Bulgaria prologue

Driving a Trabant is a unique experience. So say the organisers of our next trip… to Bulgaria.

Captured by the smooth talk of our organiser Neil at the Destinations Show pre-Covid, we decided that this trip, taking us around Bulgaria, would be quite a different experience.

With just a few days to go we have been advised that the Trabies, as they are fondly referred to by our organisers, are all ship-shaped. The entire fleet (around seven) has been through the workshop, given some upgrades, and the crew’s truck which will support our every need along the way has had a makeover.

To prepare for the Trabant unique experience we shall have some 30-45 minutes instruction, after which we should start feeling like we have ‘got it’ – the smooth-talking Neil’s words, not mine. After that, we are told, ‘we can wind down the window, perch our elbow on the doorframe, lean back and enjoy the countryside’. And we are hoping we will be able to enjoy the food and drink. Prices are extremely inexpensive compared to the UK (…and boy, the US as we found out a few weeks ago). Alcohol can generally range from 1 Euro (only for the brave) to around 10 Euros. Good quality is around that midway point. Amongst the cheapest alcohol is the local brew, Rakia. This local moonshine is home brewed, around 1 Euro a bottle, and can be a headbanger… literally. We have been warned!

Food focuses on kebabs, koftes, flatbreads and pizza. Chicken and pork is the norm, with beef and lamb being more difficult to find. Salad with white cheese is popular. A main meal is expected to be around 5 Euros – not that we will be spending Euros, as the Bulgarian lev (meaning lion) is the local currency. A lev is made up of 100 stotinki. Currently 1 lev is worth 43 UK pence.

We are also looking forward to some of the traditions of the Balkan people, one of which being that of nods and shakes. Opposite to our traditions, local people may be seen shaking their heads for ‘yes’ and nodding for ‘no’. It seems also they can be a nation of few words. Rather than, perhaps what we would refer to as being reserved and polite when asking for the bill in the UK ‘Could I please have, in your own time’, etc. They might use just one word – ‘bill’. No, they are not being rude, they are just being efficient with their words.

The weather is expected to be hot, warm, colder at higher altitudes, and possibly wet. Hence, we shall be preparing for everything… we hope. We are looking forward to travelling with our small group of unknown friends and back-up crew and will be reporting back along the way – wi-fi willing.

Copyright: Words and image Sue Barnard 2022