14-Sept-2014

Perfect Summer Sunday

If you asked me 3-4 years ago what would I do in a perfect summer day, I would've probably answered you that I'll sleep in until midday, then wake up and try to recover from the night before and have some breakfast, go for a stroll and then watch a movie in bed.

Now this is totally changed, and I could't be happier with the change. In all fairness, this perfect day today was possible only because my Mum was the one who had to worry about cooking lunch for the family, but other than that, was truly an ideal day, by all means and standards. So here is my perfect day ...

Waking up neither early nor late - around 9. Having breakfast, preferably something homemade and with a huge glass of milk involved. Then doing something fun but good for the health. Like cycling. Or going for a run or a hike. Or in my case - going skating. Yes, that's right, today I spent good 3 hours skating at the rowing channel. I don't know how many kilometers I have done, more than 2 for sure, but I felt so great that I could've kept doing it the whole day. A favourite pass time of mine since I was a child, I find it very relaxing for the brain ad very stimulating for the body. It's my yoga on the move. Unfortunately for me I'm not able to skate in Brighton since we live so freaking away from all civilized places and parks, but I find the time to do it every time I'm back home.

Then, after the intense part is time to go back home, have a shower and then lunch. The whole family together. And then a nap, because I'll need plenty of energy to play with the cat later on. When my Dad and I are both awake, we'll do a crossword or some other type of language mind game. And then another one. And maybe a third one, if we are having a good day. Then we'll go for a walk, somewhere in the neighborhood,wearing just shorts and tee, nothing fancy, just another hour spend outside in the nice weather. And when we go back home, we'll have a light dinner and we'll watch a movie together. Because Sunday!

 

 

You can't get lost if you don't know where you're going...

13-Sept-2014

Travel Diaries: Plovdiv, Bulgaria

Part One: History Notes And Travel Must-Stops

My hometown is pretty awesome, you guys! It's the most beautiful place I have ever been to this day, and I have been in Milan, Paris and Barcelona. Although I'm somewhat bias because hello, I grew up here, there are plenty of other people who'l back me up. Like the committee for the European Cultural Capital who named it 2019's Capital. That has to mean something, right?

So, Plovdiv is the 6th oldest city in the world and the eldest in Europe, exciting since the 4,000 BC. It's located in the south-central part of Bulgaria, on the banks of the Maritza river. The city has developed around seven hills that have become its trademark. Rhodope mountains are nearby and the Upper Thracian Plain is surrounding it.

Over the centuries the city has been given many names, each inspired by whoever is ruling it at the moment. While part of the Macedonian kingdom was named after Philip of Macedonia, father of Alexander the Great - Philippoupolis - meaning The city of Philip. While part of the Roman Empire it was called Trimontium - meaning The city on the three hills and later, during the Ottoman rule, was named Filibe. It's contemporary name, Plovdiv, dates back to the 11thC, and it's first found in old-Bulgarian documentation. It's believed to be a combination between the Thracian and Slavic names for the city.

The Roman empire left a visible mark on the city - an amphitheater, a gladiators arena and aqueducts are among the monuments left in Plovdiv from the ancient times.  They are all open to the public and an active part of Plovdiv's life. The amphitheater is insuperable part of the cultural life, hosting numerous plays, operas, concerts, festivities and celebrations. Due to its regal atmosphere and superb acoustics, the amphitheater is the preferred location for all classical musical occasions, among which an international festival celebrating Verdi's art.

The Amphitheater

While part of the Ottoman Empire, Plovdiv developed a beautiful old town. All houses are in the typical for Bulgaria Revival Style - two storey, small windows, wooden blinds and pretty bright colours. Two of the hills where the most beautiful revival houses are located, form a neighborhood known among all as The Old Town. There are most of the classic museums and galleries, as well as some rather impressive churches. Cobblestone streets are leading locals and visitors up and down the hills, from a church to a tiny restaurant set inside an old house to a marvelous view. Oh, and there are the Ottoman Baths as well!

