foggy weather Sofia and for canceling my flight home for Christmas). Then after 20+ hours of traveling home for Christmas (after Christmas) all a girl wants to do is take a shower, eat some food and sleep. For the record, it\'s hard to write when you\'re sleeping.\n\nBut it\'s even harder to write when you\'re fighting the flu/pneumonia. Or in my case when the flu fakes you out and turns into pneumonia and then pneumonia starts karate chopping you over the head. Thank god for antibiotics! I just wish the antibiotics had started working a little better a little sooner.  The first day that actually felt better was Thursday. And I flew out of Walla Walla to Seattle on Friday at 2:40pm.\n\nThere\'s something horribly unfair feeling about that but that\'s what happens sometimes.\n\nSometimes a holiday isn\'t at all what you expect. Like when I got hit by a senior citizen who was too old to be driving in front of the local post office as I was trying to cross the street. My dAd/chauffeur said he watched it happen in slow motion. Not me. One minute I was standing trying to cross the street. The next minute a little old lady has backed her car into me. I whack the back of her car with my hand. Luckily I am okay.\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_4184\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Doughnuts\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4184\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4184\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4184 \" title=\"Doughnuts\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_6976-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nIt\'s also lucky that doughnuts cure almost anything. Like the shock of being hit by a little white haired lady outside of the post office.\n\nOh wait, dAd and I had already been planning on going to the local doughnut joint. I love. <em>Love</em>. Apple fritters. dAd had a maple bar.\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_4185\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Front: apple fritter and back: maple bar\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4185\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4185\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4185 \" title=\"Front: apple fritter and back: maple bar\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_6978-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nThere\'s nothing quite like a fresh made doughnut and a crappy cup of coffee. We ate all of our doughnuts, drank half of our coffees and that was that.\n\nFriday, I roped my dAd into running some more errands with me. We swung by the house at lunch time so that I could say good-bye to my brother N. and his girlfriend K. Climbing out of the car, I happened to look down and partially hidden under some leaves was a $10 bill.\n\nHow lucky is that?! I gave it to my dAd. It\'s the start of his \"Bulgarian Vacation Fund.\"','Back in Sofia and Dreaming of Walla Walla ','','inherit','open','open','','4182-revision-5','','','2011-01-10 04:51:12','2011-01-10 02:51:12','',4182,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/01/10/4182-revision-5/',0,'revision','',0),(4187,1,'2011-01-10 04:50:04','2011-01-10 02:50:04','Well, I\'m back in Sofia alright but I am not actually <em>dreaming</em> of Walla Walla. You see I\'ve been awake since 3am.\r\n\r\nI made myself stay in bed until 3:30am. I mean a girl\'s gotta sleep in when she can. But when this turns into obsessing over the first day of school back from Christmas break, over the fact that you\'re awake at 3am rather than sleeping as you\'d like to be and then you start planning your outfit for the day in your head-- you realize there\'s no point staying in bed.\r\n\r\nAll of this said, it turns out at that at 3:30am there\'s nothing on tv and no friends awake to skype with/gchat or otherwise annoy. What\'s a girl to do?\r\n\r\nWell if you\'re like this girl you decide to unpack your suitcase, open and close your fridge door until you realize that you\'re not hungry so you make a pot of coffee instead. This also makes you realize that the \"I double heart Walla Walla\" bumper sticker you bought in Walla Walla for just $2.50 (but still had to pay for your with your debit card because of the shops rule: no cash) and just unpacked would look great on your refrigerator.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4183\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Walla Walla: I double heart you. \"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4183\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4183\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4183 \" title=\"Walla Walla: I double heart you. \" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_6986-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nBut hanging a bumper sticker on your fridge with magnets only takes so much time. So it\'s back to the computer coffee in hand. You delete one piece of spam and read your three emails. Then you read everyone\'s facebook updates/status and flip through a couple of online albums before you realize that you could be doing something more meaningful with your time. Enter twitter.\r\n\r\nThe problem is that at 140 characters these read pretty quickly. So now it\'s on to google reader. Nine unread stories. <em>Great!</em> But it turns out half of them are artsy photos that one of your friends loves to share. <em>Oh well</em>.\r\n\r\nThat\'s when I thought: Carolyn, maybe you should upload artsy photos to flickr. Or maybe, you should suck it up and write a legit blog post for the first time in a couple of weeks.\r\n\r\nHum. Now that\'s an idea.\r\n\r\nMy head has been kind of foggy for the last two or so weeks and it\'s been hard to put together substantive posts. I guess it\'s to be expected. The first part of my vacation it was hard to write through tears (thanks for the foggy weather Sofia and for canceling my flight home for Christmas). Then after 20+ hours of traveling home for Christmas (after Christmas) all a girl wants to do is take a shower, eat some food and sleep. For the record, it\'s hard to write when you\'re sleeping.\r\n\r\nBut it\'s even harder to write when you\'re fighting the flu/pneumonia. Or in my case when the flu fakes you out and turns into pneumonia and then pneumonia starts karate chopping you over the head. Thank god for antibiotics! I just wish the antibiotics had started working a little better a little sooner.  The first day that actually felt better was Thursday. And I flew out of Walla Walla to Seattle on Friday at 2:40pm.\r\n\r\nThere\'s something horribly unfair feeling about that but that\'s what happens sometimes.\r\n\r\nSometimes a holiday isn\'t at all what you expect. Like when I got hit by a senior citizen who was too old to be driving in front of the local post office as I was trying to cross the street. My dAd/chauffeur said he watched it happen in slow motion. Not me. One minute I was standing trying to cross the street. The next minute a little old lady has backed her car into me. I whack the back of her car with my hand. Luckily I am okay.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4184\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Doughnuts\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4184\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4184\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4184 \" title=\"Doughnuts\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_6976-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nIt\'s also lucky that doughnuts cure almost anything. Like the shock of being hit by a little white haired lady outside of the post office.\r\n\r\nOh wait, dAd and I had already been planning on going to the local doughnut joint. I love. <em>Love</em>. Apple fritters. dAd had a maple bar.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4185\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Front: apple fritter and back: maple bar\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4185\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4185\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4185 \" title=\"Front: apple fritter and back: maple bar\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_6978-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nThere\'s nothing quite like a fresh made doughnut and a crappy cup of coffee. We ate all of our doughnuts, drank half of our coffees and that was that.\r\n\r\nFriday, I roped my dAd into running some more errands with me. We swung by the house at lunch time so that I could say good-bye to my brother N. and his girlfriend K. Climbing out of the car, I happened to look down and partially hidden under some leaves was a $10 bill.\r\n\r\nHow lucky is that?! I gave it to my dAd. It\'s the start of his \"Bulgarian Vacation Fund.\"','Back in Sofia and Dreaming of Walla Walla ','','inherit','open','open','','4182-revision-2','','','2011-01-10 04:50:04','2011-01-10 02:50:04','',4182,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/01/10/4182-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(4188,1,'2011-01-10 04:50:04','2011-01-10 02:50:04','Well, I\'m back in Sofia alright but I am not actually <em>dreaming</em> of Walla Walla. You see I\'ve been awake since 3am.\r\n\r\nI made myself stay in bed until 3:30am. I mean a girl\'s gotta sleep in when she can. But when this turns into obsessing over the first day of school back from Christmas break, over the fact that you\'re awake at 3am rather than sleeping as you\'d like to be and then you start planning your outfit for the day in your head-- you realize there\'s no point staying in bed.\r\n\r\nAll of this said, it turns out at that at 3:30am there\'s nothing on tv and no friends awake to skype with/gchat or otherwise annoy. What\'s a girl to do?\r\n\r\nWell if you\'re like this girl you decide to unpack your suitcase, open and close your fridge door until you realize that you\'re not hungry so you make a pot of coffee instead. This also makes you realize that the \"I double heart Walla Walla\" bumper sticker you bought in Walla Walla for just $2.50 (but still had to pay for your with your debit card because of the shops rule: no cash) and just unpacked would look great on your refrigerator.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4183\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Walla Walla: I double heart you. \"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4183\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4183\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4183 \" title=\"Walla Walla: I double heart you. \" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_6986-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nBut hanging a bumper sticker on your fridge with magnets only takes so much time. So it\'s back to the computer coffee in hand. You delete one piece of spam and read your three emails. Then you read everyone\'s facebook updates/status and flip through a couple of online albums before you realize that you could be doing something more meaningful with your time. Enter twitter.\r\n\r\nThe problem is that at 140 characters these read pretty quickly. So now it\'s on to google reader. Nine unread stories. <em>Great!</em> But it turns out half of them are artsy photos that one of your friends loves to share. <em>Oh well</em>.\r\n\r\nThat\'s when I thought: Carolyn, maybe you should upload artsy photos to flickr. Or maybe, you should suck it up and write a legit blog post for the first time in a couple of weeks.\r\n\r\nHum. Now that\'s an idea.\r\n\r\nMy head has been kind of foggy for the last two or so weeks and it\'s been hard to put together substantive posts. I guess it\'s to be expected. The first part of my vacation it was hard to write through tears (thanks for the foggy weather Sofia and for canceling my flight home for Christmas). Then after 20+ hours of traveling home for Christmas (after Christmas) all a girl wants to do is take a shower, eat some food and sleep. For the record, it\'s hard to write when you\'re sleeping.\r\n\r\nBut it\'s even harder to write when you\'re fighting the flu/pneumonia. Or in my case when the flu fakes you out and turns into pneumonia and then pneumonia starts karate chopping you over the head. Thank god for antibiotics! I just wish the antibiotics had started working a little better a little sooner.  The first day that actually felt better was Thursday. And I flew out of Walla Walla to Seattle on Friday at 2:40pm.\r\n\r\nThere\'s something horribly unfair feeling about that but that\'s what happens sometimes.\r\n\r\nSometimes a holiday isn\'t at all what you expect. Like when I got hit by a senior citizen who was too old to be driving in front of the local post office as I was trying to cross the street. My dAd/chauffeur said he watched it happen in slow motion. Not me. One minute I was standing trying to cross the street. The next minute a little old lady has backed her car into me. I whack the back of her car with my hand. Luckily I am okay.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4184\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Doughnuts\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4184\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4184\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4184 \" title=\"Doughnuts\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_6976-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nIt\'s also lucky that doughnuts cure almost anything. Like the shock of being hit by a little white haired lady outside of the post office.\r\n\r\nOh wait, dAd and I had already been planning on going to the local doughnut joint. I love. <em>Love</em>. Apple fritters. dAd had a maple bar.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4185\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Front: apple fritter and back: maple bar\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4185\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4185\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4185 \" title=\"Front: apple fritter and back: maple bar\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_6978-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nThere\'s nothing quite like a fresh made doughnut and a crappy cup of coffee. We ate all of our doughnuts, drank half of our coffees and that was that.\r\n\r\nFriday, I roped my dAd into running some more errands with me. We swung by the house at lunch time so that I could say good-bye to my brother N. and his girlfriend K. Climbing out of the car, I happened to look down and partially hidden under some leaves was a $10 bill.\r\n\r\nHow lucky is that?! I gave it to my dAd. It\'s the start of his \"Bulgarian Vacation Fund.\"','Back in Sofia and Dreaming of Walla Walla ','','inherit','open','open','','4182-revision-3','','','2011-01-10 04:50:04','2011-01-10 02:50:04','',4182,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/01/10/4182-revision-3/',0,'revision','',0),(4189,1,'2011-01-10 04:50:05','2011-01-10 02:50:05','Well, I\'m back in Sofia alright but I am not actually <em>dreaming</em> of Walla Walla. You see I\'ve been awake since 3am.\r\n\r\nI made myself stay in bed until 3:30am. I mean a girl\'s gotta sleep in when she can. But when this turns into obsessing over the first day of school back from Christmas break, over the fact that you\'re awake at 3am rather than sleeping as you\'d like to be and then you start planning your outfit for the day in your head-- you realize there\'s no point staying in bed.\r\n\r\nAll of this said, it turns out at that at 3:30am there\'s nothing on tv and no friends awake to skype with/gchat or otherwise annoy. What\'s a girl to do?\r\n\r\nWell if you\'re like this girl you decide to unpack your suitcase, open and close your fridge door until you realize that you\'re not hungry so you make a pot of coffee instead. This also makes you realize that the \"I double heart Walla Walla\" bumper sticker you bought in Walla Walla for just $2.50 (but still had to pay for your with your debit card because of the shops rule: no cash) and just unpacked would look great on your refrigerator.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4183\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Walla Walla: I double heart you. \"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4183\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4183\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4183 \" title=\"Walla Walla: I double heart you. \" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_6986-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nBut hanging a bumper sticker on your fridge with magnets only takes so much time. So it\'s back to the computer coffee in hand. You delete one piece of spam and read your three emails. Then you read everyone\'s facebook updates/status and flip through a couple of online albums before you realize that you could be doing something more meaningful with your time. Enter twitter.\r\n\r\nThe problem is that at 140 characters these read pretty quickly. So now it\'s on to google reader. Nine unread stories. <em>Great!</em> But it turns out half of them are artsy photos that one of your friends loves to share. <em>Oh well</em>.\r\n\r\nThat\'s when I thought: Carolyn, maybe you should upload artsy photos to flickr. Or maybe, you should suck it up and write a legit blog post for the first time in a couple of weeks.\r\n\r\nHum. Now that\'s an idea.\r\n\r\nMy head has been kind of foggy for the last two or so weeks and it\'s been hard to put together substantive posts. I guess it\'s to be expected. The first part of my vacation it was hard to write through tears (thanks for the foggy weather Sofia and for canceling my flight home for Christmas). Then after 20+ hours of traveling home for Christmas (after Christmas) all a girl wants to do is take a shower, eat some food and sleep. For the record, it\'s hard to write when you\'re sleeping.\r\n\r\nBut it\'s even harder to write when you\'re fighting the flu/pneumonia. Or in my case when the flu fakes you out and turns into pneumonia and then pneumonia starts karate chopping you over the head. Thank god for antibiotics! I just wish the antibiotics had started working a little better a little sooner.  The first day that actually felt better was Thursday. And I flew out of Walla Walla to Seattle on Friday at 2:40pm.\r\n\r\nThere\'s something horribly unfair feeling about that but that\'s what happens sometimes.\r\n\r\nSometimes a holiday isn\'t at all what you expect. Like when I got hit by a senior citizen who was too old to be driving in front of the local post office as I was trying to cross the street. My dAd/chauffeur said he watched it happen in slow motion. Not me. One minute I was standing trying to cross the street. The next minute a little old lady has backed her car into me. I whack the back of her car with my hand. Luckily I am okay.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4184\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Doughnuts\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4184\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4184\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4184 \" title=\"Doughnuts\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_6976-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nIt\'s also lucky that doughnuts cure almost anything. Like the shock of being hit by a little white haired lady outside of the post office.\r\n\r\nOh wait, dAd and I had already been planning on going to the local doughnut joint. I love. <em>Love</em>. Apple fritters. dAd had a maple bar.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4185\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Front: apple fritter and back: maple bar\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4185\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4185\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4185 \" title=\"Front: apple fritter and back: maple bar\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_6978-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nThere\'s nothing quite like a fresh made doughnut and a crappy cup of coffee. We ate all of our doughnuts, drank half of our coffees and that was that.\r\n\r\nFriday, I roped my dAd into running some more errands with me. We swung by the house at lunch time so that I could say good-bye to my brother N. and his girlfriend K. Climbing out of the car, I happened to look down and partially hidden under some leaves was a $10 bill.\r\n\r\nHow lucky is that?! I gave it to my dAd. It\'s the start of his \"Bulgarian Vacation Fund.\"','Back in Sofia and Dreaming of Walla Walla ','','inherit','open','open','','4182-revision-4','','','2011-01-10 04:50:05','2011-01-10 02:50:05','',4182,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/01/10/4182-revision-4/',0,'revision','',0),(4191,1,'2011-01-10 04:51:41','2011-01-10 02:51:41','Well, I\'m back in Sofia alright but I am not actually <em>dreaming</em> of Walla Walla. You see I\'ve been awake since 3am.\r\n\r\nI made myself stay in bed until 3:30am. I mean a girl\'s gotta sleep in when she can. But when this turns into obsessing over the first day of school back from Christmas break, over the fact that you\'re awake at 3am rather than sleeping as you\'d like to be and then you start planning your outfit for the day in your head-- you realize there\'s no point staying in bed.\r\n\r\nAll of this said, it turns out at that at 3:30am there\'s nothing on tv and no friends awake to skype with/gchat or otherwise annoy. What\'s a girl to do?\r\n\r\nWell if you\'re like this girl you decide to unpack your suitcase, open and close your fridge door until you realize that you\'re not hungry so you make a pot of coffee instead. This also makes you realize that the \"I double heart Walla Walla\" bumper sticker you bought in Walla Walla for just $2.50 (but still had to pay for your with your debit card because of the shops rule: no cash) and just unpacked would look great on your refrigerator.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4183\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Walla Walla: I double heart you. \"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4183\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4183\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4183 \" title=\"Walla Walla: I double heart you. \" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_6986-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nBut hanging a bumper sticker on your fridge with magnets only takes so much time. So it\'s back to the computer coffee in hand. You delete one piece of spam and read your three emails. Then you read everyone\'s facebook updates/status and flip through a couple of online albums before you realize that you could be doing something more meaningful with your time. Enter twitter.\r\n\r\nThe problem is that at 140 characters these read pretty quickly. So now it\'s on to google reader. Nine unread stories. <em>Great!</em> But it turns out half of them are artsy photos that one of your friends loves to share. <em>Oh well</em>.\r\n\r\nThat\'s when I thought: Carolyn, maybe you should upload artsy photos to flickr. Or maybe, you should suck it up and write a legit blog post for the first time in a couple of weeks.\r\n\r\nHum. Now that\'s an idea.<!--more-->\r\n\r\nMy head has been kind of foggy for the last two or so weeks and it\'s been hard to put together substantive posts. I guess it\'s to be expected. The first part of my vacation it was hard to write through tears (thanks for the foggy weather Sofia and for canceling my flight home for Christmas). Then after 20+ hours of traveling home for Christmas (after Christmas) all a girl wants to do is take a shower, eat some food and sleep. For the record, it\'s hard to write when you\'re sleeping.\r\n\r\nBut it\'s even harder to write when you\'re fighting the flu/pneumonia. Or in my case when the flu fakes you out and turns into pneumonia and then pneumonia starts karate chopping you over the head. Thank god for antibiotics! I just wish the antibiotics had started working a little better a little sooner.  The first day that actually felt better was Thursday. And I flew out of Walla Walla to Seattle on Friday at 2:40pm.\r\n\r\nThere\'s something horribly unfair feeling about that but that\'s what happens sometimes.\r\n\r\nSometimes a holiday isn\'t at all what you expect. Like when I got hit by a senior citizen who was too old to be driving in front of the local post office as I was trying to cross the street. My dAd/chauffeur said he watched it happen in slow motion. Not me. One minute I was standing trying to cross the street. The next minute a little old lady has backed her car into me. I whack the back of her car with my hand. Luckily I am okay.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4184\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Doughnuts\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4184\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4184\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4184 \" title=\"Doughnuts\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_6976-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nIt\'s also lucky that doughnuts cure almost anything. Like the shock of being hit by a little white haired lady outside of the post office.\r\n\r\nOh wait, dAd and I had already been planning on going to the local doughnut joint. I love. <em>Love</em>. Apple fritters. dAd had a maple bar.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4185\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Front: apple fritter and back: maple bar\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4185\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4185\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4185 \" title=\"Front: apple fritter and back: maple bar\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_6978-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nThere\'s nothing quite like a fresh made doughnut and a crappy cup of coffee. We ate all of our doughnuts, drank half of our coffees and that was that.\r\n\r\nFriday, I roped my dAd into running some more errands with me. We swung by the house at lunch time so that I could say good-bye to my brother N. and his girlfriend K. Climbing out of the car, I happened to look down and partially hidden under some leaves was a $10 bill.\r\n\r\nHow lucky is that?! I gave it to my dAd. It\'s the start of his \"Bulgarian Vacation Fund.\"','Back in Sofia and Dreaming of Walla Walla ','','inherit','open','open','','4182-revision-6','','','2011-01-10 04:51:41','2011-01-10 02:51:41','',4182,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/01/10/4182-revision-6/',0,'revision','',0),(4192,1,'2011-01-10 04:52:47','2011-01-10 02:52:47','Well, I\'m back in Sofia alright but I am not actually <em>dreaming</em> of Walla Walla. You see I\'ve been awake since 3am.\n\nI made myself stay in bed until 3:30am. I mean a girl\'s gotta sleep in when she can. But when this turns into obsessing over the first day of school back from Christmas break, over the fact that you\'re awake at 3am rather than sleeping as you\'d like to be and then you start planning your outfit for the day in your head-- you realize there\'s no point staying in bed.\n\nAll of this said, it turns out at that at 3:30am there\'s nothing on tv and no friends awake to skype with/gchat or otherwise annoy. What\'s a girl to do?\n\nWell if you\'re like this girl you decide to unpack your suitcase, open and close your fridge door until you realize that you\'re not hungry so you make a pot of coffee instead. This also makes you realize that the \"I double heart Walla Walla\" bumper sticker you bought in Walla Walla for just $2.50 (but still had to pay for your with your debit card because of the shops rule: no cash) and just unpacked would look great on your refrigerator.\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_4183\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Walla Walla: I double heart you. \"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4183\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/01/10/back-in-sofia-and-dreaming-of-walla-walla/img_6986/\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4183 \" title=\"Walla Walla: I double heart you. \" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_6986-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nBut hanging a bumper sticker on your fridge with magnets only takes so much time. So it\'s back to the computer coffee in hand. You delete one piece of spam and read your three emails. Then you read everyone\'s facebook updates/status and flip through a couple of online albums before you realize that you could be doing something more meaningful with your time. Enter twitter.\n\nThe problem is that at 140 characters these read pretty quickly. So now it\'s on to google reader. Nine unread stories. <em>Great!</em> But it turns out half of them are artsy photos that one of your friends loves to share. <em>Oh well</em>.\n\nThat\'s when I thought: Carolyn, maybe you should upload artsy photos to flickr. Or maybe, you should suck it up and write a legit blog post for the first time in a couple of weeks.\n\nHum. Now that\'s an idea.<!--more-->\n\nMy head has been kind of foggy for the last two or so weeks and it\'s been hard to put together substantive posts. I guess it\'s to be expected. The first part of my vacation it was hard to write through tears (thanks for the foggy weather Sofia and for canceling my flight home for Christmas). Then after 20+ hours of traveling home for Christmas (after Christmas) all a girl wants to do is take a shower, eat some food and sleep. For the record, it\'s hard to write when you\'re sleeping.\n\nBut it\'s even harder to write when you\'re fighting the flu/pneumonia. Or in my case when the flu fakes you out and turns into pneumonia and then pneumonia starts karate chopping you over the head. Thank god for antibiotics! I just wish the antibiotics had started working a little better a little sooner.  The first day that actually felt better was Thursday. And I flew out of Walla Walla to Seattle on Friday at 2:40pm.\n\nThere\'s something horribly unfair feeling about that but that\'s what happens sometimes.\n\nSometimes a holiday isn\'t at all what you expect. Like when I got hit by a senior citizen who was too old to be driving in front of the local post office as I was trying to cross the street. My dAd/chauffeur said he watched it happen in slow motion. Not me. One minute I was standing trying to cross the street. The next minute a little old lady has backed her car into me. I whack the back of her car with my hand. Luckily I am okay.\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_4184\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Doughnuts\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4184\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/01/10/back-in-sofia-and-dreaming-of-walla-walla/img_6976/\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4184 \" title=\"Doughnuts\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_6976-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nIt\'s also lucky that doughnuts cure almost anything. Like the shock of being hit by a little white haired lady outside of the post office.\n\nOh wait, dAd and I had already been planning on going to the local doughnut joint. I love. <em>Love</em>. Apple fritters. dAd had a maple bar.\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_4185\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Front: apple fritter and back: maple bar\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4185\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/01/10/back-in-sofia-and-dreaming-of-walla-walla/img_6978/\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4185 \" title=\"Front: apple fritter and back: maple bar\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_6978-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nThere\'s nothing quite like a fresh made doughnut and a crappy cup of coffee. We ate all of our doughnuts, drank half of our coffees and that was that.\n\nFriday, I roped my dAd into running some more errands with me. We swung by the house at lunch time so that I could say good-bye to my brother N. and his girlfriend K. Climbing out of the car, I happened to look down and partially hidden under some leaves was a $10 bill.\n\nHow lucky is that?! I gave it to my dAd. It\'s the start of his \"Bulgarian Vacation Fund.\"','Back in Sofia and Dreaming of Walla Walla ','','inherit','open','open','','4182-autosave','','','2011-01-10 04:52:47','2011-01-10 02:52:47','',4182,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/01/10/4182-autosave/',0,'revision','',0),(4194,1,'2011-01-11 17:51:28','2011-01-11 15:51:28','I had my first Bulgarian lesson of the new year today and I couldn\'t remember a damn thing. Awesome.\n\nWords kept coming to me in German. I knew they were German but then I couldn\'t for the life of me come up with the correct Bulgarian word. I just kept thinking how funny it was that German would come to me.\n\nNeedless to say, this didn\'t help the matter much.  So I floundered around for a 40 minute lesson.\n\nMaybe I should study more and, um, actually memorize some words.\n\nOn my walk home today, I was considering this issue. I always tell myself I\'ll study a couple of hours a week. That I\'ll memorize all of my new words. Then I don\'t. It\'s not because I don\'t want to learn the language. I do. And I am actually getting better and better.\n\nThe thing is, when I was in high school and latter in college I <em>had</em> to study. I <em>had</em> to memorize new vocabulary and grammar. There were no ifs, ands or buts about it. A chapter test, pop quizzes, quarter exams, papers and final exams didn\'t leave me with much of an option.\n\nGrades motivated me. <em>A lot</em>.\n\nI liked getting good grades. I like that these tests, quizzes and papers showed my progress. They were a sign of what I knew and showed me what I needed to work on.\n\nThese days however I am much more aware of what I don\'t know. Rather than what I do know.\n\nMoreover, the progress I am making is slow going. I could really use a few As or 6s rather than fumbling my way through my Bulgarian lessons. I could also stand to memorize a few more verbs, adjectives and nouns.','First Bulgarian Lesson of the New Year ','','inherit','open','open','','4193-revision','','','2011-01-11 17:51:28','2011-01-11 15:51:28','',4193,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/01/11/4193-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(4195,1,'2011-01-11 17:51:55','2011-01-11 15:51:55','I had my first Bulgarian lesson of the new year today and I couldn\'t remember a damn thing. Awesome.\r\n\r\nWords kept coming to me in German. I knew they were German but then I couldn\'t for the life of me come up with the correct Bulgarian word. I just kept thinking how funny it was that German would come to me.\r\n\r\nNeedless to say, this didn\'t help the matter much.  So I floundered around for a 40 minute lesson.\r\n\r\nMaybe I should study more and, um, actually memorize some words.\r\n\r\nOn my walk home today, I was considering this issue. I always tell myself I\'ll study a couple of hours a week. That I\'ll memorize all of my new words. Then I don\'t. It\'s not because I don\'t want to learn the language. I do. And I am actually getting better and better.\r\n\r\nThe thing is, when I was in high school and latter in college I <em>had</em> to study. I <em>had</em> to memorize new vocabulary and grammar. There were no ifs, ands or buts about it. A chapter test, pop quizzes, quarter exams, papers and final exams didn\'t leave me with much of an option.\r\n\r\nGrades motivated me. <em>A lot</em>.\r\n\r\nI liked getting good grades. I like that these tests, quizzes and papers showed my progress. They were a sign of what I knew and showed me what I needed to work on.\r\n\r\nThese days however I am much more aware of what I don\'t know. Rather than what I do know.\r\n\r\nMoreover, the progress I am making is slow going. I could really use a few As or 6s rather than fumbling my way through my Bulgarian lessons. I could also stand to memorize a few more verbs, adjectives and nouns.','First Bulgarian Lesson of the New Year ','','inherit','open','open','','4193-revision-2','','','2011-01-11 17:51:55','2011-01-11 15:51:55','',4193,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/01/11/4193-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(4196,1,'2011-01-11 18:05:03','2011-01-11 16:05:03','I had my first Bulgarian lesson of the new year today and I couldn\'t remember a damn thing.\n\n<em>Awesome</em>.\n\nWords kept coming to me in German. I knew they were German but then I couldn\'t for the life of me come up with the correct Bulgarian word. I just kept thinking how funny it was that German would come to me.\n\nNeedless to say, this didn\'t help the matter much.\n\nSo I floundered around for a 40 minute lesson.\n\nAt one point, I realized that I didn\'t know the word in Bulgarian for enough. In German, yes:  genug. But Bulgarian, I had no idea. So I asked. достатъчно﻿﻿ (which is something like dostatuchno).  This was too much for me.  I thought to myself: Really?! That\'s going to be a hard word to remember.  And for the record I had to look it up again when I got home because I\'d forgotten it already. <em>Super</em>. Maybe it\'s jet-lag.\n\nOr maybe I should study more and, um, actually memorize some words.\n\nOn my walk home today, I was considering this issue. I always tell myself I\'ll study a couple of hours a week. That I\'ll memorize all of my new words. Then I don\'t. It\'s not because I don\'t want to learn the language. I do. And I am actually getting better and better.\n\nThe thing is, when I was in high school and later in college I <em>had</em> to study. I <em>had</em> to memorize new vocabulary and grammar. There were no ifs, ands or buts about it. A chapter test, pop quizzes, quarter exams, papers and final exams didn\'t leave me with much of an option.\n\nGrades motivated me. <em>A lot</em>.\n\nI liked getting good grades. I like that these tests, quizzes and papers showed my progress. They were a sign of what I knew and showed me what I needed to work on.\n\nThese days however I am much more aware of what I don\'t know. Rather than what I do know. Moreover, the progress I am making is slow going. I could really use a few As and/or 6s rather than fumbling my way through my Bulgarian lessons. But, I guess that I could also stand to memorize a few more verbs, adjectives and nouns.','First Bulgarian Lesson of the New Year ','','inherit','open','open','','4193-autosave','','','2011-01-11 18:05:03','2011-01-11 16:05:03','',4193,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/01/11/4193-autosave/',0,'revision','',0),(4227,1,'2011-01-19 21:01:56','2011-01-19 19:01:56','Here in Bulgaria, no one really takes turns. When the bus doors open at your stop, you\'d better be ready to get off because everyone else is already rushing the doors. The same goes for the metro. And/or any other kind of public transportation.\r\n\r\nIf the bus, train or tram is crowded, it\'s madness. Especially when you consider that there will be a lot more room on the bus/train/tram once the people who want off, get off.\r\n\r\nStill, somehow this mad rush persists.\r\n\r\nI don\'t know why it persists. In my mind it seems only reasonable to let people climb off the train or bus before trying to climb on yourself. But this clearly not the case for many Bulgarian riders. They are singled minded riders: must get on the bus.\r\n\r\nMaybe it comes from overly crowded buses.\r\n\r\nBut really, tonight at 7pm when the bus was basically empty and I was getting off I was rushed by three old women and one middle aged man. They barely parted ways for me to get off <em>and</em> I was standing at the door ready for it to open.\r\n\r\nDon\'t worry, I managed to get off <em>and</em> they scrambled on.  Still, the intensity and sheer determination they demonstrated tonight on the 111 bus seemed a little misplaced. A little too much.\r\n\r\n<em>Or</em> alternately, I don\'t understand what the big deal is.','Bus Doors','','publish','open','open','','bus-doors','','','2011-01-19 21:01:56','2011-01-19 19:01:56','',0,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?p=4227',0,'post','',8),(4198,1,'2011-01-12 19:10:37','2011-01-12 17:10:37','The New York Times just released their list of <a href=\"http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/09/travel/09where-to-go.html?ref=general&amp;src=me&amp;pagewanted=all#\" target=\"_blank\">41 places to go in 2011</a>.  I read it and then re-read it. First because I like to see if Bulgaria has made the list. Second, I like to check if I\'ve been to any of the places they mention and third, because I can dig the inspiration.\r\n\r\nBulgaria, it turns out, did not make the list. But I\'ve seen five of the 41 places: The Danube, The San Juan Islands in Washington State, Kosovo, Salonika (also known as Thessalonica) and Budapest.\r\n\r\nHum, that only gives me 36 new places to check out. Now what? Estonia maybe. Portugal sounds pretty great. London seems like a must see which I haven\'t yet visited. But Iraqi Kurdistan? Hum, this one will have to wait.\r\n\r\nThere are a lot of long weekends coming up in the next four months and 10 days for spring break. So I guess I\'d better get planning.\r\n\r\nWhat places are you looking forward to visiting in 2011?','NYT 41 Places to Go in 2011','','publish','open','open','','nyt-41-places-to-go-in-2011','','','2011-01-12 19:10:37','2011-01-12 17:10:37','',0,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?p=4198',0,'post','',6),(4199,1,'2011-01-12 19:09:56','2011-01-12 17:09:56','The New York Times just released their list of <a href=\"http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/09/travel/09where-to-go.html?ref=general&amp;src=me&amp;pagewanted=all#\" target=\"_blank\">41 places to go in 2011</a>.  I read it and then re-read it. First because I like to see if Bulgaria has made the list. Second, I like to check if I\'ve been to any of the places they mention and third, because I can dig the inspiration.\n\nBulgaria, it turns out, did not make the list. But I\'ve seen five of the 41 places: The Danube, The San Juan Islands in Washington State, Kosovo, Salonika (also known as Thessalonica) and Budapest.\n\nHum, that only gives me 36 new places to check out. Now what? Estonia maybe. Portugal sounds pretty great. London seems like a must see which I haven\'t yet visited. But Iraqi Kurdistan? Hum, this one will have to wait.\n\nThere are a lot of long weekends coming up in the next four months and 10 days for spring break. So I guess I\'d better get planning.\n\nWhat','NYT 41 Places to Go in 2011','','inherit','open','open','','4198-revision','','','2011-01-12 19:09:56','2011-01-12 17:09:56','',4198,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/01/12/4198-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(4200,1,'2011-01-12 19:11:54','2011-01-12 17:11:54','The New York Times just released their list of <a href=\"http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/09/travel/09where-to-go.html?ref=general&amp;src=me&amp;pagewanted=all#\" target=\"_blank\">41 places to go in 2011</a>.  I read it and then re-read it. First because I like to see if Bulgaria has made the list. Second, I like to check if I\'ve been to any of the places they mention and third, because I can dig the inspiration.\n\nBulgaria, it turns out, did not make the list. But I\'ve seen five of the 41 places: The Danube, The San Juan Islands in Washington State, Kosovo, Salonika (also known as Thessalonica) and Budapest.\n\nHum, that only gives me 36 new places to check out. Now what? Estonia maybe. Portugal sounds pretty great. London seems like a must see which I haven\'t yet visited. But Iraqi Kurdistan? Hum, this one will have to wait.\n\nThere are a lot of long weekends coming up in the next four months and 10 days for spring break. So I guess I\'d better get planning.\n\nWhat places are you looking forward to visiting in 2011?','NYT 41 Places to Go in 2011','','inherit','open','open','','4198-autosave','','','2011-01-12 19:11:54','2011-01-12 17:11:54','',4198,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/01/12/4198-autosave/',0,'revision','',0),(4201,1,'2011-01-13 21:33:10','2011-01-13 19:33:10','Recently I\'ve been thinking about how much fun I had and how much I learned last year in February with my \"<a href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2010/01/15/to-live-within-your-leva/\" target=\"_blank\">Live within my Leva</a>\" project.  It was quite a project. I figured that I\'d come up with a budget, stick to my budget as best I could and write about the whole experience.\r\n\r\nEasy-peasy. Or so I thought.