Bulging Bulgarian Buses

Having been without a car this weekend it was the return to using the bus from Yambol to Skalitsa and back again this weekend. This is something I used to do regularly but haven't for quite while as I looked forward to the experience once again.

One thing I noticed was the fare remained the same as it was two years ago, 3 leva each way for the 35 km trip. The difference now it that the a mini bus was used instead of the old fashioned coaches which I had to pleasure of using these were vehicles that should have names, such as Colin the Coach or Barry the Bus. It is such a shame that they are being decommissioned out right now. there are still a few about but not on our route today.

The trip to Skalitsa was as expected, a Friday evening and the last trip of the day -packed to the hilt! Many passengers who didn't force their way to the front of the queue just had to stand bunched. There was no fear of falling over from the rolling minibus negotiating Bulgarian pot holed town roads, they were packed so closely together and couldn't move let alone fall over!

We were lucky, Galia was Bulgarian and a furthermore a Bulgarian woman as she managed her skillful Bulgarian technique of pushing in to the front, then saving a place for me once on the bus. I still can't bring myself to do such things with the 'ladies first' culture till embedded in me.

A stuffy journey it must be said but we arrived with only a short walk to my farm as the driver took us almost to our doorstep as the bus drivers do over here.

The journey back on Sunday afternoon was yet another experience that stick in the mind and something I had not encountered on this scale until now.

We were told the time of the arrival fo the bus was 4:30, it didn't arrive until 5:00, not surprising as 4:30 is another way of saying 5:00 in Bulgaria! There were at least 15 people waiting to get on the bus and the bus was fully laden with passengers including those standing all from from the previous town of Topolovgrad and village en route!

Do we now have to resign ourselves to staying in Skalitsa for another night? This was my immediate thought and I was quite willing to accept that for an early rise tomorrow morning. Other Bulgarians including Galia waiting had no such thoughts. GSMs was working overtime by the bus driver and moments later another minibus turned up, this one was empty and we duly boarded it. It may well have been waiting in the wings of a Skalitsa side road in case the demand exceeded supply as was the case here.

Both minibuses left following each other fully packed even at this stage with more standers than seaters. I knew that there were another three villages to be stopped at en route were more passengers were to be picked up and we were traveling in full capacity right at this moment! How will they cope?

Well the first village had 6-7 more people as the shuffling back went on with the existing standing travelers. It was at this point that Galia and I were beginning to realize that this was quite funny but only because we had seats. If we weren't seated then our smiles would have been wiped off completely especially with the smell of body odor coming from some of the standing population now definitely cuddling against their will!

Another village and more shuffling back with 5 more loaded on I didn't think this was possible as the minibus like a mobile can of sardines made its move again at a slower rate than before and for good reason with the overload it was now carrying.

The last village stop was Roza, the biggest village and the biggest number of travelers wanting to board for Yambol. There were at lease another 10 wanting to step on, surely this was not possible? More shuffling and a further four passengers boarded. We could see there were others now sitting on other's laps as Galia sat on mine freeing up another seat. Others however who didn't know each other refused to do this. One child was then put on the driver's lap and the remaining passengers sitting on the boarding steps and others leaning into the contours of the front window screen and sitting on the side of the ledge of the driver's dashboard!

All was now fixed together like a jigsaw puzzle when suddenly there was a shout from the back of the bus as it began to slowly move off! Someone had fallen asleep and had just woken up, he wanted to get off at this Roza stop...... Apart from those sitting on top of each other in seats, the whole bus had to disembark to let this old chap off and then reposition themselves as before. It was a humorous moment for all, you could tell as the atmosphere took a lift with the humorous side of the whole situation.

The bus now approached Yambol and the roads driven over very carefully not least because of the child helping with the steering!

We arrived a the bus station with a certain disbelief that so many people could fit into a minibus - Another Bulgarian experience which could have been much worse if I hadn't been with Galia who forced herself to a seat in the first place!

The strange things was everyone seemed to accept that this happens and gives cause for me to think that this is now a regular situation for these travelers. What compounds matters even further are the wads of luggage people take from the villages where all the produce they have grown are taken back to their apartment in the town with the minibuses having no provision for this. We were no exception with three big carrier bags full of tomatoes, peppers etc gathered from the farm.

I would recommend this type of journey for anyone purely for the reason of appreciating you current form of transport and having some degree of sympathy for Bulgarian travelers without cars.

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Bulgarian Trees

Trees in Bulgaria are the pillars of the land, respected by Bulgarians to the hilt from village to Central Government - A refreshing change in this world of waste and selfish profit making.

The tree has a wealth of uses to the Bulgarian and a replanting policy throughout the country will ensure the tree covered areas stay at around 30% of the area of Bulgaria.

