Mitsy’s favorite outside sleeping spot.
After a couple of weeks from being finished with the winter nest except for some small tasks, I cannot help from writing about my realistic view of Bulgaria. I did advert to before that Bulgaria is an easy going country. Indeed, there are laws and rules, but there is no comparison to the western countries. In addition, if an individual seeks to live the traditional life, this type of lifestyle is possible, including living slightly secluded. Taking in consideration the prices is relatively low, in respects to chosen items; Bulgaria may seem like an easy catch, positively, it did and still does to many English people.
Scrutinizing the context that everywhere positive and negative exists, as well to cultural discrepancies—considering the dynamics of the country is crucial before creating roots. Many British people have boughten houses here in Bulgaria and spent thousands of English pounds to experience they couldn’t finish the house, or they finished the house, but could not generate any income being forced to return to England. Moreover, the media in England portrays a picture of fantasy and romance concerning buying a house in Bulgaria. There is a vast contrast from the English cultural way next to the Bulgarian way, likewise, American verses the Bulgarian way—two different styles of life. Clearly, for many foreigners living in Bulgaria is amiable, however, the complaints are similar.
From life experience, and an introspective listing ear—there are a couple of subjects that are predominately negative here in Bulgaria. The first subject is that 75% of the population of workers are shoddy, careless, lazy, irresponsible who continually carry a negative attitude. It is one of the first negative characteristics I noticed here in Bulgaria. It is very difficult to accomplish a building project because the workers that weigh in with integrity are busy. The worthless worker will say he will do the job, but then not appear for a week, or if he does arrive for the job, the quality of work is amateurish. Considering the high level of alcoholism— motivating a person from their TV or morning beer is impossible. One reason for the lackadaisical mind set, all the villagers are established, they all own their home, each family has orchards and small farm animals. The small amounts of money most villagers receive is adequate for food, cigarettes, and booze.
Winter Wood.
Experiencing the “ultra difficult task” of getting this small house ready for the winter—the exceedingly arduous work of restoring or building a home here in Bulgaria would be a fruitless worthless undertaking: financially, emotionally, and most importantly—spiritually. An interesting fact is that the work out here is tough taxing work, people that are in their 70’s look as if they are in their 90’s.
The second subject is the dilatory progressive nature of Bulgaria. Ideas and projects happen slowly out here in Bulgaria, the smallest tasks, such as getting DSL hooked up, can take three or four months. A major dynamic is the negative attitude concerning work, the 75% worthless workers don’t do their job well, the cause and effect create a catch twenty-two problematic atmosphere within the country, although subtle. The slow rhythmic progression of Bulgaria causes an effect of a passive, uninspired, humdrum brain; besides, any slight behavior—out of the ordinary—is viewed as “deranged” within the village—the suppression of free expression is excessive.
The third subject is in respects to the imported goods that Bulgaria purchases—80% of the goods imported are cheaply manufactured garbage from China and Turkey—absolute junk. The quality items are at an inflated price because of the lack of competition. The determination will require spending lots of money to repair a house with quality materials next to cheap stuff that will break in due time and cause a major headache.
A principal positive feature of Bulgaria is that the fear level is low compared to the west, and there is no connection to Israeli propaganda, except within the media, which I avoid.
The Local Anthill.
These three facts of reality of Bulgaria would create gray hair at an accelerated rate by attempting to build or rebuild a house, a venture that is pointless according to my personality. I visited with the cousin of neighborly George who lived in Ireland for six years. They moved back to Bulgaria and built a major greenhouse complex growing cucumbers. They speak fluent Bulgarian, and they experienced a difficult time in the beginning because they didn’t know anyone here in the village. It took two years to build the greenhouse complex with gray hairs added.
A close up of the anthill.
There are other features I will write about at a later time about the dynamics of Bulgaria.