\r\n\r\nI figured that I was doing it for me. I\'d been shocked to see a report about the average salary in Bulgaria and I wanted to be mindful about the opportunities and privileges I have as an American living and working in Bulgaria.  After I made up my mind to try to live within the constraints of an average Bulgarian salary I figured it would be a challenge but I like a challenge and a competition so I figured why not. Mostly I wanted to see if I could do it. After <a href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2010/01/22/living-on-leva-maybe/\" target=\"_blank\">a lot of number crunching</a>, plenty of feedback from my Bulgarian readers and some serious consideration I figured that I\'d try to<a href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2010/01/23/my-budget-400-leva/\" target=\"_blank\"> live on 400 leva for the month</a> of February.\r\n\r\nAn adventure ensued. A big one.\r\n\r\nIt started on <a href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2010/02/01/living-with-leva-feburary-1st/\" target=\"_blank\">February 1st with my first post </a>which ended up garnering 15 comments ranging from support, questions and even the decision to also track one\'s spending. And in the middle of the month I was contacted by Nova TV a Bulgarian television station because they were interested in doing a  series on what a week of my life looks like.  Totally weird and funny–<em>right</em>? You can check out this series Nova TV did on my life at the end of February 2010 (<a href=\"http://karolinkabulgaria.wordpress.com/2010/02/23/day-2-nova-tv/\">Day 2</a>, <a href=\"http://karolinkabulgaria.wordpress.com/2010/02/25/day-3-nova-me-the-bus/\">Day 3</a>, <a href=\"http://karolinkabulgaria.wordpress.com/2010/02/25/day-4-i-dance/\">Day 4</a> and <a href=\"http://karolinkabulgaria.wordpress.com/2010/02/27/day-5-the-wrap-up/\">Day 5</a>). Needless to say this whole thing was amusing and slightly terrifying.\r\n\r\nSo now what? <!--more-->\r\n\r\nWell, I certainly can\'t do the same thing I did last year. I mean I could but what\'s the challenge in that? The only problem is how I can I compete with what I did last year?\r\n\r\nI\'ve thought about this problem walking to and from school this week. Mostly it\'s gone like this: What can I do? What can I do? Why can\'t I think of a single good idea? What\'s wrong with me? How did I come up with this project last year? And on, and on.  Not very inspiring huna. That\'s what I thought too.\r\n\r\nThat was until I was walking home from school in my kickboxing clothes: yoga pants, tennis shoes, sweatshirt. It turned out kickboxing was yesterday so I had more free time on my hands than I\'d originally planned and nothing much to obsess about.  Well, other than the fact that I\'m stupid and got the days of kickboxing mixed up. Don\'t worry I beat myself up about it too badly, I chalked it up to jet-lag and figured I\'d just go next week.\r\n\r\nSo I was thinking about school, about new year resolutions, yoga, book club, what\'s on sale at Hit, the fact I need to take my chipped nail polish off, what to make for dinner, why it\'s been so foggy recently, the fact that the only two Bulgarian dishes I\'ve ever made are shopska salad and mountain herb tea. And I am not even sure if the last one counts as a dish.\r\n\r\nWhile I was trying to determine who I could call to verify whether or not Bulgarian mountain herb tea counted as a Bulgarian dish or not, I realized: maybe this is my project.\r\n\r\nMaybe in the month of February I need to learn to cook 28 new Bulgarian dishes. That\'s one dish for every day of the month! Thoughts?','A Plan for February ','','publish','open','open','','a-plan-for-february','','','2011-01-13 21:33:10','2011-01-13 19:33:10','',0,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?p=4201',0,'post','',11),(4202,1,'2011-01-13 21:30:50','2011-01-13 19:30:50','Recently I\'ve been thinking about how much fun I had and how much I learned last year in February with my \"<a href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2010/01/15/to-live-within-your-leva/\" target=\"_blank\">Live within my Leva</a>\" project.  It was quite a project. I figured that I\'d come up with a budget, stick to my budget as best I could and write about the whole experience.\n\nEasy-peasy. Or so I thought.\n\nI figured that I was doing it for me. I\'d been shocked to see a report about the average salary in Bulgaria and I wanted to be mindful about the opportunities and privileges I have as an American living and working in Bulgaria.  After I made up my mind to try to live within the constraints of an average Bulgarian salary I figured it would be a challenge but I like a challenge and a competition so I figured why not. Mostly I wanted to see if I could do it. After <a href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2010/01/22/living-on-leva-maybe/\" target=\"_blank\">a lot of number crunching</a>, plenty of feedback from my Bulgarian readers and some serious consideration I figured that I\'d try to<a href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2010/01/23/my-budget-400-leva/\" target=\"_blank\"> live on 400 leva for the month</a> of February.\n\nAn adventure ensued. A big one.\n\nIt started on <a href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2010/02/01/living-with-leva-feburary-1st/\" target=\"_blank\">February 1st with my first post </a>which ended up garnering 15 comments ranging from support, questions and even the decision to also track one\'s spending. And in the middle of the month I was contacted by Nova TV a Bulgarian television station because they were interested in doing a  series on what a week of my life looks like.  Totally weird and funny–<em>right</em>? You can check out this series Nova TV did on my life at the end of February 2010 (<a href=\"http://karolinkabulgaria.wordpress.com/2010/02/23/day-2-nova-tv/\">Day 2</a>, <a href=\"http://karolinkabulgaria.wordpress.com/2010/02/25/day-3-nova-me-the-bus/\">Day 3</a>, <a href=\"http://karolinkabulgaria.wordpress.com/2010/02/25/day-4-i-dance/\">Day 4</a> and <a href=\"http://karolinkabulgaria.wordpress.com/2010/02/27/day-5-the-wrap-up/\">Day 5</a>). Needless to say this whole thing was amusing and slightly terrifying.\n\nSo now what? Well, I certainly can\'t do the same thing I did last year. I mean I could but what\'s the challenge in that? The only problem is how I can I compete with what I did last year?\n\nI\'ve thought about this problem walking to and from school this week. Mostly it\'s gone like this: What can I do? What can I do? Why can\'t I think of a single good idea? What\'s wrong with me? How did I come up with this project last year? And on, and on.  Not very inspiring huna. That\'s what I thought too.\n\nThat was until I was walking home from school in my kickboxing clothes: yoga pants, tennis shoes, sweatshirt. It turned out kickboxing was yesterday so I had more free time on my hands than I\'d originally planned and nothing much to obsess about.  Well, other than the fact that I\'m stupid and got the days of kickboxing mixed up. Don\'t worry I beat myself up about it too badly, I chalked it up to jet-lag and figured I\'d just go next week.\n\nSo I was thinking about school, about new year resolutions, yoga, book club, what\'s on sale at Hit, the fact I need to take my chipped nwhat to make for dinner, why it\'s been so foggy recently, the fact that the only two Bulgarian dishes I\'ve ever made are shopska salad and mountain herb tea. And I am not even sure if the last one counts as a dish. While I was trying to determine who I could call to verify whether or not Bulgarian mountain herb tea counted as a dish or not, I realized: maybe this is my project.\n\nMaybe in the month of February I need to learn to cook 28 new Bulgarian dishes. That\'s one dish for every day of the month! Thoughts?','A Plan for February ','','inherit','open','open','','4201-revision','','','2011-01-13 21:30:50','2011-01-13 19:30:50','',4201,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/01/13/4201-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(4203,1,'2011-01-13 21:31:40','2011-01-13 19:31:40','Recently I\'ve been thinking about how much fun I had and how much I learned last year in February with my \"<a href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2010/01/15/to-live-within-your-leva/\" target=\"_blank\">Live within my Leva</a>\" project.  It was quite a project. I figured that I\'d come up with a budget, stick to my budget as best I could and write about the whole experience.\r\n\r\nEasy-peasy. Or so I thought.\r\n\r\nI figured that I was doing it for me. I\'d been shocked to see a report about the average salary in Bulgaria and I wanted to be mindful about the opportunities and privileges I have as an American living and working in Bulgaria.  After I made up my mind to try to live within the constraints of an average Bulgarian salary I figured it would be a challenge but I like a challenge and a competition so I figured why not. Mostly I wanted to see if I could do it. After <a href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2010/01/22/living-on-leva-maybe/\" target=\"_blank\">a lot of number crunching</a>, plenty of feedback from my Bulgarian readers and some serious consideration I figured that I\'d try to<a href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2010/01/23/my-budget-400-leva/\" target=\"_blank\"> live on 400 leva for the month</a> of February.\r\n\r\nAn adventure ensued. A big one.\r\n\r\nIt started on <a href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2010/02/01/living-with-leva-feburary-1st/\" target=\"_blank\">February 1st with my first post </a>which ended up garnering 15 comments ranging from support, questions and even the decision to also track one\'s spending. And in the middle of the month I was contacted by Nova TV a Bulgarian television station because they were interested in doing a  series on what a week of my life looks like.  Totally weird and funny–<em>right</em>? You can check out this series Nova TV did on my life at the end of February 2010 (<a href=\"http://karolinkabulgaria.wordpress.com/2010/02/23/day-2-nova-tv/\">Day 2</a>, <a href=\"http://karolinkabulgaria.wordpress.com/2010/02/25/day-3-nova-me-the-bus/\">Day 3</a>, <a href=\"http://karolinkabulgaria.wordpress.com/2010/02/25/day-4-i-dance/\">Day 4</a> and <a href=\"http://karolinkabulgaria.wordpress.com/2010/02/27/day-5-the-wrap-up/\">Day 5</a>). Needless to say this whole thing was amusing and slightly terrifying.\r\n\r\nSo now what? Well, I certainly can\'t do the same thing I did last year. I mean I could but what\'s the challenge in that? The only problem is how I can I compete with what I did last year?\r\n\r\nI\'ve thought about this problem walking to and from school this week. Mostly it\'s gone like this: What can I do? What can I do? Why can\'t I think of a single good idea? What\'s wrong with me? How did I come up with this project last year? And on, and on.  Not very inspiring huna. That\'s what I thought too.\r\n\r\nThat was until I was walking home from school in my kickboxing clothes: yoga pants, tennis shoes, sweatshirt. It turned out kickboxing was yesterday so I had more free time on my hands than I\'d originally planned and nothing much to obsess about.  Well, other than the fact that I\'m stupid and got the days of kickboxing mixed up. Don\'t worry I beat myself up about it too badly, I chalked it up to jet-lag and figured I\'d just go next week.\r\n\r\nSo I was thinking about school, about new year resolutions, yoga, book club, what\'s on sale at Hit, the fact I need to take my chipped nail polish off, what to make for dinner, why it\'s been so foggy recently, the fact that the only two Bulgarian dishes I\'ve ever made are shopska salad and mountain herb tea. And I am not even sure if the last one counts as a dish.\r\n\r\nWhile I was trying to determine who I could call to verify whether or not Bulgarian mountain herb tea counted as a Bulgarian dish or not, I realized: maybe this is my project.\r\n\r\nMaybe in the month of February I need to learn to cook 28 new Bulgarian dishes. That\'s one dish for every day of the month! Thoughts?','A Plan for February ','','inherit','open','open','','4201-revision-2','','','2011-01-13 21:31:40','2011-01-13 19:31:40','',4201,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/01/13/4201-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(4204,1,'2011-01-13 21:32:46','2011-01-13 19:32:46','Recently I\'ve been thinking about how much fun I had and how much I learned last year in February with my \"<a href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2010/01/15/to-live-within-your-leva/\" target=\"_blank\">Live within my Leva</a>\" project.  It was quite a project. I figured that I\'d come up with a budget, stick to my budget as best I could and write about the whole experience.\n\nEasy-peasy. Or so I thought.\n\nI figured that I was doing it for me. I\'d been shocked to see a report about the average salary in Bulgaria and I wanted to be mindful about the opportunities and privileges I have as an American living and working in Bulgaria.  After I made up my mind to try to live within the constraints of an average Bulgarian salary I figured it would be a challenge but I like a challenge and a competition so I figured why not. Mostly I wanted to see if I could do it. After <a href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2010/01/22/living-on-leva-maybe/\" target=\"_blank\">a lot of number crunching</a>, plenty of feedback from my Bulgarian readers and some serious consideration I figured that I\'d try to<a href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2010/01/23/my-budget-400-leva/\" target=\"_blank\"> live on 400 leva for the month</a> of February.\n\nAn adventure ensued. A big one.\n\nIt started on <a href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2010/02/01/living-with-leva-feburary-1st/\" target=\"_blank\">February 1st with my first post </a>which ended up garnering 15 comments ranging from support, questions and even the decision to also track one\'s spending. And in the middle of the month I was contacted by Nova TV a Bulgarian television station because they were interested in doing a  series on what a week of my life looks like.  Totally weird and funny–<em>right</em>? You can check out this series Nova TV did on my life at the end of February 2010 (<a href=\"http://karolinkabulgaria.wordpress.com/2010/02/23/day-2-nova-tv/\">Day 2</a>, <a href=\"http://karolinkabulgaria.wordpress.com/2010/02/25/day-3-nova-me-the-bus/\">Day 3</a>, <a href=\"http://karolinkabulgaria.wordpress.com/2010/02/25/day-4-i-dance/\">Day 4</a> and <a href=\"http://karolinkabulgaria.wordpress.com/2010/02/27/day-5-the-wrap-up/\">Day 5</a>). Needless to say this whole thing was amusing and slightly terrifying.\n\nSo now what? Well, I certainly can\'t do the same thing I did last year. I mean I could but what\'s the challenge in that? The only problem is how I can I compete with what I did last year?\n\nI\'ve thought about this problem walking to and from school this week. Mostly it\'s gone like this: What can I do? What can I do? Why can\'t I think of a single good idea? What\'s wrong with me? How did I come up with this project last year? And on, and on.  Not very inspiring huna. That\'s what I thought too.\n\nThat was until I was walking home from school in my kickboxing clothes: yoga pants, tennis shoes, sweatshirt. It turned out kickboxing was yesterday so I had more free time on my hands than I\'d originally planned and nothing much to obsess about.  Well, other than the fact that I\'m stupid and got the days of kickboxing mixed up. Don\'t worry I beat myself up about it too badly, I chalked it up to jet-lag and figured I\'d just go next week.\n\nSo I was thinking about school, about new year resolutions, yoga, book club, what\'s on sale at Hit, the fact I need to take my chipped nail polish off, what to make for dinner, why it\'s been so foggy recently, the fact that the only two Bulgarian dishes I\'ve ever made are shopska salad and mountain herb tea. And I am not even sure if the last one counts as a dish.\n\nWhile I was trying to determine who I could call to verify whether or not Bulgarian mountain herb tea counted as a Bulgarian dish or not, I realized: maybe this is my project.\n\nMaybe in the month of February I need to learn to cook 28 new Bulgarian dishes. That\'s one dish for every day of the month! Thoughts?','A Plan for February ','','inherit','open','open','','4201-revision-3','','','2011-01-13 21:32:46','2011-01-13 19:32:46','',4201,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/01/13/4201-revision-3/',0,'revision','',0),(4205,1,'2011-01-14 07:13:22','2011-01-14 05:13:22','After <a href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/01/13/a-plan-for-february/\" target=\"_blank\">last night\'s post</a> I woke up this morning with this memory: trying to make banitsa last winter in Walla Walla.\r\n\r\nSo it turns out I\'ve made two dishes. The first: <span style=\"text-decoration: line-through;\">Skopska</span> Shopska salad which I made with a decent amount success. All you have to do after all is chop what seems like an unending number of tomatoes, cucumbers and one onion dump these in a bowl and add cheese. The second: Banitsa. Well that\'s a longer story.\r\n\r\nI figured I\'d whip up a batch and wow my dAd who\'s never been to Bulgaria. Great idea.\r\n\r\nBut it didn\'t work so great in practice. <!--more-->\r\n\r\nIt turned out to be phyllo dough and feta cheese with some egg and milk. It was too crispy and flaky and the dough didn\'t hold together very well. Rather uninteresting. There wasn\'t much bite or flavor to it. Sure I was cooking with American ingredients but really the banitsa was bad.\r\n\r\nMy family not knowing any differently obligingly ate it.\r\n\r\nI am not sure why because I did read a bunch of recipes and I watched these rather painful youtube videos on making banitsa. This one has <a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zDZh5hQbeh8\" target=\"_blank\">a traditional Bulgarian sound track</a>. The second one I watched was <a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-0cQXWKOOs&amp;feature=related\" target=\"_blank\">a baba making banitsa in slow motion</a>.  I also watched some college guys on Erasmus exchanges trying to make banitsa in a dorm room--this was much funnier than helpful when it came to making my own banitsa. Unfortunately I can\'t find the video more than a year later.\r\n\r\nThat last video was exciting. So I am really sad that I can\'t find it. I also can find the pictures I am sure that I took of my cooking fore into Bulgarian banitsa.\r\n\r\nNeedless to say, I\'ve got some thinking, planning and creating to do if I want to actually get this next project off the ground. More will follow but I am clearly going to need help with recipes so start thinking now!!','Hum, then again there was Banitsa','','publish','open','open','','hum-then-again-there-was-banitsa','','','2011-01-14 23:34:10','2011-01-14 21:34:10','',0,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?p=4205',0,'post','',9),(4206,1,'2011-01-13 21:56:54','2011-01-13 19:56:54','After last night\'s post I woke up this morning with this memory: trying to make banitsa last winter in Walla Walla.\n\nI figured I\'d whip up a batch. Wow my dAd who\'s never been to Bulgaria. Great idea.\n\nBut it didn\'t work so great in practice. It turned out to be filo dough and feta cheese with some egg and milk. It was crispy and flaky. Rather uninteresting. There wasn\'t much bite or flavor to it. Sure I was cooking with American ingredients but really the banitsa was bad.\n\nI am not sure why because I did watch these rather painful youtube videos on making banitsa. This one has <a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zDZh5hQbeh8\" target=\"_blank\">a traditional Bulgarian sound track</a>. The second one I watched was <a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-0cQXWKOOs&amp;feature=related\" target=\"_blank\">a baba making banitsa in slow motion</a>.  I also watched some college guys on Erasmus ectrying to make banitsa in a dorm room--this was much funnier than helpful\n\nThat was exciting.','Hum, then again there was Banitsa','','inherit','open','open','','4205-revision','','','2011-01-13 21:56:54','2011-01-13 19:56:54','',4205,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/01/13/4205-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(4207,1,'2011-01-14 07:11:17','2011-01-14 05:11:17','After last night\'s post I woke up this morning with this memory: trying to make banitsa last winter in Walla Walla.\n\nSo it turns out I\'ve made two dishes. The first: Skopska salad which I made with a decent amount success. All you have to do after all is chop what seems like an unending number of tomatoes, cucumbers and one onion dump these in a bowl and add cheese. The second: Banitsa. Well that\'s a longer story.\n\nI figured I\'d whip up a batch and wow my dAd who\'s never been to Bulgaria. Great idea.\n\nBut it didn\'t work so great in practice.\n\nIt turned out to be phyllo dough and feta cheese with some egg and milk. It was too crispy and flaky and the dough didn\'t hold together very well. Rather uninteresting. There wasn\'t much bite or flavor to it. Sure I was cooking with American ingredients but really the banitsa was bad.\n\nMy family not knowing any differently obligingly ate it.\n\nI am not sure why because I did read a bunch of recipes and I watched these rather painful youtube videos on making banitsa. This one has <a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zDZh5hQbeh8\" target=\"_blank\">a traditional Bulgarian sound track</a>. The second one I watched was <a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-0cQXWKOOs&amp;feature=related\" target=\"_blank\">a baba making banitsa in slow motion</a>.  I also watched some college guys on Erasmus exchanges trying to make banitsa in a dorm room--this was much funnier than helpful when it came to making my own banitsa. Unfortunately I can\'t find the video more than a year later.\n\nThat last video was exciting. So I am really sad that I can\'t find it. I also can find the pictures I am sure that I took of my cooking fore into Bulgarian banitsa.\n\nNeedless to say, I\'ve got some thinking, planning and creating to do if I want to actually get this next project off the ground. More will follow but I am clearly going to need help with recipes so start thinking now!!','Hum, then again there was Banitsa','','inherit','open','open','','4205-revision-2','','','2011-01-14 07:11:17','2011-01-14 05:11:17','',4205,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/01/14/4205-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(4208,1,'2011-01-14 07:11:19','2011-01-14 05:11:19','After last night\'s post I woke up this morning with this memory: trying to make banitsa last winter in Walla Walla.\r\n\r\nSo it turns out I\'ve made two dishes. The first: Skopska salad which I made with a decent amount success. All you have to do after all is chop what seems like an unending number of tomatoes, cucumbers and one onion dump these in a bowl and add cheese. The second: Banitsa. Well that\'s a longer story.\r\n\r\nI figured I\'d whip up a batch and wow my dAd who\'s never been to Bulgaria. Great idea.\r\n\r\nBut it didn\'t work so great in practice.\r\n\r\nIt turned out to be phyllo dough and feta cheese with some egg and milk. It was too crispy and flaky and the dough didn\'t hold together very well. Rather uninteresting. There wasn\'t much bite or flavor to it. Sure I was cooking with American ingredients but really the banitsa was bad.\r\n\r\nMy family not knowing any differently obligingly ate it.\r\n\r\nI am not sure why because I did read a bunch of recipes and I watched these rather painful youtube videos on making banitsa. This one has <a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zDZh5hQbeh8\" target=\"_blank\">a traditional Bulgarian sound track</a>. The second one I watched was <a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-0cQXWKOOs&amp;feature=related\" target=\"_blank\">a baba making banitsa in slow motion</a>.  I also watched some college guys on Erasmus exchanges trying to make banitsa in a dorm room--this was much funnier than helpful when it came to making my own banitsa. Unfortunately I can\'t find the video more than a year later.\r\n\r\nThat last video was exciting. So I am really sad that I can\'t find it. I also can find the pictures I am sure that I took of my cooking fore into Bulgarian banitsa.\r\n\r\nNeedless to say, I\'ve got some thinking, planning and creating to do if I want to actually get this next project off the ground. More will follow but I am clearly going to need help with recipes so start thinking now!!','Hum, then again there was Banitsa','','inherit','open','open','','4205-revision-3','','','2011-01-14 07:11:19','2011-01-14 05:11:19','',4205,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/01/14/4205-revision-3/',0,'revision','',0),(4209,1,'2011-01-14 23:34:13','2011-01-14 21:34:13','After <a href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/01/13/a-plan-for-february/\" target=\"_blank\">last night\'s post</a> I woke up this morning with this memory: trying to make banitsa last winter in Walla Walla.\n\nSo it turns out I\'ve made two dishes. The first: <span style=\"text-decoration: line-through;\">Skopska</span> Shopska salad which I made with a decent amount success. All you have to do after all is chop what seems like an unending number of tomatoes, cucumbers and one onion dump these in a bowl and add cheese. The second: Banitsa. Well that\'s a longer story.\n\nI figured I\'d whip up a batch and wow my dAd who\'s never been to Bulgaria. Great idea.\n\nBut it didn\'t work so great in practice. <!--more-->\n\nIt turned out to be phyllo dough and feta cheese with some egg and milk. It was too crispy and flaky and the dough didn\'t hold together very well. Rather uninteresting. There wasn\'t much bite or flavor to it. Sure I was cooking with American ingredients but really the banitsa was bad.\n\nMy family not knowing any differently obligingly ate it.\n\nI am not sure why because I did read a bunch of recipes and I watched these rather painful youtube videos on making banitsa. This one has <a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zDZh5hQbeh8\" target=\"_blank\">a traditional Bulgarian sound track</a>. The second one I watched was <a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-0cQXWKOOs&amp;feature=related\" target=\"_blank\">a baba making banitsa in slow motion</a>.  I also watched some college guys on Erasmus exchanges trying to make banitsa in a dorm room--this was much funnier than helpful when it came to making my own banitsa. Unfortunately I can\'t find the video more than a year later.\n\nThat last video was exciting. So I am really sad that I can\'t find it. I also can find the pictures I am sure that I took of my cooking fore into Bulgarian banitsa.\n\nNeedless to say, I\'ve got some thinking, planning and creating to do if I want to actually get this next project off the ground. More will follow but I am clearly going to need help with recipes so start thinking now!!','Hum, then again there was Banitsa','','inherit','open','open','','4205-autosave','','','2011-01-14 23:34:13','2011-01-14 21:34:13','',4205,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/01/14/4205-autosave/',0,'revision','',0),(4210,1,'2011-01-14 07:13:22','2011-01-14 05:13:22','After <a href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/01/13/a-plan-for-february/\" target=\"_blank\">last night\'s post</a> I woke up this morning with this memory: trying to make banitsa last winter in Walla Walla.\r\n\r\nSo it turns out I\'ve made two dishes. The first: Skopska salad which I made with a decent amount success. All you have to do after all is chop what seems like an unending number of tomatoes, cucumbers and one onion dump these in a bowl and add cheese. The second: Banitsa. Well that\'s a longer story.\r\n\r\nI figured I\'d whip up a batch and wow my dAd who\'s never been to Bulgaria. Great idea.\r\n\r\nBut it didn\'t work so great in practice. <!--more-->\r\n\r\nIt turned out to be phyllo dough and feta cheese with some egg and milk. It was too crispy and flaky and the dough didn\'t hold together very well. Rather uninteresting. There wasn\'t much bite or flavor to it. Sure I was cooking with American ingredients but really the banitsa was bad.\r\n\r\nMy family not knowing any differently obligingly ate it.\r\n\r\nI am not sure why because I did read a bunch of recipes and I watched these rather painful youtube videos on making banitsa. This one has <a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zDZh5hQbeh8\" target=\"_blank\">a traditional Bulgarian sound track</a>. The second one I watched was <a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-0cQXWKOOs&amp;feature=related\" target=\"_blank\">a baba making banitsa in slow motion</a>.  I also watched some college guys on Erasmus exchanges trying to make banitsa in a dorm room--this was much funnier than helpful when it came to making my own banitsa. Unfortunately I can\'t find the video more than a year later.\r\n\r\nThat last video was exciting. So I am really sad that I can\'t find it. I also can find the pictures I am sure that I took of my cooking fore into Bulgarian banitsa.\r\n\r\nNeedless to say, I\'ve got some thinking, planning and creating to do if I want to actually get this next project off the ground. More will follow but I am clearly going to need help with recipes so start thinking now!!','Hum, then again there was Banitsa','','inherit','open','open','','4205-revision-4','','','2011-01-14 07:13:22','2011-01-14 05:13:22','',4205,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/01/14/4205-revision-4/',0,'revision','',0),(4211,1,'2011-01-15 11:06:38','2011-01-15 09:06:38','So I am going to be cooking my heart in February but as my kind readers pointed out 29 Bulgarian dishes in 29 days might be overly ambitious.\r\n\r\nGood idea? Probably.\r\n\r\nBut realistic? Probably not.\r\n\r\nAs it stands, I usually make one meal on Sunday and eat leftovers until Wednesday or Thursday and at this point sometimes I cook again or I eat sandwiches or salads until I cook again. Needless to say, if I make 29 dishes in 29 days I\'d never-ever be able to eat all of the leftovers. I\'d be drowning in them. Drowning.\r\n\r\nInstead, I figured that I could do 15 for February.\r\n\r\nWhat\'s great about this is that it means I\'ll be able to eat leftovers. I\'ll be able to go out to dinner with friends. I\'ll be able to travel. <em>And</em> I wont have to worry about coming up with 29 different dishes to make. Phew.\r\n\r\nNow comes the hard part. What dishes should I make? What ingredients and spices do I need? How much Bulgarian pottery should I buy?\r\n\r\nAnyone want to join me on this adventure?','29 Dishes in 29 Days, Ha','','publish','open','open','','29-dishes-in-29-days-ha','','','2011-01-15 11:06:38','2011-01-15 09:06:38','',0,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?p=4211',0,'post','',5),(4212,1,'2011-01-15 11:00:34','2011-01-15 09:00:34','So I am going to be cooking my heart in February but as my kind readers pointed out 29 dishes in 29 days might be overly ambitious.\n\nGood idea? Probably.\n\nBut realistic? Probably not.\n\nAs it stands, I usually make one meal on Sunday and eat leftovers until Wednesday or Thursday and at this point sometimes I cook again or I eat sandwiches or salads until I cook again. Needless to say, if I make 29 dishes in 29 days I\'d never-ever be able to eat all of the leftovers. I\'d be drowning in them. Drowning.\n\nInstead, I figured that I could do 15 for February.\n\nWhat\'s great about this is that it means I\'ll be able to eat leftovers. I\'ll be able to go out to dinner with friends. I\'ll be able to travel. <em>And</em> I wont have to worry about coming up with 29 different dishes to make. Phew.\n\nNow comes the hard part. What dishes should I make? What ingreidents and spices do I need? How much Bulgarian pottery should I buy?\n\nAnyone want to join me on this adventure?','29 Dishes in 29 Days','','inherit','open','open','','4211-revision','','','2011-01-15 11:00:34','2011-01-15 09:00:34','',4211,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/01/15/4211-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(4213,1,'2011-01-15 11:00:38','2011-01-15 09:00:38','So I am going to be cooking my heart in February but as my kind readers pointed out 29 dishes in 29 days might be overly ambitious.\r\n\r\nGood idea? Probably.\r\n\r\nBut realistic? Probably not.\r\n\r\nAs it stands, I usually make one meal on Sunday and eat leftovers until Wednesday or Thursday and at this point sometimes I cook again or I eat sandwiches or salads until I cook again. Needless to say, if I make 29 dishes in 29 days I\'d never-ever be able to eat all of the leftovers. I\'d be drowning in them. Drowning.\r\n\r\nInstead, I figured that I could do 15 for February.\r\n\r\nWhat\'s great about this is that it means I\'ll be able to eat leftovers. I\'ll be able to go out to dinner with friends. I\'ll be able to travel. <em>And</em> I wont have to worry about coming up with 29 different dishes to make. Phew.\r\n\r\nNow comes the hard part. What dishes should I make? What ingredients and spices do I need? How much Bulgarian pottery should I buy?\r\n\r\nAnyone want to join me on this adventure?','29 Dishes in 29 Days','','inherit','open','open','','4211-revision-2','','','2011-01-15 11:00:38','2011-01-15 09:00:38','',4211,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/01/15/4211-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(4214,1,'2011-01-15 11:01:11','2011-01-15 09:01:11','So I am going to be cooking my heart in February but as my kind readers pointed out 29 dishes in 29 days might be overly ambitious.\r\n\r\nGood idea? Probably.\r\n\r\nBut realistic? Probably not.\r\n\r\nAs it stands, I usually make one meal on Sunday and eat leftovers until Wednesday or Thursday and at this point sometimes I cook again or I eat sandwiches or salads until I cook again. Needless to say, if I make 29 dishes in 29 days I\'d never-ever be able to eat all of the leftovers. I\'d be drowning in them. Drowning.\r\n\r\nInstead, I figured that I could do 15 for February.\r\n\r\nWhat\'s great about this is that it means I\'ll be able to eat leftovers. I\'ll be able to go out to dinner with friends. I\'ll be able to travel. <em>And</em> I wont have to worry about coming up with 29 different dishes to make. Phew.\r\n\r\nNow comes the hard part. What dishes should I make? What ingredients and spices do I need? How much Bulgarian pottery should I buy?\r\n\r\nAnyone want to join me on this adventure?','29 Dishes in 29 Days','','inherit','open','open','','4211-revision-3','','','2011-01-15 11:01:11','2011-01-15 09:01:11','',4211,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/01/15/4211-revision-3/',0,'revision','',0),(4215,1,'2011-01-15 11:07:44','2011-01-15 09:07:44','So I am going to be cooking my heart in February but as my kind readers pointed out 29 Bulgarian dishes in 29 days might be overly ambitious.\n\nGood idea? Probably.\n\nBut realistic? Probably not.\n\nAs it stands, I usually make one meal on Sunday and eat leftovers until Wednesday or Thursday and at this point sometimes I cook again or I eat sandwiches or salads until I cook again. Needless to say, if I make 29 dishes in 29 days I\'d never-ever be able to eat all of the leftovers. I\'d be drowning in them. Drowning.\n\nInstead, I figured that I could do 15 for February.\n\nWhat\'s great about this is that it means I\'ll be able to eat leftovers. I\'ll be able to go out to dinner with friends. I\'ll be able to travel. <em>And</em> I wont have to worry about coming up with 29 different dishes to make. Phew.\n\nNow comes the hard part. What dishes should I make? What ingredients and spices do I need? How much Bulgarian pottery should I buy?\n\nAnyone want to join me on this adventure?','29 Dishes in 29 Days, Ha','','inherit','open','open','','4211-autosave','','','2011-01-15 11:07:44','2011-01-15 09:07:44','',4211,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/01/15/4211-autosave/',0,'revision','',0),(4216,1,'2011-01-17 07:09:42','2011-01-17 05:09:42','It\'s a reasonable question given the fact that I am about to under take 15 new Bulgarian dishes in the month of February: How much do you cook? And I guess this is followed by what counts as cooking? Is turning on the stove or oven enough? Do you need a recipe? Does the dish have to exist on a restaurant menu or in Grandma\'s recipe box to count?\r\n\r\nIn one of my last posts, I guessed that I cook about 2 times a week and then I reheat most of my other meals or eat out. Mostly, I think that this is spot on. There\'s one of me, I often work late (or bring work home with me) and I hate to let food go bad in the fridge.\r\n\r\nFor example last week (Sunday to Saturday) I had veggie stir fry with an egg, homemade <a href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2010/05/09/pad-thai-esque/\" target=\"_self\">pad thai (a recipe that never gets old)</a>, and then I ended up celebrating a birthday of one of my colleague\'s children on Friday night.  Saturday morning I whipped up a <a href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2009/11/07/scones-in-sofia/\" target=\"_blank\">batch of scones</a> and Saturday night I ate out. I ate stove made oatmeal every morning and lunch at school.\r\n\r\nI guess that if you look at what I made last week that\'s three dishes. But half of it is in a name like the veggie stir fry with an egg.  Sure I washed and chopped the veggies, I poured oil in a pan sauteed the veggies and cooked an egg \"sunny side down\" as I told my MoM over Christmas break (which in other words/menu speak is over-easy).\r\n\r\nBut is this really a dish? <!--more-->\r\n\r\nWhen I was making it last week it was out of time, convenience and the fear that my peppers were going to go bad without me having eaten all of them.  In my mind, this meal was a concoction. Something I threw together out of need and necessity.\r\n\r\nDid I use a recipe? Nope. Was it tasty? Yep, luckily.  Healthy? Well, I used four different veggies.  Does it count as a meal? Hell yes. But does it count as a dish? I guess so.--but I am not sure.\r\n\r\nOkay, it\'s not like I was standing at my kitchen sink eating muesli and yogurt out of a bowl for dinner (which, gasp, I\'ve also done before). This said, it wasn\'t the kind of dish I\'d ever dream of serving a guest who I\'d invited over for dinner.\r\n\r\nSo what counts? And how much are you cooking?\r\n\r\nInterestingly, this whole post comes from a couple of different conversations I\'ve had with people. Like last night when my MoM told me that 15 dishes in one month might be too ambitious.  Or a couple of weeks ago when a Bulgarian colleague was telling me that no one cooks any more. Then there was the conversation I was having with a Bulgarian living in a America who was lamenting the fact that Bulgarian girls don\'t know how to cook traditional Bulgarian food anymore.','How much do you cook? ','','publish','open','open','','how-much-do-you-cook','','','2011-01-17 07:09:42','2011-01-17 05:09:42','',0,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?p=4216',0,'post','',5),(4217,1,'2011-01-17 07:09:14','2011-01-17 05:09:14','It\'s a reasonable question given the fact that I am about to under take 15 new Bulgarian dishes in the month of February: How much do you cook? And I guess this is followed by what counts as cooking? Is turning on the stove or oven enough? Do you need a recipe? Does the dish have to exist on a restaurant menu or in Grandma\'s recipe box to count?\n\nIn one of my last posts, I guessed that I cook about 2 times a week and then I reheat most of my other meals or eat out. Mostly, I think that this is spot on. There\'s one of me, I often work late (or bring work home with me) and I hate to let food go bad in the fridge.\n\nFor example last week (Sunday to Saturday) I had veggie stir fry with an egg, homemade <a href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2010/05/09/pad-thai-esque/\" target=\"_self\">pad thai (a recipe that never gets old)</a>, and then I ended up celebrating a birthday of one of my colleague\'s children on Friday night.  Saturday morning I whipped up a <a href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2009/11/07/scones-in-sofia/\" target=\"_blank\">batch of scones</a> and Saturday night I ate out. I ate stove made oatmeal every morning and lunch at school.\n\nI guess that if you look at what I made last week that\'s three dishes. But half of it is in a name like the veggie stir fry with an egg.  Sure I washed and chopped the veggies, I poured oil in a pan sauteed the veggies and cooked an egg \"sunny side down\" as I told my MoM over Christmas break (which in other words is over-easy).  But is this really a dish? <!--more-->\n\nWhen I was making it last week it was out of time, convenience and the fear that my peppers were going to go bad without me having eaten all of them.  In my mind, this meal was a concoction. Something I threw together out of need and necessity.\n\nDid I use a recipe? Nope. Was it tasty? Yep, luckily.  Healthy? Well, I used four different veggies.  Does it count as a meal? Hell yes. But does it count as a dish? I guess so.--but I am not sure.\n\nOkay, it\'s not like I was standing at my kitchen sink eating muesli and yogurt out of a bowl for dinner (which, gasp, I\'ve also done before). This said, it wasn\'t the kind of dish I\'d ever dream of serving a guest who I\'d invited over for dinner.\n\nSo what counts? And how much are you cooking?\n\nInterestingly, this whole post comes from a couple of different conversations I\'ve had with people. Like last night when my MoM told me that 15 dishes in one month might be too ambitious.  Or a couple of weeks ago when a Bulgarian colleague was telling me that no one cooks any more. Then there was the conversation I was having with a Bulgarian living in a America who was lamenting the fact that Bulgarian girls don\'t know how to cook traditional Bulgarian food anymore.','How much do you cook? ','','inherit','open','open','','4216-revision','','','2011-01-17 07:09:14','2011-01-17 05:09:14','',4216,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/01/17/4216-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(4218,1,'2011-01-17 07:10:48','2011-01-17 05:10:48','It\'s a reasonable question given the fact that I am about to under take 15 new Bulgarian dishes in the month of February: How much do you cook? And I guess this is followed by what counts as cooking? Is turning on the stove or oven enough? Do you need a recipe? Does the dish have to exist on a restaurant menu or in Grandma\'s recipe box to count?\n\nIn one of my last posts, I guessed that I cook about 2 times a week and then I reheat most of my other meals or eat out. Mostly, I think that this is spot on. There\'s one of me, I often work late (or bring work home with me) and I hate to let food go bad in the fridge.\n\nFor example last week (Sunday to Saturday) I had veggie stir fry with an egg, homemade <a href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2010/05/09/pad-thai-esque/\" target=\"_self\">pad thai (a recipe that never gets old)</a>, and then I ended up celebrating a birthday of one of my colleague\'s children on Friday night.  Saturday morning I whipped up a <a href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2009/11/07/scones-in-sofia/\" target=\"_blank\">batch of scones</a> and Saturday night I ate out. I ate stove made oatmeal every morning and lunch at school.\n\nI guess that if you look at what I made last week that\'s three dishes. But half of it is in a name like the veggie stir fry with an egg.  Sure I washed and chopped the veggies, I poured oil in a pan sauteed the veggies and cooked an egg \"sunny side down\" as I told my MoM over Christmas break (which in other words/menu speak is over-easy).\n\nBut is this really a dish? <!--more-->\n\nWhen I was making it last week it was out of time, convenience and the fear that my peppers were going to go bad without me having eaten all of them.  In my mind, this meal was a concoction. Something I threw together out of need and necessity.\n\nDid I use a recipe? Nope. Was it tasty? Yep, luckily.  Healthy? Well, I used four different veggies.  Does it count as a meal? Hell yes. But does it count as a dish? I guess so.--but I am not sure.\n\nOkay, it\'s not like I was standing at my kitchen sink eating muesli and yogurt out of a bowl for dinner (which, gasp, I\'ve also done before). This said, it wasn\'t the kind of dish I\'d ever dream of serving a guest who I\'d invited over for dinner.\n\nSo what counts? And how much are you cooking?\n\nInterestingly, this whole post comes from a couple of different conversations I\'ve had with people. Like last night when my MoM told me that 15 dishes in one month might be too ambitious.  