Golden Sands

**Note: Post date is July 25, 2009**

It is a difficult challenge balancing the group’s decision with your own personal agenda.  I enjoy everyone immensely but at times most of the group decides in favor of something I’d rather not do. I must then suck up any reservations I have and follow along because unfortunately I have no other choice but to do it independently, which may seem reasonable but considering unknown territory and safety it isn’t the best alternative. There isn’t an alternative and that’s when it becomes an issue. This trip is mine as much as it is everyone’s else. Why should my desires be jeopardized because of others? We follow a democratic system within our micro schism of a group but for someone who doesn’t need much sleep, for someone who is very energetic and willing to do anything and everything it can become the unfavorable thing to be.

It is like spring break and we are loving it! It is called Golden Sands which is about a 20 minute drive away from the port. It is a combination of Atlantic City and Mexico beaches. (I’ve never been to either but that’s what everyone seems to be equating it to) The area is full of little nice shops, restaurants and outside bars with pools and slides. It is water-sport central with jet-skiing, parasailing, tubing, banana boat, and water-skiing. And everything is cheap, cheap, cheap!

Well besides the bathroom. (or wash closets rather) One thing I hate about Europe is paying for restrooms. And to add on to that frustration in Bulgaria they don’t seem to treasure toilet paper as we do. In fact they don’t seem to use it all together. Not the most comforting combination especially knowing that these people prepare food. Who doesn’t use toilet paper?

Anyway, there is a casino, a mini-Eiffel tower, a Ferris wheel, miniature golf, and of course the ocean. Well it is the Black Sea but it serves the purpose. There Erik, Lauren, Ben, Erika and myself sat, during happy-hour, in disbelief of this relaxing safe haven. We couldn’t believe it! And either will you, for none of us brought our camera! There is no documentation of this fun-filled day. A day full of lounging by the pool, sipping on drinks and soaking up the sun while jamming to the music.

So why did everyone want to leave? I’m not sure. This is where the majority of the group becomes a problem. I couldn’t see the benefit in leaving besides to nap and/or to freshen up. I’m not opposed to such things but we are only here for a total of fours days. Two of which are already limited due to trips and an earlier dock time. I wanted to stay. I wanted to enjoy an evening at this place. A place in which I don’t have access to very often. Why go back to Varna, the same place we were last night?

Nonetheless we did. We took a 30 minute drive (due to traffic) back to the boat. We rested for a couple of hours before heading out for the night. A night that I wasn’t really looking forward to. My heart was somewhere else. It sounds dramatic and maybe it is, but nothing sucks more than regret, nothing hurts more than doing something you don’t want to do and I was experiencing both. But I was with awesome people. People I love and people I have a lot of fun with. So we relaxed with some drinks at a bar once more before heading back to the boat.

Today’s Expenses:

……………………..........Lira………….Dollars
Afternoon Drinks……12.00.………..8.80
Lunch………………........2.50.………….1.80
Bathroom……………......1.00.………….0.71
Shopping……………......6.00.………….4.29
Taxi………………….......10.00.………..7.14
Night Drinks…………..15.00.……….10.70

Total………………….......46.50.………33.20

Explore. Dream. Discover.

~Michael-Anthony

P.S. Some one lost their passport