Strandzha
I feel strange this morning - not for health reasons but from seeing almost everyone else get on bikes to ride while I did not. After feeling really slow yesterday and feverish for first half of the night decided to take a rest or one of Brian's "mental health" days. Probably the clouds and strong winds had something to do with it too.
Brian's still dealing with the nerve injury plus he was up all night with the flu bug so he decided to head for Istanbul by train. He figured he wouldn't be riding anymore anyway. Joy decided to go along too - her bike isn't working well since the accident and her injury still bothers her.
So today after breakfast Kerry and I jumped in the van with Craig. We get to do the route in luxury today. We made it through Burgas with only one turn error. Fortunately as we retraced we didn't pass any cyclists until we were back on the correct route.
When we made the error Craig pulled over a guy to ask. That sent us back to where we belonged. Though we couldn't understand his words we got the gestures. Momentarily had a little confusion when we forgot the sideways head shake means "yes" and up/down shake means "no".
We finally got out of Burgas heading south into the interior on highway 98. This is still a good highway although not as smooth and well maintained as E87. Lots of hills again. Once back in the van I don't notice the difficulty of the ups and downs.
We're in what is called the Strandzha - a region of plateaus, hills and valleys covered by virgin forests. Really beautiful area and am wishing I had biked it. Oh well.
We got to Malko Turnovo and made our way through the town to the road (E87 again) to the Turkish border. We found the motel half way to border and it is a wreck. It looks like it was nice at one time but not now. We read in the Rough Guide to Bulgaria to check with the national park headquarters off the town square for lodging. So with the help of a local woman we found that place easily.
Here we were really lucky. The woman in the park office speaks English well. Sheand another woman there arranged for us to get rooms tonight in the hospital. No camping available.
So commenced another interesting vignette of this trip. The office lady pointed the way but we still needed another person to help us find the hospital. Once we found the hospital we eventually found a person who knew why we were there. Then three women tried to figure out the arrangements until a nurse who spoke English arrived and helped organize things. There seemed to be some concern on their part about room sharing even though all rooms have two twin beds. They were also
concerned about which people were couples. Eventually it all got sorted out and Craig got keys for all the rooms. I think Casey and Kerry have the best place - they have a bedroom, sitting room and private bath. Haven't figured out yet what ward we're on - probably psycho in line with the theme of this tour.
After setting us up we went to the hospital cafe to try for some lunch. We got some tea, then the director, Miroslav, came in and helped find some food. So we all had chicken soup and bread and a Cappy and Craig had a chicken cutlet.
This is a working hospital but not the busy place you see at home. No nurses stations. Of course the patients are on other floors. We are occupying most of the 5th floor. The director said there are only 10 - 15 patients at this time with a maximum capacity of 45.
Went down to the small town square with Daniel and walked around. This seems to be a nice peaceful little town. There are many wood sheathed
houses here - look like old untreated barnwood - as well as the stucco we have been seeing. Most houses have tile roofs. Back in my room finally reading Istanbul I can hear few cars, but many birds, also roosters, dogs, donkeys.
The only problem I have with this place is the sagging bed springs. That was easily remedied by dismantling the frame and putting the mattress on the floor. Now I am back in Japan on a futon.
I'll get this off early tonight as I don't expect many more thrilling events to occur today. Never know for sure though. Tomorrow we cross into Turkey heading into to a hotel rest day.
Take care as you start a new week.
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Posted September 19, 2005 by Tour Participant
Bulgaria |
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