Or a couple of weeks ago when a Bulgarian colleague was telling me that no one cooks any more. Then there was the conversation I was having with a Bulgarian living in a America who was lamenting the fact that Bulgarian girls don\'t know how to cook traditional Bulgarian food anymore.','How much do you cook? ','','inherit','open','open','','4216-autosave','','','2011-01-17 07:10:48','2011-01-17 05:10:48','',4216,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/01/17/4216-autosave/',0,'revision','',0),(4220,1,'2011-01-17 19:44:04','2011-01-17 17:44:04','Tonight I was walking home with a bag of groceries from Hit.  I\'d just crossed the street and was finishing of my standard refrain of please don\'t hit me, please don\'t hit me, please don\'t hit me. Don\'t worry I don\'t usually say these out loud so maybe it\'s more of a mantra than a refrain.\n\nAnyhow I looked down and there was a rat crawling into a whole in the sidewalk.\n\nI realized: I\'ve never seen a rat before in Sofia.\n\nThis realization was sort of surprising yet at the same time pretty banal. A rat. I saw a rat. Big deal I know.\n\nBut it was kind of a big deal. For some reason, I was reminded of life in Washington DC.  In the up and coming neighborhood I lived in three years ago, 14th and U-Street NW rats were standard issue and the closer you got to Adams Morgan the bigger they got. Rats the size of kittens used to regularly scare the daylights out of me jumping out of garbage cans or running across the sidewalk.\n\nThen there was the year we caught not one but two rats in our group house. Now It\'s a great story to tell about urban living (and my bad-ass roommate S.). At the time, it was a nightmare. <!--more-->\n\nWe saw the first rat during one of the baseball world series game. The next day I bought a rat trap. Basically these are giant oversized mouse traps with a spring that\'s so strong it looks like it could break your finger.\n\nNow I am not a city girl. I\'ve seen mice in traps. I know how they work. But the next morning when there was a big gray rat in the trap and no one around to help me get it out of the trap or clean up the mess, I figured that for $3 I could buy another rat trap. So I threw out the whole thing. Man, rats have long tails.\n\nWe called the landlords. He called an extermination company.\n\nThey came and looked around the house. Then they insisted in putting down snap traps in the basement but sticky traps in the kitchen. Ug. We weren\'t very excited about this. The sticky traps just trap the still live (and now screaming) rat in the trap.  The extermination company said sticky traps are safer in living spaces. No broken toes. They say just call and we\'ll come and get the rat. <em>Really?</em>\n\nWe catch a rat that night. It wakes my roommate M. up. Yes the screaming rat stuck in a trap in the kitchen on the first floor wakes her up in her bedroom on the second floor. She wakes me up and we wake one of our male roommates S. up.  2 am. He\'s groggy and tells us he\'ll be downstairs in a minute. He shows up a couple of minutes later in pj pants and tennis shoes with work gloves and a hammer in hand. Yes, a hammer.\n\nWe can\'t just throw the rat away because it is still  screaming and trashing around since his tail is sticking out of the  trap.<em> Awesome</em>.\n\nEditorial Note: if you like happy endings of the Disney fairytales persuasion rather than the Grimm Brother variety now\'s the time to stop reading. It doesn\'t end well for the rat. This said it ends well for us.\n\nSo, S. tells us we can go to bed. We do.  As he tells it upon being woken up at 2am he contemplated trying to run his car over it, trying to suffocate it in a plastic bag and then decided he\'d take it outside in a plastic bag and hit it on the head with a hammer to kill it on the front steps of our very urban row house.\n\nThis is exactly what he did. It wasn\'t pleasant but it worked.  And for the record, he got a lot of millage out of that act and the story too.  Shortly there after we discovered that the rats were coming along the gas pipe for the stove after having chewed a bigger hole around the gas. We plugged it up with a piece of steal wool and that was that. No more rats.\n\nNeedless to say, after spending the better part of a week being totally obsessed by rats in my house I kind of have a things for rats. I hate them.\n\nBut today when I saw the rat, I was just kind of amused.  Especially when I realized this was the first rat I\'ve seen in Bulgaria and I\'ve lived here two and a half years.\n\nThen I wondered: do I have the stray dogs to thank for that?','A BG First ','','inherit','open','open','','4219-revision','','','2011-01-17 19:44:04','2011-01-17 17:44:04','',4219,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/01/17/4219-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(4221,1,'2011-01-19 06:40:13','2011-01-19 04:40:13','Tonight I was walking home with a bag of groceries from Hit.  I\'d just crossed the street and was finishing of my standard refrain of please don\'t hit me, please don\'t hit me, please don\'t hit me. Don\'t worry I don\'t usually say these out loud so maybe it\'s more of a mantra than a refrain.\n\nAnyhow I looked down and there was a rat crawling into a hole in the sidewalk.\n\nI realized: I\'ve never seen a rat before in Sofia.\n\nThis realization was sort of surprising yet at the same time pretty banal. A rat. I saw a rat. Big deal I know.\n\nBut it was kind of a big deal. For some reason, I was reminded of life in Washington DC.  In the up and coming neighborhood I lived in three years ago, 14th and U-Street NW rats were standard issue and the closer you got to Adams Morgan the bigger they got. Rats the size of kittens used to regularly scare the daylights out of me jumping out of garbage cans or running across the sidewalk.\n\nThen there was the year we caught not one but two rats in our group house. Now It\'s a great story to tell about urban living (and my bad-ass roommate S.). At the time, it was a nightmare. <!--more-->\n\nWe saw the first rat during one of the baseball world series game. The next day I bought a rat trap. Basically these are giant oversized mouse traps with a spring that\'s so strong it looks like it could break your finger.\n\nNow I am not a city girl. I\'ve seen mice in traps. I know how they work. But the next morning when there was a big gray rat in the trap and no one around to help me get it out of the trap or clean up the mess, I figured that for $3 I could buy another rat trap. So I threw out the whole thing. Man, rats have long tails.\n\nWe called the landlords. He called an extermination company.\n\nThey came and looked around the house. Then they insisted in putting down snap traps in the basement but sticky traps in the kitchen. Ug. We weren\'t very excited about this. The sticky traps just trap the still live (and now screaming) rat in the trap.  The extermination company said sticky traps are safer in living spaces. No broken toes. They say just call and we\'ll come and get the rat. <em>Really?</em>\n\nWe catch a rat that night. It wakes my roommate M. up. Yes the screaming rat stuck in a trap in the kitchen on the first floor wakes her up in her bedroom on the second floor. She wakes me up and we wake one of our male roommates S. up.  2 am. He\'s groggy and tells us he\'ll be downstairs in a minute. He shows up a couple of minutes later in pj pants and tennis shoes with work gloves and a hammer in hand. Yes, a hammer.\n\nWe can\'t just throw the rat away because it is still  screaming and trashing around since his tail is sticking out of the  trap.<em> Awesome</em>.\n\nEditorial Note: if you like happy endings of the Disney fairytales persuasion rather than the Grimm Brother variety now\'s the time to stop reading. It doesn\'t end well for the rat. This said it ends well for us.\n\nSo, S. tells us we can go to bed. We do.  As he tells it upon being woken up at 2am he contemplated trying to run his car over it, trying to suffocate it in a plastic bag and then decided he\'d take it outside in a plastic bag and hit it on the head with a hammer to kill it on the front steps of our very urban row house.\n\nThis is exactly what he did. It wasn\'t pleasant but it worked.  And for the record, he got a lot of millage out of that act and the story.\n\nShortly there after we discovered that the rats were coming along the gas pipe for the stove after having chewed a bigger hole around the gas. We plugged it up with a piece of steal wool and that was that. No more rats.\n\nNeedless to say, after spending the better part of a week being totally obsessed by rats in my house I kind of have a things for rats. I hate them.\n\nBut today when I saw the rat, I was just kind of amused.  Especially when I realized this was the first rat I\'ve seen in Bulgaria and I\'ve lived here two and a half years.\n\nThen I wondered: do I have the stray dogs to thank for that?','A BG First ','','inherit','open','open','','4219-autosave','','','2011-01-19 06:40:13','2011-01-19 04:40:13','',4219,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/01/17/4219-autosave/',0,'revision','',0),(4222,1,'2011-01-18 06:53:01','2011-01-18 04:53:01','Yesterday there was an interesting conversation in the <a href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/01/17/how-much-do-you-cook/#comment-3926\" target=\"_blank\">comments section on my blog</a> about boys and girls cooking. Thanks @Bobby, @Apcho and @Gingi for your insight!!\r\n\r\nI wonder if the girls cooking vs boys cooking has to with traditional gender roles in Bulgaria.\r\n\r\nIn the States for example, mothers cook the majority of meals in a house. A task that is tedious, monotonous and seemingly without end. It\'s then perceived as work rather than something pleasurable.  Ideally the final product is relatively quick, healthy and tasty. Cooking at its worst is then drudgery. A duty. And at it\'s best nurturing your family.\r\n\r\nGirls I think, often learn these lessons (and more) about food subconsciously.\r\n\r\nWhile for boys the lessons are different. My dAd for example, cooked for my MoM maybe three times a year--her birthday, their anniversary and for Mother\'s Day and he obligingly grilled hamburgers.  He\'s tell us: we\'re doing this for your MoM. We\'re doing this to says thanks. We\'re doing this to give her a break. Then she\'d clean up. I knew from an early age that my dAd used more pots and pans than my MoM thought necessary in his fores into the kitchen.\r\n\r\nThe pleasure of the two experiences is different for men and women. As are the expectations of the experience.\r\n\r\nIn someways, I think that young women who don\'t cook do so because they are uninterested. And they are uninterested in this given a life time of good reasons. Young men though, as pointed out in the conversation, have more to gain through cooking.  More to prove.\r\n\r\n(Just FYI: now that the kids are out of the house, I think that my dAd  cooks almost as much as my MoM does. I am not sure what changed but it\'s  true. I was amazed the first time I saw this first hand. He also cooks  with tons of veggies!!)\r\n\r\nSo in Bulgaria, among young people who do you think has primary responsibility for cooking--men? women?\r\n\r\nOr is it shared (and how equally)?','Cooking: Boys v Girls','','publish','open','open','','cooking-boys-v-girls','','','2011-01-18 06:53:01','2011-01-18 04:53:01','',0,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?p=4222',0,'post','',4),(4223,1,'2011-01-18 06:50:46','2011-01-18 04:50:46','Yesterday there was an interesting conversation in the <a href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/01/17/how-much-do-you-cook/#comment-3926\" target=\"_blank\">comments section on my blog</a> about boys and girls cooking. Thanks @Bobby, @Apcho and @Gingi for your insight!!\n\nI wonder if the girls cooking vs boys cooking has to with traditional gender roles in Bulgaria.\n\nIn the States for example, mothers cook the majority of meals in a house. A task that is tedious, monotonous and seemingly without end. It\'s then perceived as work rather than something pleasurable.  Ideally the final product is relatively quick, healthy and tasty. Cooking at its worst is then drudgery. A duty. And at it\'s best nurturing your family.\n\nGirls I think, often learn these lessons (and more) about food subconsciously.\n\nWhile for boys the lessons are different. My dAd for example, cooked for my MoM maybe three times a year--her birthday, their anniversary and for Mother\'s Day and he obligingly grilled hamburgers.  He\'s tell us: we\'re doing this for your MoM. We\'re doing this to says thanks. We\'re doing this to give her a break. Then she\'d clean up. I knew from an early age that my dAd used more pots and pans than my MoM thought necessary in his fores into the kitchen.\n\nThe pleasure of the two experiences is different for men and women. As are the expectations of the experience.\n\nIn someways, I think that young women who don\'t cook do so because they are uninterested. And they are uninterested in this given a life time of good reasons. Young men though, as pointed out in the conversation, have more to gain through cooking.  More to prove.\n\n(Just FYI: now that the kids are out of the house, I think that my dAd  cooks almost as much as my MoM does. I am not sure what changed but it\'s  true. I was amazed the first time I saw this first hand. He also cooks  with tons of veggies!!)\n\nIn Bulgaria, among young people who do you think has primary responsibility for cooking? Or is it shar','Cooking: Boys v Girls','','inherit','open','open','','4222-revision','','','2011-01-18 06:50:46','2011-01-18 04:50:46','',4222,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/01/18/4222-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(4224,1,'2011-01-18 06:51:46','2011-01-18 04:51:46','Yesterday there was an interesting conversation in the <a href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/01/17/how-much-do-you-cook/#comment-3926\" target=\"_blank\">comments section on my blog</a> about boys and girls cooking. Thanks @Bobby, @Apcho and @Gingi for your insight!!\n\nI wonder if the girls cooking vs boys cooking has to with traditional gender roles in Bulgaria.\n\nIn the States for example, mothers cook the majority of meals in a house. A task that is tedious, monotonous and seemingly without end. It\'s then perceived as work rather than something pleasurable.  Ideally the final product is relatively quick, healthy and tasty. Cooking at its worst is then drudgery. A duty. And at it\'s best nurturing your family.\n\nGirls I think, often learn these lessons (and more) about food subconsciously.\n\nWhile for boys the lessons are different. My dAd for example, cooked for my MoM maybe three times a year--her birthday, their anniversary and for Mother\'s Day and he obligingly grilled hamburgers.  He\'s tell us: we\'re doing this for your MoM. We\'re doing this to says thanks. We\'re doing this to give her a break. Then she\'d clean up. I knew from an early age that my dAd used more pots and pans than my MoM thought necessary in his fores into the kitchen.\n\nThe pleasure of the two experiences is different for men and women. As are the expectations of the experience.\n\nIn someways, I think that young women who don\'t cook do so because they are uninterested. And they are uninterested in this given a life time of good reasons. Young men though, as pointed out in the conversation, have more to gain through cooking.  More to prove.\n\n(Just FYI: now that the kids are out of the house, I think that my dAd  cooks almost as much as my MoM does. I am not sure what changed but it\'s  true. I was amazed the first time I saw this first hand. He also cooks  with tons of veggies!!)\n\nIn Bulgaria, among young people who do you think has primary responsibility for cooking? Or is it shared (and how equally)?','Cooking: Boys v Girls','','inherit','open','open','','4222-revision-2','','','2011-01-18 06:51:46','2011-01-18 04:51:46','',4222,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/01/18/4222-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(4225,1,'2011-01-18 06:54:09','2011-01-18 04:54:09','Yesterday there was an interesting conversation in the <a href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/01/17/how-much-do-you-cook/#comment-3926\" target=\"_blank\">comments section on my blog</a> about boys and girls cooking. Thanks @Bobby, @Apcho and @Gingi for your insight!!\n\nI wonder if the girls cooking vs boys cooking has to with traditional gender roles in Bulgaria.\n\nIn the States for example, mothers cook the majority of meals in a house. A task that is tedious, monotonous and seemingly without end. It\'s then perceived as work rather than something pleasurable.  Ideally the final product is relatively quick, healthy and tasty. Cooking at its worst is then drudgery. A duty. And at it\'s best nurturing your family.\n\nGirls I think, often learn these lessons (and more) about food subconsciously.\n\nWhile for boys the lessons are different. My dAd for example, cooked for my MoM maybe three times a year--her birthday, their anniversary and for Mother\'s Day and he obligingly grilled hamburgers.  He\'s tell us: we\'re doing this for your MoM. We\'re doing this to says thanks. We\'re doing this to give her a break. Then she\'d clean up. I knew from an early age that my dAd used more pots and pans than my MoM thought necessary in his fores into the kitchen.\n\nThe pleasure of the two experiences is different for men and women. As are the expectations of the experience.\n\nIn someways, I think that young women who don\'t cook do so because they are uninterested. And they are uninterested in this given a life time of good reasons. Young men though, as pointed out in the conversation, have more to gain through cooking.  More to prove.\n\n(Just FYI: now that the kids are out of the house, I think that my dAd  cooks almost as much as my MoM does. I am not sure what changed but it\'s  true. I was amazed the first time I saw this first hand. He also cooks  with tons of veggies!!)\n\nSo in Bulgaria, among young people who do you think has primary responsibility for cooking--men? women?\n\nOr is it shared (and how equally)?','Cooking: Boys v Girls','','inherit','open','open','','4222-autosave','','','2011-01-18 06:54:09','2011-01-18 04:54:09','',4222,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/01/18/4222-autosave/',0,'revision','',0),(4226,1,'2011-01-17 19:45:03','2011-01-17 17:45:03','Tonight I was walking home with a bag of groceries from Hit.  I\'d just crossed the street and was finishing of my standard refrain of please don\'t hit me, please don\'t hit me, please don\'t hit me. Don\'t worry I don\'t usually say these out loud so maybe it\'s more of a mantra than a refrain.\r\n\r\nAnyhow I looked down and there was a rat crawling into a whole in the sidewalk.\r\n\r\nI realized: I\'ve never seen a rat before in Sofia.\r\n\r\nThis realization was sort of surprising yet at the same time pretty banal. A rat. I saw a rat. Big deal I know.\r\n\r\nBut it was kind of a big deal. For some reason, I was reminded of life in Washington DC.  In the up and coming neighborhood I lived in three years ago, 14th and U-Street NW rats were standard issue and the closer you got to Adams Morgan the bigger they got. Rats the size of kittens used to regularly scare the daylights out of me jumping out of garbage cans or running across the sidewalk.\r\n\r\nThen there was the year we caught not one but two rats in our group house. Now It\'s a great story to tell about urban living (and my bad-ass roommate S.). At the time, it was a nightmare. <!--more-->\r\n\r\nWe saw the first rat during one of the baseball world series game. The next day I bought a rat trap. Basically these are giant oversized mouse traps with a spring that\'s so strong it looks like it could break your finger.\r\n\r\nNow I am not a city girl. I\'ve seen mice in traps. I know how they work. But the next morning when there was a big gray rat in the trap and no one around to help me get it out of the trap or clean up the mess, I figured that for $3 I could buy another rat trap. So I threw out the whole thing. Man, rats have long tails.\r\n\r\nWe called the landlords. He called an extermination company.\r\n\r\nThey came and looked around the house. Then they insisted in putting down snap traps in the basement but sticky traps in the kitchen. Ug. We weren\'t very excited about this. The sticky traps just trap the still live (and now screaming) rat in the trap.  The extermination company said sticky traps are safer in living spaces. No broken toes. They say just call and we\'ll come and get the rat. <em>Really?</em>\r\n\r\nWe catch a rat that night. It wakes my roommate M. up. Yes the screaming rat stuck in a trap in the kitchen on the first floor wakes her up in her bedroom on the second floor. She wakes me up and we wake one of our male roommates S. up.  2 am. He\'s groggy and tells us he\'ll be downstairs in a minute. He shows up a couple of minutes later in pj pants and tennis shoes with work gloves and a hammer in hand. Yes, a hammer.\r\n\r\nWe can\'t just throw the rat away because it is still  screaming and trashing around since his tail is sticking out of the  trap.<em> Awesome</em>.\r\n\r\nEditorial Note: if you like happy endings of the Disney fairytales persuasion rather than the Grimm Brother variety now\'s the time to stop reading. It doesn\'t end well for the rat. This said it ends well for us.\r\n\r\nSo, S. tells us we can go to bed. We do.  As he tells it upon being woken up at 2am he contemplated trying to run his car over it, trying to suffocate it in a plastic bag and then decided he\'d take it outside in a plastic bag and hit it on the head with a hammer to kill it on the front steps of our very urban row house.\r\n\r\nThis is exactly what he did. It wasn\'t pleasant but it worked.  And for the record, he got a lot of millage out of that act and the story.\r\n\r\nShortly there after we discovered that the rats were coming along the gas pipe for the stove after having chewed a bigger hole around the gas. We plugged it up with a piece of steal wool and that was that. No more rats.\r\n\r\nNeedless to say, after spending the better part of a week being totally obsessed by rats in my house I kind of have a things for rats. I hate them.\r\n\r\nBut today when I saw the rat, I was just kind of amused.  Especially when I realized this was the first rat I\'ve seen in Bulgaria and I\'ve lived here two and a half years.\r\n\r\nThen I wondered: do I have the stray dogs to thank for that?','A BG First ','','inherit','open','open','','4219-revision-2','','','2011-01-17 19:45:03','2011-01-17 17:45:03','',4219,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/01/17/4219-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(4228,1,'2011-01-19 20:56:34','2011-01-19 18:56:34','Here in Bulgaria, no one really takes turns. When the bus doors open at your stop, you\'d better be ready to get off because everyone else is already rushing the doors. The same goes for the metro.\n\nIf the bus or train is crowded, it\'s madness. Especially when you consider that there will be a lot more room on the bus/train/tram once the people who want off, get off.\n\nStill, somehow this mad rush persists.\n\nI don\'t know why it persists. In my mind it seems only reasonable to let people climb off the train or bus before trying to climb on yourself. But this clearly not the case for many Bulgarian riders. They are singled minded riders: must get on the bus.\n\nMaybe it comes from overly crowded buses.\n\nBut really, tonight at 7pm when the bus was basically empty and I was getting off I was rushed by three old women and one middle aged man. They barely parted ways for me to get off <em>and</em> I was standing at the door ready for it to open.\n\nDon\'t worry, I managed to get off and they scrambled on.  Still, the intensity and sheer determination they demonstarted tonight on the 111 bus seemed a little misplaced. they displayed to','Bus Doors ','','inherit','open','open','','4227-revision','','','2011-01-19 20:56:34','2011-01-19 18:56:34','',4227,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/01/19/4227-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(4229,1,'2011-01-19 20:58:04','2011-01-19 18:58:04','Here in Bulgaria, no one really takes turns. When the bus doors open at your stop, you\'d better be ready to get off because everyone else is already rushing the doors. The same goes for the metro.\r\n\r\nIf the bus or train is crowded, it\'s madness. Especially when you consider that there will be a lot more room on the bus/train/tram once the people who want off, get off.\r\n\r\nStill, somehow this mad rush persists.\r\n\r\nI don\'t know why it persists. In my mind it seems only reasonable to let people climb off the train or bus before trying to climb on yourself. But this clearly not the case for many Bulgarian riders. They are singled minded riders: must get on the bus.\r\n\r\nMaybe it comes from overly crowded buses.\r\n\r\nBut really, tonight at 7pm when the bus was basically empty and I was getting off I was rushed by three old women and one middle aged man. They barely parted ways for me to get off <em>and</em> I was standing at the door ready for it to open.\r\n\r\nDon\'t worry, I managed to get off <em>and</em> they scrambled on.  Still, the intensity and sheer determination they demonstrated tonight on the 111 bus seemed a little misplaced.','Bus Doors ','','inherit','open','open','','4227-revision-2','','','2011-01-19 20:58:04','2011-01-19 18:58:04','',4227,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/01/19/4227-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(4230,1,'2011-01-19 21:00:29','2011-01-19 19:00:29','Here in Bulgaria, no one really takes turns. When the bus doors open at your stop, you\'d better be ready to get off because everyone else is already rushing the doors. The same goes for the metro. And/or any other kind of public transportation.\n\nIf the bus, train or tram is crowded, it\'s madness. Especially when you consider that there will be a lot more room on the bus/train/tram once the people who want off, get off.\n\nStill, somehow this mad rush persists.\n\nI don\'t know why it persists. In my mind it seems only reasonable to let people climb off the train or bus before trying to climb on yourself. But this clearly not the case for many Bulgarian riders. They are singled minded riders: must get on the bus.\n\nMaybe it comes from overly crowded buses.\n\nBut really, tonight at 7pm when the bus was basically empty and I was getting off I was rushed by three old women and one middle aged man. They barely parted ways for me to get off <em>and</em> I was standing at the door ready for it to open.\n\nDon\'t worry, I managed to get off <em>and</em> they scrambled on.  Still, the intensity and sheer determination they demonstrated tonight on the 111 bus seemed a little misplaced. A little too much.\n\n<em>Or</em> alternately, I don\'t understand what the big deal is.','Bus Doors','','inherit','open','open','','4227-revision-3','','','2011-01-19 21:00:29','2011-01-19 19:00:29','',4227,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/01/19/4227-revision-3/',0,'revision','',0),(4231,1,'2011-01-19 21:01:48','2011-01-19 19:01:48','Here in Bulgaria, no one really takes turns. When the bus doors open at your stop, you\'d better be ready to get off because everyone else is already rushing the doors. The same goes for the metro. And/or any other kind of public transportation.\r\n\r\nIf the bus, train or tram is crowded, it\'s madness. Especially when you consider that there will be a lot more room on the bus/train/tram once the people who want off, get off.\r\n\r\nStill, somehow this mad rush persists.\r\n\r\nI don\'t know why it persists. In my mind it seems only reasonable to let people climb off the train or bus before trying to climb on yourself. But this clearly not the case for many Bulgarian riders. They are singled minded riders: must get on the bus.\r\n\r\nMaybe it comes from overly crowded buses.\r\n\r\nBut really, tonight at 7pm when the bus was basically empty and I was getting off I was rushed by three old women and one middle aged man. They barely parted ways for me to get off <em>and</em> I was standing at the door ready for it to open.\r\n\r\nDon\'t worry, I managed to get off <em>and</em> they scrambled on.  Still, the intensity and sheer determination they demonstrated tonight on the 111 bus seemed a little misplaced. A little too much.\r\n\r\n<em>Or</em> alternately, I don\'t understand what the big deal is.','Bus Doors','','inherit','open','open','','4227-revision-4','','','2011-01-19 21:01:48','2011-01-19 19:01:48','',4227,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/01/19/4227-revision-4/',0,'revision','',0),(4257,1,'2011-01-28 08:44:01','2011-01-28 06:44:01','I managed to get some people riled up in the last two day when I posted my <a href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/01/25/video-sofia-the-history-of-europe/\" target=\"_blank\">less than shining review of a new youtube video</a> Sofia: the History of Europe. I had no idea I\'d create such a stir among a few of my readers. But I did. Thirty plus comments later (and counting) the comment section of my blog post is now at least three times as long as my original post. And that\'s saying something, given the fact a 1/3 of my original post was a video.\r\n\r\nIt seems pretty clear that my slight to the video (and <em>not</em> the city) was misread and misinterpreted as a slight to the city, the history and the people.  Which if you\'re a long time reader of my blog you\'d know is not my style. First because I actually really dig Sofia and more generally Bulgaria. I\'ve dragged friends all over Bulgaria to go and check things out that I\'ve wanted to see first hand--say the tombs in Kazanlak and the orthodox church in Batak.\r\n\r\nAnd time and time, I\'ve complained about language and rhetoric used in English language travel guides about Bulgaria. Guides that reduce the country to an interesting relic of communist past and today a sad, struggling post-communist wasteland with little of interest between Sofia and the Black Sea coast. I think this is reprehensible. <!--more-->Sure, parts of Sofia aren\'t outwardly as beautiful as Paris as the Paris of our dreams/memories but parts of Paris aren\'t that outwardly beautiful either.  My lonely planet guide (2005) is among the worst offenders and says things like \"Kazanlak is a surprisingly interesting city and despite not being obviously attractive, it boasts plenty of history.\" I know that there\'s a new edition now but I don\'t have it.\r\n\r\nIn my mind, language and rhetoric like this unhelpful and and actually untrue. If you\'ve been to Kazanlak, you\'d see that the city is center charming and the tomb is exquisite. Thus language that is reductive like this doesn\'t help any one. It\'s one thing to say that there are block buildings on the edges of a city like Kazanlak and an incredible Thracian Tomb. But it\'s a whole other thing to couple a complement and a reductive insult in the same sentence. To couple an insult with a complement is counter productive it undoes and undercuts whatever complement you\'ve just given.\r\n\r\nSo back to my original complaint: the video Sofia: The History of Europe. In this video, we see a careful building of the history of Sofia and an exploration of a variety of cultural sites here in Sofia.  This part of the video is about 25 minutes long.  Then in the last five minutes of the video the British host/narrator with a smile on his face tells us this: In less than an hour you can experience all the stages of [Sofia\'s] history.\r\n\r\nA line that in my mind, undoes all of the hard (albeit slightly cheesy) work that the video has done up until this point.\r\n\r\nIn my mind, this line is problematic because it suggests that one can see and experience all of Sofia\'s history in an hour. If this is true (which I don\'t think it is--I\'ve been to Boyana Church and the tour itself is at least 20 minutes long), what\'s a tourist supposed to do with the rest of their time in Sofia? And it begs this question: why visit a place if everything of importance can be seen in less than an hour?\r\n\r\nThis just seems like such a weird way to sell the city to tourists. And I can\'t help but wonder, why reduce this city to an hour? And why undercut the otherwise positive message about what a great city Sofia is?\r\n\r\nThe Sofia I love radiates out of Slaveikov Sq and the intersection of Graf Ignativ and Rakovski. It\'s a city with vibrant ideas, art, history and culture. Sofia is a city that seems to always be in the process of creating itself. There\'s nothing static about this city and that\'s why I would argue one needs much more than an hour to explore the cultural and historical sites of Sofia.\r\n\r\nSo there you have it, no name calling, no crying, no screaming.\r\n\r\nThis is a city that I like. One that I think often is glanced over for cheap skiing or glittering beaches.  And I think that we are responsible for this because the language and the rhetoric we use to to talk about this city, Sofia, is often reductive. I have probably been guilty of this myself at time and it\'s certainly easier to point out the faults of other people\'s language or rhetorical strategy than one\'s own.  But I\'d like to end here, I think Sofia is a city wholly deserving of a visit but I also think that Sofia is an exciting and energetic place to live.\r\n\r\nA place that I, for one, plan to continue living in, exploring and writing about.','Sofia & Me','','publish','open','open','','sofia-me','','','2011-01-28 08:44:01','2011-01-28 06:44:01','',0,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?p=4257',0,'post','',5),(4233,1,'2011-01-22 10:25:44','2011-01-22 08:25:44','We were notified on Friday afternoon that we will be closing next week do to the flu.  Now this happened last year as well,the thing was last year I was sick. This year, I\'m just sick of grading.\r\n\r\nThe semester ended at school on Thursday. My 10th grade final exam was first thing on Friday morning. I woke up knowing that I\'d be spending the <em>whole </em>weekend grading. Then at the end of day after pushing myself to grade as quickly and efficiently as possible: ta-da. Flu vacation.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4234\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"To Grade\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4234\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/01/22/flu-vacation-in-sofia-schools/img_7024/\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4234 \" title=\"To Grade\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_7024-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nThe downside of the flu vacation is that while students are not going to school next week teachers are. We have a 9-3 workday. So, the good news is that I have my weekend back!!<!--more--> I don\'t have to kill myself grading this weekend at my table. Instead, I can grade next week at school in my classroom.\r\n\r\nNow, all I have to do is try not to catch the flu. But with no students at school, that seems easy enough.\r\n\r\nAll of this said, the idea of a flu vacation is kind of hard for me to get my head around. It\'s just not a concept that I grew up with. In my experience, if you\'re sick you stay home. If there\'s too much ice or snow to drive safely to school, you get a snow day (or two). But in my experience the two never cross. There were no flu vacations.\r\n\r\nOkay, don\'t get me wrong. I understand why a flu vacation could be important and/or effective. But what\'s hard for me to get my head around is how in the last two years the flu has been so bad in Bulgaria that we\'ve had to close the school two years in a row but in my entire school going childhood, we never had a flu so badly that schools were forced to close.\r\n\r\nThis line of thinking makes me wonder: is it paranoia? is it hypochondria? a special love of public health concerns in Bulgaria? or does the flu specifically seek out school-going Bulgarian children? Currently, I am leaning towards the fourth option.','Flu \"Vacation\" in Sofia Schools ','','publish','open','open','','flu-vacation-in-sofia-schools','','','2011-01-22 10:25:44','2011-01-22 08:25:44','',0,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?p=4233',0,'post','',2),(4234,1,'2011-01-22 10:22:52','2011-01-22 08:22:52','','To Grade','To Grade','inherit','open','open','','img_7024','','','2011-01-22 10:22:52','2011-01-22 08:22:52','',4233,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_7024.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(4235,1,'2011-01-22 10:23:46','2011-01-22 08:23:46','We were notified on Friday afternoon that we will be closing next week do to the flu.  Now this happened last year as well,the thing was last year I was sick. This year, I\'m just sick of grading.\n\nThe semester ended at school on Thursday. My 10th grade final exam was first thing on Friday morning. I woke up knowing that I\'d be spending the <em>whole </em>weekend grading. Then at the end of day after pushing myself to grade as quickly and efficiently as possible: ta-da. Flu vacation.\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_4234\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"To Grade\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4234\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4234\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4234 \" title=\"To Grade\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_7024-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nThe downside of the flu vacation is that while students are not going to school next week teachers are. We have a 9-3 workday. So, the good news is that I have my weekend back. I don\'t have to kill myself grading this weekend at my table. Instead, I can grade next week at school in my classroom.\n\nNow, all I have to do is try not to catch the flu. But with no students at school, that seems easy enough.\n\nAll of this said, the idea of a flu vacation is kind of hard for me to get my head around. It\'s just not a concept that I grew up with. In my experience, if you\'re sick you stay home. If there\'s too much ice or snow to drive safely to school, you get a snow day (or two). But in my experience the two never cross. There were no flu vacations.\n\nOkay, don\'t get me wrong. I understand why a flu vacation could be important and/or effective. But what\'s hard for me to get my head around is how in the last two years the flu has been so bad in Bulgaria that we\'ve had to close the school two years in a row but in my entire school going childhood, we never had a flu so badly that schools were forced to close.\n\nThis line of thinking makes me wonder: is it paranoia? is it hypochondria? a special love of public health concerns in Bulgaria? or does the flu specifically seek out school-going Bulgarian children? Currently, I am leaning towards the fourth option.','Flu \"Vacation\" in Sofia Schools ','','inherit','open','open','','4233-revision','','','2011-01-22 10:23:46','2011-01-22 08:23:46','',4233,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/01/22/4233-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(4236,1,'2011-01-22 10:23:58','2011-01-22 08:23:58','We were notified on Friday afternoon that we will be closing next week do to the flu.  Now this happened last year as well,the thing was last year I was sick. This year, I\'m just sick of grading.\r\n\r\nThe semester ended at school on Thursday. My 10th grade final exam was first thing on Friday morning. I woke up knowing that I\'d be spending the <em>whole </em>weekend grading. Then at the end of day after pushing myself to grade as quickly and efficiently as possible: ta-da. Flu vacation.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4234\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"To Grade\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4234\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4234\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4234 \" title=\"To Grade\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_7024-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nThe downside of the flu vacation is that while students are not going to school next week teachers are. We have a 9-3 workday. So, the good news is that I have my weekend back. I don\'t have to kill myself grading this weekend at my table. Instead, I can grade next week at school in my classroom.\r\n\r\nNow, all I have to do is try not to catch the flu. But with no students at school, that seems easy enough.\r\n\r\nAll of this said, the idea of a flu vacation is kind of hard for me to get my head around. It\'s just not a concept that I grew up with. In my experience, if you\'re sick you stay home. If there\'s too much ice or snow to drive safely to school, you get a snow day (or two). But in my experience the two never cross. There were no flu vacations.\r\n\r\nOkay, don\'t get me wrong. I understand why a flu vacation could be important and/or effective. But what\'s hard for me to get my head around is how in the last two years the flu has been so bad in Bulgaria that we\'ve had to close the school two years in a row but in my entire school going childhood, we never had a flu so badly that schools were forced to close.\r\n\r\nThis line of thinking makes me wonder: is it paranoia? is it hypochondria? a special love of public health concerns in Bulgaria? or does the flu specifically seek out school-going Bulgarian children? Currently, I am leaning towards the fourth option.','Flu \"Vacation\" in Sofia Schools ','','inherit','open','open','','4233-revision-2','','','2011-01-22 10:23:58','2011-01-22 08:23:58','',4233,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/01/22/4233-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(4237,1,'2011-01-22 10:23:58','2011-01-22 08:23:58','We were notified on Friday afternoon that we will be closing next week do to the flu.  Now this happened last year as well,the thing was last year I was sick. This year, I\'m just sick of grading.\r\n\r\nThe semester ended at school on Thursday. My 10th grade final exam was first thing on Friday morning. I woke up knowing that I\'d be spending the <em>whole </em>weekend grading. Then at the end of day after pushing myself to grade as quickly and efficiently as possible: ta-da. Flu vacation.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4234\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"To Grade\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4234\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4234\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4234 \" title=\"To Grade\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_7024-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nThe downside of the flu vacation is that while students are not going to school next week teachers are. We have a 9-3 workday. So, the good news is that I have my weekend back. I don\'t have to kill myself grading this weekend at my table. Instead, I can grade next week at school in my classroom.\r\n\r\nNow, all I have to do is try not to catch the flu. But with no students at school, that seems easy enough.\r\n\r\nAll of this said, the idea of a flu vacation is kind of hard for me to get my head around. It\'s just not a concept that I grew up with. In my experience, if you\'re sick you stay home. If there\'s too much ice or snow to drive safely to school, you get a snow day (or two). But in my experience the two never cross. There were no flu vacations.\r\n\r\nOkay, don\'t get me wrong. I understand why a flu vacation could be important and/or effective. But what\'s hard for me to get my head around is how in the last two years the flu has been so bad in Bulgaria that we\'ve had to close the school two years in a row but in my entire school going childhood, we never had a flu so badly that schools were forced to close.\r\n\r\nThis line of thinking makes me wonder: is it paranoia? is it hypochondria? a special love of public health concerns in Bulgaria? or does the flu specifically seek out school-going Bulgarian children? Currently, I am leaning towards the fourth option.','Flu \"Vacation\" in Sofia Schools ','','inherit','open','open','','4233-revision-3','','','2011-01-22 10:23:58','2011-01-22 08:23:58','',4233,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/01/22/4233-revision-3/',0,'revision','',0),(4238,1,'2011-01-22 10:25:44','2011-01-22 08:25:44','We were notified on Friday afternoon that we will be closing next week do to the flu.  Now this happened last year as well,the thing was last year I was sick. This year, I\'m just sick of grading.\r\n\r\nThe semester ended at school on Thursday. My 10th grade final exam was first thing on Friday morning. I woke up knowing that I\'d be spending the <em>whole </em>weekend grading. Then at the end of day after pushing myself to grade as quickly and efficiently as possible: ta-da. Flu vacation.