You Would Not Expect This in Sofia Bulgaria
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- Опубліковано 10 лют 2024
- You would not expect this in Sofia Bulgaria.
Join me was we discover the city of Sofia in Bulgaria.
We set out to find the best place to eat the world famous Bulgarian breakfast (zakuska) called banitsa.
On our journey we meet the locals, talk about history and discover the multicultural side of the country.
Lets discover extraordinary Sofia together!
If you enjoy adventure videos from the former Soviet Union and Eastern Europe, then grab your vodka, some zakusky and join me as we explore the Truly extraordinary city of Sofia in Bulgaria.
Thank you to all my UA-cam Members and Patreons for your support and for helping make this channel what it is!
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Wonderful county
Lovely people, amazing food, beautiful nature
Most travellers from USA don’t know about Bulgaria
Lost treasure country
Agreed… thanks for watching my friend! 👍👌
Thank you
Thank you so much for the kind words! I wish you all the best and be sure that good people are always more than welcome in our home land.
Your Bulgarian accent is very good! Welcome back to BG.
Thank you my friend, always good to be here👍🙏
@@J.E.E You sound like a local, it's almost uncanny, you are a spy
I'm really glad that more people are getting to know about Bulgaria from your videos, because it's a wonderful place on Earth and as a Bulgarian I can't be more proud! I'm glad that you enjoyed your stay here, and always feel welcome to come back! 🇧🇬
Thank you so much my friend, i appreciate the kind comment!! 👍😃
I was just in Bulgaria to visit my brother Born in Sofia and grew up there . Left in 1989 and live in Canada now . Definitely going home when I retire What was I thinking lol Beautiful country It s home Glad you enjoy Sofia Your videos are amazing 😊
Thank you so much my friend, your country is amazing👍👍👍 All the best
@GeleNikolov аре на вокзал боклук
@@J.E.EThank you so much for the kind words! You are always welcome here. God bless you!
I visited Sofia as a one off didn’t have any knowledge about the place but so glad I did a really nice friendly city with centuries of architecture overlapping. Well worth a visit.😊
I completely agree mate... Let's spread the word👍👍👍
OMG, I'm glad to see you finally back to Bulgaria! You like Bulgaria and Bulgaria like you too😊 Have a wonderful stay here, Justin!
I like Bulgaria. It’s cheap, has good food. I like the areas of Sofia with narrow cobblestone streets and old architecture. I was going to go move there, but they make it hard to get residency as a non-European (I’m American) who’s not at retirement age. But it’s easy to visit, and it’s nice, especially from spring to early autumn.
Hello mate... Maybe consider learning something in Bulgaria!!! Might help your visa issues😊😎🤔
@@J.E.E A student visa is a good idea except I don’t think I can get one. Well, I know that I cannot get a work permit type visa because I registered a single-member LLC in Bulgaria. I assume the same applies for a student visa because the lawyer didn’t suggest this option. In some countries, it’s easier to get residency if you have a company but not in Bulgaria. The lawyer gave me options, but they are not realistic in my situation. For example, I can hire 10 locals except I can’t afford that many! Bulgaria has its rules, and I respect that. I’ll move somewhere else in Eastern Europe where the rules are different. I’ve been watching your channel to help give me ideas of where.
I wouldn't say it is cheap but OK.I mean for the average salary (about 1500 lv) compared to the cost of living.
@@thegingerrunner9448for foreigners i think is cheap. But for us bulgarians is very hard. Many old people get around 500 leva on month which is 250 euro. Imagine to pay your bills , your medical needs and what about the food. What about to give presents to your grandchildren or go visit some other country like tourist. Absolutely impossible. Working all your life , 40 years, raise good your kids and in the end you still live miserable. Its just not right.
