Sunday, July 12, 2009

Sleepless in Sofia

For some reason I can’t sleep. I decide to open the window and look outside. I have always liked Sofia (or any other city, for that matter) better at night. The world is silent, except for the occasional engine of a passing car or a dog bark. The air seems cleaner (of course, this is just my mind playing tricks on me, but nevertheless), as does the surrounding area. You don’t notice the dust, mud, and litter strewn around. I peer out ahead of me. I see a few lights flickering in neighboring buildings’ windows. Night owls just like me, I guess. Then something strikes me in the distance – for a split second I am confused. Wait, are those the contours of the Eiffel Tower? Red lights illuminate a silhouette that looks almost exactly like the Eiffel Tower. I realize it is the top part of Sofia’s TV tower. I smile to myself. Sometimes, one can see all sorts of wonders at night.

Friday, July 10, 2009

Don't Disturb the Driver

I was back in a marshrutka today. And I was most amused by the signs posted inside:
Моля не говорете по телефона, пречите на водача. (Translation: Please don't talk on the phone; you're disturbing the driver.) In the meantime, the driver would proceed to talk on his phone all he wants.
How about "The driver's constant complaining on the phone to his colleagues about traffic jams (not to mention his smoking) disturbs the passengers"? I'd like to see that sign posted somewhere.

If You Want to Feel Young...

... visit Bulgaria.
I've written about this before but tonight I got yet another kick out of the age misinterpretation. I got carded. What this means in Bulgarian terms is that the guy thought I was under 18 - wow. I guess I should take it as a compliment though.