After my <a href="http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/2011/06/03/why-did-i-choose-bulgaria/" target="_blank">earlier post</a>, I've been thinking a lot about the question:<em> why Bulgaria? </em>

This question and my post made me realize this: if I had to do it all over again, I'd choose Bulgaria again. Only knowing what I know now, my reasons for picking Bulgaria would be different.

Often it's easier to say what Bulgaria is not rather than what Bulgaria is. Bulgaria is not Paris. Bulgaria is not Rome. Bulgaria is part of the European Union but don't confuse this with meaning Bulgaria is Western European. Bulgaria is not part of some romanticized European tradition of the Grand Tour.

Sofia doesn't have a single main square like Prague or Krakaw. Sofia doesn't have a river of any merit like Berlin, Paris or Moscow. Sofia doesn't have a clearly defined or demarcated old town like Dubrovnik, Ljubljana or

I'd pick Bulgaria because of the people (my friends, colleagues and students not the surly waiters or grumpy women selling bus or train tickets), the language, the food, <em>
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