@@mrkcurhello there ! Well its really that hard to get to live here ? I didnt know that. Maybe i am going to check and find more information about that and will update you. For me Bulgaria is one of last places on earth where you can fell safe compared to what i have seen in many many other countries. We are very good people and hostile even last 34 years was so hard for us. But still feel better than other EU countries . 😊
Hi Justin! Sofia's "Square of Tolerance" includes a mosque, a synagogue, an Orthodox church and a Catholic cathedral. So you just missed the Catholic cathedral St. Joseph which is also within a few minutes walk and completes the so called "square".
But I guess, you completed "Justin's Square of Tolerance" by replacing the Roman Cathedral with the banitsa shop, which is equally as important.
Have a good one, check out Vitosha mountain if you have the time, you can catch a bus and then a cabin lift to get up there and then enjoy a traditional meal while looking down at the capital - surprisingly the only European capital located next to a mountain!
Thanks for clarifying mate!!! But as you said, Justin has to do it his own way👍🤪
@J.E.E Hey, to me the banitsa shop is like a religious temple too, so well played!
2:30 - I never thought I would see a foreigner enjoying local баница so much.
I'm glad that you liked and I hoped you enjoyed your stay in our country. Cheers, Justin.
Thank you for visiting my beautiful country❤
Thank you, my friend, for watching and commenting.👍🙂
Hey Justin, I'm glad that you liked our capital 😊 but I think you should go to see the most ancient town in Europe which is 6000 years old , and in the 6th place in the world named Plovdiv 😊 It's my birth town and I love it 😊 Have a good time in Bulgaria!!!
oh yes, i love sofia but plovdiv is an amazing city
Have you been in Plovdiv ? The vibe there is amazing, going back for sure.
Hello mate, I have but not as a youtuber... Will be going soon👍
Hello Justin. Glad to see you back to Bulgaria, a colourful country hah. I see many people trying to engage with you, Bulgarians seems to love you . I understand you have special aura man.
Finally,😊. Justin is back!! Looking forward to many more!!! Always great content .... Keep it going!! Big love from a BIG fan base in Prague/Liverpool xxxx
Thank you so much mate!!! Great to be back on the road and sharing it with you guys👍
Stay tuned for plenty more and thanks for the support
I recommend u visit Bachkovo monstery close to Asenovgrad ... U go to Central bus station> ask for the bus to Smolyan .. and pay for a ticket to Bachkovo (on road II-86) in the Rhodope Mountains and look up Krustova Gora / The Cross Forest..
Great video, I appreciate how respectful you are to history and different cultures.
Thank you so much, i really appreciate the nice comment! 👍😃
There are multiple nice church buildings in the city, but many of them are not in large squares and open spaces. 500 m to the right from the Synagogue you can find also the biggest catholic cathedral (100 m from St Nedelya in the video). It has its old small part but also a new one, a large tall building, constructed some 20 years ago.
100 m from the above mentioned there is also a smaller one, the Orthodox church of the Romanian Patriarchate. The town also has a small and nice Russian Orthodox church and several Protestant churches.
Jose (the Peruvian who lives in Latvia) sending you greetings from Peru!! I will be back in Latvia on the 11th, I will let you know, so we can meet... Good to see you are back on the road, travelling and sharing your adventures!
Funnily enough just this morning I thought to message you today to see when you are back in Riga!!! A couple of months later but super looking forward to it.👍
A really nice video! 2 minutes away from the synagogue is the catholic cathedral and then you have the orthodox church that you showed first. It's a 1 square kilometer with 4 quite big and old (except for the catholic one) temples of different religions.
Enjoyable video, great seeing you back out and about. Keep up the good work.
Thank you so much mate👍
Cheers for the youtube algorithm. This video showed up in my recommendations, and I was not disappointed. You helped me see my own city form a different perspective XD
I must say that I'm impressed by your level of speeking and understanding Bulgarian language.
Thank you so much!! 👍🙂
Hey Justin! Just subscribed and enjoying your contents! Greetings from Plovdiv, Bulgaria! You should come if you still haven`t been in Plovdiv, айде бе, you are welcome!
Great video as usual. Thank you.
