SOPHIA (Bulgaria)

      Have arrived in Sofia staying at Hotel Serdika Sofia. Supper was Lamb chops, red cabbage salad, potato soup, Thick Bread and a cherry cake. Bulgaria has a large variety of fruits. Beef is very rare to get. named for. Alot of mountains here.

      Have a guide, so we visited Pelister, Korab Shar Nidge, Deshat and Osogovo. Musala Mountain is 2925 m, not sure how high. After a fun day supper of Ajvar (salad) Pecheno Jaqne so zelka (Steamed clams) with cabbage potatoes, dessert was rice pudding, glass or 2 of Bovin wine. So full. Good view of the mountains from the balcony.

      Visited Monastery St. Pantelmon of Nerezi 12th century. St Bogorodica (St Hikola Teten village of Suica a 13th century. Had a nice glass of Vodka Pindzhu (stir fried veggies)Lamb stew a chocolate custard. .But here in Sofia moved over to the Boutique Hotel, to relax Will see a lot of large cities, to many small ones.

      Lunch was simple Kavarma (Chicken fillet, onion bacon, peppers excellent Glass of Traminer white wine nap time. Now off to see Historical parts of Sofia .Visited church of St George dates back to 4th century, Sofia its self back to 8th century. Been occupied by Ottomans Germans Russians Turks.

      Tour Guide show me Royal Palace at Battenber Square Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, beautiful Sofia has 16 universities. Visited Church of St Sofia from Ottoman rule 1877-1878 Vitosh is a symbol of Sofia over 7000 feet peak. Seen Sofia Sygagogue museum from the Holocust.

      Lunch of Shepherds salad with cold cows milk. Went to a party to see old dances. I enjoyed this. Food there was Shopsea salad Breaded Pork tongue with Inged flat bread with yellow cheese with mavrud Red Wine. Continued to watch the dances. Finally had small glass of Vodka(wow) Off to bed.

      Sofia got independence in 1990 having been prior Thracians, Slavs Huns Rome Byzantines, Ottomans Serbia France Germans Russians, they cherish freedom very much.. Seen a lot of Sofia which has over a million people.

      After nice walk Had Snezhanka (Salad) Gyuvech (Stewed Chunks of veggies and Lamb) Good thick bread, and a slice of cherry pie Glass of Traminer very good. They do sale cheap brands of wine.. Well good nights sleep and a good breakfast of oatmeal and milk to visit Vidin on the Danube River across from Romania and Yugoslovia.