About Walter Wornick Expertise I can answer questions about travel to and within Bulgaria. I can advise on sites to see and historic significance of many towns, cities and areas in Bulgaria. I am especially interested in the many monasteries and Eastern Orthodox churches in the country, places of horticultural interest, railroads, museum villages, folk festivals and places of scenic beauty, agricultural products, wines and birdlore.
Experience I have visited Bulgaria, as a tourist, six times in the last six years. I have traveled widely in the country and have many contacts there. I have some knowledge of the history of the country and collect books about Bulgaria for reference purposes.I do not speak Bulgarian, but have associates who do.
Publications I have written about trips to Bulgaria for the International Travel News and the Ascutney Travel Newsletter.
Education/Credentials I have an MS in Education and some advanced work.
Expert: Walter Wornick Date: 2/17/2004 Subject: Touch the Culture
Question What is the best way to touch and experience this culture?
What is a must see in Bulgaria, which is unique in the World?
What to expect about people?
What are the dangers about the political climate?
Why are you interested in Bulgaria?
Answer Your questions are rather vague. You don't say if your goal is to visit the country, etc...I don't exactly understand what you mean by "touching" the culture.Are you a backpacker or a 4 star hotel person? First you have to visit the country, which I have enjoyed doing 7 times and hope to go again this fall. British Airways has made it a bit easier to get there by now having flights from Heathrow to Sofia, with a good connection. Bulgarian Air now seems to have been resurected again and has flights out of Gatwick, but I have never tried them. Many other airlines also fly into Sofia and there is good train and bus service...
I would say that one experiences the culture as soon as one arrives as one is surounded by friendly, Slavic people, who speak an odd language and use the cyrillic alphabet.There is a very strong nationalistic spirit in Bulgaria, despite the fact that it is a very small country with a very poor economy. Each town and area delights in it's special heritage and local costumes, music and dance. This was brought home to me several years ago while attending one of the many Folk Festivals. I asked my Guide where different groups came from, and he would tell me the town or area, as the various costumes are well known. One group of men and boys were dressed in the manner of Greek soldiers, with short white skirts and large white blouses. They danced in a line in the Zorba the Greek fashion. I asked where they were from and was told "the south". OH, I said, that is the Greek influence. Not Greek, said my guide very forcefully, BULGARIAN. There is a national dish much like mousaka, but one would never mention the fact as it is a GREEK dish.
There are 168 Eastern Orthodx monasteries in the country. Most are located in out of the way places to avoid the scrutiny of the Turks who occupied the country for many years. They are a joy. During the rule of the Turks churches could be built no higher than the mosques, so some large cathederals look like small churches on the exterior but have several floors below ground....There are several "Museum Towns" that are of great interest and where many buildings have been restored and are open to the public.They are a people who refused to give their Jewish citizens up to the Germans in WWII. The King, government officials and Eastern Orthodox leaders joined together to prevent this although the trains to take them to the camps in Poland had already been ordered. One of only two contries to protect Jewish citizens.
As to the political climate, where else has a king run for elected office, won and become the Prime Minister? He promised a better life for the people and this has not happened and some have lost faith. I wander at will around the country and have never been robbed or bothered by anyone.The food is good and there is lovely bread, vegtables and fruit, lovely melons in fall....and of course yogurt and red wines. There are few tourists in the country. There is a large Gypsy populationand you still see trained bears in market places, as in the Middle Ages and other clans that make brooms in the market places... Mountains run east to west with lovely valleys in between. I like to stop and see the huge stork nests atop churches and other buildings. The people consider them to bring good luck. I use Mike Travel for my trips <miketrvl@mbox.infotel.bg> He can provide travel needs, at whatever level, throughout the country. I have seen Gaudi's work in Barcellona and enjoyed it.