Thank you so much mate👍👍👍
Grat videos, Justin, thank you
1. The Largo is also known as the authorities' triangle. In the middle is the Parliament, on the right behind you is the Presidency and on the left is the Ministers Council.
2. In that particular area, there is not only a mosque, a sinagogue, and a cathedral (which is orthodox) but also a catholics church.
3. There are so many types of БАНИЦА, you can make a full episode only about it. It is not a puff pastry, it is usually made of sheets, but not only. Also it can be made with cheese, fruits, meat, vegetables in different shapes and sizes.
4. Next time you're in Bulgaria, visit some deep coutryside villages and/or wild nature in the mountains or forests.
Best regards,
Hey Justin I just saw the most amazing thing as you would say, although strange and surreal is my definition: there’s two giant outdoor billboards in the streets of Mexico City promoting Moldovan tourism! I couldn’t believe my eyes, unfortunately I was driving and didn’t have my camera handy I will try to take a few photos next time I’m in the area it’s actually one of the busiest avenues in the city.
That is sooooo cool, send it to me on insta. Good to see I am not the only one trying at least😉
Thank you for this video.Great display of my city.Keep it going !
I am so glad you enjoyed the video! 👍🙂
Thank you for visiting your bulgarian accent was honestly amazing and im glad you seemed to enjoy your visit hopefully you come back again you're awesome
It was such a pleasant surprise to see Michaela in the video :)
Welcome back to Bulgaria, Justin! Safe travels!
Thank you so muchate, great to be here👍
Another great video my friend. Keep them coming. I want to go to Bulgaria one day.
Hello mate, I am happy you liked the video, and I like the fact that it inspires you to want to travel... Start packing mate
i wait this video so much love sofia justin great place and great video friend
Thank you my friend, so happy you enjoyed it👍
@@J.E.E hope part 2? ❤
Welcome in Bulgaria 😊 im amazed of how good you speak our language. Its really nice to hear that speach from you! I am going to watch now the video and comment more later. Respect.😊
You speak very good Bulgarian. I remember from previous videos you know some languages. Hopefully you like our country, enjoy!
banitsa is traditional. We use it as a breakfast. Also it is known as a Christmas dinner. We put some wishes on paper and coin - in each slice one of the wishes. It is good and traditional , but at home we make usually big square one.
Had some colleagues and a few friends from Bulgaria. I lived in Budapest for 3 months a couple years ago and absolutely loved it. This summer, I'll be visiting Sofia, Split, & Bucharest for a month each. Can't wait to experience the food, culture, sights, architecture, and history of these countries!
Also recommend visiting Troyanski Monastery and Shkembe Chorba and Jagerhof Draught Beer (nalivna bira) and fries at the mehana a couple of hundred metres away in Oreshaka village
Thank you so much my friend for the amazing recommendations... I will be back in Spring so this is all very helpful🙏
Cheers mate. Glad my recommendation went down well 👍
It was phenomenal 👍👍👍 Thank you so much🙏
Hey guys. Can I ask you where exactly is this banitsa shop?
ul Iskar. Close to ul Budapeshta.
Hi Justin I've just Subscribed to your Utube Channel. Have to say Bulgaria looks a fascinating country a place I've never yet seen but your video was very interesting so Thank you so much for your given shared time, Loved the Video from me Steve in Manchester 🇬🇧
I think Bulgaria may just be added to my Bucket list.
Justin i like you show our beautiful country to the world! Take care and good luck man!!
Thank you so much! 👍🙂
Great vidio sir. As a UK expat liveing in Sofia for 7 years ( can only be polite in Bulgarian ) but Sofia is a great place to retire to love it here apart from the burocy and leagel system..
He's back! Great video! 👍 Would love to see you visit the countries of former Yugoslavia! Any plans on making videos there?
Hello mate, love the fore yougolav countries... Planning on it so stay tuned my friend
Hi JUSTIN we missed you hope everything well, from fresno ca.