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4234\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"To Grade\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4234\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4234\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4234 \" title=\"To Grade\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_7024-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nThe downside of the flu vacation is that while students are not going to school next week teachers are. We have a 9-3 workday. So, the good news is that I have my weekend back!!<!--more--> I don\'t have to kill myself grading this weekend at my table. Instead, I can grade next week at school in my classroom.\r\n\r\nNow, all I have to do is try not to catch the flu. But with no students at school, that seems easy enough.\r\n\r\nAll of this said, the idea of a flu vacation is kind of hard for me to get my head around. It\'s just not a concept that I grew up with. In my experience, if you\'re sick you stay home. If there\'s too much ice or snow to drive safely to school, you get a snow day (or two). But in my experience the two never cross. There were no flu vacations.\r\n\r\nOkay, don\'t get me wrong. I understand why a flu vacation could be important and/or effective. But what\'s hard for me to get my head around is how in the last two years the flu has been so bad in Bulgaria that we\'ve had to close the school two years in a row but in my entire school going childhood, we never had a flu so badly that schools were forced to close.\r\n\r\nThis line of thinking makes me wonder: is it paranoia? is it hypochondria? a special love of public health concerns in Bulgaria? or does the flu specifically seek out school-going Bulgarian children? Currently, I am leaning towards the fourth option.','Flu \"Vacation\" in Sofia Schools ','','inherit','open','open','','4233-revision-4','','','2011-01-22 10:25:44','2011-01-22 08:25:44','',4233,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/01/22/4233-revision-4/',0,'revision','',0),(4239,1,'2011-01-22 10:27:03','2011-01-22 08:27:03','We were notified on Friday afternoon that we will be closing next week do to the flu.  Now this happened last year as well,the thing was last year I was sick. This year, I\'m just sick of grading.\n\nThe semester ended at school on Thursday. My 10th grade final exam was first thing on Friday morning. I woke up knowing that I\'d be spending the <em>whole </em>weekend grading. Then at the end of day after pushing myself to grade as quickly and efficiently as possible: ta-da. Flu vacation.\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_4234\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"To Grade\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4234\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/01/22/flu-vacation-in-sofia-schools/img_7024/\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4234 \" title=\"To Grade\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_7024-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nThe downside of the flu vacation is that while students are not going to school next week teachers are. We have a 9-3 workday. So, the good news is that I have my weekend back!!<!--more--> I don\'t have to kill myself grading this weekend at my table. Instead, I can grade next week at school in my classroom.\n\nNow, all I have to do is try not to catch the flu. But with no students at school, that seems easy enough.\n\nAll of this said, the idea of a flu vacation is kind of hard for me to get my head around. It\'s just not a concept that I grew up with. In my experience, if you\'re sick you stay home. If there\'s too much ice or snow to drive safely to school, you get a snow day (or two). But in my experience the two never cross. There were no flu vacations.\n\nOkay, don\'t get me wrong. I understand why a flu vacation could be important and/or effective. But what\'s hard for me to get my head around is how in the last two years the flu has been so bad in Bulgaria that we\'ve had to close the school two years in a row but in my entire school going childhood, we never had a flu so badly that schools were forced to close.\n\nThis line of thinking makes me wonder: is it paranoia? is it hypochondria? a special love of public health concerns in Bulgaria? or does the flu specifically seek out school-going Bulgarian children? Currently, I am leaning towards the fourth option.','Flu \"Vacation\" in Sofia Schools ','','inherit','open','open','','4233-autosave','','','2011-01-22 10:27:03','2011-01-22 08:27:03','',4233,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/01/22/4233-autosave/',0,'revision','',0),(4269,1,'2011-01-31 20:25:18','2011-01-31 18:25:18','If the aisles of grocery stores like Billa or Hit can tell us anything about Bulgarian\'s preference for cooking oil they surely tell us this: sunflower oil, sunflower oil, sunflower oil.  I guess a train ride across the country in June might also tell you this given the fields upon fields of sunflowers between Sofia and Burgas.\r\n\r\nInterestingly, I don\'t think that I\'d ever cooked with sunflower oil before moving to Bulgaria. Canola oil, peanut oil and olive oil, of course, I\'d cooked with these. But sunflower oil was new to me.\r\n\r\nLooking at sunflower oil it reminded me of canola in color and smell. Even before I\'d looked up sunflower oil on the internet, I felt pretty confident that I could sub sunflower oil into any dishes that I would normally use canola oil for and be a happy camper. Then I looked it up just to double check. Yep, these two oils are similar in their uses, mild flavor and smoking point.\r\n\r\nIn other words, you can bake things like muffins and quick bread with sunflower oil. You can whip a dressing with this oil easy-peasy. Stir-fried veggies taste great cooked in sunflower oil and if you were actually going to deep fry something this oil would be just fine for that as well.  Pretty great huna?\r\n\r\nI am happy to use sunflower oil. I really can\'t taste any difference between this oil and the canola I grew up with. The only thing I am stumped by is which brand to buy at the grocery store. They all basically look the same and the price usually only varies by pennies. So I do employ one of two tried and true methods whenever I am having a problem making up my mind in Bulgaria.\r\n\r\nI look around to see which brand other Bulgarians are buying and I buy what they buy. <em>Or</em> I buy which ever item I think is the prettiest.\r\n\r\nI mean if you like the sunflower oil that you produce enough to put good-looking sunflowers on the label, this is definitely the bottle I should be buying.  For the record, I do realize how ridiculous this sounds but really if I didn\'t have some hard and fast rules I\'d never get out of a store like Billa or Hit. I applied the same rules two weeks ago when I bought the a jar of lutinitsa with Bulgarian girls in national costumes holding hands and dancing. And just so you know, pretty tasty.\r\n\r\nHow do you decide which brands to buy?','Sunflower Oil ','','publish','open','open','','sunflower-oil','','','2011-01-31 20:25:18','2011-01-31 18:25:18','',0,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?p=4269',0,'post','',8),(4241,1,'2011-01-23 11:33:45','2011-01-23 09:33:45','I found myself with some unexpected time this weekend and rather than kill myself grading, grading, grading, I\'ve been entertaining myself with big cups of coffee, my kindle, catching up with friends and flipping through Bulgarian cook books.\r\n\r\nLast week I borrowed these three cook books from one of my Bulgarian colleagues. Thanks, T.!  These are serious cook books.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4242\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Bulgarian Cook Books\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4242\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/01/23/buglarian-cook-books/img_7026/\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4242 \" title=\"Bulgarian Cook Books \" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_7026-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nOne is reprinted from 1937; it\'s the cook book for a girls school and has recipes for each month and includes things like brain kufteta. This cook book is intense. It breaks down the recipes by animal and then by animal part. It also uses some spelling I am not familiar with. Oh well.<!--more-->\r\n\r\nAnother one of the cook books is divided up by holiday. This one is charming in comparison with little hand-drawn illustrations and a description of each holiday before the actual recipes. These recipes look a lot easier to follow as well.  I guess it helps that this book was published in 1992.\r\n\r\nThen there\'s the Women\'s Day cook book. My friend T. explained that this book is a collection of recipes which ran in the Bulgarian Women\'s Day magazine. This book was published in 1990. It\'s divided up by dish--soups, main dishes, deserts. Within a category like soups it\'s been further subdivided--soups without meat and soups with meat. That\'s cool.\r\n\r\nThis is by far the easiest book to flip through and look for recipes. Probably because of the way that it\'s organized and the font is nice and big. That\'s important.\r\n\r\nAcross all three books, what\'s hardest for me is that while I can read the names of recipes and the ingredients, the directions are often pretty unclear.  I can\'t really imagine what I am supposed to be doing with the ingredients. I could really use some pictures or potentially a better grasp of Bulgarian.\r\n\r\nThe thing I\'ve found most interesting? I am strangely attracted to all of the recipes with internal organs like liver, kidneys and brains as well as tongue and animal heads. I think I am attracted to these recipes because they are so unfamiliar to me. I\'d guess that by the 1980s in the States most cook books were editing out these kinds of recipes as American tastes had changed. I don\'t remember seeing a recipe in any of my mother\'s cook books (aside from maybe the Joy of Cooking) which used organs like kidneys or liver as a main/central ingredient.\r\n\r\nSo the former vegetarian in me reads these recipes with a hearty mix of amazement and trepidation. I don\'t <em>love</em> meat. In fact, I am very happy (and totally comfortable) continuing with my vegetarian ways at home.\r\n\r\nMostly I started eating meat again because I didn\'t want to miss out on anything when I moved to Bulgaria.  I didn\'t want to say no. I wanted to be open to everything. And two and a half years later, I don\'t regret it.\r\n\r\nNow I don\'t know that I\'ll be making brain kufteta or cow\'s head soup during this cooking adventure but I\'ll still be pushing myself. Don\'t worry.','Buglarian Cook Books ','','publish','open','open','','buglarian-cook-books','','','2011-01-23 11:33:45','2011-01-23 09:33:45','',0,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?p=4241',0,'post','',6),(4242,1,'2011-01-23 11:29:01','2011-01-23 09:29:01','','Bulgarian Cook Books ','Bulgarian Cook Books','inherit','open','open','','img_7026','','','2011-01-23 11:29:01','2011-01-23 09:29:01','',4241,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_7026.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(4243,1,'2011-01-23 11:33:19','2011-01-23 09:33:19','I found myself with some unexpected time this weekend and rather than kill myself grading, grading, grading, I\'ve been entertaining myself with big cups of coffee, my kindle, catching up with friends and flipping through Bulgarian cook books.\n\nLast week I borrowed these three cook books from one of my Bulgarian colleagues. Thanks, T.!  These are serious cook books.\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_4242\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Bulgarian Cook Books\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4242\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4242\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4242 \" title=\"Bulgarian Cook Books \" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_7026-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nOne is reprinted from 1937; it\'s the cook book for a girls school and has recipes for each month and includes things like brain kufteta. This cook book is intense. It breaks down the recipes by animal and then by animal part. It also uses some spelling I am not familiar with. Oh well.\n\nAnother one of the cook books is divided up by holiday. This one is charming in comparison with little hand-drawn illustrations and a description of each holiday before the actual recipes. These recipes look a lot easier to follow as well.  I guess it helps that this book was published in 1992.\n\nThen there\'s the Women\'s Day cook book. My friend T. explained that this book is a collection of recipes which ran in the Bulgarian Women\'s Day magazine. This book was published in 1990. It\'s divided up by dish--soups, main dishes, deserts. Within a category like soups it\'s been further subdivided--soups without meat and soups with meat. That\'s cool.\n\nThis is by far the easiest book to flip through and look for recipes. Probably because of the way that it\'s organized and the font is nice and big. That\'s important.\n\nAcross all three books, what\'s hardest for me is that while I can read the names of recipes and the ingredients, the directions are often pretty unclear.  I can\'t really imagine what I am supposed to be doing with the ingredients. I could really use some pictures or potentially a better grasp of Bulgarian.\n\nThe thing I\'ve found most interesting? I am strangely attracted to all of the recipes with internal organs like liver, kidneys and brains as well as tongue and animal heads. I think I am attracted to these recipes because they are so unfamiliar to me. I\'d guess that by the 1980s in the States most cook books were editing out these kinds of recipes as American tastes had changed. I don\'t remember seeing a recipe in any of my mother\'s cook books (aside from maybe the Joy of Cooking) which used organs like kidneys or liver as a main/central ingredient.\n\nSo the former vegetarian in me reads these recipes with a hearty mix of amazement and trepidation. I don\'t <em>love</em> meat. In fact, I am very happy (and totally comfortable) continuing with my vegetarian ways at home.\n\nMostly I started eating meat again because I didn\'t want to miss out on anything when I moved to Bulgaria.  I didn\'t want to say no. I wanted to be open to everything. And two and a half years later, I don\'t regret it.\n\nNow I don\'t know that I\'ll be making brain kufteta or cow\'s head soup during this cooking adventure but I\'ll still be pushing myself. Don\'t worry.','Buglarian Cook Books ','','inherit','open','open','','4241-revision','','','2011-01-23 11:33:19','2011-01-23 09:33:19','',4241,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/01/23/4241-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(4244,1,'2011-01-23 11:33:45','2011-01-23 09:33:45','I found myself with some unexpected time this weekend and rather than kill myself grading, grading, grading, I\'ve been entertaining myself with big cups of coffee, my kindle, catching up with friends and flipping through Bulgarian cook books.\r\n\r\nLast week I borrowed these three cook books from one of my Bulgarian colleagues. Thanks, T.!  These are serious cook books.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4242\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Bulgarian Cook Books\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4242\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4242\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4242 \" title=\"Bulgarian Cook Books \" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_7026-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nOne is reprinted from 1937; it\'s the cook book for a girls school and has recipes for each month and includes things like brain kufteta. This cook book is intense. It breaks down the recipes by animal and then by animal part. It also uses some spelling I am not familiar with. Oh well.<!--more-->\r\n\r\nAnother one of the cook books is divided up by holiday. This one is charming in comparison with little hand-drawn illustrations and a description of each holiday before the actual recipes. These recipes look a lot easier to follow as well.  I guess it helps that this book was published in 1992.\r\n\r\nThen there\'s the Women\'s Day cook book. My friend T. explained that this book is a collection of recipes which ran in the Bulgarian Women\'s Day magazine. This book was published in 1990. It\'s divided up by dish--soups, main dishes, deserts. Within a category like soups it\'s been further subdivided--soups without meat and soups with meat. That\'s cool.\r\n\r\nThis is by far the easiest book to flip through and look for recipes. Probably because of the way that it\'s organized and the font is nice and big. That\'s important.\r\n\r\nAcross all three books, what\'s hardest for me is that while I can read the names of recipes and the ingredients, the directions are often pretty unclear.  I can\'t really imagine what I am supposed to be doing with the ingredients. I could really use some pictures or potentially a better grasp of Bulgarian.\r\n\r\nThe thing I\'ve found most interesting? I am strangely attracted to all of the recipes with internal organs like liver, kidneys and brains as well as tongue and animal heads. I think I am attracted to these recipes because they are so unfamiliar to me. I\'d guess that by the 1980s in the States most cook books were editing out these kinds of recipes as American tastes had changed. I don\'t remember seeing a recipe in any of my mother\'s cook books (aside from maybe the Joy of Cooking) which used organs like kidneys or liver as a main/central ingredient.\r\n\r\nSo the former vegetarian in me reads these recipes with a hearty mix of amazement and trepidation. I don\'t <em>love</em> meat. In fact, I am very happy (and totally comfortable) continuing with my vegetarian ways at home.\r\n\r\nMostly I started eating meat again because I didn\'t want to miss out on anything when I moved to Bulgaria.  I didn\'t want to say no. I wanted to be open to everything. And two and a half years later, I don\'t regret it.\r\n\r\nNow I don\'t know that I\'ll be making brain kufteta or cow\'s head soup during this cooking adventure but I\'ll still be pushing myself. Don\'t worry.','Buglarian Cook Books ','','inherit','open','open','','4241-revision-2','','','2011-01-23 11:33:45','2011-01-23 09:33:45','',4241,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/01/23/4241-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(4245,1,'2011-01-23 11:34:55','2011-01-23 09:34:55','I found myself with some unexpected time this weekend and rather than kill myself grading, grading, grading, I\'ve been entertaining myself with big cups of coffee, my kindle, catching up with friends and flipping through Bulgarian cook books.\n\nLast week I borrowed these three cook books from one of my Bulgarian colleagues. Thanks, T.!  These are serious cook books.\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_4242\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Bulgarian Cook Books\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4242\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/01/23/buglarian-cook-books/img_7026/\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4242 \" title=\"Bulgarian Cook Books \" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_7026-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nOne is reprinted from 1937; it\'s the cook book for a girls school and has recipes for each month and includes things like brain kufteta. This cook book is intense. It breaks down the recipes by animal and then by animal part. It also uses some spelling I am not familiar with. Oh well.<!--more-->\n\nAnother one of the cook books is divided up by holiday. This one is charming in comparison with little hand-drawn illustrations and a description of each holiday before the actual recipes. These recipes look a lot easier to follow as well.  I guess it helps that this book was published in 1992.\n\nThen there\'s the Women\'s Day cook book. My friend T. explained that this book is a collection of recipes which ran in the Bulgarian Women\'s Day magazine. This book was published in 1990. It\'s divided up by dish--soups, main dishes, deserts. Within a category like soups it\'s been further subdivided--soups without meat and soups with meat. That\'s cool.\n\nThis is by far the easiest book to flip through and look for recipes. Probably because of the way that it\'s organized and the font is nice and big. That\'s important.\n\nAcross all three books, what\'s hardest for me is that while I can read the names of recipes and the ingredients, the directions are often pretty unclear.  I can\'t really imagine what I am supposed to be doing with the ingredients. I could really use some pictures or potentially a better grasp of Bulgarian.\n\nThe thing I\'ve found most interesting? I am strangely attracted to all of the recipes with internal organs like liver, kidneys and brains as well as tongue and animal heads. I think I am attracted to these recipes because they are so unfamiliar to me. I\'d guess that by the 1980s in the States most cook books were editing out these kinds of recipes as American tastes had changed. I don\'t remember seeing a recipe in any of my mother\'s cook books (aside from maybe the Joy of Cooking) which used organs like kidneys or liver as a main/central ingredient.\n\nSo the former vegetarian in me reads these recipes with a hearty mix of amazement and trepidation. I don\'t <em>love</em> meat. In fact, I am very happy (and totally comfortable) continuing with my vegetarian ways at home.\n\nMostly I started eating meat again because I didn\'t want to miss out on anything when I moved to Bulgaria.  I didn\'t want to say no. I wanted to be open to everything. And two and a half years later, I don\'t regret it.\n\nNow I don\'t know that I\'ll be making brain kufteta or cow\'s head soup during this cooking adventure but I\'ll still be pushing myself. Don\'t worry.','Buglarian Cook Books ','','inherit','open','open','','4241-autosave','','','2011-01-23 11:34:55','2011-01-23 09:34:55','',4241,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/01/23/4241-autosave/',0,'revision','',0),(4246,1,'2011-01-24 16:59:11','2011-01-24 14:59:11','Well, the Flu Vacation is going okay. This morning when I got out of bed, I wasn\'t so sure. It seems awfully silly to go to school to grade when I had all of my papers lined up on my table at home. And I knew, just knew, that Onda, our on campus coffee shop would be closed for the week.\r\n\r\nSo I decided I\'d better set some standards by which to judge the flu vacation by.\r\n<ol>\r\n	<li>Don\'t get the flu.</li>\r\n	<li>Set a reasonable amount of homework to grade or reviews to write and stick to it.</li>\r\n	<li>Listen to good music while grading.</li>\r\n	<li>Complain a suitable amount with colleagues about the unexpected holiday and the impact it will have on our future holidays. Which are for the record <em>actual</em> holidays.</li>\r\n	<li>Leave work while it\'s still day light.</li>\r\n</ol>\r\nI am happy to report, so far so good.\r\n\r\nCurrently I am at home drinking a diet coke (well coke light) and writing this blog post. I don\'t think I have the flu. It\'s still daylight outside and I graded everything I needed to while listening to <a href=\"http://www.npr.org/2011/01/20/133026865/the-decemberists-the-king-is-dead-live-from-portland\" target=\"_blank\">The Decemberists</a>, <a href=\"http://www.npr.org/2010/12/29/132088913/dec-21-belle-and-sebastians-holiday-spectacular\" target=\"_blank\">Belle And Sebastian</a> and<a href=\"http://www.npr.org/2011/01/08/132443474/first-listen-live-iron-and-wine-introduces-kiss-each-other-clean\" target=\"_blank\"> Iron And Wine</a> all thanks to NPRmusic. I\'d sort of forgotten how much I dig the Decemberists.\r\n\r\nThe downside of the flu vacation? Lunch at school was lack-luster.  There wasn\'t even a vegetarian option on the menu today. I had tomatoes stuffed with rice and some unknown ground meat.  Now I guess it\'s time for an after school snack.','Day 1: Flu Vacation ','','publish','open','open','','day-1-flu-vacation','','','2011-01-24 16:59:11','2011-01-24 14:59:11','',0,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?p=4246',0,'post','',1),(4247,1,'2011-01-24 16:59:00','2011-01-24 14:59:00','Well, the Flu Vacation is going okay. This morning when I got out of bed, I wasn\'t so sure. It seems awfully silly to go to school to grade when I had all of my papers lined up on my table at home. And I knew, just knew, that Onda, our on campus coffee shop would be closed for the week.\n\nSo I decided I\'d better set some standards by which to judge the flu vacation by.\n<ol>\n	<li>Don\'t get the flu.</li>\n	<li>Set a reasonable amount of homework to grade or reviews to write and stick to it.</li>\n	<li>Listen to good music while grading.</li>\n	<li>Complain a suitable amount with colleagues about the unexpected holiday and the impact it will have on our future holidays. Which are for the record <em>actual</em> holidays.</li>\n	<li>Leave work while it\'s still day light.</li>\n</ol>\nI am happy to report, so far so good.\n\nCurrently I am at home drinking a diet coke (well coke light) and writing this blog post. I don\'t think I have the flu. It\'s still daylight outside and I graded everything I needed to while listening to <a href=\"http://www.npr.org/2011/01/20/133026865/the-decemberists-the-king-is-dead-live-from-portland\" target=\"_blank\">The Decemberists</a>, <a href=\"http://www.npr.org/2010/12/29/132088913/dec-21-belle-and-sebastians-holiday-spectacular\" target=\"_blank\">Belle And Sebastian</a> and<a href=\"http://www.npr.org/2011/01/08/132443474/first-listen-live-iron-and-wine-introduces-kiss-each-other-clean\" target=\"_blank\"> Iron And Wine</a> all thanks to NPRmusic. I\'d sort of forgotten how much I dig the Decemberists.\n\nThe downside of the flu vacation? Lunch at school was lack-luster.  There wasn\'t even a vegetarian option on the menu today. I had tomatoes stuffed with rice and some unknown ground meat.  Now I guess it\'s time for an after school snack.','Day 1: Flu Vacation ','','inherit','open','open','','4246-revision','','','2011-01-24 16:59:00','2011-01-24 14:59:00','',4246,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/01/24/4246-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(4248,1,'2011-01-24 17:00:19','2011-01-24 15:00:19','Well, the Flu Vacation is going okay. This morning when I got out of bed, I wasn\'t so sure. It seems awfully silly to go to school to grade when I had all of my papers lined up on my table at home. And I knew, just knew, that Onda, our on campus coffee shop would be closed for the week.\n\nSo I decided I\'d better set some standards by which to judge the flu vacation by.\n<ol>\n	<li>Don\'t get the flu.</li>\n	<li>Set a reasonable amount of homework to grade or reviews to write and stick to it.</li>\n	<li>Listen to good music while grading.</li>\n	<li>Complain a suitable amount with colleagues about the unexpected holiday and the impact it will have on our future holidays. Which are for the record <em>actual</em> holidays.</li>\n	<li>Leave work while it\'s still day light.</li>\n</ol>\nI am happy to report, so far so good.\n\nCurrently I am at home drinking a diet coke (well coke light) and writing this blog post. I don\'t think I have the flu. It\'s still daylight outside and I graded everything I needed to while listening to <a href=\"http://www.npr.org/2011/01/20/133026865/the-decemberists-the-king-is-dead-live-from-portland\" target=\"_blank\">The Decemberists</a>, <a href=\"http://www.npr.org/2010/12/29/132088913/dec-21-belle-and-sebastians-holiday-spectacular\" target=\"_blank\">Belle And Sebastian</a> and<a href=\"http://www.npr.org/2011/01/08/132443474/first-listen-live-iron-and-wine-introduces-kiss-each-other-clean\" target=\"_blank\"> Iron And Wine</a> all thanks to NPRmusic. I\'d sort of forgotten how much I dig the Decemberists.\n\nThe downside of the flu vacation? Lunch at school was lack-luster.  There wasn\'t even a vegetarian option on the menu today. I had tomatoes stuffed with rice and some unknown ground meat.  Now I guess it\'s time for an after school snack.','Day 1: Flu Vacation ','','inherit','open','open','','4246-autosave','','','2011-01-24 17:00:19','2011-01-24 15:00:19','',4246,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/01/24/4246-autosave/',0,'revision','',0),(4249,1,'2011-01-25 20:16:11','2011-01-25 18:16:11','I love Bulgaria as much as the next girl so I wasn\'t too surprised when a couple of my Bulgarian friends sent me links to a new-ish youtube piece about the History of Sofia.\r\n\r\nI queued it up last week thinking I\'d watch it while I was toasting some bread for dinner. Turns out that what I thought was a clip was actually a 28 minute video about Sofia.\r\n\r\nThat\'s intense.\r\n<iframe title=\"YouTube video player\" class=\"youtube-player\" type=\"text/html\" width=\"640\" height=\"390\" src=\"http://www.youtube.com/embed/2oUwgGLiz0c?rel=0\" frameborder=\"0\" allowFullScreen></iframe>\r\n\r\nAnd really, who needs to watch a 28 minute video about the history of Sofia?\r\n\r\nNot me.\r\n\r\nOkay, okay. I figured that I\'d watch it. At some point. After I\'d watched all of the Daily Show episodes I was behind on.\r\n\r\nFinally I succumbed. I couldn\'t help but wonder what\'s the video about?\r\n\r\nI started it on Sunday but the video is pretty slow paced and kind of ridiculous. I thought: I am not going to last for more than three minutes. Then one minute and fifty seconds in, I starting getting into the horrible-ridiculousness of the video. I don\'t know who wrote the script but it\'s wild.\r\n\r\nIt includes such gems as:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li> Sofia hasn\'t grown old. It\'s grown extremely wise. [1:50]</li>\r\n	<li>Constantin the Great was in love with Serdica. [3:40]</li>\r\n	<li>More steal was used for its construction [NDK--the National Palace of Culture in the 1980s] than for the Eiffel Tower. [24:50]</li>\r\n	<li>Sofia is not old. It\'s ancient. [25:45]</li>\r\n	<li>In less than an hour you can experience all the stages of [Sofia\'s] history. [somewhere right before the end]</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nYeah, you might just want to skip right to the best parts of the video. Or if you think you\'d like to save yourself some time and energy hoofing it around town checking the sights out for yourself you could plop down and watch the whole half hour video.\r\n\r\nThe thing I don\'t get is why this guy who clearly likes Sofia enough to make a fairly legit albeit annoyingly boring video about this city would then reduce the city and the complex and extensive history into something one can see in less than an hour.\r\nAlso, I don\'t know how Terry is getting from the city center to Boyana Church round trip in an hour but I\'d like to ride with him next time.\r\n\r\nSo that\'s that. Watch it if you want to but be forewarned it\'s a time commitment and I am not sure that it\'s  nearly as fun or pleasurable as watching kittens do silly things in costume.\r\n\r\nOh and you could also let me know what you think. If you\'re so inclined.','Video: Sofia the History of Europe','','publish','open','open','','video-sofia-the-history-of-europe','','','2011-01-25 20:17:29','2011-01-25 18:17:29','',0,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?p=4249',0,'post','',56),(4250,1,'2011-01-25 19:58:11','2011-01-25 17:58:11','I love Bulgaria as much as the next girl so I wasn\'t too surprised when a couple of my Bulgarian friends sent me links to a new-ish youtube piece about the History of Sofia.\n\nI queued it up last week thinking I\'d watch it while I was toasting some bread for dinner. Turns out that what I thought was a clip was actually a 28 minute video about Sofia.\n\nAnd really, who needs to watch a 28 minute video about the history of Sofia? Not me.\n\nOkay, okay. I figured that I\'d watch it. At some point. After I\'d watched all of the Daily Show episodes I was behind on.\n\nI started it on Sunday but it\'s pretty slow paced and kind of ridiculous.\n\nIt includes such gems as:\n<ul>\n	<li> Sofia hasn\'t grown old. It\'s grown extremely wise. [1:50]</li>\n	<li>Constantin the Great was in love with Serdica. [3:40]</li>\n	<li>More steal was used for its construction [NDK--the National Palace of Culture in the 1980s] than for the Eiffel Tower. [24:50]</li>\n	<li>Sofia is not old. It\'s ancient. [25:45]</li>\n</ul>','Video: Sofia the History of Europe','','inherit','open','open','','4249-revision','','','2011-01-25 19:58:11','2011-01-25 17:58:11','',4249,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/01/25/4249-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(4251,1,'2011-01-25 20:00:11','2011-01-25 18:00:11','I love Bulgaria as much as the next girl so I wasn\'t too surprised when a couple of my Bulgarian friends sent me links to a new-ish youtube piece about the History of Sofia.\n\nI queued it up last week thinking I\'d watch it while I was toasting some bread for dinner. Turns out that what I thought was a clip was actually a 28 minute video about Sofia.\n\n<a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2oUwgGLiz0c\">Sofia: The History of Europe</a>\n\nAnd really, who needs to watch a 28 minute video about the history of Sofia? Not me.\n\nOkay, okay. I figured that I\'d watch it. At some point. After I\'d watched all of the Daily Show episodes I was behind on.\n\nI started it on Sunday but it\'s pretty slow paced and kind of ridiculous.\n\nIt includes such gems as:\n<ul>\n	<li> Sofia hasn\'t grown old. It\'s grown extremely wise. [1:50]</li>\n	<li>Constantin the Great was in love with Serdica. [3:40]</li>\n	<li>More steal was used for its construction [NDK--the National Palace of Culture in the 1980s] than for the Eiffel Tower. [24:50]</li>\n	<li>Sofia is not old. It\'s ancient. [25:45]</li>\n	<li>In less than an hour you can experience all the stages of [Sofia\'s] history. [somewhere right before the end]</li>\n</ul>','Video: Sofia the History of Europe','','inherit','open','open','','4249-revision-2','','','2011-01-25 20:00:11','2011-01-25 18:00:11','',4249,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/01/25/4249-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(4252,1,'2011-01-25 20:07:28','2011-01-25 18:07:28','I love Bulgaria as much as the next girl so I wasn\'t too surprised when a couple of my Bulgarian friends sent me links to a new-ish youtube piece about the History of Sofia.\r\n\r\nI queued it up last week thinking I\'d watch it while I was toasting some bread for dinner. Turns out that what I thought was a clip was actually a 28 minute video about Sofia.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2oUwgGLiz0c\">Sofia: The History of Europe</a>\r\n\r\nAnd really, who needs to watch a 28 minute video about the history of Sofia? Not me.\r\n\r\nOkay, okay. I figured that I\'d watch it. At some point. After I\'d watched all of the Daily Show episodes I was behind on.\r\n\r\nI started it on Sunday but it\'s pretty slow paced and kind of ridiculous. Then one minute and fifty seconds in, I sort of starting getting into the horrible-ridiculousness of the video. I don\'t know who wrote the script but it\'s wild.\r\n\r\nIt includes such gems as:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li> Sofia hasn\'t grown old. It\'s grown extremely wise. [1:50]</li>\r\n	<li>Constantin the Great was in love with Serdica. [3:40]</li>\r\n	<li>More steal was used for its construction [NDK--the National Palace of Culture in the 1980s] than for the Eiffel Tower. [24:50]</li>\r\n	<li>Sofia is not old. It\'s ancient. [25:45]</li>\r\n	<li>In less than an hour you can experience all the stages of [Sofia\'s] history. [somewhere right before the end]</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nYeah, you might just want to skip right to the best parts of the video. Or if you think you\'d like to save yourself some time and energy hoofing it around town checking the sights out for yourself you could plop down and watch the whole half hour video.\r\n\r\nThe thing I don\'t get is why this guy who clearly likes Sofia enough to make a fairly legit albeit annoyingly boring video about this city would then reduce the city and the complex and extensive history into something one can see in less than an hour.\r\n\r\nAlso, I don\'t know how Terry is getting from the city center to Boyana Church round trip in an hour but I\'d like to ride with him next time.','Video: Sofia the History of Europe','','inherit','open','open','','4249-revision-3','','','2011-01-25 20:07:28','2011-01-25 18:07:28','',4249,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/01/25/4249-revision-3/',0,'revision','',0),(4253,1,'2011-01-25 20:09:14','2011-01-25 18:09:14','I love Bulgaria as much as the next girl so I wasn\'t too surprised when a couple of my Bulgarian friends sent me links to a new-ish youtube piece about the History of Sofia.\r\n\r\nI queued it up last week thinking I\'d watch it while I was toasting some bread for dinner. Turns out that what I thought was a clip was actually a 28 minute video about Sofia.  That\'s intense.\r\n\r\n<iframe title=\"YouTube video player\" class=\"youtube-player\" type=\"text/html\" width=\"640\" height=\"390\" src=\"http://www.youtube.com/embed/2oUwgGLiz0c?rel=0\" frameborder=\"0\" allowFullScreen></iframe>\r\n\r\nAnd really, who needs to watch a 28 minute video about the history of Sofia? Not me.\r\n\r\nOkay, okay. I figured that I\'d watch it. At some point. After I\'d watched all of the Daily Show episodes I was behind on.\r\n\r\nI started it on Sunday but it\'s pretty slow paced and kind of ridiculous. Then one minute and fifty seconds in, I sort of starting getting into the horrible-ridiculousness of the video. I don\'t know who wrote the script but it\'s wild.\r\n\r\nIt includes such gems as:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li> Sofia hasn\'t grown old. It\'s grown extremely wise. [1:50]</li>\r\n	<li>Constantin the Great was in love with Serdica. [3:40]</li>\r\n	<li>More steal was used for its construction [NDK--the National Palace of Culture in the 1980s] than for the Eiffel Tower. [24:50]</li>\r\n	<li>Sofia is not old. It\'s ancient. [25:45]</li>\r\n	<li>In less than an hour you can experience all the stages of [Sofia\'s] history. [somewhere right before the end]</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nYeah, you might just want to skip right to the best parts of the video. Or if you think you\'d like to save yourself some time and energy hoofing it around town checking the sights out for yourself you could plop down and watch the whole half hour video.\r\n\r\nThe thing I don\'t get is why this guy who clearly likes Sofia enough to make a fairly legit albeit annoyingly boring video about this city would then reduce the city and the complex and extensive history into something one can see in less than an hour.\r\n\r\nAlso, I don\'t know how Terry is getting from the city center to Boyana Church round trip in an hour but I\'d like to ride with him next time.','Video: Sofia the History of Europe','','inherit','open','open','','4249-revision-4','','','2011-01-25 20:09:14','2011-01-25 18:09:14','',4249,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/01/25/4249-revision-4/',0,'revision','',0),(4254,1,'2011-01-25 20:15:19','2011-01-25 18:15:19','I love Bulgaria as much as the next girl so I wasn\'t too surprised when a couple of my Bulgarian friends sent me links to a new-ish youtube piece about the History of Sofia.\n\nI queued it up last week thinking I\'d watch it while I was toasting some bread for dinner. Turns out that what I thought was a clip was actually a 28 minute video about Sofia.\n\nThat\'s intense.\n\nAnd really, who needs to watch a 28 minute video about the history of Sofia?\n\nNot me.\n\nOkay, okay. I figured that I\'d watch it. At some point. After I\'d watched all of the Daily Show episodes I was behind on.\n\nFinally I succumbed. I couldn\'t help but wonder what\'s the video about?\n\nI started it on Sunday but the video is pretty slow paced and kind of ridiculous. I thought: I am not going to last for more than three minutes. Then one minute and fifty seconds in, I starting getting into the horrible-ridiculousness of the video. I don\'t know who wrote the script but it\'s wild.\n\nIt includes such gems as:\n<ul>\n	<li> Sofia hasn\'t grown old. It\'s grown extremely wise. [1:50]</li>\n	<li>Constantin the Great was in love with Serdica. [3:40]</li>\n	<li>More steal was used for its construction [NDK--the National Palace of Culture in the 1980s] than for the Eiffel Tower. [24:50]</li>\n	<li>Sofia is not old. It\'s ancient. [25:45]</li>\n	<li>In less than an hour you can experience all the stages of [Sofia\'s] history. [somewhere right before the end]</li>\n</ul>\nYeah, you might just want to skip right to the best parts of the video. Or if you think you\'d like to save yourself some time and energy hoofing it around town checking the sights out for yourself you could plop down and watch the whole half hour video.\n\nThe thing I don\'t get is why this guy who clearly likes Sofia enough to make a fairly legit albeit annoyingly boring video about this city would then reduce the city and the complex and extensive history into something one can see in less than an hour.\nAlso, I don\'t know how Terry is getting from the city center to Boyana Church round trip in an hour but I\'d like to ride with him next time.\n\nSo that\'s that. Watch it if you want to but be forewarned it\'s a time commitment and I am not sure that it\'s  nearly as fun or pleasurable as watching kittens do silly things in costume.','Video: Sofia the History of Europe','','inherit','open','open','','4249-revision-5','','','2011-01-25 20:15:19','2011-01-25 18:15:19','',4249,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/01/25/4249-revision-5/',0,'revision','',0),(4255,1,'2011-01-25 20:17:18','2011-01-25 18:17:18','I love Bulgaria as much as the next girl so I wasn\'t too surprised when a couple of my Bulgarian friends sent me links to a new-ish youtube piece about the History of Sofia.\n\nI queued it up last week thinking I\'d watch it while I was toasting some bread for dinner. Turns out that what I thought was a clip was actually a 28 minute video about Sofia.\n\nThat\'s intense.\n\nAnd really, who needs to watch a 28 minute video about the history of Sofia?\n\nNot me.\n\nOkay, okay. I figured that I\'d watch it. At some point. After I\'d watched all of the Daily Show episodes I was behind on.\n\nFinally I succumbed. I couldn\'t help but wonder what\'s the video about?\n\nI started it on Sunday but the video is pretty slow paced and kind of ridiculous. I thought: I am not going to last for more than three minutes. Then one minute and fifty seconds in, I starting getting into the horrible-ridiculousness of the video. I don\'t know who wrote the script but it\'s wild.\n\nIt includes such gems as:\n<ul>\n	<li> Sofia hasn\'t grown old. It\'s grown extremely wise. [1:50]</li>\n	<li>Constantin the Great was in love with Serdica. [3:40]</li>\n	<li>More steal was used for its construction [NDK--the National Palace of Culture in the 1980s] than for the Eiffel Tower. [24:50]</li>\n	<li>Sofia is not old. It\'s ancient. [25:45]</li>\n	<li>In less than an hour you can experience all the stages of [Sofia\'s] history. [somewhere right before the end]</li>\n</ul>\nYeah, you might just want to skip right to the best parts of the video. Or if you think you\'d like to save yourself some time and energy hoofing it around town checking the sights out for yourself you could plop down and watch the whole half hour video.\n\nThe thing I don\'t get is why this guy who clearly likes Sofia enough to make a fairly legit albeit annoyingly boring video about this city would then reduce the city and the complex and extensive history into something one can see in less than an hour.\nAlso, I don\'t know how Terry is getting from the city center to Boyana Church round trip in an hour but I\'d like to ride with him next time.\n\nSo that\'s that. Watch it if you want to but be forewarned it\'s a time commitment and I am not sure that it\'s  nearly as fun or pleasurable as watching kittens do silly things in costume.\n\nOh and you could also let me know what you think. If you\'re so inclined.','Video: Sofia the History of Europe','','inherit','open','open','','4249-autosave','','','2011-01-25 20:17:18','2011-01-25 18:17:18','',4249,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/01/25/4249-autosave/',0,'revision','',0),(4256,1,'2011-01-25 20:16:11','2011-01-25 18:16:11','I love Bulgaria as much as the next girl so I wasn\'t too surprised when a couple of my Bulgarian friends sent me links to a new-ish youtube piece about the History of Sofia.