България

Take you time - I took mine to write this :)
The (not so well photographed) view from my window just now:

I want to start this post with a Latvian saying : "If one moves to a new home on the Jurgi day and leaves the old home uncleaned, then he leaves his blessing for the old home." (Ja Jurģu dienā uz jauno dzīves vietu ejot, veco atstājot neslaucītu, tad tas vecā vietā savu svētību atstājot.)

I believe that this explains why my family is left with a somewhat dirty room. 

Oh. I did change some things in my life. But I want to start at the beginning. At the end of 2013 an idea manifested itself in my mind. I want to go to Bulgaria next year and have a good time in Sofia. Very simple and plain. 

 I considered different options and European Voluntary Service (EVS) was my way to do this thing. A host organization was found, a plan was made, a date was set and so it went. May 3rd.

I enjoyed some nice days with my family:

I packed my bags:

 I partied with my friends in Liepája: 

Went to the Riga airport, got my ticket(s):

 And liftoff with the end destination "Sofia"!

 From the air I saw the city, the Mountains, the Alexander Nevski Cathedral and there I was. I will be staying with the best possible host - Rian - for the first month here and we explored the city together in the first days. It really has a lot to discover. It is a nice mix of Monumental spots, lively streets and many small, hidden places to enjoy. 

 I'll be enjoying spots in the city for the upcoming year and I guess I'll write more about it as well. But up until now I must give my first "Thumbs up" for KANAAL - a beer cafe that will always give me the opportunity to enjoy special beers and tastes that surprise. You can check it out for yourself in Sofia or find their Facebook profile under the likes of my profile. Very soon I'll be going to the park at the Ivan Vazov national theater, which also is one of my early favorite spots. 

 However, what has made my heart beat faster the most, are the mountains in the background. Actually, they are not that far. It's just a city busride away to get to the side of the Vitosha mountain and start climbing one of the many slopes. Me and Rian opted for the Bojana waterfall path, which had nice mountain climbing elements and for four hours I was greatly entertained. And I know for sure that I will want to enjoy these mountains more and more. See the following pictures for an insight - forests, the look back on the city, the waterfalls, the wildlife. We also met a guy who talked to us about God and a dog that simply seemed attracted by our ice creams ;) 

Bojana Waterfall

Salamander Salamander

Sofia from the mountains in the Bojana district

And now it's time for me to go and get more impressions from Sofia, Bulgaria, the Balkans, the people, EVS and oh so much more. I'll be back when there's more to tell.

Please, comment what I should write about/discover and I will try and do that.

Janis.