Bulgaria & Eastern Europe 1993 - Working on Assignment

Photo: Photo: Cat in a grocery store window

Food and Drink

  • Espresso You can get an espresso anywhere for about 15 cents. It is usually served straight in a small plastic cup. Occasionally someone might have a cappuccino as an alternative.

  • Rakia Rakia is a strong brandy that is a traditional drink. It seemed like many of our discussions took place in a bar where we drank either strong espresso or potent rakia.

  • Water Although the tap water is safe, most people drink bottled mineral water which is readily available in most food shops.

  • Bread Bread is always fresh and excellent. I would buy it freshly baked at a bakery in the morning, while it is still warm inside. A large loaf is about 25 cents.
  • Other Beef, pork, fish, and chicken are an important part of the diet. Bulgaria has very good cheese and is famous for its' yogurt. Fruits and vegetables are plentiful and are of a great variety.

Photo: Bugsy billiard club

April 23, 1993 Jogged in morning, about the first time in many weeks. Mostly watched Krasi work on reserve system. In the afternoon, I had another interview with a journalist. When this article appeared, I was surprised to see that the newpaper was the equivalent of the National Enquirer.

About 6:30 PM I got to talk to Plamen M. Our meeting of 5 minutes consisted of my presenting my models showing that his main plan was not profitable. He seemed convinced that he had to make the bonus non-guaranteed.>

April 24-25, 1993 Walked to downtown. On a number of weekends I would go see a movie. Usually they were recent American movies with the original soundtrack and Bulgarian subtitles. Western movies, music and books seem to have a big influence on the populations, especially the younger generation.

On Sunday I jogged to big park and back. Ate a big pizza in afternoon after seeing the International Art Museum.

Photo: Article in Dualos newspaper