\r\n\r\nI queued it up last week thinking I\'d watch it while I was toasting some bread for dinner. Turns out that what I thought was a clip was actually a 28 minute video about Sofia.\r\n\r\nThat\'s intense.\r\n\r\nAnd really, who needs to watch a 28 minute video about the history of Sofia?\r\n\r\nNot me.\r\n\r\nOkay, okay. I figured that I\'d watch it. At some point. After I\'d watched all of the Daily Show episodes I was behind on.\r\n\r\nFinally I succumbed. I couldn\'t help but wonder what\'s the video about?\r\n\r\nI started it on Sunday but the video is pretty slow paced and kind of ridiculous. I thought: I am not going to last for more than three minutes. Then one minute and fifty seconds in, I starting getting into the horrible-ridiculousness of the video. I don\'t know who wrote the script but it\'s wild.\r\n\r\nIt includes such gems as:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li> Sofia hasn\'t grown old. It\'s grown extremely wise. [1:50]</li>\r\n	<li>Constantin the Great was in love with Serdica. [3:40]</li>\r\n	<li>More steal was used for its construction [NDK--the National Palace of Culture in the 1980s] than for the Eiffel Tower. [24:50]</li>\r\n	<li>Sofia is not old. It\'s ancient. [25:45]</li>\r\n	<li>In less than an hour you can experience all the stages of [Sofia\'s] history. [somewhere right before the end]</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nYeah, you might just want to skip right to the best parts of the video. Or if you think you\'d like to save yourself some time and energy hoofing it around town checking the sights out for yourself you could plop down and watch the whole half hour video.\r\n\r\nThe thing I don\'t get is why this guy who clearly likes Sofia enough to make a fairly legit albeit annoyingly boring video about this city would then reduce the city and the complex and extensive history into something one can see in less than an hour.\r\nAlso, I don\'t know how Terry is getting from the city center to Boyana Church round trip in an hour but I\'d like to ride with him next time.\r\n\r\nSo that\'s that. Watch it if you want to but be forewarned it\'s a time commitment and I am not sure that it\'s  nearly as fun or pleasurable as watching kittens do silly things in costume.\r\n\r\nOh and you could also let me know what you think. If you\'re so inclined.','Video: Sofia the History of Europe','','inherit','open','open','','4249-revision-6','','','2011-01-25 20:16:11','2011-01-25 18:16:11','',4249,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/01/25/4249-revision-6/',0,'revision','',0),(4258,1,'2011-01-27 08:21:47','2011-01-27 06:21:47','I managed to get some people riled up yesterday when I posted my <a href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/01/25/video-sofia-the-history-of-europe/\" target=\"_blank\">less than shining review of a new youtube video</a> Sofia: the History of Europe. I had no idea I\'d create such a stir among my readers. But I did. 28 comments later and counting the comment section of my blog post is now at least three times as long as my original post. And that\'s saying something, given the fact a 1/3 of my original post was a video.\n\nWatching the whole thing unfold yesterday at work was fascinating. (Probably more than you can imagine. We\'re on a flu vacation from school but my school has required that as teachers we still show up. So right now I\'m going to work each morning, sitting at my desk grading until lunch and then trying to grade some more in the afternoon. And I continue to hope that I won\'t catch the flu.)','Sofia & Me','','inherit','open','open','','4257-revision','','','2011-01-27 08:21:47','2011-01-27 06:21:47','',4257,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/01/27/4257-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(4284,1,'2011-02-03 21:32:28','2011-02-03 19:32:28','Tonight while eating a bowl of leftover lentil soup, I decided next up moussaka. We have moussaka at school at least once a week. Usually it\'s too salty and the serving size is too big. So, moussaka is not my go to dish at school. I usually end up eating it when there\'s nothing else on the menu that I want or I get to lunch late and the other good dishes have all been snapped up.\r\n\r\nThe thing is, I like the idea of moussaka--I just don\'t love our school\'s cafeteria moussaka. It\'s the salt and the fact that I hate throwing away part of my lunch. It makes me feel wasteful.\r\n\r\nHowever I like potatoes. <em>And</em> I like cheese. So I decided what the heck, I am going to try to make my own moussaka. But I will not be making the 9x13 size. That\'s way more than one girl can eat.\r\n\r\nI looked up some recipes in English. Everything seems pretty straightforward. Except for this: I came away with the distinct impression that this is a, <em>gasp</em>, Greek dish.\r\n\r\nThen I looked up some recipes in my Bulgarian cook books. Man there are a lot of Bulgarian versions of moussaka or if I am spelling it the Bulgarian way musaka. Musaka from eggplant. Musaka from cabbage. Musaka from potatoes and spinach. Musaka from fresh beans.  Musaka from mushrooms. Musaka from ham and cauliflower. Musaka from okra. And the list it turns out goes on and on. <!--more-->And for the record, I\'ve never even seen okra here in Bulgaria. Also for the record, when I was looking in the index for musaka I knew every other word in the musaka + another vegetable combination but I didn\'t know бамя. Turns out that\'s okra. That\'s right I am <em>learning things</em>.\r\n\r\nSo I think that I\'ll be making either the potato and spinach musaka or the the mushroom musaka.\r\n\r\nMushroom Musaka: 400g mushrooms, 500 g potatoes, 80g butter (margarine), 250 g yogurt, 3 eggs, black pepper and salt.\r\n\r\nHere\'s my translation. You do somethings to the above ingredients. You cut the potatoes. You steam/saute the mushrooms in the butter.  Then you add some pepper and salt. Not sure how much but I think the recipe is using the verb to salt (осолете). Then you do something else with the mushrooms and potatoes. Then you do something with the eggs and yogurt. I\'d mix them together and pour over the mushrooms and potatoes which I\'d have in a pan. Then you put the whole thing in a hot oven(гореща фурна). How hot? Doesn\'t say. How long should it bake? Doesn\'t say.\r\n\r\nPotato and Spinach Musaka: 500 g potatoes, 500 g spinach, 250 g yogurt, 50 ml oil, 80-100 g kashkaval cheese, 3 eggs, 1-2 heads of an onion, 1-2 spoons of галета (bread crumbs), 1 връзка (link of)parsley, black pepper, salt.\r\n\r\nHere\'s my translation. You do somethings to the above ingredients. You saute the onion in oil.  Then you do some other things. What happens in the following steps is not so clear. So I am going to check in with a Bulgarian speaker for some help with the rest of the directions.\r\n\r\nSo if you want to cook along with me, pick a recipe, stock up on the ingredients and check back in tomorrow for the full directions. Okay? Okay, great.','Next Up: Moussaka or Musaka','','publish','open','open','','next-up-moussaka-or-musaka','','','2011-02-03 21:32:28','2011-02-03 19:32:28','',0,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?p=4284',0,'post','',6),(4260,1,'2011-01-27 18:34:09','2011-01-27 16:34:09','I managed to get some people riled up yesterday when I posted my <a href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/01/25/video-sofia-the-history-of-europe/\" target=\"_blank\">less than shining review of a new youtube video</a> Sofia: the History of Europe. I had no idea I\'d create such a stir among my readers. But I did. Thirty plus comments later and counting the comment section of my blog post is now at least three times as long as my original post. And that\'s saying something, given the fact a 1/3 of my original post was a video.\n\nThis morning my sister told me: I love when you have riots in your blog comments. It makes me nervous to read it though.\n\nMe: why?\n\nShe: I like the spirited conversations, but I really don\'t like people saying mean things about/to you. I know you don\'t mind, but you are my big sister.\n\nAw, shucks. Thanks little sister!\n\nIf you\'ve been reading my blog for awhile now you probably know that criticism and complaint is not my style. I try to look for the good in every situation and not to dwell on things. Rather, I like to try new things. I like to think about why things are the way they are. I like to joke around. I like to challenge myself.\n\nDo I face criticism for the things that I say or do on this blog? Not often but it happens. And frankly, I appreciate it. More often than not, it helps me see the situation in a new light. It challenges me to rethink an assumption that I made.\n\nThe thing is, when I accidentally rile people up or when  someone misreads or misinterprets what I\'ve written, I\'ve been told more times than I count some version of: if you don’t like Sofia and don’t know anything about it, why would you live here? Or if you don\'t like it here move.','Sofia & Me','','inherit','open','open','','4257-revision-2','','','2011-01-27 18:34:09','2011-01-27 16:34:09','',4257,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/01/27/4257-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(4261,1,'2011-01-28 08:43:14','2011-01-28 06:43:14','I managed to get some people riled up in the last two day when I posted my <a href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/01/25/video-sofia-the-history-of-europe/\" target=\"_blank\">less than shining review of a new youtube video</a> Sofia: the History of Europe. I had no idea I\'d create such a stir among a few of my readers. But I did. Thirty plus comments later (and counting) the comment section of my blog post is now at least three times as long as my original post. And that\'s saying something, given the fact a 1/3 of my original post was a video.\n\nIt seems pretty clear that my slight to the video (and <em>not</em> the city) was misread and misinterpreted as a slight to the city, the history and the people.  Which if you\'re a long time reader of my blog you\'d know is not my style. First because I actually really dig Sofia and more generally Bulgaria. I\'ve dragged friends all over Bulgaria to go and check things out that I\'ve wanted to see first hand--say the tombs in Kazanlak and the orthodox church in Batak.\n\nAnd time and time, I\'ve complained about language and rhetoric used in English language travel guides about Bulgaria. Guides that reduce the country to an interesting relic of communist past and today a sad, struggling post-communist wasteland with little of interest between Sofia and the Black Sea coast. I think this is reprehensible. Sure, parts of Sofia aren\'t outwardly as beautiful as Paris as the Paris of our dreams/memories but parts of Paris aren\'t that outwardly beautiful either.  My lonely planet guide (2005) is among the worst offenders and says things like \"Kazanlak is a surprisingly interesting city and despite not being obviously attractive, it boasts plenty of history.\" I know that there\'s a new edition now but I don\'t have it.\n\nIn my mind, language and rhetoric like this unhelpful and and actually untrue. If you\'ve been to Kazanlak, you\'d see that the city is center charming and the tomb is exquisite. Thus language that is reductive like this doesn\'t help any one. It\'s one thing to say that there are block buildings on the edges of a city like Kazanlak and an incredible Thracian Tomb. But it\'s a whole other thing to couple a complement and a reductive insult in the same sentence. To couple an insult with a complement is counter productive it undoes and undercuts whatever complement you\'ve just given.\n\nSo back to my original complaint: the video Sofia: The History of Europe. In this video, we see a careful building of the history of Sofia and an exploration of a variety of cultural sites here in Sofia.  This part of the video is about 25 minutes long.  Then in the last five minutes of the video the British host/narrator with a smile on his face tells us this: In less than an hour you can experience all the stages of [Sofia\'s] history.\n\nA line that in my mind, undoes all of the hard (albeit slightly cheesy) work that the video has done up until this point.\n\nIn my mind, this line is problematic because it suggests that one can see and experience all of Sofia\'s history in an hour. If this is true (which I don\'t think it is--I\'ve been to Boyana Church and the tour itself is at least 20 minutes long), what\'s a tourist supposed to do with the rest of their time in Sofia? And it begs this question: why visit a place if everything of importance can be seen in less than an hour?\n\nThis just seems like such a weird way to sell the city to tourists. And I can\'t help but wonder, why reduce this city to an hour? And why undercut the otherwise positive message about what a great city Sofia is?\n\nThe Sofia I love radiates out of Slaveikov Sq and the intersection of Graf Ignativ and Rakovski. It\'s a city with vibrant ideas, art, history and culture. Sofia is a city that seems to always be in the process of creating itself. There\'s nothing static about this city and that\'s why I would argue one needs much more than an hour to explore the cultural and historical sites of Sofia.\n\nSo there you have it, no name calling, no crying, no screaming.\n\nThis is a city that I like. One that I think often is glanced over for cheap skiing or glittering beaches.  And I think that we are responsible for this because the language and the rhetoric we use to to talk about this city, Sofia, is often reductive. I have probably been guilty of this myself at time and it\'s certainly easier to point out the faults of other people\'s language or rhetorical strategy than one\'s own.  But I\'d like to end here, I think Sofia is a city wholly deserving of a visit but I also think that Sofia is an exciting and energetic place to live.\n\nA place that I, for one, plan to continue living in, exploring and writing about.','Sofia & Me','','inherit','open','open','','4257-revision-3','','','2011-01-28 08:43:14','2011-01-28 06:43:14','',4257,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/01/28/4257-revision-3/',0,'revision','',0),(4262,1,'2011-01-28 08:45:06','2011-01-28 06:45:06','I managed to get some people riled up in the last two day when I posted my <a href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/01/25/video-sofia-the-history-of-europe/\" target=\"_blank\">less than shining review of a new youtube video</a> Sofia: the History of Europe. I had no idea I\'d create such a stir among a few of my readers. But I did. Thirty plus comments later (and counting) the comment section of my blog post is now at least three times as long as my original post. And that\'s saying something, given the fact a 1/3 of my original post was a video.\n\nIt seems pretty clear that my slight to the video (and <em>not</em> the city) was misread and misinterpreted as a slight to the city, the history and the people.  Which if you\'re a long time reader of my blog you\'d know is not my style. First because I actually really dig Sofia and more generally Bulgaria. I\'ve dragged friends all over Bulgaria to go and check things out that I\'ve wanted to see first hand--say the tombs in Kazanlak and the orthodox church in Batak.\n\nAnd time and time, I\'ve complained about language and rhetoric used in English language travel guides about Bulgaria. Guides that reduce the country to an interesting relic of communist past and today a sad, struggling post-communist wasteland with little of interest between Sofia and the Black Sea coast. I think this is reprehensible. <!--more-->Sure, parts of Sofia aren\'t outwardly as beautiful as Paris as the Paris of our dreams/memories but parts of Paris aren\'t that outwardly beautiful either.  My lonely planet guide (2005) is among the worst offenders and says things like \"Kazanlak is a surprisingly interesting city and despite not being obviously attractive, it boasts plenty of history.\" I know that there\'s a new edition now but I don\'t have it.\n\nIn my mind, language and rhetoric like this unhelpful and and actually untrue. If you\'ve been to Kazanlak, you\'d see that the city is center charming and the tomb is exquisite. Thus language that is reductive like this doesn\'t help any one. It\'s one thing to say that there are block buildings on the edges of a city like Kazanlak and an incredible Thracian Tomb. But it\'s a whole other thing to couple a complement and a reductive insult in the same sentence. To couple an insult with a complement is counter productive it undoes and undercuts whatever complement you\'ve just given.\n\nSo back to my original complaint: the video Sofia: The History of Europe. In this video, we see a careful building of the history of Sofia and an exploration of a variety of cultural sites here in Sofia.  This part of the video is about 25 minutes long.  Then in the last five minutes of the video the British host/narrator with a smile on his face tells us this: In less than an hour you can experience all the stages of [Sofia\'s] history.\n\nA line that in my mind, undoes all of the hard (albeit slightly cheesy) work that the video has done up until this point.\n\nIn my mind, this line is problematic because it suggests that one can see and experience all of Sofia\'s history in an hour. If this is true (which I don\'t think it is--I\'ve been to Boyana Church and the tour itself is at least 20 minutes long), what\'s a tourist supposed to do with the rest of their time in Sofia? And it begs this question: why visit a place if everything of importance can be seen in less than an hour?\n\nThis just seems like such a weird way to sell the city to tourists. And I can\'t help but wonder, why reduce this city to an hour? And why undercut the otherwise positive message about what a great city Sofia is?\n\nThe Sofia I love radiates out of Slaveikov Sq and the intersection of Graf Ignativ and Rakovski. It\'s a city with vibrant ideas, art, history and culture. Sofia is a city that seems to always be in the process of creating itself. There\'s nothing static about this city and that\'s why I would argue one needs much more than an hour to explore the cultural and historical sites of Sofia.\n\nSo there you have it, no name calling, no crying, no screaming.\n\nThis is a city that I like. One that I think often is glanced over for cheap skiing or glittering beaches.  And I think that we are responsible for this because the language and the rhetoric we use to to talk about this city, Sofia, is often reductive. I have probably been guilty of this myself at time and it\'s certainly easier to point out the faults of other people\'s language or rhetorical strategy than one\'s own.  But I\'d like to end here, I think Sofia is a city wholly deserving of a visit but I also think that Sofia is an exciting and energetic place to live.\n\nA place that I, for one, plan to continue living in, exploring and writing about.','Sofia & Me','','inherit','open','open','','4257-autosave','','','2011-01-28 08:45:06','2011-01-28 06:45:06','',4257,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/01/28/4257-autosave/',0,'revision','',0),(4263,1,'2011-01-29 19:29:00','2011-01-29 17:29:00','This past week Bulgaria\'s Prime Minister Boyko Borisov made some interesting choices while on an official visit to Japan. For the whole story you can check out this piece: <a href=\"http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=124640\" target=\"_blank\">The Doner Kebab as the Pinnacle of Bulgarian Diplomacy</a>. Um, yes, that\'s the actual title of the editorial.\r\n\r\nHow did the doner find itself the center of attention? And what\'s a doner?\r\n\r\nThe doner kebab is a street food served up in hole-in-the-wall fast food stands. The what\'s the deal? Well the following things all come wrapped up in a flat tortilla like bread: sliced pork/beef/chicken, french fries, tomatoes, lettuce/cabbage and a sauce of some sort.  It\'s tasty but quick and greasy.\r\n\r\nIt\'s pretty unclear why Boyko Borisov felt the need to say this but he did:\r\n<blockquote>Bulgaria is under no threat of terrorist attacks over its balanced foreign policy and good relations with the Arab world. We maintain friendly relations with Palestine, with all Arab countries. The Arab world is doing business in Bulgaria; there is a doner kebab on every street corner.</blockquote>\r\nNow it seems everyone is talking about it. Both Boyko Borisov and the doner. For good reason, I guess.\r\n\r\nI can\'t help wondering: is this really diplomacy Bulgarian style? <em>Awesome</em>.','Bulgaria, Diplomacy and the Doner','','publish','open','open','','bulgaria-diplomacy-and-the-doner','','','2011-01-29 19:29:00','2011-01-29 17:29:00','',0,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?p=4263',0,'post','',7),(4264,1,'2011-01-29 19:27:53','2011-01-29 17:27:53','This past week Bulgaria\'s Prime Minister Boyko Borisov made some interesting choices while on an official visit to Japan. For the whole story you can check out this piece: <a href=\"http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=124640\" target=\"_blank\">The Doner Kebab as the Pinnacle of Bulgarian Diplomacy</a>. Um, yes, that\'s the actual title of the editorial.\n\nHow did the doner find itself the center of attention? And what\'s a doner?\n\nThe doner kebab is a street food served up in hole-in-the-wall fast food stands. The what\'s the deal? Well the following things all come wrapped up in a flat tortilla like bread: sliced pork/beef/chicken, french fries, tomatoes, lettuce/cabbage and a sauce of some sort.  It\'s tasty but quick and greasy.\n\nIt\'s pretty unclear why Boyko Borisov felt the need to say this but he did:\n<blockquote>Bulgaria is under no threat of terrorist attacks over its balanced foreign policy and good relations with the Arab world. We maintain friendly relations with Palestine, with all Arab countries. The Arab world is doing business in Bulgaria; there is a doner kebab on every street corner.</blockquote>\nNow it seems everyone is talking about it. Both Boyko Borisov and the doner. For good reason, I guess.\n\nI can\'t help wondering: is this really diplomacy Bulgarian style? <em>Awesome</em>.','Bulgaria, Diplomacy and the Doner','','inherit','open','open','','4263-revision','','','2011-01-29 19:27:53','2011-01-29 17:27:53','',4263,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/01/29/4263-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(4265,1,'2011-01-30 11:31:41','2011-01-30 09:31:41','Hey, in case you haven\'t looked at the calendar recently January is almost over.  How did this happen already? Gosh I don\'t know. I pulled out my weekly day planner this morning and turned the page to see what was up next week. Turns out, it\'s February!\r\n\r\nAnd you know what that means! <a href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/01/15/29-dishes-in-29-days-ha/\" target=\"_blank\">A month of me cooking</a>. Yep, this is my attempt to whip up some of my own Bulgarian dishes!\r\n\r\nAfter <a href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/01/13/a-plan-for-february/\" target=\"_blank\">some thinking</a>, reading<a href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/01/23/buglarian-cook-books/\" target=\"_blank\"> some cook books</a> and making some lists, I\'ve got a semi-plan!!\r\n\r\nHere is what is on the list:\r\n<ul></ul>\r\n<ol>\r\n	<li>Banitsa</li>\r\n	<li>Chorba with White Beans</li>\r\n	<li>Pitka</li>\r\n	<li>Kavarma</li>\r\n	<li>Gyuvetch</li>\r\n	<li>Tomatoes and Cheese in a Pot</li>\r\n	<li>Moussaka</li>\r\n	<li>Biscotti Cake</li>\r\n	<li>Stuffed peppers</li>\r\n	<li>Sarmi</li>\r\n	<li>Kufteta</li>\r\n	<li>Snezhanka Salad</li>\r\n	<li>Kozunak</li>\r\n	<li>Lentil something...</li>\r\n	<li>Eggplant something..</li>\r\n</ol>\r\nAside from Shopska Salad (which I firmly believe is a dish best left to summer when tomatoes are their most delicious), any favorites I\'ve left off this list? Things I must make? Can you help me figure out which lentil dish and eggplant dish I should make?\r\n\r\nIt looks like I only have one salad and I feel like I could really use one or two more salads. Thoughts?\r\n\r\nHelp me out, help me out! Okay? Thanks.','Getting Ready: Bulgarian Dishes ','','publish','open','open','','getting-ready-bulgarian-dishes','','','2011-01-30 11:31:41','2011-01-30 09:31:41','',0,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?p=4265',0,'post','',27),(4266,1,'2011-01-30 10:49:52','2011-01-30 08:49:52','Hey, in case you haven\'t looked at the calendar recently January is almost over.  How did this happen already? Gosh I don\'t know. I pulled out my weekly day planner this morning and turned the page to see what was up next week. Turns out, it\'s February!\n\nAnd you know what that means! <a href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/01/15/29-dishes-in-29-days-ha/\" target=\"_blank\">A month of me cooking</a>. Yep, this is my attempt to whip up some of my own Bulgarian dishes!\n\nAfter <a href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/01/13/a-plan-for-february/\" target=\"_blank\">some thinking</a>, reading<a href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/01/23/buglarian-cook-books/\" target=\"_blank\"> some cook books</a> and making some lists, I\'ve got a semi-plan!!\n\nHere is what is on the list:\n<ul>\n	<li>Banitsa</li>\n	<li>Chorba with White Beans</li>\n	<li>Pitka</li>\n	<li>Kavarma</li>\n	<li>Guvetch</li>\n	<li>Tomatoes and Cheese in a Pot</li>\n	<li>Musaka</li>\n	<li></li>\n</ul>','Getting Ready: Bulgarian Dishes ','','inherit','open','open','','4265-revision','','','2011-01-30 10:49:52','2011-01-30 08:49:52','',4265,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/01/30/4265-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(4267,1,'2011-01-30 11:30:15','2011-01-30 09:30:15','Hey, in case you haven\'t looked at the calendar recently January is almost over.  How did this happen already? Gosh I don\'t know. I pulled out my weekly day planner this morning and turned the page to see what was up next week. Turns out, it\'s February!\n\nAnd you know what that means! <a href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/01/15/29-dishes-in-29-days-ha/\" target=\"_blank\">A month of me cooking</a>. Yep, this is my attempt to whip up some of my own Bulgarian dishes!\n\nAfter <a href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/01/13/a-plan-for-february/\" target=\"_blank\">some thinking</a>, reading<a href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/01/23/buglarian-cook-books/\" target=\"_blank\"> some cook books</a> and making some lists, I\'ve got a semi-plan!!\n\nHere is what is on the list:\n<ul></ul>\n<ol>\n	<li>Banitsa</li>\n	<li>Chorba with White Beans</li>\n	<li>Pitka</li>\n	<li>Kavarma</li>\n	<li>Gyuvetch</li>\n	<li>Tomatoes and Cheese in a Pot</li>\n	<li>Moussaka</li>\n	<li>Biscotti Cake</li>\n	<li>Stuffed peppers</li>\n	<li>Sarmi</li>\n	<li>Kufteta</li>\n	<li>Snezhanka Salad</li>\n	<li>Kozunak</li>\n	<li>Lentil something...</li>\n	<li>Eggplant something..</li>\n</ol>\nAside from Shopska Salad (which I firmly believe is a dish best left to summer when tomatoes are their most delicious), any favorites I\'ve left off this list? Things I must make? Can you help me figure out which lentil dish and eggplant dish I should make?\n\nIt looks like I only have one salad and I feel like I could really use one or two more salads. Thoughts?\n\nHelp me out, help me out! Okay? Thanks.','Getting Ready: Bulgarian Dishes ','','inherit','open','open','','4265-revision-2','','','2011-01-30 11:30:15','2011-01-30 09:30:15','',4265,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/01/30/4265-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(4268,1,'2011-01-30 11:31:22','2011-01-30 09:31:22','Hey, in case you haven\'t looked at the calendar recently January is almost over.  How did this happen already? Gosh I don\'t know. I pulled out my weekly day planner this morning and turned the page to see what was up next week. Turns out, it\'s February!\r\n\r\nAnd you know what that means! <a href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/01/15/29-dishes-in-29-days-ha/\" target=\"_blank\">A month of me cooking</a>. Yep, this is my attempt to whip up some of my own Bulgarian dishes!\r\n\r\nAfter <a href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/01/13/a-plan-for-february/\" target=\"_blank\">some thinking</a>, reading<a href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/01/23/buglarian-cook-books/\" target=\"_blank\"> some cook books</a> and making some lists, I\'ve got a semi-plan!!\r\n\r\nHere is what is on the list:\r\n<ul></ul>\r\n<ol>\r\n	<li>Banitsa</li>\r\n	<li>Chorba with White Beans</li>\r\n	<li>Pitka</li>\r\n	<li>Kavarma</li>\r\n	<li>Gyuvetch</li>\r\n	<li>Tomatoes and Cheese in a Pot</li>\r\n	<li>Moussaka</li>\r\n	<li>Biscotti Cake</li>\r\n	<li>Stuffed peppers</li>\r\n	<li>Sarmi</li>\r\n	<li>Kufteta</li>\r\n	<li>Snezhanka Salad</li>\r\n	<li>Kozunak</li>\r\n	<li>Lentil something...</li>\r\n	<li>Eggplant something..</li>\r\n</ol>\r\nAside from Shopska Salad (which I firmly believe is a dish best left to summer when tomatoes are their most delicious), any favorites I\'ve left off this list? Things I must make? Can you help me figure out which lentil dish and eggplant dish I should make?\r\n\r\nIt looks like I only have one salad and I feel like I could really use one or two more salads. Thoughts?\r\n\r\nHelp me out, help me out! Okay? Thanks.','Getting Ready: Bulgarian Dishes ','','inherit','open','open','','4265-revision-3','','','2011-01-30 11:31:22','2011-01-30 09:31:22','',4265,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/01/30/4265-revision-3/',0,'revision','',0),(4270,1,'2011-01-31 19:00:21','2011-01-31 17:00:21','If the aisles of grocery stores like Billa or Hit can tell us anything about Bulgarian\'s preference for cooking oil they surely tell us this: sunflower oil, sunflower oil, sunflower oil.\n\nInterestingly, I don\'t think that I\'d ever cooked with sunflower oil before moving to Bulgaria. Canola oil, peanut oil and olive oil, of course, I\'d cooked with these. But sunflower oil was new to me.\n\nLooking at sunflower oil it reminded me of canola in color and smell. Even before I\'d looked up sunflower oil on the internet, I felt pretty confident that I could sub sunflower oil into any dishes that I would normally use canola oil for and be a happy camper. Then I looked it up just to double check. Yep, these two oils are similar in their uses, mild flavor and smoking point.\n\nIn other words, you can bake things like muffins and quick bread with sunflower oil. You can whip a dressing with this oil easy-peasy.','Sunflower Oil ','','inherit','open','open','','4269-revision','','','2011-01-31 19:00:21','2011-01-31 17:00:21','',4269,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/01/31/4269-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(4271,1,'2011-01-31 20:25:15','2011-01-31 18:25:15','If the aisles of grocery stores like Billa or Hit can tell us anything about Bulgarian\'s preference for cooking oil they surely tell us this: sunflower oil, sunflower oil, sunflower oil.  I guess a train ride across the country in June might also tell you this given the fields upon fields of sunflowers between Sofia and Burgas.\n\nInterestingly, I don\'t think that I\'d ever cooked with sunflower oil before moving to Bulgaria. Canola oil, peanut oil and olive oil, of course, I\'d cooked with these. But sunflower oil was new to me.\n\nLooking at sunflower oil it reminded me of canola in color and smell. Even before I\'d looked up sunflower oil on the internet, I felt pretty confident that I could sub sunflower oil into any dishes that I would normally use canola oil for and be a happy camper. Then I looked it up just to double check. Yep, these two oils are similar in their uses, mild flavor and smoking point.\n\nIn other words, you can bake things like muffins and quick bread with sunflower oil. You can whip a dressing with this oil easy-peasy. Stir-fried veggies taste great cooked in sunflower oil and if you were actually going to deep fry something this oil would be just fine for that as well.  Pretty great huna?\n\nI am happy to use sunflower oil. I really can\'t taste any difference between this oil and the canola I grew up with. The only thing I am stumped by is which brand to buy at the grocery store. They all basically look the same and the price usually only varies by pennies. So I do employ one of two tried and true methods whenever I am having a problem making up my mind in Bulgaria.\n\nI look around to see which brand other Bulgarians are buying and I buy what they buy. <em>Or</em> I buy which ever item I think is the prettiest.\n\nI mean if you like the sunflower oil that you produce enough to put good-looking sunflowers on the label, this is definitely the bottle I should be buying.  For the record, I do realize how ridiculous this sounds but really if I didn\'t have some hard and fast rules I\'d never get out of a store like Billa or Hit. I applied the same rules two weeks ago when I bought the a jar of lutinitsa with Bulgarian girls in national costumes holding hands and dancing. And just so you know, pretty tasty.\n\nHow do you decide which brands to buy?','Sunflower Oil ','','inherit','open','open','','4269-revision-2','','','2011-01-31 20:25:15','2011-01-31 18:25:15','',4269,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/01/31/4269-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(4272,1,'2011-01-31 20:26:26','2011-01-31 18:26:26','If the aisles of grocery stores like Billa or Hit can tell us anything about Bulgarian\'s preference for cooking oil they surely tell us this: sunflower oil, sunflower oil, sunflower oil.  I guess a train ride across the country in June might also tell you this given the fields upon fields of sunflowers between Sofia and Burgas.\n\nInterestingly, I don\'t think that I\'d ever cooked with sunflower oil before moving to Bulgaria. Canola oil, peanut oil and olive oil, of course, I\'d cooked with these. But sunflower oil was new to me.\n\nLooking at sunflower oil it reminded me of canola in color and smell. Even before I\'d looked up sunflower oil on the internet, I felt pretty confident that I could sub sunflower oil into any dishes that I would normally use canola oil for and be a happy camper. Then I looked it up just to double check. Yep, these two oils are similar in their uses, mild flavor and smoking point.\n\nIn other words, you can bake things like muffins and quick bread with sunflower oil. You can whip a dressing with this oil easy-peasy. Stir-fried veggies taste great cooked in sunflower oil and if you were actually going to deep fry something this oil would be just fine for that as well.  Pretty great huna?\n\nI am happy to use sunflower oil. I really can\'t taste any difference between this oil and the canola I grew up with. The only thing I am stumped by is which brand to buy at the grocery store. They all basically look the same and the price usually only varies by pennies. So I do employ one of two tried and true methods whenever I am having a problem making up my mind in Bulgaria.\n\nI look around to see which brand other Bulgarians are buying and I buy what they buy. <em>Or</em> I buy which ever item I think is the prettiest.\n\nI mean if you like the sunflower oil that you produce enough to put good-looking sunflowers on the label, this is definitely the bottle I should be buying.  For the record, I do realize how ridiculous this sounds but really if I didn\'t have some hard and fast rules I\'d never get out of a store like Billa or Hit. I applied the same rules two weeks ago when I bought the a jar of lutinitsa with Bulgarian girls in national costumes holding hands and dancing. And just so you know, pretty tasty.\n\nHow do you decide which brands to buy?','Sunflower Oil ','','inherit','open','open','','4269-autosave','','','2011-01-31 20:26:26','2011-01-31 18:26:26','',4269,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/01/31/4269-autosave/',0,'revision','',0),(4273,1,'2011-02-02 08:05:11','2011-02-02 06:05:11','So I thought I was going to make Bulgarian lentil soup. This didn\'t happen exactly as I planned. These things happen. It turns out that I don\'t have a recipe for it.\r\n\r\nHere\'s how it worked in a series of three photos:\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4276\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Lentils and a Pot\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4276\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/02/02/improvised-lentil-soup/img_7036/\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4276 \" title=\"Lentils and a Pot\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/IMG_7036-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4277\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Lentils: Bubbling \"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4277\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/02/02/improvised-lentil-soup/img_7040/\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4277 \" title=\"Lentils: Bubbling \" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/IMG_7040-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4275\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Lentils: Finished Product \"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4275\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/02/02/improvised-lentil-soup/img_7042/\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4275 \" title=\"Lentils: Finished Product \" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/IMG_7042-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nI figured that I\'d put lentils in a pan with water, carrots, a can of tomatoes and a potato. Then I added what I thought were Bulgarian spices: salt, pepper, red pepper and parsley.\r\n\r\nI know, I know. I probably should have added the Bulgarian spice chubritsa but I didn\'t have any. I probably also should have gone to the grocery store on Sunday but these things happen.\r\n\r\nIt was tasty but I am told: not Bulgarian. It was too thick--stew like rather than soup like.\r\n\r\nSo you\'ll have to think of the lentil soup as a warm-up. As a test run.\r\n\r\nNext time I promise that 1. I\'ll find a recipe and 2. I\'ll try to follow the recipe and 3. I will try to not improvise and make the dish too American.\r\n\r\nBut maybe you\'ll notice the cabbage and carrot side salad. That seems more Bulgarian than American...','Improvised Lentil Soup ','','publish','open','open','','improvised-lentil-soup','','','2011-02-02 08:06:32','2011-02-02 06:06:32','',0,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?p=4273',0,'post','',9),(4274,1,'2011-02-01 21:47:19','2011-02-01 19:47:19','So I thought I was going to make Bulgarian lentil soup. This didn\'t happen exactly as I planned. These things happen. It turns out that I don\'t have a recipe for it.\n\nI figured that I\'d put lentils in a pan with water, carrots, a can of tomatoes and a potato. Then I added what I thought were Bulgarian spices: salt, pepper, red pepper and parsley.\n\nIt was tasty but I am told: not Bulgarian. It was too thick.','Improvised Lentil Soup ','','inherit','open','open','','4273-revision','','','2011-02-01 21:47:19','2011-02-01 19:47:19','',4273,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/02/01/4273-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(4275,1,'2011-02-02 07:49:37','2011-02-02 05:49:37','','Lentils: Finished Product ','Lentils: Finished Product ','inherit','open','open','','img_7042','','','2011-02-02 07:49:37','2011-02-02 05:49:37','',4273,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/IMG_7042.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(4276,1,'2011-02-02 07:49:53','2011-02-02 05:49:53','','Lentils and a Pot','Lentils and a Pot','inherit','open','open','','img_7036','','','2011-02-02 07:49:53','2011-02-02 05:49:53','',4273,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/IMG_7036.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(4277,1,'2011-02-02 07:50:09','2011-02-02 05:50:09','','Lentils: Bubbling ','Lentils: Bubbling ','inherit','open','open','','img_7040','','','2011-02-02 07:50:09','2011-02-02 05:50:09','',4273,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/IMG_7040.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(4278,1,'2011-02-02 08:03:22','2011-02-02 06:03:22','So I thought I was going to make Bulgarian lentil soup. This didn\'t happen exactly as I planned. These things happen. It turns out that I don\'t have a recipe for it.\n\nHere\'s how it worked in a series of three photos:\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_4276\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Lentils and a Pot\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4276\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4276\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4276 \" title=\"Lentils and a Pot\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/IMG_7036-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_4277\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Lentils: Bubbling \"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4277\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4277\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4277 \" title=\"Lentils: Bubbling \" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/IMG_7040-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_4275\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Lentils: Finished Product \"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4275\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4275\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4275 \" title=\"Lentils: Finished Product \" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/IMG_7042-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nI figured that I\'d put lentils in a pan with water, carrots, a can of tomatoes and a potato. Then I added what I thought were Bulgarian spices: salt, pepper, red pepper and parsley.\n\nI know, I know. I probably should have added the Bulgarian spice chubritsa but I didn\'t have any. I probably also should have gone to the grocery store on Sunday but these things happen.\n\nIt was tasty but I am told: not Bulgarian. It was too thick--stew like rather than soup like.\n\nSo you\'ll have to think of the lentil soup as a warm-up. As a test run.\n\nNext time I promise that I\'ll 1. I\'ll find a recipe and 2. I\'ll try to follow the recipe and 3. I will try to not improvise and make the dish too American.\n\nBut maybe you\'ll notice the cabbage and carrot side salad. That seems more Bulgarian than American...','Improvised Lentil Soup ','','inherit','open','open','','4273-revision-2','','','2011-02-02 08:03:22','2011-02-02 06:03:22','',4273,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/02/02/4273-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(4280,1,'2011-02-02 08:04:39','2011-02-02 06:04:39','So I thought I was going to make Bulgarian lentil soup. This didn\'t happen exactly as I planned. These things happen. It turns out that I don\'t have a recipe for it.\n\nHere\'s how it worked in a series of three photos:\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_4276\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Lentils and a Pot\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4276\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4276\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4276 \" title=\"Lentils and a Pot\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/IMG_7036-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_4277\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Lentils: Bubbling \"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4277\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4277\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4277 \" title=\"Lentils: Bubbling \" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/IMG_7040-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_4275\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Lentils: Finished Product \"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4275\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4275\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4275 \" title=\"Lentils: Finished Product \" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/IMG_7042-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nI figured that I\'d put lentils in a pan with water, carrots, a can of tomatoes and a potato. Then I added what I thought were Bulgarian spices: salt, pepper, red pepper and parsley.\n\nI know, I know. I probably should have added the Bulgarian spice chubritsa but I didn\'t have any. I probably also should have gone to the grocery store on Sunday but these things happen.\n\nIt was tasty but I am told: not Bulgarian. It was too thick--stew like rather than soup like.\n\nSo you\'ll have to think of the lentil soup as a warm-up. As a test run.