Plovdiv Old Town

Plovdiv Old Town

Plovdiv's main street has been just announced to be the longest pedestrians only street in Europe, so do remember to take a lazy afternoon walk on it. Starting at the Post office square it goes pass the beautiful Municipal building, build by the same architect who designed Vienna's main street, walk along the hundreds of shops but make sure to take a look at the gorgeous old houses along the way. Then you'll see the Cuma Mosque and the roman theater. The main street continues forward, in the so called "Small Main Street", where buildings get more and more communist inspired still the Plovdiv style is present - flowers and build in the pavement lights cane make even boring apartment buildings looks amazing.

Main Street

City Hall

Don't forget to take a stroll down the rowing channel. Locals' favourite place to escape the summer heat, to cycle in a safe environment or to just to sit and watch the time past by. During the rowing season there will be regular competitions that are free for the open public to attend. Just next to the rowing channel is the zoo, making it the perfect family-friendly place. Most of the kids that grow up in Plovdiv will learn how to ride a bike or who to skate at the alleys along the rowing channel, me as well.

Rowing Channel

To Be Continued ...

You can't get lost if you don't know where you're going...

12-Sept-2014

Velvet And Leather

Listen. This is Alecia Beth Moore. And Dallas Green. But let's just focus on Alecia. Her voice is soft and tender, and amazing. Doesn't she sound like touching expensive velvet. Amazing, amazing, amazing! I''m stunt. This is my new favourite duo, since the end of The Civil Wars.

Oh, and by the way this is actually Her Royal Majesty P!nk, Queen of Rock. She's just being softer than usual...

You can't get lost if you don't know where you're going...

11-Sept-2014

9/11

Let us all take a moment and remember all the innocent people who died 13 years ago. It doesn't matter who sparkled what, and which country did what. What it matters is that killing others is bad. Good or bad. But especially when they are innocent and all they have done is being in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Now, a moment of silence, please. And may time brings the families of the victims some piece.

You can't get lost if you don't know where you're going...

10-Sept-2014

10 Books

Here's the thing - all my Facebook friends have been sharing the 10 books that have changed them. It's some sort of a challenge that  they have been going around the web for few days now and everyone is sharing (or bragging) with the 10 most important books in their life, so far. I've been nominated as well, but since I'm not big on Facebook and I would much rather share this here, on the blog, here are my 10 books. 

The TEN books that changed me:

1. 1984 by George Orwell

1. The Catcher In The Rye by J. J. Salinger

1. La Casa De Los Espíritos trilogy by Isabel Allende

1. For Whom The Bell Tolls by Ernest Hemingway

1. Fight Club by Chuck Palahniuk

1. Harry Potter Series by J. K. Rowling

1. The Godfather by Mario Puzo

1. Dreams from My Father: A Story of Race and Inheritances by Barack Obama

1. The Anatomist by Federico Andahazi

1. Cien Años De Soledad by Gabriel García Márquez

Other notable mentions:

1. To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee
2. On Black Sisters Street: A Novel by Chika Unigwe
3. Stories by O.Henry
4. Pandora by Anne Rice
5. The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
6. East Wind: West Wind by Pearl S. Buck
7. Тютюн by Dimitar Dimov
8. The Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy by Douglas Adams
9. The Taming of The Shrew by William Shakespeare
10. Perfume: The Story Of A Murderer by Patrick Süskind 

You can't get lost if you don't know where you're going...

9-Sept-2014

Swing Dream

Lunch in a boat. In a lake. On a sunny afternoon day. With homemade cake and tasty apple juice. A picnic on a boat and swing song playing somewhere nearby. I've been dreaming of this.

8-Sept-2014

Just My Type

If you divided me into atoms, into quintessential practicals. you would've discovered that I'm made out of ink and letters. I am what I write, past, present and future. I don't create artistic work anymore, I don't write poems nor short stories. I don't wake up in the middle of the night with half a verse stuck into my head and the other half still making its way from my heart through my veins, around the green liquid in a glass bottle in my neck that is my soul, to my mushy pinky brain. No. I don't do that. Not me. Not anymore. Now I'm writing about my daily life, the pots and the pans, the days when I work and the days when I don't, the socks and the thongs. Well, maybe not about the last two but you get my point.

But will you write about me sometime?

You can't get lost if you don't know where you're going...