Where do we start with the use of the tree? The warmth from the fire giving heating in the winter and cooking at all times, the most effective a green method of heat emission known from mineral sources. Wood burnt produces carbon dioxide, this is feed for trees and as long as the balance is kept Bulgaria remains pollution free from wood burning activities.

Tree bear fruits, nuts, berries, tea and various other goodies not only for human consumption but for animal feed and a renewable source each year. The fallen leaves provide more feed and fertility for the ground they rot on.

Wood is the staple diet of the Bulgarian home and surroundings from fencing to brooms, from toothpicks to propelled burning rockets and from rabbit traps to car jacks. Hanging goats and sheep from trees when skinning them, shaved twigs to clean out intestines and even using then as a swing for children, the list goes on.All hand made in most cases.

Cart pulled by horse and donkey are essentially wooden and many chassis on these popular and working means of transport are still made of wood.

Dead wood is collected and is a natural waste product used bu Bulgarians, this collection of dead wood for heating is legal and is common practice throughout the year.

Shaded areas for all that need it in the hot summer climate, a cooler areas for crops to grow, humans and animals to shelter and a haven for birds and insects alike.

Where would Bulgarian dogs go without a Bulgarian tree? Leaning on to talk and stub a cigarette out, falling asleep under them, giving it an odd kick when in a mood and using them to hide from the wife after a few rakias are just a few of the uses I have personally seen in my village.

The list really is endless.

On a more serious note the the tree and the wood from it is what Bulgaria is made from. It still is a wood cultured society with the main components of housing made from wooden structures, even wooden scaffolding and supports for concrete walls and ceilings in new apartment block going up.

Finally, and only really having passing comments on the topic, where would the the Bulgarians be without their beloved Slivatree, now where have I heard that name before?

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Bulgarian Crime - The Attraction

Crime in the UK is still on the climb and it is hard to imagine anyone in the UK who has not been directly or indirectly affected by this.

There are lots more reasons to leave the UK other than the events of crime and the total loss of a fair judicial system, however it is still one of the main players in the swing of people wanting to get away from Britain.

It is fair to say that a good proportion of British just put up with things as crime spirals its way out of control affecting the vast majority of people's quality of life and indeed freedom. Some of course don't even realize that other ways of life exist away from this and that the UK is the centre of the Universe come rain or shine - fair play but a shame.

The suggestion of looking at others who have had the vision and have tried it as these are the testimonies that ring true and give a new light of hope to many others who do not wish to be the pioneers and risk takers. Many follow on once a pathway has been trodden and expatriate communities abroad form from this in many instances, safety in numbers is a comfort for some.

Back to Britain, I refrain from calling it Great Britain but may rephrase that as Grate Britain as law abiding people are being put through the mill of an ill society that fails to protect them before, during and after crime strikes. A country that has become so over moral the whole system can't breathe from being strangled from it. Crime is now firmly rooted into UK society and part of the culture there now because in many cases it pays, but goes much deeper than that.

In Bulgaria crime exists but it is dealt with in a totally different way, criminals are punished when caught! Sometimes injustice may seem to have been done, perhaps on occasions innocent parties are punished but this is not common and say that these instances should be looked upon as an acceptable level of tolerance within the system.

No system is perfect but you have to look at the whole effectiveness of the system in place not just at the little nuts and bolts. I can see many a moral maniacs building up a head of steam with this but look again at what this shows in respect for the law and again look again at how you see things from your patch. No one has a right to judge other countries systems of law, in fact Bulgaria has as much right to tell Britain how to run their system.

Look at the bottom line, look at the overall effectiveness, look at the system that puts people off from committing crime - Question: Where exactly is the crime rate highest?

In many people's books there should be a fear of doing something criminal this just doesn't seem to be there in the UK but is here in Bulgaria. The police are feared here (as opposed to respected in many instances) and this is in conjunction a sprinkling of corruption within. That again may be deemed as another acceptable level that helps the police system work with fear in place. In turn, walking the law enforced tightrope carefully to most Bulgarian citizens is how it is and how it works here.

And yes, the Mafia work in their own circles doing their Mafia things in their own circles but Mafia exist worldwide with deep roots in the UK! They seem to be feared by all including the police but again this hierarchy is worldwide.

When the streets aren't safe to walk in the day as well as night then there is something terribly wrong with that society - You can do this in the vast majority of areas in Bulgaria. If truth is told you are more likely to get attacked by an inquisitive donkey than a mugger in most of the country and that in itself is rare enough.

Worldwide cities and large town attract criminal activities Bulgarian no exception but that's really where it ends and then there's the Roma. The Roma are a different story but again we all live with them worldwide some more acceptably than others.

So Bulgaria is a destination for many where the crime rate is non existent in many areas. That it the big appeal to so many. I am lucky enough to live in one of those areas where mine countless other villages find a totally crime free society within. The community don't need police as they know that everyone knows what is right and wrong in the local community. They police themselves!

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