\n\nNext time I promise that I\'ll 1. I\'ll find a recipe and 2. I\'ll try to follow the recipe and 3. I will try to not improvise and make the dish too American.\n\nBut maybe you\'ll notice the cabbage and carrot side salad. That seems more Bulgarian than American...','Improvised Lentil Soup ','','inherit','open','open','','4273-revision-4','','','2011-02-02 08:04:39','2011-02-02 06:04:39','',4273,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/02/02/4273-revision-4/',0,'revision','',0),(4279,1,'2011-02-02 08:03:32','2011-02-02 06:03:32','So I thought I was going to make Bulgarian lentil soup. This didn\'t happen exactly as I planned. These things happen. It turns out that I don\'t have a recipe for it.\r\n\r\nHere\'s how it worked in a series of three photos:\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4276\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Lentils and a Pot\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4276\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4276\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4276 \" title=\"Lentils and a Pot\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/IMG_7036-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4277\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Lentils: Bubbling \"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4277\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4277\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4277 \" title=\"Lentils: Bubbling \" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/IMG_7040-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4275\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Lentils: Finished Product \"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4275\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4275\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4275 \" title=\"Lentils: Finished Product \" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/IMG_7042-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nI figured that I\'d put lentils in a pan with water, carrots, a can of tomatoes and a potato. Then I added what I thought were Bulgarian spices: salt, pepper, red pepper and parsley.\r\n\r\nI know, I know. I probably should have added the Bulgarian spice chubritsa but I didn\'t have any. I probably also should have gone to the grocery store on Sunday but these things happen.\r\n\r\nIt was tasty but I am told: not Bulgarian. It was too thick--stew like rather than soup like.\r\n\r\nSo you\'ll have to think of the lentil soup as a warm-up. As a test run.\r\n\r\nNext time I promise that I\'ll 1. I\'ll find a recipe and 2. I\'ll try to follow the recipe and 3. I will try to not improvise and make the dish too American.\r\n\r\nBut maybe you\'ll notice the cabbage and carrot side salad. That seems more Bulgarian than American...','Improvised Lentil Soup ','','inherit','open','open','','4273-revision-3','','','2011-02-02 08:03:32','2011-02-02 06:03:32','',4273,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/02/02/4273-revision-3/',0,'revision','',0),(4281,1,'2011-02-02 08:05:11','2011-02-02 06:05:11','So I thought I was going to make Bulgarian lentil soup. This didn\'t happen exactly as I planned. These things happen. It turns out that I don\'t have a recipe for it.\r\n\r\nHere\'s how it worked in a series of three photos:\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4276\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Lentils and a Pot\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4276\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4276\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4276 \" title=\"Lentils and a Pot\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/IMG_7036-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4277\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Lentils: Bubbling \"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4277\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4277\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4277 \" title=\"Lentils: Bubbling \" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/IMG_7040-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4275\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Lentils: Finished Product \"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4275\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4275\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4275 \" title=\"Lentils: Finished Product \" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/IMG_7042-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nI figured that I\'d put lentils in a pan with water, carrots, a can of tomatoes and a potato. Then I added what I thought were Bulgarian spices: salt, pepper, red pepper and parsley.\r\n\r\nI know, I know. I probably should have added the Bulgarian spice chubritsa but I didn\'t have any. I probably also should have gone to the grocery store on Sunday but these things happen.\r\n\r\nIt was tasty but I am told: not Bulgarian. It was too thick--stew like rather than soup like.\r\n\r\nSo you\'ll have to think of the lentil soup as a warm-up. As a test run.\r\n\r\nNext time I promise that I\'ll 1. I\'ll find a recipe and 2. I\'ll try to follow the recipe and 3. I will try to not improvise and make the dish too American.\r\n\r\nBut maybe you\'ll notice the cabbage and carrot side salad. That seems more Bulgarian than American...','Improvised Lentil Soup ','','inherit','open','open','','4273-revision-5','','','2011-02-02 08:05:11','2011-02-02 06:05:11','',4273,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/02/02/4273-revision-5/',0,'revision','',0),(4282,1,'2011-02-02 08:05:11','2011-02-02 06:05:11','So I thought I was going to make Bulgarian lentil soup. This didn\'t happen exactly as I planned. These things happen. It turns out that I don\'t have a recipe for it.\r\n\r\nHere\'s how it worked in a series of three photos:\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4276\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Lentils and a Pot\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4276\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/02/02/improvised-lentil-soup/img_7036/\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4276 \" title=\"Lentils and a Pot\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/IMG_7036-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4277\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Lentils: Bubbling \"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4277\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/02/02/improvised-lentil-soup/img_7040/\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4277 \" title=\"Lentils: Bubbling \" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/IMG_7040-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4275\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Lentils: Finished Product \"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4275\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/02/02/improvised-lentil-soup/img_7042/\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4275 \" title=\"Lentils: Finished Product \" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/IMG_7042-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nI figured that I\'d put lentils in a pan with water, carrots, a can of tomatoes and a potato. Then I added what I thought were Bulgarian spices: salt, pepper, red pepper and parsley.\r\n\r\nI know, I know. I probably should have added the Bulgarian spice chubritsa but I didn\'t have any. I probably also should have gone to the grocery store on Sunday but these things happen.\r\n\r\nIt was tasty but I am told: not Bulgarian. It was too thick--stew like rather than soup like.\r\n\r\nSo you\'ll have to think of the lentil soup as a warm-up. As a test run.\r\n\r\nNext time I promise that I\'ll 1. I\'ll find a recipe and 2. I\'ll try to follow the recipe and 3. I will try to not improvise and make the dish too American.\r\n\r\nBut maybe you\'ll notice the cabbage and carrot side salad. That seems more Bulgarian than American...','Improvised Lentil Soup ','','inherit','open','open','','4273-revision-6','','','2011-02-02 08:05:11','2011-02-02 06:05:11','',4273,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/02/02/4273-revision-6/',0,'revision','',0),(4283,1,'2011-02-02 08:06:32','2011-02-02 06:06:32','So I thought I was going to make Bulgarian lentil soup. This didn\'t happen exactly as I planned. These things happen. It turns out that I don\'t have a recipe for it.\r\n\r\nHere\'s how it worked in a series of three photos:\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4276\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Lentils and a Pot\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4276\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/02/02/improvised-lentil-soup/img_7036/\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4276 \" title=\"Lentils and a Pot\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/IMG_7036-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4277\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Lentils: Bubbling \"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4277\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/02/02/improvised-lentil-soup/img_7040/\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4277 \" title=\"Lentils: Bubbling \" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/IMG_7040-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4275\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Lentils: Finished Product \"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4275\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/02/02/improvised-lentil-soup/img_7042/\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4275 \" title=\"Lentils: Finished Product \" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/IMG_7042-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nI figured that I\'d put lentils in a pan with water, carrots, a can of tomatoes and a potato. Then I added what I thought were Bulgarian spices: salt, pepper, red pepper and parsley.\r\n\r\nI know, I know. I probably should have added the Bulgarian spice chubritsa but I didn\'t have any. I probably also should have gone to the grocery store on Sunday but these things happen.\r\n\r\nIt was tasty but I am told: not Bulgarian. It was too thick--stew like rather than soup like.\r\n\r\nSo you\'ll have to think of the lentil soup as a warm-up. As a test run.\r\n\r\nNext time I promise that 1. I\'ll find a recipe and 2. I\'ll try to follow the recipe and 3. I will try to not improvise and make the dish too American.\r\n\r\nBut maybe you\'ll notice the cabbage and carrot side salad. That seems more Bulgarian than American...','Improvised Lentil Soup ','','inherit','open','open','','4273-revision-7','','','2011-02-02 08:06:32','2011-02-02 06:06:32','',4273,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/02/02/4273-revision-7/',0,'revision','',0),(4285,1,'2011-02-03 21:32:25','2011-02-03 19:32:25','Tonight while eating a bowl of leftover lentil soup, I decided next up moussaka. We have moussaka at school at least once a week. Usually it\'s too salty and the serving size is too big. So, moussaka is not my go to dish at school. I usually end up eating it when there\'s nothing else on the menu that I want or I get to lunch late and the other good dishes have all been snapped up.\n\nThe thing is, I like the idea of moussaka--I just don\'t love our school\'s cafeteria moussaka. It\'s the salt and the fact that I hate throwing away part of my lunch. It makes me feel wasteful.\n\nHowever I like potatoes. <em>And</em> I like cheese. So I decided what the heck, I am going to try to make my own moussaka. But I will not be making the 9x13 size. That\'s way more than one girl can eat.\n\nI looked up some recipes in English. Everything seems pretty straightforward. Except for this: I came away with the distinct impression that this is a, <em>gasp</em>, Greek dish.\n\nThen I looked up some recipes in my Bulgarian cook books. Man there are a lot of Bulgarian versions of moussaka or if I am spelling it the Bulgarian way musaka. Musaka from eggplant. Musaka from cabbage. Musaka from potatoes and spinach. Musaka from fresh beans.  Musaka from mushrooms. Musaka from ham and cauliflower. Musaka from okra. And the list it turns out goes on and on. <!--more-->And for the record, I\'ve never even seen okra here in Bulgaria. Also for the record, when I was looking in the index for musaka I knew every other word in the musaka + another vegetable combination but I didn\'t know бамя. Turns out that\'s okra. That\'s right I am <em>learning things</em>.\n\nSo I think that I\'ll be making either the potato and spinach musaka or the the mushroom musaka.\n\nMushroom Musaka: 400g mushrooms, 500 g potatoes, 80g butter (margarine), 250 g yogurt, 3 eggs, black pepper and salt.\n\nHere\'s my translation. You do somethings to the above ingredients. You cut the potatoes. You steam/saute the mushrooms in the butter.  Then you add some pepper and salt. Not sure how much but I think the recipe is using the verb to salt (осолете). Then you do something else with the mushrooms and potatoes. Then you do something with the eggs and yogurt. I\'d mix them together and pour over the mushrooms and potatoes which I\'d have in a pan. Then you put the whole thing in a hot oven(гореща фурна). How hot? Doesn\'t say. How long should it bake? Doesn\'t say.\n\nPotato and Spinach Musaka: 500 g potatoes, 500 g spinach, 250 g yogurt, 50 ml oil, 80-100 g kashkaval cheese, 3 eggs, 1-2 heads of an onion, 1-2 spoons of галета (bread crumbs), 1 връзка (link of)parsley, black pepper, salt.\n\nHere\'s my translation. You do somethings to the above ingredients. You saute the onion in oil.  Then you do some other things. What happens in the following steps is not so clear. So I am going to check in with a Bulgarian speaker for some help with the rest of the directions.\n\nSo if you want to cook along with me, pick a recipe, stock up on the ingredients and check back in tomorrow for the full directions. Okay? Okay, great.','Next Up: Moussaka or Musaka','','inherit','open','open','','4284-revision','','','2011-02-03 21:32:25','2011-02-03 19:32:25','',4284,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/02/03/4284-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(4286,1,'2011-02-03 21:33:37','2011-02-03 19:33:37','Tonight while eating a bowl of leftover lentil soup, I decided next up moussaka. We have moussaka at school at least once a week. Usually it\'s too salty and the serving size is too big. So, moussaka is not my go to dish at school. I usually end up eating it when there\'s nothing else on the menu that I want or I get to lunch late and the other good dishes have all been snapped up.\n\nThe thing is, I like the idea of moussaka--I just don\'t love our school\'s cafeteria moussaka. It\'s the salt and the fact that I hate throwing away part of my lunch. It makes me feel wasteful.\n\nHowever I like potatoes. <em>And</em> I like cheese. So I decided what the heck, I am going to try to make my own moussaka. But I will not be making the 9x13 size. That\'s way more than one girl can eat.\n\nI looked up some recipes in English. Everything seems pretty straightforward. Except for this: I came away with the distinct impression that this is a, <em>gasp</em>, Greek dish.\n\nThen I looked up some recipes in my Bulgarian cook books. Man there are a lot of Bulgarian versions of moussaka or if I am spelling it the Bulgarian way musaka. Musaka from eggplant. Musaka from cabbage. Musaka from potatoes and spinach. Musaka from fresh beans.  Musaka from mushrooms. Musaka from ham and cauliflower. Musaka from okra. And the list it turns out goes on and on. <!--more-->And for the record, I\'ve never even seen okra here in Bulgaria. Also for the record, when I was looking in the index for musaka I knew every other word in the musaka + another vegetable combination but I didn\'t know бамя. Turns out that\'s okra. That\'s right I am <em>learning things</em>.\n\nSo I think that I\'ll be making either the potato and spinach musaka or the the mushroom musaka.\n\nMushroom Musaka: 400g mushrooms, 500 g potatoes, 80g butter (margarine), 250 g yogurt, 3 eggs, black pepper and salt.\n\nHere\'s my translation. You do somethings to the above ingredients. You cut the potatoes. You steam/saute the mushrooms in the butter.  Then you add some pepper and salt. Not sure how much but I think the recipe is using the verb to salt (осолете). Then you do something else with the mushrooms and potatoes. Then you do something with the eggs and yogurt. I\'d mix them together and pour over the mushrooms and potatoes which I\'d have in a pan. Then you put the whole thing in a hot oven(гореща фурна). How hot? Doesn\'t say. How long should it bake? Doesn\'t say.\n\nPotato and Spinach Musaka: 500 g potatoes, 500 g spinach, 250 g yogurt, 50 ml oil, 80-100 g kashkaval cheese, 3 eggs, 1-2 heads of an onion, 1-2 spoons of галета (bread crumbs), 1 връзка (link of)parsley, black pepper, salt.\n\nHere\'s my translation. You do somethings to the above ingredients. You saute the onion in oil.  Then you do some other things. What happens in the following steps is not so clear. So I am going to check in with a Bulgarian speaker for some help with the rest of the directions.\n\nSo if you want to cook along with me, pick a recipe, stock up on the ingredients and check back in tomorrow for the full directions. Okay? Okay, great.','Next Up: Moussaka or Musaka','','inherit','open','open','','4284-autosave','','','2011-02-03 21:33:37','2011-02-03 19:33:37','',4284,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/02/03/4284-autosave/',0,'revision','',0),(4306,1,'2011-02-14 21:59:09','2011-02-14 19:59:09','I have a hunch that many of you thought that I was never-ever going to make Musaka. Well, here\'s the post for you. I finally made Musaka. Maybe not the traditional Bulgarian Musaka with ground beef (or another mix of minced meat) but with mushrooms and potatoes.\r\n\r\nAnd the best news? It turned out great. Sure there\'s maybe a couple of things that I would do differently but not many.\r\n\r\nI made it with mushrooms, garlic and potatoes. Yogurt and eggs and little bit of sirene cheese for good measure.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4308\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Mushrooms for Musaka\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4308\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/02/14/musaka/img_7066/\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4308 \" title=\"Mushrooms \" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/IMG_7066-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nFirst I bought and washed a ton of mushrooms. They were dirty so it\'s a good thing I washed them carefully. Then I sauteed the mushrooms and added garlic. Four cloves. To that I added salt and pepper.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4309\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Musaka potatoes and mushrooms \"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4309\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/02/14/musaka/img_7067/\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4309 \" title=\"IMG_7067\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/IMG_7067-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"Musaka potatoes and mushrooms \" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nI chopped up the potatoes and then I cooked these on the stove with oil until they were soft. Then I mixed up the eggs and yogurt. Three eggs and 400 ml of yogurt. I covered the potato mushroom mix with the eggs and yogurt. I popped the whole thing in the oven and then 10 minutes later I decided to add some sirene cheese--which I did with out much problem. Then I baked the thing at about 200 degrees celsius or about 375 degrees F.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4310\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Baked Musaka\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4310\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/02/14/musaka/img_7069/\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4310 \" title=\"Baked Musaka \" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/IMG_7069-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nIt came out great. Really great. Maybe I could have used a little bit more of the yogurt and egg mix to cover the potatoes.  But I am happy to report that all\'s well that ends well.\r\n\r\nGive it a go. It\'s super easy and it\'s pretty clear to me that you can use nearly any vegetable that you want to as long as you keep the potato-ratio at one to one. This is hands down a dish that I\'ll be making again and playing around with. Keep your eyes pealed for a spicy musaka in the future!!','Musaka','','publish','open','open','','musaka','','','2011-02-14 21:59:09','2011-02-14 19:59:09','',0,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?p=4306',0,'post','',6),(4288,1,'2011-02-05 09:15:23','2011-02-05 07:15:23','1, 2, 3, 4, 5... That\'s right.\r\n\r\nApparently it\'s time for the Bulgarian census. Like all good censuses, this one is not without a little controversy or a few stumbling blocks. There\'s a new system allowing Bulgarians to complete the census online. But the system crashed. Hey, at least it means that Bulgarians were trying to complete the census electronically.\r\n\r\nThe English language expat newspaper the Sofia Echo\'s headline was this: <a href=\"http://sofiaecho.com/2011/02/04/1036997_you-count-too?ref=rss\" target=\"_blank\">You Count Too</a>! Turns out I\'d better be ready to be counted or risk a 120 leva fine. This fine seems a little steep when the fine for riding a bus without a ticket is only 10 leva but that\'s another story. Here\'s a quick rundown from the article.\r\n<blockquote>Bulgaria’s 2011 census got underway on February 1, not without some teething troubles in the online phase of the exercise – and with a reminder that foreigners permanently or temporarily resident in the country should also take part, or face a fine of 120 leva.<!--more-->\r\n\r\nHowever, those foreigners who would prefer to take part online rather than answer questions from a census taker could do so only if at least one person in the household has Bulgarian citizenship and an EGN, a Bulgarian identity number – a category that, for example, would embrace those foreigners with a Bulgarian spouse.\r\n\r\nOther foreigners to be counted in include tourists and people in Bulgaria on business trips. The principle is that the \"reference moment\" of the census is the midnight that February 1 started, so everyone present in the country and eligible for inclusion in the census should be reported.\r\n\r\nSome foreigners are exempt from the census, including diplomats and other representatives of foreign governments, foreign military personnel and their families, people resident in properties owned by foreign governments and representatives of international organisations.\r\n\r\nForeigners unable to speak Bulgarian can request census takers able to speak, respectively, English, French or Russian. To make the request, call the helpline, 0700 16 310.</blockquote>\r\nWell, I am happy to be counted. The only question seems to be what language will I be counted in? I know my basic demographic answers in Bulgarian including my name, my occupation, my home country, my age. But will I be able to understand the census speaker\'s Bulgarian and the questions being asked? Hum.\r\n\r\nThen again maybe I should request an English speaking census taker. But it seems like a lot of work to call and set that up. I also have the sneaking suspicion that whoever answers the helpline will only speak Bulgarian. Things like this happen a lot to me. Then again maybe I\'ll wait and see if the school is going to set anything up for the foreign teachers. They do things like for us.\r\n\r\nThe other question seems to be when will the census takers come to find me? I basically work 8-5:30 or 6pm during the week and on the weekends I am out and about.  To top this off, I never answer the front door bell to our building when it rings because I don\'t want to let some random person into my building. My mother taught me better than that. And, it\'s not like I need one more flyer for Billa, Hit, or Kaufland stuffed in my mailbox.','Bulgarian Census ','','publish','open','open','','bulgarian-census','','','2011-02-05 09:15:23','2011-02-05 07:15:23','',0,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?p=4288',0,'post','',4),(4289,1,'2011-02-05 09:14:10','2011-02-05 07:14:10','1, 2, 3, 4, 5... That\'s right.\n\nApparently it\'s time for the Bulgarian census. Like all good censuses, this one is not without a little controversy or a few stumbling blocks. There\'s a new system allowing Bulgarians to complete the census online. But the system crashed. Hey, at least it means that Bulgarians were trying to complete the census electronically.\n\nThe English language expat newspaper the Sofia Echo\'s headline was this: <a href=\"http://sofiaecho.com/2011/02/04/1036997_you-count-too?ref=rss\" target=\"_blank\">You Count Too</a>! Turns out I\'d better be ready to be counted or risk a 120 leva fine. This fine seems a little steep when the fine for riding a bus without a ticket is only 10 leva but that\'s another story. Here\'s a quick rundown from the article.\n<blockquote>Bulgaria’s 2011 census got underway on February 1, not without some teething troubles in the online phase of the exercise – and with a reminder that foreigners permanently or temporarily resident in the country should also take part, or face a fine of 120 leva.\n\nHowever, those foreigners who would prefer to take part online rather than answer questions from a census taker could do so only if at least one person in the household has Bulgarian citizenship and an EGN, a Bulgarian identity number – a category that, for example, would embrace those foreigners with a Bulgarian spouse.\n\nOther foreigners to be counted in include tourists and people in Bulgaria on business trips. The principle is that the \"reference moment\" of the census is the midnight that February 1 started, so everyone present in the country and eligible for inclusion in the census should be reported.\n\nSome foreigners are exempt from the census, including diplomats and other representatives of foreign governments, foreign military personnel and their families, people resident in properties owned by foreign governments and representatives of international organisations.\n\nForeigners unable to speak Bulgarian can request census takers able to speak, respectively, English, French or Russian. To make the request, call the helpline, 0700 16 310.</blockquote>\nWell, I am happy to be counted. The only question seems to be what language will I be counted in? I know my basic demographic answers in Bulgarian including my name, my occupation, my home country, my age. But will I be able to understand the census speaker\'s Bulgarian and the questions being asked? Hum.\n\nThen again maybe I should request an English speaking census taker. But it seems like a lot of work to call and set that up. I also have the sneaking suspicion that whoever answers the helpline will only speak Bulgarian. Things like this happen a lot to me. Then again maybe I\'ll wait and see if the school is going to set anything up for the foreign teachers. They do things like for us.\n\nThe other question seems to be when will the census takers come to find me? I basically work 8-5:30 or 6pm during the week and on the weekends I am out and about.  To top this off, I never answer the front door bell to our building when it rings because I don\'t want to let some random person into my building. My mother taught me better than that. And, it\'s not like I need one more flyer for Billa, Hit, or Kaufland stuffed in my mailbox.','Bulgarian Census ','','inherit','open','open','','4288-revision','','','2011-02-05 09:14:10','2011-02-05 07:14:10','',4288,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/02/05/4288-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(4290,1,'2011-02-05 09:16:28','2011-02-05 07:16:28','1, 2, 3, 4, 5... That\'s right.\n\nApparently it\'s time for the Bulgarian census. Like all good censuses, this one is not without a little controversy or a few stumbling blocks. There\'s a new system allowing Bulgarians to complete the census online. But the system crashed. Hey, at least it means that Bulgarians were trying to complete the census electronically.\n\nThe English language expat newspaper the Sofia Echo\'s headline was this: <a href=\"http://sofiaecho.com/2011/02/04/1036997_you-count-too?ref=rss\" target=\"_blank\">You Count Too</a>! Turns out I\'d better be ready to be counted or risk a 120 leva fine. This fine seems a little steep when the fine for riding a bus without a ticket is only 10 leva but that\'s another story. Here\'s a quick rundown from the article.\n<blockquote>Bulgaria’s 2011 census got underway on February 1, not without some teething troubles in the online phase of the exercise – and with a reminder that foreigners permanently or temporarily resident in the country should also take part, or face a fine of 120 leva.<!--more-->\n\nHowever, those foreigners who would prefer to take part online rather than answer questions from a census taker could do so only if at least one person in the household has Bulgarian citizenship and an EGN, a Bulgarian identity number – a category that, for example, would embrace those foreigners with a Bulgarian spouse.\n\nOther foreigners to be counted in include tourists and people in Bulgaria on business trips. The principle is that the \"reference moment\" of the census is the midnight that February 1 started, so everyone present in the country and eligible for inclusion in the census should be reported.\n\nSome foreigners are exempt from the census, including diplomats and other representatives of foreign governments, foreign military personnel and their families, people resident in properties owned by foreign governments and representatives of international organisations.\n\nForeigners unable to speak Bulgarian can request census takers able to speak, respectively, English, French or Russian. To make the request, call the helpline, 0700 16 310.</blockquote>\nWell, I am happy to be counted. The only question seems to be what language will I be counted in? I know my basic demographic answers in Bulgarian including my name, my occupation, my home country, my age. But will I be able to understand the census speaker\'s Bulgarian and the questions being asked? Hum.\n\nThen again maybe I should request an English speaking census taker. But it seems like a lot of work to call and set that up. I also have the sneaking suspicion that whoever answers the helpline will only speak Bulgarian. Things like this happen a lot to me. Then again maybe I\'ll wait and see if the school is going to set anything up for the foreign teachers. They do things like for us.\n\nThe other question seems to be when will the census takers come to find me? I basically work 8-5:30 or 6pm during the week and on the weekends I am out and about.  To top this off, I never answer the front door bell to our building when it rings because I don\'t want to let some random person into my building. My mother taught me better than that. And, it\'s not like I need one more flyer for Billa, Hit, or Kaufland stuffed in my mailbox.','Bulgarian Census ','','inherit','open','open','','4288-autosave','','','2011-02-05 09:16:28','2011-02-05 07:16:28','',4288,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/02/05/4288-autosave/',0,'revision','',0),(4291,1,'2011-02-05 22:35:02','2011-02-05 20:35:02','It\'s funny to hear Americans talk about food in Bulgaria.\r\n\r\nThere\'s usually a moment where someone mentions that he or she cannot eat a whole loaf before it goes stale or must be used for toast. Then another American says: preservatives. Everyone nods knowingly.  Someone else will then chime in: at least a whole loaf is less than $1.\r\n\r\nNever thought I\'d have a conversation about preservatives and bread that I could scrip out like this. Then again I never thought I\'d be living in Bulgaria for my third year either.\r\n\r\nThat is all.','Preservatives','','publish','open','open','','preservatives','','','2011-02-05 22:35:02','2011-02-05 20:35:02','',0,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?p=4291',0,'post','',12),(4292,1,'2011-02-05 22:20:32','2011-02-05 20:20:32','It\'s funny to hear Americans talk about bread in Bulgaria. There\'s usually a moment where someone mentions that he or she cannot eat a whole loaf before it goes stale or must be used for toast. Then another American says: it\'s the preseritives.','','','inherit','open','open','','4291-revision','','','2011-02-05 22:20:32','2011-02-05 20:20:32','',4291,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/02/05/4291-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(4293,1,'2011-02-05 22:34:07','2011-02-05 20:34:07','It\'s funny to hear Americans talk about food in Bulgaria. There\'s usually a moment where someone mentions that he or she cannot eat a whole loaf before it goes stale or must be used for toast. Then another American says: preservatives. Everyone nods knowingly.  Someone else will then chime in: at least a whole loaf is less than $1.\n\nNever thought I\'d have a conversation about preservatives and bread that I could scrip out like this. Then again I never thought I\'d be living in Bulgaria for my third year either.\n\nThat is all.','Preservatives','','inherit','open','open','','4291-revision-2','','','2011-02-05 22:34:07','2011-02-05 20:34:07','',4291,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/02/05/4291-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(4294,1,'2011-02-07 21:01:12','2011-02-07 19:01:12','Gasp. Where as all my time gone?!\r\n\r\nI had such great plans to cook two times a week this month. So far? Not so good.\r\n\r\nRight now my plan is to make musaka and banitsa this week.\r\n\r\nThis means I\'ve got to get myself to the grocery store and stop telling myself that when you\'re really busy at work that it\'s acceptable to eat yogurt, granola and fruit for dinner. Tonight for example, I had a side salad of cabbage with my yogurt and granola. Weird. I know.\r\n\r\nBut I\'ve got no time. Instead, I\'ve been grading things, entering grades in my online grade book and thinking about writing end of semester comments. Yep. <em>Thinking about </em>writing the comments. Not actually writing them.  They are all due on Wednesday so I\'ve got a busy day ahead of me tomorrow.\r\n\r\nI guess the good news is that I\'ll be able to cook on Wednesday night--or at least go to the grocery store.','No Time to Cook','','publish','open','open','','no-time-to-cook','','','2011-02-07 21:03:02','2011-02-07 19:03:02','',0,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?p=4294',0,'post','',1),(4295,1,'2011-02-07 21:00:43','2011-02-07 19:00:43','Gasp. Where as all my time gone?!\n\nI had such great plans to cook two times a week this month. So far? Not so good.\n\nRight now my plan is to make musaka and banitsa this week.\n\nThis means I\'ve got to get myself to the grocery store and stop telling myself that when you\'re really busy at work that it\'s acceptable to eat yogurt, granola and fruit for dinner. Tonight for example, I had a side salad of cabbage with my yogurt and granola. Weird. I know.\n\nBut I\'ve got no time. Instead, I\'ve been grading things, entering grades in my online grade book and thinking about writing end of semester comments. Yep. <em>Thinking about </em>writing the comments. Not actually writing them.  They are all due on Wednesday so I\'ve got a busy day ahead of me tomorrow.\n\nI guess the good news is that I\'ll be able to cook on Wednesday night--or at least go to the grocery store.','No Time to Cook','','inherit','open','open','','4294-revision','','','2011-02-07 21:00:43','2011-02-07 19:00:43','',4294,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/02/07/4294-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(4296,1,'2011-02-07 21:02:17','2011-02-07 19:02:17','Gasp. Where as all my time gone?!\n\nI had such great plans to cook two times a week this month. So far? Not so good.\n\nRight now my plan is to make musaka and banitsa this week.\n\nThis means I\'ve got to get myself to the grocery store and stop telling myself that when you\'re really busy at work that it\'s acceptable to eat yogurt, granola and fruit for dinner. Tonight for example, I had a side salad of cabbage with my yogurt and granola. Weird. I know.\n\nBut I\'ve got no time. Instead, I\'ve been grading things, entering grades in my online grade book and thinking about writing end of semester comments. Yep. <em>Thinking about </em>writing the comments. Not actually writing them.  They are all due on Wednesday so I\'ve got a busy day ahead of me tomorrow.\n\nI guess the good news is that I\'ll be able to cook on Wednesday night--or at least go to the grocery store.','No Time to Cook','','inherit','open','open','','4294-autosave','','','2011-02-07 21:02:17','2011-02-07 19:02:17','',4294,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/02/07/4294-autosave/',0,'revision','',0),(4297,1,'2011-02-07 21:01:12','2011-02-07 19:01:12','Gasp. Where as all my time gone?!\r\n\r\nI had such great plans to cook two times a week this month. So far? Not so good.\r\n\r\nRight now my plan is to make musaka and banitsa this week.\r\n\r\nThis means I\'ve got to get myself to the grocery store and stop telling myself that when you\'re really busy at work that it\'s acceptable to eat yogurt, granola and fruit for dinner. Tonight for example, I had a side salad of cabbage with my yogurt and granola. Weird. I know.\r\n\r\nBut I\'ve got no time. Instead, I\'ve been grading things, entering grades in my online grade book and thinking about writing end of semester comments. Yep. <em>Thinking about </em>writing the comments. Not actually writing them.  They are all due on Wednesday so I\'ve got a busy day ahead of me tomorrow.\r\n\r\nI guess the good news is that I\'ll be able to cook on Wednesday night--or at least go to the grocery store.','No Time to Cook','','inherit','open','open','','4294-revision-2','','','2011-02-07 21:01:12','2011-02-07 19:01:12','',4294,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/02/07/4294-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(4298,1,'2011-02-09 22:01:32','2011-02-09 20:01:32','It seems totally unfair that I\'ll have to wait until June to read these <a href=\"http://miroslavpenkov.com/index.html#\" target=\"_blank\">short stories</a> by Miroslav Penkov.\r\n\r\nPenkov is a Bulgarian who graduated from the First English Language School. You may recognize the name because that\'s the school that I taught at my first year in Sofia with the Fulbright. Needless to say, Penkov was long gone by the time I spent a year there teaching.\r\n\r\nI read some of Penkov\'s short stories six months or a year ago at this <a href=\"http://www.blackbird.vcu.edu/v7n1/fiction/penkov_m/index.htm\" target=\"_blank\">online journal Blackbird</a>.  And I was hooked. This week a friend posted a link ot Penkov\'s website and the upcoming release of his short stories titled East of the West. <em>Clever name</em>.\r\n\r\nTurns out that the book isn\'t going to be published/released until June but apparently you can preorder it at amazon.com. If there\'s any good news in all of this, it\'s this: there will be a kindle edition available. Hip, hip hooray.\r\n\r\nSo until then you\'ll just have to made do with these short stories and this <a href=\"http://miroslavpenkov.com/bleninessay.html\" target=\"_blank\">short essay about writing his prize winning short story \"Buying Lenin\"</a> one of the short stories included in the book.  Oh and I guess if you really dug what you\'ve read you could try to get your hands on a copy of The Best American Short Stories of 2008 because Buying Lenin was published here as well.','East of the West','','publish','open','open','','east-of-the-west','','','2011-02-09 22:01:32','2011-02-09 20:01:32','',0,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?p=4298',0,'post','',2),(4299,1,'2011-02-08 06:53:46','2011-02-08 04:53:46','','East of the West','','inherit','open','open','','4298-revision','','','2011-02-08 06:53:46','2011-02-08 04:53:46','',4298,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/02/08/4298-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(4300,1,'2011-02-08 06:54:02','2011-02-08 04:54:02','','East of the West','','inherit','open','open','','4298-revision-2','','','2011-02-08 06:54:02','2011-02-08 04:54:02','',4298,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/02/08/4298-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(4301,1,'2011-02-08 20:13:32','2011-02-08 18:13:32','It seems totally unfair that I\'ll have to wait until June to read these <a href=\"http://miroslavpenkov.com/index.html#\" target=\"_blank\"><a href=\"http://miroslavpenkov.com/index.html#\">s</a>hort stories by Miroslav Penkov</a>.','East of the West','','inherit','open','open','','4298-revision-3','','','2011-02-08 20:13:32','2011-02-08 18:13:32','',4298,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/02/08/4298-revision-3/',0,'revision','',0),(4302,1,'2011-02-09 22:00:36','2011-02-09 20:00:36','It seems totally unfair that I\'ll have to wait until June to read these <a href=\"http://miroslavpenkov.com/index.html#\" target=\"_blank\">short stories</a> by Miroslav Penkov.\n\nPenkov is a Bulgarian who graduated from the First English Language School. You may recognize the name because that\'s the school that I taught at my first year in Sofia with the Fulbright. Needless to say, Penkov was long gone by the time I spent a year there teaching.\n\nI read some of Penkov\'s short stories six months or a year ago at this <a href=\"http://www.blackbird.vcu.edu/v7n1/fiction/penkov_m/index.htm\" target=\"_blank\">online journal Blackbird</a>.  And I was hooked. This week a friend posted a link ot Penkov\'s website and the upcoming release of his short stories titled East of the West. <em>Clever name</em>.\n\nTurns out that the book isn\'t going to be published/released until June but apparently you can preorder it at amazon.com. If there\'s any good news in all of this, it\'s this: there will be a kindle edition available. Hip, hip hooray.\n\nSo until then you\'ll just have to made do with these short stories and this <a href=\"http://miroslavpenkov.com/bleninessay.html\" target=\"_blank\">short essay about writing his prize winning short story \"Buying Lenin\"</a> one of the short stories included in the book.  Oh and I guess if you really dug what you\'ve read you could try to get your hands on a copy of The Best American Short Stories of 2008 because Buying Leni','East of the West','','inherit','open','open','','4298-revision-4','','','2011-02-09 22:00:36','2011-02-09 20:00:36','',4298,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/02/09/4298-revision-4/',0,'revision','',0),(4303,1,'2011-02-09 22:01:34','2011-02-09 20:01:34','It seems totally unfair that I\'ll have to wait until June to read these <a href=\"http://miroslavpenkov.com/index.html#\" target=\"_blank\">short stories</a> by Miroslav Penkov.\n\nPenkov is a Bulgarian who graduated from the First English Language School. You may recognize the name because that\'s the school that I taught at my first year in Sofia with the Fulbright. Needless to say, Penkov was long gone by the time I spent a year there teaching.\n\nI read some of Penkov\'s short stories six months or a year ago at this <a href=\"http://www.blackbird.vcu.edu/v7n1/fiction/penkov_m/index.htm\" target=\"_blank\">online journal Blackbird</a>.  And I was hooked. This week a friend posted a link ot Penkov\'s website and the upcoming release of his short stories titled East of the West. <em>Clever name</em>.\n\nTurns out that the book isn\'t going to be published/released until June but apparently you can preorder it at amazon.com. If there\'s any good news in all of this, it\'s this: there will be a kindle edition available. Hip, hip hooray.\n\nSo until then you\'ll just have to made do with these short stories and this <a href=\"http://miroslavpenkov.com/bleninessay.html\" target=\"_blank\">short essay about writing his prize winning short story \"Buying Lenin\"</a> one of the short stories included in the book.  Oh and I guess if you really dug what you\'ve read you could try to get your hands on a copy of The Best American Short Stories of 2008 because Buying Lenin was published here as well.','East of the West','','inherit','open','open','','4298-autosave','','','2011-02-09 22:01:34','2011-02-09 20:01:34','',4298,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/02/09/4298-autosave/',0,'revision','',0),(4304,1,'2011-02-10 18:08:46','2011-02-10 16:08:46','It\'s been a rather frantic week for me. It\'s the first week of our new semester at school and we are in the process of wrapping up the fall semester.