Sofia, so fine–

BAM!  It’s the capital of Bulgaria, Sofia. . .mmmm, aaaahh!  This place is low-key, orderly, chilled-out, and full of interesting sights and sounds for a gringo like me to take in and ‘oooo’ and ‘aaaahh’ over.  Above you see the most beautiful building in town, the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral–the architectural style is Neo-Byzantine, and the vibe is imposing. . .next, it’s always fun to see the changing of the guards anywhere, and here we see them changing in front of the presidential palace–so official and nice. . .then you see the Church of St. George built by Romans in the fourth century c.e.–fabulous to walk inside a building that is about seventeen hundred years old–love it!. . .and finally a glimpse of the entryway to an archeology museum–love that Cyrillic alphabet.  There is a lot more to see here so, of course, I recommend that you add this place to your travel list. . .I am willing to bet a large of amount of Bulgarian currency that you will love Sofia as much as I do.

I send you Bulgar vibes from Sofia. . .feel them. . .they are more civilized than you might think.

To see more amazing images from around planet Earth simply click on a location of your choice in the category menu on the ‘About’ page of this blog. . .dive on in. . .you can go just about anywhere that you like right here, right NOW.

It’s lovely out there.

The E.U. rocks!

JAAA!  Here I am hanging out in Istanbul-Turkey, Sofia-Bulgaria, and Uppsala-Sweden. . .some wannabe members of the E.U. and one or two current members–I can’t keep track of who’s in and who’s out these days.  These are all wonderful places, and I say “ef you” to anyone who says “ef the E.U.”  It’s so fun, isn’t it?, when folks get caught saying undesirable things in supposedly “private conversations.”  News flash–there is no such thing as a private conversation when you are using a government phone to discuss government business.  Everyone should always be putting their best foot forward when at work. . .please, save the pseudo-tough and -world-weary and -sassy comments for the privacy of your own home when you are surrounded by those closest to you.  I love the E.U. and anyone who is trying to join the E.U., and you will too if you ever find yourself wandering around anywhere in Europe.

I send you effing wonderful vibes from Istanbul, Sofia, and Uppsala. . .feel them. . .they are full of cooperative and collaborative energy.

To see more fun images from around planet Earth simply click on a location of your choice in the category menu on the ‘About’ page of this blog. . .dive on in. . .you can go just about anywhere that you like right here, right NOW.

It’s lovely out there.

Bulgarian skinhead–

OH YEAH!  I hang with all types of people in all types of places.  Above you see my Bulgarian skinhead buddy who is taking me on an interesting tour of the dark side here in Sofia, Bulgaria.  He is somewhat angry and ready-to-rumble so I am hanging with him to keep him calm.  Now who’s gonna keep me calm?  Time for some deep breathing and mantra chanting. . .anyway, I love it here in Sofia, and you will too if you ever find yourself roaming around over here.

I send you diplomatic vibes from Sofia, Bulgaria. . .feel them. . .they can bring peace to the universe.

To see more fascinating images from around our tiny planet simply click on a location of your choice in the category menu on the ‘About’ page of this blog. . .dive on in. . .you can go just about anywhere you like right here, right NOW.

It’s lovely out there.

Sofia…wisdom–

Yes, Sofia means ‘wisdom’ in Bulgarian. . .wonderful place to visit my Bulgarian friend, Krassy–you see her above.  She escaped from Bulgaria with her husband back in the 60s sneaking through the countryside at night. . .amazing.  They made their way to Italy where they lived in some sort of refugee camp until they could book passage to the U.S.  She eventually settled in Pennsylvania where she worked for Merck for many years until her retirement in 2008 or so.  Her family had no idea where she was for many years as they did not tell anyone that they were leaving for fear of someone snitching on them.  Finally, after the wall came down, she was able to make contact with cousins, aunts, and uncles, and it was my great honor to hang out with her in the homeland for a few days back in ’09.  I love visiting friends in distant lands.

I send you reuniting vibes from Sofia, Bulgaria. . .feel them. . .they are sweet.

To see more fascinating images and read more fun stories simply click on a location of your choice in the category menu on the ‘About’ page of this blog. . .dive in. . .you can go just about anywhere that you like right NOW.