My grandparents are buried in the old Ararat cemetery in Fresno. I know most of us growing up never had an interest in visiting Armenia but watching Justin's videos has definitely motivated me.
Good to be back, and I missed all you guys too, so thanks for commenting
Stay tuned for plenty more👍👍
Music to my ears mate👍
Great video!
Glad you enjoyed it 👍😃
BRAVO JUSTIN!!! I.M SO VERY HAPPY FOR YOU AND THE VIDEOS YOU MAKE- I LOVE IT!!!WELCOME TO BULGARIA .MAKE MORE VIDEOS AND GOD BLESS YOU.
Thank you so much, your support means everything!! 😃👍
You are very positive and energetic person! I love it! ❤ Поздрави от България 🌼
Thank you so much, i really appreciate the nice comment! 👍😃
Wow, I can't believe how good your bulgarian it is. Also you know part of the history, very nice. Enjoy your holiday, cheers 🍻
Thank you so much my friend, i appreciate the kind comment!! 👍😃
well done justin keep it up nice to see u in good shape allways
Thank you so much, very kind words!! I do my best🤪
@@J.E.E welcome my friend 😉
Dear Justin. Great video, I have been to Sofia last year and the year before and I really love it. Greetings from Krakow :)
Hi Jack... I agree an amazing place, next time try also Plovdiv and Varna👍
I have been to Plovdiv 15 years ago and two years ago spent 5 days in Varna and i have really enjoyed the atmosphere. I also went to Sozopol, Neseber where i also stayed 15 years ago and visited Albena where I was with my parents when I was 6 years old and could still remember it as nothing has changed since then. I also went to Shumen to see the famous monument. @@J.E.E
My hometown 🇧🇬 Thanks for the video 🙏
Thank you so much for watching and commenting. 👍👌
Great channel, just stumbled on you and I binge watching it! Bulgarian here, I think as a lot Bulgarians think (on the comment why we should speak English) that we saw what happened to Italy, Portugal and most of all Greece when the country gets to be famous trendy tourist destination. Meaning there is a massive influx of digital nomads and other people that make the cost of living very hard for the locals and it is hard already as it is. That is why you wont see Bold and Bankrupt making videos in Check Republic because he is living there. Just keep it in mind my friend
Your Bulgarian is amazing. Well done mate :)
Thank you so much! 👍🙂
Excellent 📷 Video! Greetings 🎉
Glad you enjoyed it 👍🙂
Happy Birthday To You!🥳🎉🎁
Thank you so much my friend🍸🎁
Love your Bulgaria vids Justin, i go most years as my parents retired to a small village between Varna and Balchik after going there most summers from the UK since i was little, you should do a video around Balchik next time you get the chance, it is a beautiful location with plenty to see and the seafood is to die for, hopefully see you around Varna one day! The first Kamenitza is on me 🤣👌
Sounds like a plan👍👍👍 I have been to Balchink but will definitely make a video there👌
The best food in the Center is Dönerstag ... 11A Iskar str. -- the IPhone of Duner ... 12 leva... Berlin style doner from Rhodope Beef and lard (since beef is dry) from mutton or lamb...
Thank you for letting me inside the mosk and the sinagoge in my city :D
I was just in Sofia a few weeks ago, great place to visit 🇮🇪
Agreed… thanks for watching my friend! 👍👌
Hi!
Seriously, the city is cool, but what is most worth seeing is the mountain - Vitosha, if you'v come sofar to see the city, don't miss out to see the mountain!
Good job man, used to live in Sofia for 4 years and than moved to Taiwan / South Korea. I hope you enjoy my country !
Hello Justin, I love your videos. I enjoy seeing my country and my city through your eyes. One thing you missed is the catholic cathedral close to the Sinegog and the Orthodox Cathedral.
Thanks again and enjoy Bulgaria, my friend!