\r\n\r\nI stumbled home last night after 8pm. I spent 12+ hours at work. I taught my heart out and then entered grades and comments into our electronic system. Part of this was due to a little case of procrastination on my part. Part of it is my work computer. It\'s a dinosaur. I used to think that we had a love-hate relationship but actually I think we have a hate-hate relationship. And the worst part? My computer is passive aggressive.\r\n\r\nOn my way home from work today I was just thinking about things. I realized:\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>Sometimes I get insanely jealous of small children who speak Bulgarian.  I hear them jabbering away and I think, ug. I wish I was that good.</li>\r\n	<li>I hate that all of the pans I have to bake with in the oven are too big and I am unwilling to make a <em>giant </em>pan of musaka which I\'ll then have to eat for an entire week.</li>\r\n	<li>I am no longer worried about getting stopped by controls for riding without a bus ticket.</li>\r\n	<li>Spring is much too far away.</li>\r\n	<li>Crimped hair will forever remind me of Bulgaria. Not the 1980\'s.</li>\r\n	<li>Despite working more that I\'d like to, I like school.</li>\r\n	<li>The bomb blast in front a weekly newspaper in Sofia is kind of weird. And the news about it is even <a href=\"http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=125134&amp;utm_source=twitterfeed&amp;utm_medium=twitter\" target=\"_blank\">stranger</a>.</li>\r\n	<li>I was way to excited today when I got my own Onda coffee points card. I don\'t even know what I can earn with my points but the girl asked me if I wanted one and I said yes.</li>\r\n	<li>I\'m excited to go to Teteven this weekend to celebrate my Bulgarian tutor I.\'s birthday.</li>\r\n</ul>\r\nSo, that\'s that. Life is generally good. <em>Busy</em> but good.','So Noted... ','','publish','open','open','','so-noted','','','2011-02-10 18:08:46','2011-02-10 16:08:46','',0,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?p=4304',0,'post','',7),(4305,1,'2011-02-10 18:07:53','2011-02-10 16:07:53','It\'s been a rather frantic week for me. It\'s the first week of our new semester at school and we are in the process of wrapping up the fall semester.\n\nI stumbled home last night after 8pm. I spent 12+ hours at work. I taught my heart out and then entered grades and comments into our electronic system. Part of this was due to a little case of procrastination on my part. Part of it is my work computer. It\'s a dinosaur. I used to think that we had a love-hate relationship but actually I think we have a hate-hate relationship. And the worst part? My computer is passive aggressive.\n\nOn my way home from work today I was just thinking about things. I realized:\n<ul>\n	<li>Sometimes I get insanely jealous of small children who speak Bulgarian.  I hear them jabbering away and I think, ug. I wish I was that good.</li>\n	<li>That all of the pans I have to bake with in the oven are too big and I am unwilling to make a giant pan of musaka which I\'ll then have to eat for an entire week.</li>\n	<li>I am no longer worried about getting stopped by controls for riding without a bus ticket.</li>\n	<li>Spring is much too far away.</li>\n	<li>Crimped hair will forever remind me of Bulgaria. Not the 1980\'s.</li>\n	<li>Despite working more that I\'d like to, I like school.</li>\n	<li>The bomb blast in front a weekly newspaper in Sofia is kind of weird. And the news about it is even <a href=\"http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=125134&amp;utm_source=twitterfeed&amp;utm_medium=twitter\" target=\"_blank\">stranger</a>.</li>\n	<li>I was way to excited today when I got my own Onda coffee points card. I don\'t even know what I can earn with my points but the girl asked me if I wanted one and I said yes.</li>\n	<li>I\'m excited to go to Teteven this weekend to celebrate my Bulgarian tutor I.\'s birthday.</li>\n</ul>\nSo, that\'s that. Life is generally good. <em>Busy</em> but good.','So Noted... ','','inherit','open','open','','4304-revision','','','2011-02-10 18:07:53','2011-02-10 16:07:53','',4304,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/02/10/4304-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(4307,1,'2011-02-14 21:34:09','2011-02-14 19:34:09','I finally made Musaka.\n\nIt was delicious.\n\nI made it with mushrooms and potatoes. Yogurt and eggs and little bit of sirene cheese for good measure.','Musaka','','inherit','open','open','','4306-revision','','','2011-02-14 21:34:09','2011-02-14 19:34:09','',4306,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/02/14/4306-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(4308,1,'2011-02-14 21:36:45','2011-02-14 19:36:45','','Mushrooms ','Mushrooms for Musaka','inherit','open','open','','img_7066','','','2011-02-14 21:36:45','2011-02-14 19:36:45','',4306,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/IMG_7066.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(4309,1,'2011-02-14 21:38:14','2011-02-14 19:38:14','','IMG_7067','Musaka potatoes and mushrooms ','inherit','open','open','','img_7067','','','2011-02-14 21:38:14','2011-02-14 19:38:14','',4306,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/IMG_7067.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(4310,1,'2011-02-14 21:39:46','2011-02-14 19:39:46','','Baked Musaka ','Baked Musaka','inherit','open','open','','img_7069','','','2011-02-14 21:39:46','2011-02-14 19:39:46','',4306,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/IMG_7069.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(4311,1,'2011-02-14 21:58:47','2011-02-14 19:58:47','I have a hunch that many of you thought that I was never-ever going to make Musaka. Well, here\'s the post for you. I finally made Musaka. Maybe not the traditional Bulgarian Musaka with ground beef (or another mix of minced meat) but with mushrooms and potatoes.\n\nAnd the best news? It turned out great. Sure there\'s maybe a couple of things that I would do differently but not many.\n\nI made it with mushrooms, garlic and potatoes. Yogurt and eggs and little bit of sirene cheese for good measure.\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_4308\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Mushrooms for Musaka\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4308\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4308\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4308 \" title=\"Mushrooms \" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/IMG_7066-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nFirst I bought and washed a ton of mushrooms. They were dirty so it\'s a good thing I washed them carefully. Then I sauteed the mushrooms and added garlic. Four cloves. To that I added salt and pepper.\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_4309\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Musaka potatoes and mushrooms \"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4309\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4309\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4309 \" title=\"IMG_7067\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/IMG_7067-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"Musaka potatoes and mushrooms \" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nI chopped up the potatoes and then I cooked these on the stove with oil until they were soft. Then I mixed up the eggs and yogurt. Three eggs and 400 ml of yogurt. I covered the potato mushroom mix with the eggs and yogurt. I popped the whole thing in the oven and then 10 minutes later I decided to add some sirene cheese--which I did with out much problem. Then I baked the thing at about 200 degrees celsius or about 375 degrees F.  \n\n[caption id=\"attachment_4310\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Baked Musaka\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4310\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4310\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4310 \" title=\"Baked Musaka \" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/IMG_7069-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nIt came out great. Really great. Maybe I could have used a little bit more of the yogurt and egg mix to cover the potatoes.  But I am happy to report that all\'s well that ends well. \n\nGive it a go. It\'s super easy and it\'s pretty clear to me that you can use nearly any vegetable that you want to as long as you keep the potato-ratio at one to one. This is hands down a dish that I\'ll be making again and playing around with. Keep your eyes pealed for a spicy musaka in the future!! ','Musaka','','inherit','open','open','','4306-revision-2','','','2011-02-14 21:58:47','2011-02-14 19:58:47','',4306,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/02/14/4306-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(4312,1,'2011-02-14 21:59:09','2011-02-14 19:59:09','I have a hunch that many of you thought that I was never-ever going to make Musaka. Well, here\'s the post for you. I finally made Musaka. Maybe not the traditional Bulgarian Musaka with ground beef (or another mix of minced meat) but with mushrooms and potatoes.\r\n\r\nAnd the best news? It turned out great. Sure there\'s maybe a couple of things that I would do differently but not many.\r\n\r\nI made it with mushrooms, garlic and potatoes. Yogurt and eggs and little bit of sirene cheese for good measure.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4308\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Mushrooms for Musaka\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4308\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4308\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4308 \" title=\"Mushrooms \" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/IMG_7066-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nFirst I bought and washed a ton of mushrooms. They were dirty so it\'s a good thing I washed them carefully. Then I sauteed the mushrooms and added garlic. Four cloves. To that I added salt and pepper.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4309\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Musaka potatoes and mushrooms \"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4309\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4309\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4309 \" title=\"IMG_7067\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/IMG_7067-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"Musaka potatoes and mushrooms \" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nI chopped up the potatoes and then I cooked these on the stove with oil until they were soft. Then I mixed up the eggs and yogurt. Three eggs and 400 ml of yogurt. I covered the potato mushroom mix with the eggs and yogurt. I popped the whole thing in the oven and then 10 minutes later I decided to add some sirene cheese--which I did with out much problem. Then I baked the thing at about 200 degrees celsius or about 375 degrees F.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4310\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Baked Musaka\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4310\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4310\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4310 \" title=\"Baked Musaka \" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/IMG_7069-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"409\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nIt came out great. Really great. Maybe I could have used a little bit more of the yogurt and egg mix to cover the potatoes.  But I am happy to report that all\'s well that ends well.\r\n\r\nGive it a go. It\'s super easy and it\'s pretty clear to me that you can use nearly any vegetable that you want to as long as you keep the potato-ratio at one to one. This is hands down a dish that I\'ll be making again and playing around with. Keep your eyes pealed for a spicy musaka in the future!!','Musaka','','inherit','open','open','','4306-revision-3','','','2011-02-14 21:59:09','2011-02-14 19:59:09','',4306,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/02/14/4306-revision-3/',0,'revision','',0),(4370,1,'2011-02-24 19:53:21','2011-02-24 17:53:21','I\'ve been teaching this wonderful novel in 11th grade called <a href=\"http://www.amazon.com/Balzac-Little-Chinese-Seamstress-Novel/dp/0385722206/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1298566182&amp;sr=1-1\" target=\"_self\">Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress</a>. I love, love, love the story. It\'s perfect for teenagers who are exploring their lives, developing serious friendships and who are discovering the so-called great novels of Western Literature.  It\'s just charming well written book.\r\n\r\nThis said there\'s a really wild scene at the end of the book that involves a bad tooth. The man with the bad tooth goes to the city from the mountains to have his tooth worked on. It ends up being extracted only apparently the dentist took the wrong tooth. (Ug.)\r\n\r\nThis man then convinces two main characters who happen to be teenagers to fix his bad tooth. He seems to think that the boys can help him because one of them has a father who is a dentist. (Yes, this is strange.)\r\n\r\nAnyhow against all odds, the boys work on the tooth with a sewing machine they\'ve rigged up as a drill. They manage to drill out the decay and rot of the bad tooth and they fill it with a piece of melted tin.\r\n\r\nThe scene is super intense. I was reading the passage in class and one of my students actually asked me to stop reading (this has never happened to me before). The details just make the scene seem very real from the slow speed of the \"drill\" and the pain this causes to the blood the man spits out to the smell of rot coming from the man\'s mouth. I have shivers just thinking about it.\r\n\r\nNeedless to say, ever since reading this passage out loud two different times in two different classes I\'ve found myself worrying about cavities.  <!--more-->I\'ve been obsessing about whether one of my teeth is hot-cold sensitive. Then this morning I was sure that I was having tooth pain.\r\n\r\nThe thing is I am pretty sure that my teeth are fine. I haven\'t actually been having any pain or problems. It\'s all been psychosomatic. I just haven\'t been to see a dentist in about two years and after reading about the horrific dental scene in <em>Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress</em> my imagine is working in overdrive.\r\n\r\nIt seems pretty clear that I need to find a dentist in Sofia. I could really use a check up and a cleaning. And it would be great to rest assured that my teeth are in good shape and cavity free.\r\n\r\nI know that some of my colleagues have gone to a Bulgarian-Swedish dentistry practice in the Hotel Kempinski-Zografski which is  recommended on the US embassy website.  Before give them a call, I thought I\'d see if anyone else has a dentist that they love here in Sofia. Ideally this is a dentist they love who also speaks English. Anyone? Anyone at all?\r\n\r\nOh yeah, and for the record I\'d like to avoid the sewing machine drill if at all possible.','A Dentist? ','','publish','open','open','','a-dentist','','','2011-02-24 19:53:21','2011-02-24 17:53:21','',0,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?p=4370',0,'post','',7),(4314,1,'2011-02-17 06:43:40','2011-02-17 04:43:40','But winter\'s clearly not over. I woke up this morning thinking what time is it? I couldn\'t hear traffic like I normally can nor could I hear barking dogs.  It was also darker than it normally is at 5:45am. So I hit snooze.\r\n\r\nI finally pulled myself out of bed at about 6am. I headed straight for my kitchen to make coffee. While waiting for the coffee, I had the idea I\'ll go look in my closet and figure out what I am going to wear to school today. I thought: hey it\'s cold in here. I should shut my window which I like to sleep with cracked open.\r\n\r\nThat\'s when I saw: snow. <!--more-->\r\n\r\nOkay, I don\'t think that it\'s actually that much snow but it\'s enough. It\'s covering the cars, the sidewalks and the street. And it\'s not like it\'s really a surprise.\r\n\r\nIt is February and that makes it solidly winter still. And winter means snow.\r\n\r\nSo this morning, I\'ll dig out my favorite LL Bean wool socks, skip wearing a dress today in favor of pants and a cozy sweater and pull on the boots I\'ve been wearing all winter. At school, I\'ll complain a little bit about the weather, drink a coffee (or three) and I\'ll dream about my up coming weekend in Velingrad.\r\n\r\nFriday after school, I am going to Velingrad with some of the female teachers. We\'re going for a spa weekend. It seems like the perfect time to relax, to swim, to sit in a steam room and to soak in hot mineral waters. Maybe I\'ll also sneak in a massage.\r\n\r\nWhile I am not so thrilled about the snow, I am really pumped up about a trip to Velingrad. But what does this mean for you? Well, I think it means that you\'re facing another weekend of very little happening on my blog. For the record, I\'ve got things I want to write about but no time and yesterday I was like: hey, Carolyn, you should blog.  Instead I went to bed and I fell asleep the minute my head hit the pillow.','I\'m over winter ','','publish','open','open','','im-over-winter','','','2011-02-17 06:43:40','2011-02-17 04:43:40','',0,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?p=4314',0,'post','',3),(4315,1,'2011-02-17 06:42:40','2011-02-17 04:42:40','But winter\'s clearly not over. I woke up this morning thinking what time is it? I couldn\'t hear traffic like I normally can nor could I hear barking dogs.  It was also darker than it normally is at 5:45am. So I hit snooze.\n\nI finally pulled myself out of bed at about 6am. I headed straight for my kitchen to make coffee. While waiting for the coffee, I had the idea I\'ll go look in my closet and figure out what I am going to wear to school today. I thought: hey it\'s cold in here. I should shut my window which I like to sleep with cracked open.\n\nThat\'s when I saw: snow. <!--more-->\n\nOkay, I don\'t think that it\'s actually that much snow but it\'s enough. It\'s covering the cars, the sidewalks and the street. And it\'s not like it\'s really a surprise.\n\nIt is February and that makes it solidly winter still. And winter means snow.\n\nSo this morning, I\'ll dig out my favorite LL Bean wool socks, skip wearing a dress today in favor of pants and a cozy sweater and pull on the boots I\'ve been wearing all winter. At school, I\'ll complain a little bit about the weather, drink a coffee (or three) and I\'ll dream about my up coming weekend in Velingrad.\n\nFriday after school, I am going to Velingrad with some of the female teachers. We\'re going for a spa weekend. It seems like the perfect time to relax, to swim, to sit in a steam room and to soak in hot mineral waters. Maybe I\'ll also sneak in a massage.\n\nWhile I am not so thrilled about the snow, I am really pumped up about a trip to Velingrad. But what does this mean for you? Well, I think it means that you\'re facing another weekend of very little happening on my blog. For the record, I\'ve got things I want to write about but no time and yesterday I was like: hey, Carolyn, you should blog.  Then I went to bed.','I\'m over winter ','','inherit','open','open','','4314-revision','','','2011-02-17 06:42:40','2011-02-17 04:42:40','',4314,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/02/17/4314-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(4316,1,'2011-02-17 06:43:40','2011-02-17 04:43:40','But winter\'s clearly not over. I woke up this morning thinking what time is it? I couldn\'t hear traffic like I normally can nor could I hear barking dogs.  It was also darker than it normally is at 5:45am. So I hit snooze.\n\nI finally pulled myself out of bed at about 6am. I headed straight for my kitchen to make coffee. While waiting for the coffee, I had the idea I\'ll go look in my closet and figure out what I am going to wear to school today. I thought: hey it\'s cold in here. I should shut my window which I like to sleep with cracked open.\n\nThat\'s when I saw: snow. <!--more-->\n\nOkay, I don\'t think that it\'s actually that much snow but it\'s enough. It\'s covering the cars, the sidewalks and the street. And it\'s not like it\'s really a surprise.\n\nIt is February and that makes it solidly winter still. And winter means snow.\n\nSo this morning, I\'ll dig out my favorite LL Bean wool socks, skip wearing a dress today in favor of pants and a cozy sweater and pull on the boots I\'ve been wearing all winter. At school, I\'ll complain a little bit about the weather, drink a coffee (or three) and I\'ll dream about my up coming weekend in Velingrad.\n\nFriday after school, I am going to Velingrad with some of the female teachers. We\'re going for a spa weekend. It seems like the perfect time to relax, to swim, to sit in a steam room and to soak in hot mineral waters. Maybe I\'ll also sneak in a massage.\n\nWhile I am not so thrilled about the snow, I am really pumped up about a trip to Velingrad. But what does this mean for you? Well, I think it means that you\'re facing another weekend of very little happening on my blog. For the record, I\'ve got things I want to write about but no time and yesterday I was like: hey, Carolyn, you should blog.  Instead I went to bed and I fell asleep the minute my head hit the pillow.','I\'m over winter ','','inherit','open','open','','4314-autosave','','','2011-02-17 06:43:40','2011-02-17 04:43:40','',4314,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/02/17/4314-autosave/',0,'revision','',0),(4317,1,'2011-02-20 22:48:17','2011-02-20 20:48:17','I feel like I\'ve been flying through my life recently. I buzz from this to that and from here to there trying to get everything I need to done each day and never feel like I\'ve done enough. Work has been nuts between the semester ending and parent conferences/meetings in the last two weeks. To what was already a crazy time of the year, I then decided to joins friends on trips outside of Sofia and I spent the last two weekends out of town.\r\n\r\nTwo weekends ago: Teteven. This weekend: Velingrad. Both trips were great and I promise (cross my fingers, hope to die) that I\'ll write about these two trips--tonight is just not the night.  My own bed is calling my name.\r\n\r\nI don\'t remember being this busy last year but I guess I must have been.\r\n\r\nThis week is going to be a long one. I\'ll be working on Saturday as a make-up for one of the flu vacation days in January. Don\'t get me started on how much I dislike the Saturday work day. I despise it. And I don\'t believe in it. Still, I\'ll be at school with all of my colleagues on Saturday morning about 7:45am getting my things together and making sure that I am ready for the school day.\r\n\r\nUg.\r\n\r\nAside from school woes, at least I have Bulgaria\'s Liberation Day four-day holiday to look forward to the first week of March. I\'m toying around with taking the train to Bucharest and checking out the city.  I\'ve never been to Romania and I\'d like go.\r\n\r\nNeedless to say, I am pretty clearly not going to reach my goal of 15 Bulgarian dishes in the month of February. But I am going to continue plugging away at it. It\'s just going to take more time.\r\n\r\nToo bad I can\'t get more of that these days!!','This past week','','publish','open','open','','this-past-week','','','2011-02-20 22:48:17','2011-02-20 20:48:17','',0,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?p=4317',0,'post','',6),(4318,1,'2011-02-20 22:47:18','2011-02-20 20:47:18','I feel like I\'ve been flying through my life recently. I buzz from this to that and from here to there trying to get everything I need to done each day and never feel like I\'ve done enough. Work has been nuts between the semester ending and parent conferences/meetings in the last two weeks. To what was already a crazy time of the year, I then decided to joins friends on trips outside of Sofia and I spent the last two weekends out of town.\n\nTwo weekends ago: Teteven. This weekend: Velingrad. Both trips were great and I promise (cross my fingers, hope to die) that I\'ll write about these two trips--tonight is just not the night.  My own bed is calling my name.\n\nI don\'t remember being this busy last year but I guess I must have been.\n\nThis week is going to be a long one. I\'ll be working on Saturday as a make-up for one of the flu vacation days in January. Don\'t get me started on how much I dislike the Saturday work day. I despise it. And I don\'t believe in it. Still, I\'ll be at school with all of my colleagues on Saturday morning about 7:45am getting my things together and making sure that I am ready for the school day.\n\nUg.\n\nAside from school woes, at least I have Bulgaria\'s Liberation Day four-day holiday to look forward to the first week of March. I\'m toying around with taking the train to Bucharest and checking out the city.  I\'ve never been to Romania and I\'d like go.\n\nNeedless to say, I am pretty clearly not going to reach my goal of 15 Bulgarian dishes in the month of February. But I am going to continue plugging away at it. It\'s just going to take more time.\n\nToo bad I can\'t get more of that these days!!','This past week','','inherit','open','open','','4317-revision','','','2011-02-20 22:47:18','2011-02-20 20:47:18','',4317,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/02/20/4317-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(4319,1,'2011-02-21 22:13:54','2011-02-21 20:13:54','Not last weekend but the weekend before, I went to Teteven to celebrate my Bulgarian tutor I.\'s birthday. If you\'ve been reading my blog for awhile now you probably know that every Sunday I have a Bulgarian lesson with I. She\'s really great. And, as you can probably guess, I am really lucky that she\'s my tutor.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4320\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Hiking to Hija Rosi\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4320\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/02/21/teteven-kind-of/dsc02281/\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4320 \" title=\"Hiking to Hija Rosi\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/DSC02281-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"461\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nYou may not know how we met.  Don\'t worry. I\'ll tell you.\r\n\r\nMy blog.\r\n\r\nYep. I wrote in at the beginning of year two in Bulgaria that this was my year to learn Bulgarian. Luckily, I. wrote to me on my blog that she\'d be willing to teach me Bulgarian. So two years later I speak a lot more Bulgarian than when we started and I have new friend.\r\n\r\nSee this blog is good for something!!<!--more-->\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4321\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Backpacks!\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4321\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/02/21/teteven-kind-of/dsc02279/\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4321 \" title=\"Backpacks!\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/DSC02279-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"461\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nNow meet once a week. She makes me grammar handouts (and coffee) and gives me homework. I show up with a big smile on my face and some (if not all) of the homework completed and stumble through the completed exercises, reading tasks, dictations and anything else I. decides we should be doing. I am generally okay at the grammar exercises and the reading tasks but the dictations?! That\'s a different story. Luckily for me, a girl can live a long rich life even if she\'s not very good at dictations.\r\n\r\nAnyhow, I. is really kind and even when I am having a bad day or the grammar is hard she has a smile on her face. And these days the grammar is always hard. It\'s like she gets a kick out of making it more and more complex each week.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4334\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Falling Down Fence\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4334\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/02/21/teteven-kind-of/dsc02369/\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4334 \" title=\"Falling Down Fence\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/DSC02369-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"461\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nSo when I. asked me if I\'d like to go with her, her boyfriend J. and some of their friends to Teteven to celebrate her birthday I said yes right away. Then I. told me that we\'d all drive to Teteven, up a hill behind the city, park and then walk for about 40 minutes up a big hill, through a meadow and over some rolling hills to Hija Rosi. Okay. I just decided to pack light.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4322\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Road to Hija Rosi\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4322\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/02/21/teteven-kind-of/dsc02289/\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4322 \" title=\"Road to Hija Rosi\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/DSC02289-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"461\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nI am really glad that I said yes. I am also really glad that we had such nice weather. It was sunny and relatively warm. And the road which is dirt also was only muddy in a few places. Who could ask for anything more?!\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4323\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Hija Rosi \"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4323\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/02/21/teteven-kind-of/dsc02282/\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4323 \" title=\"Hija Rosi \" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/DSC02282-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"461\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nTeteven is in the Stari Planina and the landscape surrounding the city is wild and beautiful. The walk to the hija was muddy but not very hard. A hija is translated roughly from Bulgarian as a mountain hut or maybe a mountain cabin. This hija was pretty great--with a big kitchen, a suite of seventeen different beds divided between a number of rooms and two horses.  Oh, yeah and really nice owners.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4324\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"I. and J. at dinner\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4324\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/02/21/teteven-kind-of/dsc02358/\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4324 \" title=\"I. and J. at dinner\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/DSC02358-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"461\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nWe all met up on Saturday morning divided up between 5 cars and drove the two or so hours to Teteven. We hiked in, ate lunch and then some of us rode horses.\r\n\r\nI. told her friends to speak to me in Bulgarian. That was great in theory but in practice it was totally impossible for me to keep up with people and conversations. So I spoke a little bit of Bulgarian, a little bit more English and I spent a lot of time listening to Bulgarian wishing I knew what people were talking about. Note to self: must learn Bulgarian.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4325\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Happy (late) Birthday I.! \"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4325\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/02/21/teteven-kind-of/dsc02353/\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4325 \" title=\"Happy (late) Birthday I.! \" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/DSC02353-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"461\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nBetween walking around in the mountain, eating a lot of great food, taking some pictures, riding a horse and generally relaxing, I had a great time.','Teteven, Kind Of','','publish','open','open','','teteven-kind-of','','','2011-02-21 22:13:57','2011-02-21 20:13:57','',0,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?p=4319',0,'post','',3),(4320,1,'2011-02-21 21:47:43','2011-02-21 19:47:43','','Hiking to Hija Rosi','Hiking to Hija Rosi','inherit','open','open','','dsc02281','','','2011-02-21 21:47:43','2011-02-21 19:47:43','',4319,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/DSC02281.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(4321,1,'2011-02-21 21:49:16','2011-02-21 19:49:16','','Backpacks!','Backpacks!','inherit','open','open','','dsc02279','','','2011-02-21 21:49:16','2011-02-21 19:49:16','',4319,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/DSC02279.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(4322,1,'2011-02-21 21:50:49','2011-02-21 19:50:49','','Road to Hija Rosi','Road to Hija Rosi','inherit','open','open','','dsc02289','','','2011-02-21 21:50:49','2011-02-21 19:50:49','',4319,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/DSC02289.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(4323,1,'2011-02-21 21:52:29','2011-02-21 19:52:29','','Hija Rosi ','Hija Rosi ','inherit','open','open','','dsc02282','','','2011-02-21 21:52:29','2011-02-21 19:52:29','',4319,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/DSC02282.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(4324,1,'2011-02-21 21:56:35','2011-02-21 19:56:35','','I. and J. at dinner','I. and J. at dinner','inherit','open','open','','dsc02358','','','2011-02-21 21:56:35','2011-02-21 19:56:35','',4319,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/DSC02358.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(4325,1,'2011-02-21 21:57:55','2011-02-21 19:57:55','','Happy (late) Birthday I.! ','Happy (late) Birthday I.! ','inherit','open','open','','dsc02353','','','2011-02-21 21:57:55','2011-02-21 19:57:55','',4319,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/DSC02353.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(4326,1,'2011-02-21 21:57:03','2011-02-21 19:57:03','Not last weekend but the weekend before, I went to Teteven to celebrate my Bulgarian tutor I.\'s birthday. If you\'ve been reading my blog for awhile now you probably know that every Sunday I have a Bulgarian lesson with I. She\'s really great. And, as you can probably guess, I am really lucky that she\'s my tutor.\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_4320\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Hiking to Hija Rosi\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4320\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4320\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4320 \" title=\"Hiking to Hija Rosi\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/DSC02281-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"461\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nYou may not know how we met.  Don\'t worry. I\'ll tell you.\n\nI. wrote to me on my blog that she\'d be willing to teach me Bulgarian. See this blog is good for something!!\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_4321\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Backpacks!\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4321\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4321\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4321 \" title=\"Backpacks!\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/DSC02279-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"461\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nNow I see her once a week. She makes me grammar handouts and gives me homework. I show up with a big smile on my face and some (if not all) of the homework completed and stumble through the completed exercises, reading tasks, dictations and anything else I. decides we should be doing. I am generally okay at the grammar exercises and the reading tasks but the dictations?! That\'s a different story. Luckily for me, a girl can live a long rich life even if she\'s not very good at dictations.\n\nAnyhow, I. is really kind and even when I am having a bad day or the grammar is hard she has a smile on her face.\n\nSo when I. asked me if I\'d like to go with her, her boyfriend J. and some of their friends to Teteven to celebrate her birthday I said yes right away. Then I. told me that we\'d all drive to Teteven, up a hill behind the city, park and then walk for about 40 minutes up a big hill, through a meadow and over some rolling hills to Hija Rosa. Okay. I just decided to pack light.\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_4322\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Road to Hija Rosi\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4322\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4322\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4322 \" title=\"Road to Hija Rosi\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/DSC02289-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"461\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nI am really glad that I said yes. I am also really glad that we had such nice weather. It was sunny and relatively warm. And the road which is dirt also was only muddy in a few places. Who could ask for anything more?!\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_4323\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Hija Rosi \"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4323\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4323\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4323 \" title=\"Hija Rosi \" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/DSC02282-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"461\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nTeteven is in the Stari Planina and the landscape surrounding the city is wild and beautiful. The walk to the hija was muddy but not very hard. A hija is translated roughly from Bulgarian as a mountain hut or maybe a mountain cabin. This hija was pretty great--with a big kitchen, a suite of seventeen different beds divided between a number of rooms and two horses.  Oh, yeah and really nice owners.\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_4324\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"1024\" caption=\"I. and J. at dinner\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4324\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4324\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4324\" title=\"I. and J. at dinner\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/DSC02358-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nWe all met up on Saturday morning divided up between 5 cars and drove the two or so hours to Teteven. We hiked in, ate lunch and then some of us rode horses.\n\nI. told her friends to speak to me in Bulgarian. That was great in theory but in practice it was totally impossible for me to keep up with people and conversations. So I spoke a little bit of Bulgarian, a little bit more English and I spent a lot of time listening to Bulgarian wishing I knew what people were talking about. Note to self: must learn Bulgarian.\n\nBetween walking around in the mountain, eating a lot of great food, taking some pictures, riding a horse and generally relaxing, I had a great time.','Teteven, Kind Of','','inherit','open','open','','4319-revision','','','2011-02-21 21:57:03','2011-02-21 19:57:03','',4319,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/02/21/4319-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(4327,1,'2011-02-21 21:58:52','2011-02-21 19:58:52','Not last weekend but the weekend before, I went to Teteven to celebrate my Bulgarian tutor I.\'s birthday. If you\'ve been reading my blog for awhile now you probably know that every Sunday I have a Bulgarian lesson with I. She\'s really great. And, as you can probably guess, I am really lucky that she\'s my tutor.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4320\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Hiking to Hija Rosi\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4320\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4320\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4320 \" title=\"Hiking to Hija Rosi\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/DSC02281-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"461\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nYou may not know how we met.  Don\'t worry. I\'ll tell you.\r\n\r\nI. wrote to me on my blog that she\'d be willing to teach me Bulgarian. See this blog is good for something!!\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4321\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Backpacks!\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4321\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4321\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4321 \" title=\"Backpacks!\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/DSC02279-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"461\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nNow I see her once a week. She makes me grammar handouts and gives me homework. I show up with a big smile on my face and some (if not all) of the homework completed and stumble through the completed exercises, reading tasks, dictations and anything else I. decides we should be doing. I am generally okay at the grammar exercises and the reading tasks but the dictations?! That\'s a different story. Luckily for me, a girl can live a long rich life even if she\'s not very good at dictations.\r\n\r\nAnyhow, I. is really kind and even when I am having a bad day or the grammar is hard she has a smile on her face.\r\n\r\nSo when I. asked me if I\'d like to go with her, her boyfriend J. and some of their friends to Teteven to celebrate her birthday I said yes right away. Then I. told me that we\'d all drive to Teteven, up a hill behind the city, park and then walk for about 40 minutes up a big hill, through a meadow and over some rolling hills to Hija Rosa. Okay. I just decided to pack light.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4322\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Road to Hija Rosi\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4322\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4322\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4322 \" title=\"Road to Hija Rosi\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/DSC02289-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"461\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nI am really glad that I said yes. I am also really glad that we had such nice weather. It was sunny and relatively warm. And the road which is dirt also was only muddy in a few places. Who could ask for anything more?!\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4323\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Hija Rosi \"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4323\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4323\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4323 \" title=\"Hija Rosi \" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/DSC02282-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"461\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nTeteven is in the Stari Planina and the landscape surrounding the city is wild and beautiful. The walk to the hija was muddy but not very hard. A hija is translated roughly from Bulgarian as a mountain hut or maybe a mountain cabin. This hija was pretty great--with a big kitchen, a suite of seventeen different beds divided between a number of rooms and two horses.  Oh, yeah and really nice owners.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4324\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"I. and J. at dinner\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4324\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4324\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4324 \" title=\"I. and J. at dinner\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/DSC02358-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"461\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nWe all met up on Saturday morning divided up between 5 cars and drove the two or so hours to Teteven. We hiked in, ate lunch and then some of us rode horses.