One Night's Statistics On Bulgarian Roads

Driving a car in Bulgaria is a nightmare. The conditions of the roads are one thing but the road sense of Bulgarians is the main contention and cause of so many problems. It is worse at night and the advice from an expatriate here who has been driving for a number of years here, to others who aren't familiar with Bulgarian roads is simply - Don't drive at night!

Everyday I see many near misses and on occasion crashes. It is no wonder there isn't more fatalities and serious injuries on the roads from the evidence see. Many driver just have this crazy selfish death wish, not just for themselves but others on the road (and on the pavements for that matter.) So when I looked at some statistics today that were given out for accidents and fatalities for one given night on Bulgarian roads, I was quite surprised at the figures that were given.

There was only one fatality this particular night. I was staggered that this statistic was so low. Other statistics revealed that there were 23 people injured from 20 heavy car crashes. Still, I feel that this particular night Bulgarian drivers have got off lightly from their proven bad driving habits. It could be seen as a misleading statement though. They reported injuries for only heavy crashes, how many were injured from light crashes I asked myself? Perhaps the Bulgarian Ministry of Transport are painting a purposeful false picture (well actually I know they must be with my expatriate eyes driving in Bulgaria.)

There was one more statistic that sounded a bit more realistic, and if you have ever driven in Sofia you will understand why. The number of traffic accidents during this particular night in Sofia alone was 154. I assume this included light and heavy crashes. This is more like the figure I expect, but even these may have been watered down and plainly wouldn't include those accidents that weren't reported.

Driving in Bulgaria and Sofia in particular and even more so at night is a massive risk you take here. I'd be far more happy going back to my donkey and cart in my village, mind you I've nearly killed myself a couple of times doing that as well!

Statistics and picture taken from:

Bulgarian Fish and Chips

Another evening out last night with a friend of Galia. She is just as keen on fashion Galia is as all three of us walk into Yambol town at around 7:00 in the evening.

It is not often we see the town this time of the day as I was surprised that is was swarming with people of all generations. Most of the background noise was coming from the rented out little electric children's cars with their hard black plastic types rumbling along in and out of the crowds. It was a free for all traffic jam but no one was bothered with the inconvenience of having to avoid erratic steering of children as young as three driving unaided. It was very entertaining sitting there watching them for half and hour.

Why was I sitting watching them for half an hour? Galia and her friend were in a clothes shop looking for dresses, skirts and anything that tickled their fancy. I knew they wouldn't buy anything, they rarely do, they just love feeling and touching the clothing they can't afford.

So half an hour literally I waiting watching the Yambol folk walk, talk and enjoy the summer evening atmosphere. I remember before most families go for a walk in the town or park before their evening meal. That's exactly what we were doing but most clothes shops were still open after 7:00.

During this time I saw many unique Bulgarian happenings, in fact too many happenings they come and go so quick. One I particularly remember was a balloon seller. His wares are tied tot a fold up chair, as I looked closer he carried around with him a big chunky rock which is placed on the chair. It must weight around 5-10 Kg and placed there purely and simply to stop the chair toppling over with the balloons tied on the backrest being blown in the wind

The girls finally finished and it was now after 7:30, as we made a walk around town, this time just looking in the windows at goods but never stopping talking.

We finally stopped at a restaurant, we’d been to this once before and had fish and chips Bulgarian style. The same was about to happen with an added guest. This is also a stopping place for cats and dogs who get food thrown at them towards the end of most customer's meals. This is normal with restaurants in Yambol.

So, the talking continued but this time over food and beer, we didn't leave until gone 10:00. the place was just livening up with the night life coming into play, but we were too old for that tonight as we made out way back home.

The stars can be clearly seen in the black sky in Yambol and just a reminder of how unpolluted this region is.

A lovely evening and it made a change from sitting facing a computer all evening, in fact I think that's why Galia decided on this evening's plan, she says I work too hard and need a break.





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Cobblestoned Yambol

In Yambol over the past few months there has been much work and repair of the roads leading in and out of the town. In the main the side road have been worked upon. The main reason for this is the growth of the tree roots that spread themselves like giant underground moles creating rises and falls not only on the pavements but on the traffic bearing roads.

The Bulgarian way of doing this is by hand, there is no massive tarmac bearing machines with the job being finished in a couple of hours - the hands on job takes weeks but there is another reason.

Every road is being reconstructed with cobblestones. I really thought that the days of these types of road was coming to and end but it is thriving in Yambol. On a bed of compacted sand each individual traditional cobblestone is placed and sealed in place giving the arching patterns so characteristic of this form of road.

Whilst the repair and re-laying is going on there is absolute mayhem with the closed road but the beeping of horns, the shouting of drivers trying to negotiate their way up a two way street with a one way facility is very funny from a pedestrians point of view.

But then the pedestrians don't really have any consideration in any case as the pavement is totally block with stones and sand and walks up these road are either diverted into the middle of the road or high jumping over the bright yellow token tape. Pram and pushchairs have to contend with an assault course more suited to army training exercises. Do the they complain? No not an ounce as they make their way un-flustered through the obstacle set in front of them.

I suppose it has always been this way and Yambol is well versed in dealing with this. It is just another minor point in the overall development of Yambol that remains a lovely cobble based town in many places. Well worth the inconvenience.