Hey mate you doing very nice videos about Bulgaria. It’s good to visit Sofia, Varna, Plovdiv and other big cities, but you need definitely to visit small towns, villages and historical places to feel way different vibes far away from rush in the big towns. I saw you was impressed from old buildings and architecture and you need to visit for sure Bachkovo Monastery, Rila monastery and a lot of more places, related with our history. Hisaria town, near to Plovdiv is good place to visit and on the way to it there is a lot of more places you can enjoy. Best wishes to you 👍
Justin, bro u are amazing,so nice guy,bc u are the first one I have ever heard to talk not just good,but wonderfull things,not only 4 🇧🇬 🇧🇬 🇧🇬,and also 4 Sofia,which is my favorite city and I wait the moment after 2 weeks ,when I will also walk between the people at Vitoshka boulevard
Justin, amazing vlogs and really happy that you are enjoying our beautiful country of Bulgaria. One recommendation I have for you is to visit Ruse as well. Consider it for your future voyages
I’m gutted you didn’t check the Aleksander Nevski Cathedral it was round the corner from you and it’s phenomenal!! All Bulgarians are very proud with it. I am Bulgarian and I live In Liverpool your videos make me feel nostalgic.
Great video.
Thank you so much!! 👍😃
I am actually very happy! I am a Bulgarian from Burgas (near the Black Sea) and right now I live in Sofia, but I really do not like the whole atmosphere (too crowded, too busy, too much rubish, a lot of mean people). But after your video, I see a good point of Sofia. Keep posting this kind of videos. You are amazing!
аййй счига, и шопите не харесваме софия и за капак и от провинцията насякъде да го покажат... )
Thank you so much my friend, i appreciate the kind comment!! 👍😃
Justin what can I say :)
Become a great fan of you as a wonderful person and amazing storyteller.
I love food and when you came back to Sofia I would like to share a piece of food adventure with you :)
If you have time the real deal is the countryside of Bulgaria and local taverns as we call them krachma/кръчма or chanchе/ханче.
Of course you can have great food in Sofia but in countryside you will be amazed, and the price is just a fraction of Sofia price.
Thank you mate!
And you speak good Bulgarian
Thank you so much, I try my best👍
Oh man, I haven't had rogche in years...Need to find some!
Extra place ❤
👍😃
Hah I went to Armenia10 days ago because of your videos from there and I saw so much interesting stuff you showed in your videos, and you came to my country :D
mate, you are great, I love Sofia!
Thank you so much for your kind comment, i really appreciate it!! 👍😃
If you have the time to spend, you should consider visiting the Alexander Nevski Cathedral and the Boyana Church, too.
14:50 That's a lot of BS. The lev is pegged to the Euro since 1997(well the Deutshe Mark at the time and then Euro since 00). So it's absolutely irrelevant what it says on the notes. If we had an actual currencey(Like CZK, PLN, RON or god forbid the HUF) it would fluctuate a lot more and not be 1,95 BGN for €1.
At the moment we actually just have the cons of not being in the Euro zone by being charged exchange fees all the time. We are literally using euros, but calling them 2 levs.
Amen to that!
U shall go to the Skara (grill) on 3a. Todorini Kukli street in zhk Poduyane... Or to Skaravan Tankist on Sreburna street close to Paradise Mall ... The pizza on Grab>Go pizza close to Sveti Sedmochsinici Church (and other locations)... And the chinese food in front of Obelya metrostation... And the Shish Tauk and Duner ... Fantazia - next to Krasno Selo market... And Skembe chorba ... At Gostilnitsa Purlenkite in Mladost 3 next to Dar supermarket...
Good Bulgarian! 👍👍 Nice video!
I am so glad you liked it!
how is your bulgarian accent this good, when did you learn to speak like this, as a local I'm very impressed. If i was standing inline behind you at the Banitsa, i would probably never notice you were a foreigner
Thank you so much, i really appreciate the nice comment! 👍😃
Like for "Banitza time" and "Aide be!" :D You are great, man!