\r\n\r\nI. told her friends to speak to me in Bulgarian. That was great in theory but in practice it was totally impossible for me to keep up with people and conversations. So I spoke a little bit of Bulgarian, a little bit more English and I spent a lot of time listening to Bulgarian wishing I knew what people were talking about. Note to self: must learn Bulgarian.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4325\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Happy (late) Birthday I.! \"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4325\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4325\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4325 \" title=\"Happy (late) Birthday I.! \" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/DSC02353-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"461\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nBetween walking around in the mountain, eating a lot of great food, taking some pictures, riding a horse and generally relaxing, I had a great time.','Teteven, Kind Of','','inherit','open','open','','4319-revision-2','','','2011-02-21 21:58:52','2011-02-21 19:58:52','',4319,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/02/21/4319-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(4328,1,'2011-02-21 21:58:52','2011-02-21 19:58:52','Not last weekend but the weekend before, I went to Teteven to celebrate my Bulgarian tutor I.\'s birthday. If you\'ve been reading my blog for awhile now you probably know that every Sunday I have a Bulgarian lesson with I. She\'s really great. And, as you can probably guess, I am really lucky that she\'s my tutor.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4320\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Hiking to Hija Rosi\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4320\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4320\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4320 \" title=\"Hiking to Hija Rosi\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/DSC02281-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"461\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nYou may not know how we met.  Don\'t worry. I\'ll tell you.\r\n\r\nI. wrote to me on my blog that she\'d be willing to teach me Bulgarian. See this blog is good for something!!\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4321\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Backpacks!\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4321\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4321\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4321 \" title=\"Backpacks!\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/DSC02279-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"461\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nNow I see her once a week. She makes me grammar handouts and gives me homework. I show up with a big smile on my face and some (if not all) of the homework completed and stumble through the completed exercises, reading tasks, dictations and anything else I. decides we should be doing. I am generally okay at the grammar exercises and the reading tasks but the dictations?! That\'s a different story. Luckily for me, a girl can live a long rich life even if she\'s not very good at dictations.\r\n\r\nAnyhow, I. is really kind and even when I am having a bad day or the grammar is hard she has a smile on her face.\r\n\r\nSo when I. asked me if I\'d like to go with her, her boyfriend J. and some of their friends to Teteven to celebrate her birthday I said yes right away. Then I. told me that we\'d all drive to Teteven, up a hill behind the city, park and then walk for about 40 minutes up a big hill, through a meadow and over some rolling hills to Hija Rosa. Okay. I just decided to pack light.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4322\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Road to Hija Rosi\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4322\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4322\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4322 \" title=\"Road to Hija Rosi\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/DSC02289-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"461\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nI am really glad that I said yes. I am also really glad that we had such nice weather. It was sunny and relatively warm. And the road which is dirt also was only muddy in a few places. Who could ask for anything more?!\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4323\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Hija Rosi \"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4323\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4323\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4323 \" title=\"Hija Rosi \" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/DSC02282-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"461\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nTeteven is in the Stari Planina and the landscape surrounding the city is wild and beautiful. The walk to the hija was muddy but not very hard. A hija is translated roughly from Bulgarian as a mountain hut or maybe a mountain cabin. This hija was pretty great--with a big kitchen, a suite of seventeen different beds divided between a number of rooms and two horses.  Oh, yeah and really nice owners.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4324\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"I. and J. at dinner\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4324\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4324\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4324 \" title=\"I. and J. at dinner\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/DSC02358-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"461\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nWe all met up on Saturday morning divided up between 5 cars and drove the two or so hours to Teteven. We hiked in, ate lunch and then some of us rode horses.\r\n\r\nI. told her friends to speak to me in Bulgarian. That was great in theory but in practice it was totally impossible for me to keep up with people and conversations. So I spoke a little bit of Bulgarian, a little bit more English and I spent a lot of time listening to Bulgarian wishing I knew what people were talking about. Note to self: must learn Bulgarian.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4325\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Happy (late) Birthday I.! \"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4325\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4325\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4325 \" title=\"Happy (late) Birthday I.! \" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/DSC02353-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"461\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nBetween walking around in the mountain, eating a lot of great food, taking some pictures, riding a horse and generally relaxing, I had a great time.','Teteven, Kind Of','','inherit','open','open','','4319-revision-3','','','2011-02-21 21:58:52','2011-02-21 19:58:52','',4319,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/02/21/4319-revision-3/',0,'revision','',0),(4329,1,'2011-02-21 21:58:53','2011-02-21 19:58:53','Not last weekend but the weekend before, I went to Teteven to celebrate my Bulgarian tutor I.\'s birthday. If you\'ve been reading my blog for awhile now you probably know that every Sunday I have a Bulgarian lesson with I. She\'s really great. And, as you can probably guess, I am really lucky that she\'s my tutor.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4320\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Hiking to Hija Rosi\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4320\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4320\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4320 \" title=\"Hiking to Hija Rosi\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/DSC02281-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"461\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nYou may not know how we met.  Don\'t worry. I\'ll tell you.\r\n\r\nI. wrote to me on my blog that she\'d be willing to teach me Bulgarian. See this blog is good for something!!\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4321\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Backpacks!\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4321\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4321\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4321 \" title=\"Backpacks!\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/DSC02279-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"461\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nNow I see her once a week. She makes me grammar handouts and gives me homework. I show up with a big smile on my face and some (if not all) of the homework completed and stumble through the completed exercises, reading tasks, dictations and anything else I. decides we should be doing. I am generally okay at the grammar exercises and the reading tasks but the dictations?! That\'s a different story. Luckily for me, a girl can live a long rich life even if she\'s not very good at dictations.\r\n\r\nAnyhow, I. is really kind and even when I am having a bad day or the grammar is hard she has a smile on her face.\r\n\r\nSo when I. asked me if I\'d like to go with her, her boyfriend J. and some of their friends to Teteven to celebrate her birthday I said yes right away. Then I. told me that we\'d all drive to Teteven, up a hill behind the city, park and then walk for about 40 minutes up a big hill, through a meadow and over some rolling hills to Hija Rosa. Okay. I just decided to pack light.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4322\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Road to Hija Rosi\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4322\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4322\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4322 \" title=\"Road to Hija Rosi\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/DSC02289-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"461\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nI am really glad that I said yes. I am also really glad that we had such nice weather. It was sunny and relatively warm. And the road which is dirt also was only muddy in a few places. Who could ask for anything more?!\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4323\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Hija Rosi \"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4323\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4323\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4323 \" title=\"Hija Rosi \" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/DSC02282-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"461\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nTeteven is in the Stari Planina and the landscape surrounding the city is wild and beautiful. The walk to the hija was muddy but not very hard. A hija is translated roughly from Bulgarian as a mountain hut or maybe a mountain cabin. This hija was pretty great--with a big kitchen, a suite of seventeen different beds divided between a number of rooms and two horses.  Oh, yeah and really nice owners.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4324\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"I. and J. at dinner\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4324\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4324\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4324 \" title=\"I. and J. at dinner\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/DSC02358-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"461\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nWe all met up on Saturday morning divided up between 5 cars and drove the two or so hours to Teteven. We hiked in, ate lunch and then some of us rode horses.\r\n\r\nI. told her friends to speak to me in Bulgarian. That was great in theory but in practice it was totally impossible for me to keep up with people and conversations. So I spoke a little bit of Bulgarian, a little bit more English and I spent a lot of time listening to Bulgarian wishing I knew what people were talking about. Note to self: must learn Bulgarian.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4325\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Happy (late) Birthday I.! \"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4325\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4325\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4325 \" title=\"Happy (late) Birthday I.! \" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/DSC02353-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"461\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nBetween walking around in the mountain, eating a lot of great food, taking some pictures, riding a horse and generally relaxing, I had a great time.','Teteven, Kind Of','','inherit','open','open','','4319-revision-4','','','2011-02-21 21:58:53','2011-02-21 19:58:53','',4319,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/02/21/4319-revision-4/',0,'revision','',0),(4330,1,'2011-02-21 22:04:03','2011-02-21 20:04:03','Not last weekend but the weekend before, I went to Teteven to celebrate my Bulgarian tutor I.\'s birthday. If you\'ve been reading my blog for awhile now you probably know that every Sunday I have a Bulgarian lesson with I. She\'s really great. And, as you can probably guess, I am really lucky that she\'s my tutor.\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_4320\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Hiking to Hija Rosi\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4320\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4320\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4320 \" title=\"Hiking to Hija Rosi\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/DSC02281-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"461\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nYou may not know how we met.  Don\'t worry. I\'ll tell you.\n\nMy blog.\n\nYep. I wrote in at the beginning of year two in Bulgaria that this was my year to learn Bulgarian. Luckily, I. wrote to me on my blog that she\'d be willing to teach me Bulgarian. So two years later I speak a lot more Bulgarian than when we started and I have new friend.\n\nSee this blog is good for something!!\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_4321\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Backpacks!\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4321\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4321\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4321 \" title=\"Backpacks!\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/DSC02279-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"461\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nNow I see her once a week. She makes me grammar handouts and gives me homework. I show up with a big smile on my face and some (if not all) of the homework completed and stumble through the completed exercises, reading tasks, dictations and anything else I. decides we should be doing. I am generally okay at the grammar exercises and the reading tasks but the dictations?! That\'s a different story. Luckily for me, a girl can live a long rich life even if she\'s not very good at dictations.\n\nAnyhow, I. is really kind and even when I am having a bad day or the grammar is hard she has a smile on her face.\n\nSo when I. asked me if I\'d like to go with her, her boyfriend J. and some of their friends to Teteven to celebrate her birthday I said yes right away. Then I. told me that we\'d all drive to Teteven, up a hill behind the city, park and then walk for about 40 minutes up a big hill, through a meadow and over some rolling hills to Hija Rosa. Okay. I just decided to pack light.\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_4322\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Road to Hija Rosi\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4322\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4322\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4322 \" title=\"Road to Hija Rosi\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/DSC02289-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"461\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nI am really glad that I said yes. I am also really glad that we had such nice weather. It was sunny and relatively warm. And the road which is dirt also was only muddy in a few places. Who could ask for anything more?!\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_4323\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Hija Rosi \"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4323\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4323\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4323 \" title=\"Hija Rosi \" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/DSC02282-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"461\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nTeteven is in the Stari Planina and the landscape surrounding the city is wild and beautiful. The walk to the hija was muddy but not very hard. A hija is translated roughly from Bulgarian as a mountain hut or maybe a mountain cabin. This hija was pretty great--with a big kitchen, a suite of seventeen different beds divided between a number of rooms and two horses.  Oh, yeah and really nice owners.\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_4324\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"I. and J. at dinner\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4324\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4324\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4324 \" title=\"I. and J. at dinner\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/DSC02358-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"461\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nWe all met up on Saturday morning divided up between 5 cars and drove the two or so hours to Teteven. We hiked in, ate lunch and then some of us rode horses.\n\nI. told her friends to speak to me in Bulgarian. That was great in theory but in practice it was totally impossible for me to keep up with people and conversations. So I spoke a little bit of Bulgarian, a little bit more English and I spent a lot of time listening to Bulgarian wishing I knew what people were talking about. Note to self: must learn Bulgarian.\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_4325\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Happy (late) Birthday I.! \"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4325\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4325\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4325 \" title=\"Happy (late) Birthday I.! \" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/DSC02353-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"461\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nBetween walking around in the mountain, eating a lot of great food, taking some pictures, riding a horse and generally relaxing, I had a great time.','Teteven, Kind Of','','inherit','open','open','','4319-revision-5','','','2011-02-21 22:04:03','2011-02-21 20:04:03','',4319,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/02/21/4319-revision-5/',0,'revision','',0),(4331,1,'2011-02-21 22:04:34','2011-02-21 20:04:34','Not last weekend but the weekend before, I went to Teteven to celebrate my Bulgarian tutor I.\'s birthday. If you\'ve been reading my blog for awhile now you probably know that every Sunday I have a Bulgarian lesson with I. She\'s really great. And, as you can probably guess, I am really lucky that she\'s my tutor.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4320\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Hiking to Hija Rosi\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4320\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4320\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4320 \" title=\"Hiking to Hija Rosi\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/DSC02281-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"461\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nYou may not know how we met.  Don\'t worry. I\'ll tell you.\r\n\r\nMy blog.\r\n\r\nYep. I wrote in at the beginning of year two in Bulgaria that this was my year to learn Bulgarian. Luckily, I. wrote to me on my blog that she\'d be willing to teach me Bulgarian. So two years later I speak a lot more Bulgarian than when we started and I have new friend.\r\n\r\nSee this blog is good for something!!\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4321\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Backpacks!\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4321\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4321\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4321 \" title=\"Backpacks!\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/DSC02279-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"461\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nNow meet once a week. She makes me grammar handouts (and coffee) and gives me homework. I show up with a big smile on my face and some (if not all) of the homework completed and stumble through the completed exercises, reading tasks, dictations and anything else I. decides we should be doing. I am generally okay at the grammar exercises and the reading tasks but the dictations?! That\'s a different story. Luckily for me, a girl can live a long rich life even if she\'s not very good at dictations.\r\n\r\nAnyhow, I. is really kind and even when I am having a bad day or the grammar is hard she has a smile on her face.\r\n\r\nSo when I. asked me if I\'d like to go with her, her boyfriend J. and some of their friends to Teteven to celebrate her birthday I said yes right away. Then I. told me that we\'d all drive to Teteven, up a hill behind the city, park and then walk for about 40 minutes up a big hill, through a meadow and over some rolling hills to Hija Rosa. Okay. I just decided to pack light.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4322\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Road to Hija Rosi\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4322\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4322\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4322 \" title=\"Road to Hija Rosi\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/DSC02289-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"461\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nI am really glad that I said yes. I am also really glad that we had such nice weather. It was sunny and relatively warm. And the road which is dirt also was only muddy in a few places. Who could ask for anything more?!\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4323\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Hija Rosi \"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4323\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4323\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4323 \" title=\"Hija Rosi \" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/DSC02282-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"461\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nTeteven is in the Stari Planina and the landscape surrounding the city is wild and beautiful. The walk to the hija was muddy but not very hard. A hija is translated roughly from Bulgarian as a mountain hut or maybe a mountain cabin. This hija was pretty great--with a big kitchen, a suite of seventeen different beds divided between a number of rooms and two horses.  Oh, yeah and really nice owners.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4324\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"I. and J. at dinner\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4324\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4324\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4324 \" title=\"I. and J. at dinner\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/DSC02358-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"461\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nWe all met up on Saturday morning divided up between 5 cars and drove the two or so hours to Teteven. We hiked in, ate lunch and then some of us rode horses.\r\n\r\nI. told her friends to speak to me in Bulgarian. That was great in theory but in practice it was totally impossible for me to keep up with people and conversations. So I spoke a little bit of Bulgarian, a little bit more English and I spent a lot of time listening to Bulgarian wishing I knew what people were talking about. Note to self: must learn Bulgarian.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4325\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Happy (late) Birthday I.! \"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4325\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4325\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4325 \" title=\"Happy (late) Birthday I.! \" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/DSC02353-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"461\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nBetween walking around in the mountain, eating a lot of great food, taking some pictures, riding a horse and generally relaxing, I had a great time.','Teteven, Kind Of','','inherit','open','open','','4319-revision-6','','','2011-02-21 22:04:34','2011-02-21 20:04:34','',4319,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/02/21/4319-revision-6/',0,'revision','',0),(4332,1,'2011-02-21 22:04:34','2011-02-21 20:04:34','Not last weekend but the weekend before, I went to Teteven to celebrate my Bulgarian tutor I.\'s birthday. If you\'ve been reading my blog for awhile now you probably know that every Sunday I have a Bulgarian lesson with I. She\'s really great. And, as you can probably guess, I am really lucky that she\'s my tutor.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4320\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Hiking to Hija Rosi\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4320\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4320\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4320 \" title=\"Hiking to Hija Rosi\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/DSC02281-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"461\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nYou may not know how we met.  Don\'t worry. I\'ll tell you.\r\n\r\nMy blog.\r\n\r\nYep. I wrote in at the beginning of year two in Bulgaria that this was my year to learn Bulgarian. Luckily, I. wrote to me on my blog that she\'d be willing to teach me Bulgarian. So two years later I speak a lot more Bulgarian than when we started and I have new friend.\r\n\r\nSee this blog is good for something!!\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4321\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Backpacks!\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4321\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4321\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4321 \" title=\"Backpacks!\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/DSC02279-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"461\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nNow meet once a week. She makes me grammar handouts (and coffee) and gives me homework. I show up with a big smile on my face and some (if not all) of the homework completed and stumble through the completed exercises, reading tasks, dictations and anything else I. decides we should be doing. I am generally okay at the grammar exercises and the reading tasks but the dictations?! That\'s a different story. Luckily for me, a girl can live a long rich life even if she\'s not very good at dictations.\r\n\r\nAnyhow, I. is really kind and even when I am having a bad day or the grammar is hard she has a smile on her face.\r\n\r\nSo when I. asked me if I\'d like to go with her, her boyfriend J. and some of their friends to Teteven to celebrate her birthday I said yes right away. Then I. told me that we\'d all drive to Teteven, up a hill behind the city, park and then walk for about 40 minutes up a big hill, through a meadow and over some rolling hills to Hija Rosa. Okay. I just decided to pack light.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4322\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Road to Hija Rosi\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4322\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4322\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4322 \" title=\"Road to Hija Rosi\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/DSC02289-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"461\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nI am really glad that I said yes. I am also really glad that we had such nice weather. It was sunny and relatively warm. And the road which is dirt also was only muddy in a few places. Who could ask for anything more?!\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4323\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Hija Rosi \"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4323\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4323\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4323 \" title=\"Hija Rosi \" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/DSC02282-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"461\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nTeteven is in the Stari Planina and the landscape surrounding the city is wild and beautiful. The walk to the hija was muddy but not very hard. A hija is translated roughly from Bulgarian as a mountain hut or maybe a mountain cabin. This hija was pretty great--with a big kitchen, a suite of seventeen different beds divided between a number of rooms and two horses.  Oh, yeah and really nice owners.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4324\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"I. and J. at dinner\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4324\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4324\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4324 \" title=\"I. and J. at dinner\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/DSC02358-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"461\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nWe all met up on Saturday morning divided up between 5 cars and drove the two or so hours to Teteven. We hiked in, ate lunch and then some of us rode horses.\r\n\r\nI. told her friends to speak to me in Bulgarian. That was great in theory but in practice it was totally impossible for me to keep up with people and conversations. So I spoke a little bit of Bulgarian, a little bit more English and I spent a lot of time listening to Bulgarian wishing I knew what people were talking about. Note to self: must learn Bulgarian.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4325\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Happy (late) Birthday I.! \"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4325\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4325\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4325 \" title=\"Happy (late) Birthday I.! \" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/DSC02353-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"461\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nBetween walking around in the mountain, eating a lot of great food, taking some pictures, riding a horse and generally relaxing, I had a great time.','Teteven, Kind Of','','inherit','open','open','','4319-revision-7','','','2011-02-21 22:04:34','2011-02-21 20:04:34','',4319,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/02/21/4319-revision-7/',0,'revision','',0),(4333,1,'2011-02-21 22:04:35','2011-02-21 20:04:35','Not last weekend but the weekend before, I went to Teteven to celebrate my Bulgarian tutor I.\'s birthday. If you\'ve been reading my blog for awhile now you probably know that every Sunday I have a Bulgarian lesson with I. She\'s really great. And, as you can probably guess, I am really lucky that she\'s my tutor.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4320\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Hiking to Hija Rosi\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4320\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4320\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4320 \" title=\"Hiking to Hija Rosi\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/DSC02281-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"461\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nYou may not know how we met.  Don\'t worry. I\'ll tell you.\r\n\r\nMy blog.\r\n\r\nYep. I wrote in at the beginning of year two in Bulgaria that this was my year to learn Bulgarian. Luckily, I. wrote to me on my blog that she\'d be willing to teach me Bulgarian. So two years later I speak a lot more Bulgarian than when we started and I have new friend.\r\n\r\nSee this blog is good for something!!\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4321\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Backpacks!\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4321\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4321\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4321 \" title=\"Backpacks!\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/DSC02279-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"461\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nNow meet once a week. She makes me grammar handouts (and coffee) and gives me homework. I show up with a big smile on my face and some (if not all) of the homework completed and stumble through the completed exercises, reading tasks, dictations and anything else I. decides we should be doing. I am generally okay at the grammar exercises and the reading tasks but the dictations?! That\'s a different story. Luckily for me, a girl can live a long rich life even if she\'s not very good at dictations.\r\n\r\nAnyhow, I. is really kind and even when I am having a bad day or the grammar is hard she has a smile on her face.\r\n\r\nSo when I. asked me if I\'d like to go with her, her boyfriend J. and some of their friends to Teteven to celebrate her birthday I said yes right away. Then I. told me that we\'d all drive to Teteven, up a hill behind the city, park and then walk for about 40 minutes up a big hill, through a meadow and over some rolling hills to Hija Rosa. Okay. I just decided to pack light.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4322\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Road to Hija Rosi\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4322\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4322\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4322 \" title=\"Road to Hija Rosi\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/DSC02289-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"461\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nI am really glad that I said yes. I am also really glad that we had such nice weather. It was sunny and relatively warm. And the road which is dirt also was only muddy in a few places. Who could ask for anything more?!\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4323\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Hija Rosi \"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4323\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4323\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4323 \" title=\"Hija Rosi \" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/DSC02282-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"461\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nTeteven is in the Stari Planina and the landscape surrounding the city is wild and beautiful. The walk to the hija was muddy but not very hard. A hija is translated roughly from Bulgarian as a mountain hut or maybe a mountain cabin. This hija was pretty great--with a big kitchen, a suite of seventeen different beds divided between a number of rooms and two horses.  Oh, yeah and really nice owners.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4324\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"I. and J. at dinner\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4324\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4324\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4324 \" title=\"I. and J. at dinner\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/DSC02358-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"461\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nWe all met up on Saturday morning divided up between 5 cars and drove the two or so hours to Teteven. We hiked in, ate lunch and then some of us rode horses.\r\n\r\nI. told her friends to speak to me in Bulgarian. That was great in theory but in practice it was totally impossible for me to keep up with people and conversations. So I spoke a little bit of Bulgarian, a little bit more English and I spent a lot of time listening to Bulgarian wishing I knew what people were talking about. Note to self: must learn Bulgarian.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_4325\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Happy (late) Birthday I.! \"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4325\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4325\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4325 \" title=\"Happy (late) Birthday I.! \" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/DSC02353-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"461\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\nBetween walking around in the mountain, eating a lot of great food, taking some pictures, riding a horse and generally relaxing, I had a great time.','Teteven, Kind Of','','inherit','open','open','','4319-revision-8','','','2011-02-21 22:04:35','2011-02-21 20:04:35','',4319,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/02/21/4319-revision-8/',0,'revision','',0),(4334,1,'2011-02-21 22:10:27','2011-02-21 20:10:27','','Falling Down Fence','Falling Down Fence','inherit','open','open','','dsc02369','','','2011-02-21 22:10:27','2011-02-21 20:10:27','',4319,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/DSC02369.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(4335,1,'2011-02-21 22:07:40','2011-02-21 20:07:40','Not last weekend but the weekend before, I went to Teteven to celebrate my Bulgarian tutor I.\'s birthday. If you\'ve been reading my blog for awhile now you probably know that every Sunday I have a Bulgarian lesson with I. She\'s really great. And, as you can probably guess, I am really lucky that she\'s my tutor.\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_4320\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Hiking to Hija Rosi\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4320\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4320\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4320 \" title=\"Hiking to Hija Rosi\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/DSC02281-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"461\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nYou may not know how we met.  Don\'t worry. I\'ll tell you.\n\nMy blog.\n\nYep. I wrote in at the beginning of year two in Bulgaria that this was my year to learn Bulgarian. Luckily, I. wrote to me on my blog that she\'d be willing to teach me Bulgarian. So two years later I speak a lot more Bulgarian than when we started and I have new friend.\n\nSee this blog is good for something!!\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_4321\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Backpacks!\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4321\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4321\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4321 \" title=\"Backpacks!\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/DSC02279-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"461\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nNow meet once a week. She makes me grammar handouts (and coffee) and gives me homework. I show up with a big smile on my face and some (if not all) of the homework completed and stumble through the completed exercises, reading tasks, dictations and anything else I. decides we should be doing. I am generally okay at the grammar exercises and the reading tasks but the dictations?! That\'s a different story. Luckily for me, a girl can live a long rich life even if she\'s not very good at dictations.\n\nAnyhow, I. is really kind and even when I am having a bad day or the grammar is hard she has a smile on her face. And these days the grammar is always hard. It\'s like she gets a kick out of adding one\n\nSo when I. asked me if I\'d like to go with her, her boyfriend J. and some of their friends to Teteven to celebrate her birthday I said yes right away. Then I. told me that we\'d all drive to Teteven, up a hill behind the city, park and then walk for about 40 minutes up a big hill, through a meadow and over some rolling hills to Hija Rosa. Okay. I just decided to pack light.\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_4322\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Road to Hija Rosi\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4322\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4322\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4322 \" title=\"Road to Hija Rosi\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/DSC02289-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"461\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nI am really glad that I said yes. I am also really glad that we had such nice weather. It was sunny and relatively warm. And the road which is dirt also was only muddy in a few places. Who could ask for anything more?!\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_4323\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Hija Rosi \"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4323\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4323\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4323 \" title=\"Hija Rosi \" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/DSC02282-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"461\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nTeteven is in the Stari Planina and the landscape surrounding the city is wild and beautiful. The walk to the hija was muddy but not very hard. A hija is translated roughly from Bulgarian as a mountain hut or maybe a mountain cabin. This hija was pretty great--with a big kitchen, a suite of seventeen different beds divided between a number of rooms and two horses.  Oh, yeah and really nice owners.\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_4324\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"I. and J. at dinner\"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4324\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4324\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4324 \" title=\"I. and J. at dinner\" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/DSC02358-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"461\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nWe all met up on Saturday morning divided up between 5 cars and drove the two or so hours to Teteven. We hiked in, ate lunch and then some of us rode horses.\n\nI. told her friends to speak to me in Bulgarian. That was great in theory but in practice it was totally impossible for me to keep up with people and conversations. So I spoke a little bit of Bulgarian, a little bit more English and I spent a lot of time listening to Bulgarian wishing I knew what people were talking about. Note to self: must learn Bulgarian.\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_4325\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"614\" caption=\"Happy (late) Birthday I.! \"]<a rel=\"attachment wp-att-4325\" href=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4325\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-4325 \" title=\"Happy (late) Birthday I.! \" src=\"http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/DSC02353-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"614\" height=\"461\" /></a>[/caption]\n\nBetween walking around in the mountain, eating a lot of great food, taking some pictures, riding a horse and generally relaxing, I had a great time.','Teteven, Kind Of','','inherit','open','open','','4319-revision-9','','','2011-02-21 22:07:40','2011-02-21 20:07:40','',4319,'http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/02/21/4319-revision-9/',0,'revision','',0),