SoSofia.com

It is so sad but true – lots of people in our country live in misery. Especially the Roma people who seem forgotten in those cabins which appear to be their personal space, home or shelter.

Some of those people’s main occupation might be to drift around the streets, checking out what’s in the trash bins. Since we don’t recycle, they appear as a kind of recyclers – always picking out what might be of some worth. The strayed dogs are their friends and accompany them in their ventures, always waiting for a treat.

The above-mentioned scene is so often seen and from such a long time that we have got used to it, almost thinking that it is normal but not quite.

It is always useful to know how to ride a horse. The numerous aspects of this activity bring excitement, joy, adrenaline even. When I first tried it, I couldn’t take off the smile of my face a whole week, explaining everyone how regally I felt on the animal’s back.

The world seemed different from there – as if the sounds changed, the colors too, and the instructions of the trainer were dully reaching my ears – I was too busy contemplating everything else around. Well, as for the latter – this was not a good idea having in mind that riding is by no means an easy task as there are details for consideration before even approaching the animal. When you finally appear on its back, however, the feeling of insecurity disappears and what follows is a natural process of getting used to your new position.

For the ones who are not very keen on horses, there are super cute ponies.

Time in my case was my enemy as it passed with the speed of light.

The equestrian base is at the very center of Sofia – in the Borisova Garden and it is open every single day from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Half an hour ride will cost you 30 Leva, while an hour one – 50 Leva.

As if touched with a magic stick all the trees, bushes and weeds turned out to be green and white and yellow. The difference is more than obvious and apart from the new scenery, there is a metamorphosis in our mood as well. People feel so good when it is getting warmer and warmer – we think that the living is easy.

Spring has come in Sofia as well.

According to Wikipedia, Bulgaria is among the ten top sunflower seed producers worldwide (ever). Not only we produce tons, but we are keen sunflower seed eaters as well.

Everyone would agree that getting into the habit of eating them starts as soon as you try the first seed. And it is impossible to be satisfied only with one. The whole process is addictive to the point when your lips sore and you feel awfully thirsty because of the salt, still the munching continues. Furthermore, any previous conversations stop because you are too preoccupied to place each seed in between your teeth and with one or two skillful maneuvers of the tongue to take out what’s inside – the reward of your efforts.

Sunflower seeds can literary be found everywhere since they are so popular – people sell them in parks, on the street, in food stores. On a football match, for example, they are a must.

The seasons change, allowing us to spend more time outside and be more carefree. Part of these activities include drinking beer in combination with fish and potato fries, in particular – sprat fish. It reminds me of the summer, the beach and the salty water so much that I almost envisage myself on the east coast with a plate full of fish.

Sprat fish fry is offered in Zaimov park – the distinctive smell would take you right to the place selling it.

Note: among the recent amendments made from Sofia municipality, there is one that forbids drinking beer in parks. So far no one seems to care. However, I have to make up a new substitute in 5 Things We Particularly Like about Sofia, since they have become 4 now. I am open to suggestions.

The students from the Department of Sociology at Sofia University know how to spend their time – by uniting themselves in an association, in particular Association of the Sociology Students in Sofia University (ASSSU). As a result, they have become more powerful and now we even see that among all other activities, they have managed to organize a photo contest. A serious one. So serious, that they invite you and me to join with our own photos.

The theme is “The city as a context of …” and here we are expected to propose our versions of what we think is suitable to fit in the dots. In short, we are left to decide. We may submit up to three photos in black & white or in color; in digital format or printed on paper; new shots or old photos from our archives.

The best ones will take part in a special exhibition in the Department of Sociology.

The contest has a deadline as well – 25.04.2009. So, hurry, we don’t have time!

The e-mail on which you can send your works is pictures.urban@gmail.com

Find out more info in English here: http://www.asssu.eu/node/182  (scroll to the bottom).

I found out that while stuck in a traffic jam we all can learn new information. Moreover, a useful one, if of course we can discern the messages.

Obviously, people find it inspiring to draw and put stickers on the traffic signs.

I somehow can envisage the average doer of such an activity. There are few options – a teenager, who seeks forms of expression, a young person who is mad at the transport system or a juvenile who just wants to vandalize. Either way, I should speak in plural as the messages are getting layered and the mixture becomes really curious.

For example, you can see what parties you have missed, but wait – the traffic signs get updated, so there is still current information for forthcoming parties. Also, you will find out promising web addresses and innumerable anonymous tags and stickers put there in an hurried manner.

The conclusion is: pay attention to the signs as you pass them by because you never know what they might be offering – both a right turn and an irresitable offer.

Visiting Vertigo shop was a nice experience in any way. The guys who work there not only showed me that they know every detail in inline skating but also they made me change my views on the subject. Skating, first and foremost is a way of life, thinking and attitude, then it comes the business part.

Vertigo shop is the only shop in Sofia that explicitly specializes in inline skating and all the equipment, parts and accessories needed, including clothes, snickers, protectors, graffiti spray cans, magazines and whatever you can think of.

Of course, different styles of skating require different type of boots and the shop offers a whole lot of them. If you are a person who likes to be on the extreme, then aggressive skating is for you, allowing you to impress people with tricks like jumps, grinds, slides and flips. On the other hand, if you like to pointlessly skate in parks for the sport’s sake, then you should go for the fitness skates. Personally, I am more into the fitness part and I was surprised how light they are – perfect for spending the whole afternoon on wheels.

The quality of the items is beyond any doubt – they are of leading companies in the field and most of them are imported from Germany. However, the best thing you can do is to go and check it for yourself.

Address: 26 Krum Popov str.

Website:  http://www.vertigo-skates.com/

The French Institute has undertaken a notable initiative – the Ap?ro Electro series which at the beginning of every month aim to gather in one place talented Djs, designers and photographers to perform for the audience’s favor.

The third edition would be marked by the presence of Dj Laylla Dane whose sets are clearly laboured mightily over compositional and rhythmic elements to create that effect which cannot make you stop dancing.

I have experienced this and I would surely do it once again.

Ap?ro Electro’s Party would be on 2 Dyakon Ignatii str.

Start: 7:30 p.m. 11:30 p.m.

Admission 5 Lv.

www.institutfrance.bg

I wanted to visit this museum since its very opening last year and now when I had the chance I regret that I haven’t done this earlier. The museum does not occupy the whole building – only the first floor but has a very modern appearance inside, despite the old building that belongs to the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences.

The exposition displays the many-sided nature of our predecessors – not only the way they are buried with all the ceremonies, but it also reveals their cultural and historical background through their physique.

Arranged in a chronological order from the Neolithic until the National Revival, one can experience the change of traditions during the centuries. There is so much history in so many bones and skeletons – distinctive traits, diseases, traumas, fashion even. Also, a number of skulls that once belonged to our great leaders have been rendered visual by the method of plastic anthropological reconstruction. You will be able to see how, for example, our Tzar Kaloyan and Tzar Samuil once looked.

I strongly recommend visiting it because you will definitely learn a lot about the way people perceived the world.

There is only one strong disadvantage – all the signs are in Bulgarian but the kind guide will help you to figure out what is what.

Address: 73 Tzarigradsko Shose Bul.

Open from Monday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.