Bulgaria – like Spain 30 years ago…..?
Before any of my recent trip to Bulgaria, I was surfing the Internet for information about the country in general. I came across a line on a property website that is claimed to “Bulgaria is like Spain 30 years ago”. This got me thinking … … …
When I was in my early teens, I traveled through Europe with my sister and parents every summer. We’ll just leave without a clear plan of where we were going to end, but a rough idea of when we will return, which is basically when we come down to our last pound note!
We do not have the luxury of me or my children take for granted today as a seasoned traveler – like the crisp clean hotel bed and room service. We both have a long shelf-ladened roof, piled high with camping equipment and clothing, or if we were a little better that summer, we have a second hand caravan attach to the back of our old car. I remember the caravan always be resold to tide us over while Dad went back to work.
I vividly remember one summer, when my father had been welded together two clever bread van – yes bread and make their van into a camper van, but the really clever bit is, when we arrived at the camp site, the rear sliding out , to provide two times the living room and bedroom – though not very good for “street credibility” of the two teens cool 70 – we definitely have fun.
My point is, we see and experience on those adventures, some of the most traditional and original from France, Italy and almost all of Spain.
So, if Bulgaria like Spain 30 years ago? Well, in my opinion – yes, in many ways … … … … …
The roads for example – in Spain, their road dual carriageways simple, poorly maintained and rarely. Until this year – a very similar path Bulgaria – where you expect to find a sturdy highway you may find a two-laned, pot hole ridden, suitable for cars, not feasible to asses the car never mind – and in-ground, donkey more common! But this year, I am pleased to note, that with EU funding of new highway is nearly completed and much of the main arterial road has now re-emerged – but “four by four” transportation is still the most commonly used in ancient rural areas is still an ass and carts!
Just as the Spanish youth.
Toilet – I remember many tears in my youth, where I have embarrassed crouched behind a tree, on the dusty roadside Spain, with my bottom area exposed through each child giggling doe-eyed insect or Spanish, because I can not travel farther to find British style toilets to sit! We have traveled many miles away, because I have stubbornly refused to use the traditional Spanish “squat pots” – smelly hole in the ground, with a porcelain tray with dirty footprints on either side, giving you clues as to where to put your feet! Yuck! But I wonder, is the tree is better?
Over the last three years I have traveled the length and breadth of Bulgaria, on my business trip – not looking for English-style toilets to sit, but certainly hope I can find one! Miles away, I should refuse to visit them “squat pots”, but I am happy to report that they are now cottoning on – lots of small cafes and bars on the edge of rural roads have now been re-updated, and you can find more and more “proper” toilet “, and at tourist sites, it is not unusual to go look for your own personal” tree “!
The people – one thing that stands out from my childhood holiday memory is of people in Spain. They are always so eagar for fun, especially when you escape to the countryside. I remember many occasions when we are given the fruits of the trees and drink from the village, although there is no cafe to talk about, people really want to meet with us, to try and chat to us and always shake hands – the way that they can brag to friends and relatives that they have met with a stranger! Currently Bulgaria is very similar.
When I travel in Bulgaria, from village to village, acquire property and land, I had the good fortune to meet many of Bulgaria – especially the older generation, were grandmothers and grandads left to take care of plants. You can see them in the summer especially, bent double from the year hoeing the ground that they tend to father and grandfather. Working away at their pieces of Wellies, with 80 year old girl brought them a glass of home made RAKIA or beer – they broke up to tell you, proud, how many generations have been plowing the fields, how many brothers and sisters they have left and push upon you the fruits of their work – literally, the biggest ball of garlic I’ve ever seen, apples, plums, carrots – you name it they grow it. I think when you remember that they get the equivalent of less than 10 pounds per month in retirement, they have to grow everything and anything they can, either eating or exchange with their neighbors. This is the old way of life, the hard way and un-comfortable life, but also a calm and un-complicated lives – many of us, who rush from one crisis to another, watching the clock, reporting to a boss, struggling the bill, look for this kind of direction quieter lifestyle for our early retirement.
Many of my clients, while not want to spend the generation of agricultural land, of seeking peace and tranquility that comes with rural life, whether it is in Spain of yesteryear, or today’s Bulgaria, the chance to settle in some of the small villages only 30 or 40 minutes from the beach has never been greater. From as little as £ 8,000 or £ 9,000, an Englishman who settled in the villages and breath life back into the havens. Renovating and building properties, together with their neighbors and friendly thank you, this is a new type of heaven. You may have a nice 4 by 4, while your neighbor has a horse and cart, and you may have a luxurious swimming pool, while your neighbor an old tin bath in the bath, and a pension you can buy groceries as a whole year in one month – but your neighbors will not mind, they are still going to share with you what they have, still watching for you, so they can greet you with smiles and handshakes … ..
So Bulgaria like Spain 30 years ago? Well in my opinion yes, but Bulgaria is moving faster, learn faster and have honesty about it that Spain lost somewhere along the way – Go and see for yourself – Bulgaria has so much to offer everyone.