Here are some tips and cautions you might find useful for our Bulgarian adventure.

Security

1. Leave the key at the desk when you leave the hotel. Keys often have the name of the hotel and the room number. It’s safer if you leave the key at the desk. It also helps if there is one key to the room and two roommates.

2. There is almost no physical violence toward tourists but there are pickpockets. We’ll tell you where to be most careful and remind you often.

3. Don’t give money to gypsy kids or families on the street. They can be persistent. Say “ne” and walk on. If you stop, it may also be an opportunity for pick pocket activity.

Phoning America

4. Always check to see how much a hotel will charge you to phone America. You can call home and have your family call you back immediately. Usually saves money although you may want to check with you local phone company to see what THEY charge to call Bulgaria.

5. You can also buy 200, 300, and 400 minute phone cards which can be used in special “blue phones” to call the U.S. To dial America you would dial 001 and then the area code and number in the U.S. Very easy. Phone card calls cost about $1.00 a minute. There is a nine hour time difference between Bulgaria and Denver.

6. More and more cell phones now work in Bulgaria but the cost is usually expensive.

Program

7. You will have a printed program that shows all events and their times including free time. On the days we take the bus, we are asking that your luggage be downstairs in the lobby of the hotel 15 minutes before the bus leaves so we can keep on schedule. There will be people to help with luggage.

Money

8. As a reminder, bring new bills without writing or marks on them anywhere.

9. We will show you where to change money the day we arrive, not far from our hotel. NEVER change money from someone on the street with a wad of bills.

Shopping

10. If you wish to shop, you can do this during your free time. Nancy can show you the best places to buy certain things and tell you which stores give discounts. Here are the best places to buy certain things:
    • Amber Sofia
    • Silver Sofia, Veliko Turnovo
    • Lace and sweaters Sofia by Nevski Cathedral. Nancy will introduce you to Lydia.
    • Interesting surprises, everywhere
11. Antiques are available but you should buy only from a reputable dealer, not a street merchant. A real antique will require paperwork to get it out of the country. We can do this but need a little time.

12. Shipping home is very expensive. Better to pack light and bring two suitcases or buy one there.

Translators

13. We will have a translator with us at all times. Please do not buy gifts for the translators as we travel. This is tempting because you will like them and they will admire things they see. Each is being paid a salary for their work and an appropriate gift would be a tip at the end of the trip. We will collect any tips you wish to provide for the translators and our hosts and give them at the good-bye dinner.

14. By the same token, the translators have funds to buy their own lunch when we are lunching on our own. A beer or a drink in the evening is a nice treat, however.

Language

15. When meeting a Bulgarian, it helps to speak slowing (but not loudly) until you discover how well they speak English. Many vendors speak “business English” meaning they can sell you their product but may not know much vocabulary beyond that. If you ask a question and don’t get an answer, try slow simple sentences using a lot of nouns. Bulgarians are very nice and not rude on purpose but language can be a problem.

Relations with Bulgarians

16. Don’t invite Bulgarians to visit you in the United States until you know someone very well. Many Bulgarians are desperate to get to the United States and may not wish to return to Bulgaria. Don’t offer to pay the way of someone to the United States. Don’t offer to sponsor someone. If you wish to do any of these things, it would be well to talk to our host leaders or Nancy about the legal responsibilities this entails. If Bulgarians ask you to sponsor them or pay for a trip or invite them to the United States, be friendly but vague.

17. Bulgarians don’t seem to like to have purses, packages, or particularly feet on a table. They may ask you to move it so better not to put it on the table in the first place.

18. Most of the places we visit will have relatively nice toilets but some are “two footprints and a hole”. Bring tissue and be open minded.

19. Bulgarians are very open about dress. You can comfortably wear about anything.

Emergencies

20. We will supply you with a list of phone numbers of all the hotels, Iskra’s cell phone (it’s always on), the number of a contact at the American Embassy, and the number of an American in Denver who is from Bulgaria and can help you find help if all the other numbers fail for some reason.