I’m super happy to be in Bulgaria. It’s such a nice change from everywhere else I’ve been for the last two months. I’ve enjoyed every country so far, but the differences between countries has been subtle. If I were to go straight from Estonia to Romania I would of course notice big differences, but since I’ve made my way south more slowly, each country has been only a slight change from the one before it. This makes Bulgaria refreshing, as for the first time I feel that I’m somewhere different from where I’ve been before.

I guess it feels like I’m finally in the south of Europe. The weather’s been warm since I got to Poland, but it’s even warmer here. The landscape is starting to feel Mediterranean, the architecture as well. It’s nice.

Admittedly I am in a beautiful old town in Bulgaria. I’ve yet to visit a big city, so opinions may evolve. I had to change buses in the city of Ruse right after crossing the border from Romania, and it was an uninspiring place. A couple of hours later, however, I was in Veliko Tarnovo, gazing up at the massive ruins of the Tsarevets Fortress, illuminated with the warm light of spotlights.

Veliko Tarnovo was the capital of Bulgaria during the middle ages, and it has a suitably large fortress to go with the title. Even in ruins Tsarevets is an imposing sight, covering a hilltop near the old town, with a causeway leading up to it. It’s a beautiful sight. The church in the very centre of Tsarevets has been well preserved and has very unique, modern murals inside.

I spent most of a day here just sitting in the sun reading. I’ve been travelling all this time, but now I feel like I’m on vacation.

I don’t really know what else to say. It’s lovely here, but words are failing me at the moment.

Today marks 2 months, or 60 days of travel. Time hast flew-eth.

My next stop is the oldest city in Europe.

Here are some photos.