This horse kept vandalising my car at a communist monument | Romania, Bulgaria | Episode 8

It is time to leave the rainy Romania and head to the currently much sunnier Bulgaria. I am nervous at the border, but it’s for nothing: Once I’m past the hour long queues, everything goes as smoothly as always. I have even bought the road vignette online, so after the border I can just get going.
I end up spending six days in Bulgaria. It’s mostly with the intention of passing though, and I only stop for a handful of sights - with an accidental theme of caves! But boy are the places unique and worth stopping for! On the first day I visit the Rock-hewn Churches of Ivanovo (not in the video), which are a group of monasteries/churches cut into steep cliffs. I find myself struggling a bit with the climb due to the last remnants of the influenza, but I reach the caves and it’s fascinating to try to imagine how the monks would have lived in such a challenging place.
After a night of illegal wild camping (though I don’t think the people mind in practice) I head towards bigger mountains and the Monument House of the Bulgarian Communist Party, also known as the Buzludzha Monument. I drive ages (or so it feels) up curvy wooded mountain roads in the middle of nowhere, and after one last curve I’m out of the woods and encounter one of the most memorable sights I have ever seen. At the road level there’s a large torch monument with free-roaming horses around, and at the peak of the mountain stands a building in ruins, which can only be described as a big gray UFO. It kind of gives me the shivers, while being one of the most awe-inspiring buildings I have come across. I love it! It’s not allowed to go inside due to safety hazards, but there are photos online and even music videos filmed in there, so I can get a good idea of the peculiarity inside as well. It was built in 1974-1981 and served as a ceremonial venue and political museum, where visitors could take a guided tour with a group. According to the monument preservation website, the peak itself has an important meaning to Bulgarian history and identity due to various important historical events taking place there since the 19th century.
I camp with a view of the UFO and with the horses all around me (one is particularly interested in my car…) and in the morning happen to find a nail in my tire. How long it has been there, I have no idea, but I start to change into a spare. It is not the optimal place to have the car break down, but at least I have a unique environment for the job! However, I cannot get one bolt loose, so I take the risk (the tire keeps air) and drive to a mechanic with the nail still in. They are super kind and fix the tire without any charge. ♡
I spend the night in a guesthouse alone, and have the whole traditional Bulgarian home to myself. If only modern houses still looked like that!
In the last days I visit two more caves and just drive a lot to cover the rest of the country. Near the border with Greece I stop at hot springs for the night and get greeted by the cutest jumpy stray puppies! Soon they chill out and start sleeping at my feet, and the cuteness is amplified tenfold.
What a wonderful week and positive surprise this country has been! Until next time, Bulgaria!
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Music:
Haddeman77 - Roadtrip to Yakutsk
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Melodigne - Dream World
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Music_Unlimited - Happy Acoustic Guitar Background Music
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[@alexvainio]

You can see my diary entry for this episode in the description above!
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