Sorry... once again I have neglected to post for a considerable amount of time. I had been in Sofia, Bulgaria for most of the time, and I guess, although I was enjoying myself, there wasn't much to post.
I am now in Veliko Turnovo, Bulgaria. It is a beautiful little town climbing the sides of a mountain overlooking a valley. There's a beautiful fortress that has an amazing sound and light show at night. The view from the hotel that I was staying in was stunning, but I have now moved to a private house because it is cheaper. I have been here for 5 days now, a big surprise as I only stopped here for the night to meet a friend from Sofia who was visiting his girlfriend here. Now 5 days later I am still here and probably won't leave until Sunday or Monday. I was going to leave today, but I was invited to a rock climbing competition (to watch, not compete) on Saturday, so I've decided to stay.
Ever since I was denied my Syrian visa, my trip has taken many strange turns. I feel a bit lost and unmotivated, though I must admit, I have accidentaly ended up in some fantastic places with fantastic people, so I can't quite complain. Wandering aimlessly in a part of the world you have no previous knowledge of, and no guide book or other information for is a bit adventurous I suppose, but it's harder for me to leave the comfort of where I am at the moment and to move off into the unknown. I guess the point is that there is no use in suggesting what I will be doing or where I will be going, because it could easily change at any moment... so I'll just try to keep you updated on what I already have done.
As some of you may already know, I have been hoping to get a job with the Baltimore City Fire Department. Before I left for my trip, I signed up on a waiting list, but I was under the impression that the opportunity would not arise for 6 to 9 months. Unfortunately I just got notice that there is a test for applicants tomorrow. Obviously, I will not be able to make it home in time for that. Had I had more notice, I would have returned early from my trip without any regret. So, I'm a bit dissappointed that I missed the opportunity, but I suppose that now I can go on with the rest of my trip without having to worry about it, as there most likely will not be another academy for at least 6 months. I was hoping to come home just before an academy started so that I don't have to live some sort of temporary existence when I get home for a few months while I wait for something to happen, but, as with everything on this trip so far, nothing goes quite as planned.
My experience here in Bulgaria has been quite interesting. I spent a over a week with some friends of a Bulgarian girl that we met in Istanbul. All of them, and their friends, are really cool, friendly people who have been incredibally hospitable to me. Instead of staying in a hostal, going to museums, reading in a guide book where to go and then leaving for the next town 2 days later... which is a typical experience when traveling alone in a foriegn country... I have had a much different experience. Hanging out at the house with friends, go-kart racing, fishing in a lake in the mountain and then making a big meal at home etc. has made me feel much more at home, rather than a tourist. The town I am in now I wouldn't have known about unless someone I met in Sofia had told me about it. When I came here, I met more friends of the people in Sofia and ended up in a classroom the next day with a Bulgarian guy who teaches English. Different experiences like this have made my time here in Bulgaria very memorable, and I suppose that makes up for the feeling of not knowing what the hell I am doing here, or where I will go tomorrow.
So, there's my major update. As I said, I don't really know what lies ahead, so I won't bother. I am anxious to get some definitive plan as to where I will be going for the next few months, but I guess that will come when the time is right. Take care all........