It’s lovely out there.

Take a moment today…

. . .to breathe and reflect on how lucky you are.  You are alive, you probably have clean running water, you probably have indoor plumbing, and you are probably free to do just about anything you want to do right this very minute.  Damn, that’s a good existence.

And then, if on top of all of this good fortune you have the ability to take a trip somewhere new every now and then. . .well, then that is just magic.  So here I sit enjoying a tasty beer and reading about the good times and the bad times that Bulgaria has experienced.  Most of you, my dear readers, have never experienced the bad times that Bulgarians have seen. . .so, be thankful. . .be joyful. . .because we have it damn good, right here, right now.  Mmmm, aaaaah.

I send you contemplative vibes from Sofia, Bulgaria. . .feel them. . .they are good for you.

To see more fun images from around planet Earth simply click on a location of your choice in the category menu on the ‘About’ page of this blog. . .dive in. . .you might learn a thing or three.

It’s lovely out there.

Follow the yellow brick road…

…and it leads to the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral here in Sofia, Bulgaria.  Who knew?!  Not a bad place to end up, but it does not feel like Oz to me. . .hmmmm, maybe I should go inside and see the man behind the curtain. . .ask him a question or three. . .see what’s what.

I love being in Sofia. . .in fact, I send you sweet vibes from this chilled-out town. . .feel them. . .they are full of wisdom.

To see more wonderful images from around our little planet simply click on a location of your choice in the category menu on the ‘About’ page of this blog. . .dive in. . .there is a lot to see and learn here and time is sooo short.

It’s lovely out there.

Easy fast–

 I wish an easy fast to my friends in Sofia, Bulgaria who happen to be Jewish.  A highlight of the time I spent dining with them in their cozy apartment was viewing the photos of their ancestors hanging on a specially-designated ‘ancestor wall.’  They wistfully shared stories and memories of the old days with me. . .what an honor to be accepted into their home and to feel the life energy of this strong, resilient family.  I love my Bulgarian friends.

Please join me in sending easy-fast vibes from Sofia to all of our Jewish friends everywhere as they observe the Day of Atonement, Yom Kippur.  Shalom.

To see more wonderful images from around the globe simply click on a location of your choice in the category menu on the ‘About’ page of this blog. . .dive in. . .there is a lot to discover.

It’s lovely out there.

Bulgarian moolah–

The main Bulgarian monetary unit is the ‘Lev.’  The word Lev means “lion” in Bulgarian.  1 USD equals about 1.5 Lev. . .so with 5 Lev I have about 3.25 US.  I spend all of the large notes in-country and bring the smaller bits home. . .fun to look at my moolah and remember all of the good times some of these bills provided for me.

I send you moolah vibes from Bulgaria. . .feel them. . .they are valuable.

It’s ‘lev’ely out there.

Brothers–

Bulgarians are hearty, thick, and they seem to enjoy having me around.  I love them.  We are brothers.  You haven’t lived until you have had your head squeezed by a drunken Bulgarian dude.  Fun, fun, fun. . .but not for the faint of heart.

These connections are all invigorating.  Being ‘out there’ mixing it up with the locals.  I love it, and I do it for you.  To show you that there is nothing to be afraid of out there with the common man.  It is all good.  I love the entire world.

Feel the embracing vibes that I am sending to you from Sofia. . .they are good for you.

It’s lovely out there.

Skinheads–

One of my more interesting evenings in Sofia, Bulgaria was spent in the company of some skinhead dudes.  Some were passed out in the corner–a cliche, I know, but as you can see true, true, true.  And the ‘leader’ is the guy with me above.  He told me he thought immigrants were ruining his country, the government should be tougher, that white people are the best, that ‘the man’ should stop keeping him down, etc.  The conversation took place with death metal music playing in the background the whole night.  Fascinating.

I will never forget this evening of philosophical discussion.  Gotta listen to everyone, but we don’t gotta agree with everyone.  If only we could all figure out a way to get along.  Alas, I am not bullish on this happening.

Sending you diverse vibes from Sofia, Bulgaria. . .feel them. . .some of them are good.

It’s lovely out there.