Thank you so much for your kind comment, i really appreciate it!! 👍😃
Justin, please visit Plovdiv in Bulgaria once! You'll be amazed and also just a side note, it's the oldest city in Europe :)
Hey Justin, you missed the Catholic cathedral wich was also few steps away!
Yeah... I turned a square into a triangle!!! Will be back to correct my mistake, but thanks for the input, it reall helps👍🙏
nice
Another great episode! What was the name of the banitsa place? Banicanitsa? My cyrillic isn't very good. I need to find my new favourite banitsa spot!
Banicharnitsa - Баничарница. You can transcribe the word in Latin alphabet in many ways. Anyway, it's the generic word for the places making and selling banitsa.
OMG, just starting watching your vids, as I’m also looking to get over to live in Bulgaria some day in the future. 😊 It suddenly dawned on me we had met before. Dude, did you live in Worksop for a short while?? 😅 If so we did a few months training at the local gym about 8 or so years back.. 😅 Hope your well fella. 😊
So many foreigners that visit our country for their first time are so amazed by the level on which we are able to speak English. Let me tell you something - we have the best internet in the whole world, we are currently over 6 million people and the three national telephone companies have combined over 20 million subscribers (on month fees). That alone is supposed to tell you everything
Aaah I recognize this banitsa shop as a native, living abroad I can confirm some of the banitsa shops who are known by locals. Nothing special but yeah this is one of the oldest. Is it at street Iskar ? Close to Bernard's bar or something german now? Sorry but I haven't been in Sofia for 3 months now and last time I was in this area was on last summer. I also think the local lady is cool :) Thanks for your video, It 's making me smile :)
The spot you stand on at 8:45 is probably one of the few places in the world where you can see at the same time an Orthodox Church, and Catholic Church, a Mosque, and a Synagogue at the same time.
First week of the next month I will be in Sofia Vacation to see my family,come back again,I will show not only Vitoshka boulevard and banica for breakfast...😉
Your pronouncing of bulgarian words is good. Nice and good hon on the video
Thank you so much! 👍🙂
I am from bulgaria we are strange people but free😂
LOVE & BLISS #SADHGURU
Nice video, nice editing. Bulgarian and the people here changed a lot in the recent years (for the better) since we "ditched" communism. Thanks for showing our beautiful country to the world. :)
Thank you so much for you feedback, i really appreciate it!! 👍😃
G'day Justin - thanks for the great video on Sofia , we're there in April and I'm interested in finding that place you bought the bannitsa and the sogche. Do you have an approximate address please.. Cheers from Oz - John
Something like 300 m. behind the synagogue is a Catholic cathedral as well. So literally in 10 minutes of walking in the center of Sofia, you can pass by an Orthodox church, a mosque, a synagogue and a Catholic cathedral. A fine example of how people on Earth should live - in peace. I am not sure if you can see this anywhere else in the world.
Hi, Justin. Amazing video. Which street is the banitsa place, do you recall? Къде е тази баничарница? :)
Is not a puff pastry, banica is never made out of puff pastry or filo (at least not a traditional banica and the one you eating too), it's made out from a super thin sheets of doe, so thin that you can see through and multiple layers of those pastry/doe sheets being stacked with in between a white cheese. I love your Bulgaria videos and how surprised you were when you saw that lady with the happy and smiley face, is so eye catching when you see a person like her, because 90% of the people on the street have no expressions, but that's a Bulgarian (Balkan/Slavic) characteristic.
Filo is кори за баница 🤷🏼♀️
Thank you for your videos. Feel free to walk among us. Be aware though, that you're watched literally and metaphorically.
Behave respectfully and have good manners. We take no silly attitude, which can be observed in your videos. Take care!
Banichka + drink Boza great combination!!
👍🙂
as a romanian that went to bulgaria and sofia many times, sofia is the same as galati...
❤❤❤❤
👍😃
6:32 not the building, the square is called the Largo, although it's real name is Nezavisimost (Independence) Square. What you showed is the Council of Ministers building.
Oh.... banitza 😊
👍🙂