Varna, Bulgaria

**Note: Post date is July 24, 2009**

We have been in Bulgaria since noon yesterday and are itching to get off the boat. I’m not sure why we sat in the middle of the Black sea for a day and a half before we could finally enter the country but nonetheless that’s what we did. It certainly has something to do with customs and a certain amount of time allotted for class time but it was quite frustrating to look out your window and see gorgeous beaches as you were taking notes. I couldn’t wait to get off. I also had no idea what to expect so I was anxious to see what this unfamiliar country was like.

“We could have just went to New Jersey,” Wilkerson remarks slyly. He went on to further explain how the surroundings of Bulgaria weren’t all that different than New Jersey. To a degree I agree. It is funny to think that we traveled across the world to come to a state that I live across the water from. But the country’s roots stem much deeper than the Jersey way. Only 16 years ago we wouldn’t have been able to visit this beautiful place because it was under communist rule. The theme of this voyage is Human Rights and that is why Bulgaria fits perfectly into the criteria. It has recently joined the European Union and its democracy is extremely new compared to other parts of the world. We are witnessing a newly developed nation.

For some reason Bulgaria requires that everyone carry their passport on them at all times so we are all in state of paranoia of losing them. If lost you have to wait 2 weeks for another one with a $600 cost and the boat will leave without you. This is serious and so it automatically puts a little damper on our travels throughout this next port.

But we’re handling it quite well. Erika and I had a Field Report Practicum today. FDPs are supplement excursions that relate to your courses: applying the education in class to the hands-on experience of traveling. Our ship was anchored about a half an hour away from dock so we had to tender via lifeboat to the dock of Varna, Bulgaria. From there we boarded the bus to the Ship Hydrodynamics Centre. “Why did I choose this FDP? I don’t know,” comically admits Mr. Wilkerson, our professor for our European Union class. He is a funny, but truthful fellow and we were all in it together as we took an informational tour of this unique center.

It was extremely long, extremely hot, extremely smelly but it wasn’t too bad. I actually found the parts that I actually paid attention to quite interesting. In short this company tests and researches ship engineering for commercial and military lines. They have many countries who are their clients and they seem to be an esteemed organization of education and engineering within the ship industry. It was also a relevant trip considering that we, ourselves, have been on a ship for the past 5 weeks. I have to say, even though it took away from our exploration time in Bulgaria, it was still an informative and unique opportunity to do something I wouldn’t otherwise.

Finally back to the boat, but we wanted to explore the city of Varna. And by explore I mean head straight for the dolphinarium. Erika loves dolphins. She has even swam with them before. For as long  as I’ve known her she has aspired to be a dolphin trainer. She has since then given up that dream but I still support her if she ever decides to change her mind. I think it would be an exciting and fulfilling career. Plus I’d love free entry to Sea World. Nonetheless, her love for this mystic creature hasn’t died and she wanted to catch the last show. I am always game and so we headed for the public bus.

The bus dropped us off outside the gardens which is equivalent to a less vibrant and landscaped central park full with fun stuff to do including restaurants, an amusement park, a zoo and of course the dolphinarium. Our tour guide, who gave us directions, said it was a large building and we couldn’t miss it. We opened our eyes as wide as possible and still all we could see is trees, grass and some dirt. Where is it!? We walked a bit and at some point were almost convinced we were in the wrong place. All we saw were a few cars, a house and long dirt roads. “This doesn’t look like sea world,” we thought to ourselves. At last after confirming our location we found it, shaded by large trees and other side buildings. Couldn’t miss it? Sure.

This adventure proved pointless after we heard some reviews of the show. It just didn’t seem worth it for the hefty price of $15.00. We decided to shop instead. Except that wasn’t any more promising. It was yet another hike in the heat to only be disappointed by an deserted, scarce shopping mall full of only upscale clothing lines that we weren’t willing to buy. We just needed some extra shirts to hold us off till the next laundry day not wedding attire. I wasn’t feeling to well either.

“Well if you didn’t eat half a gallon,” Erika reacts to my stupid decision to have 5 scoops of ice cream in basically one sitting. Allow me to explain: the ice cream was extremely cheap (less than a dollar for a scoop of ice cream) and it was out of this world. The combination of mango ice cream and a sugar cone was fantastic. I had ordered two scoops and with the economical advantage I was persuaded to by another. Except the lady gave me three scoops instead of two. I told her only two but she told me not to worry about it. There I sat and devoured a three scoop cone not even five minutes after my first one. As good as it was, I did not feel so hot and the bathroom was now my new best friend.

At least it wasn’t in result of the feared traveler’s diarrhea that the ship’s medical staff has so highly warned us about. Because the food in Bulgaria, Egypt and Morocco isn’t as sanitary as food  in the States our bodies aren’t accustomed to things such as fresh fruit, dairy or maybe even their water. If these things are consumed it has the possibility of causing sharp stomach pains and ultimately concluding in an unpleasant trip to the toilet. Luckily my mom packed me some Pepto-Bismol but I am actively trying to dodge any usage of that medication. Not as much as Kevin though, who won’t even order a drink with ice, but my caution level is higher than normal.

And so is my party level. It was such a great night tonight full of bowling, dancing, drinking and enjoying yet another night on this amazing trip. Erik, Lauren, Lindsay, Kate, Erika, Kevin, Rachel, Nicole and myself all went to cosmic bowling with flashy lights, dance music and a classy decorum. There we bowled with awesome bowling shoes while we challenged each other and enjoyed each other at the same time. There was even an outside terrace to relieve yourself of the noise. It was so pleasurable and relaxing. We even made a stop at McDonalds for a late night snack afterwards. Yum!

Fun Fact: Bulgaria is the #1 consumer of fast food.

It sometimes strikes me odd that we are enjoying the pleasure of summer at the same exact time as advancing our education through summer school. Just yesterday I was sitting in class learning of the Ottoman Empire and it’s legacy and now I sit in Bulgaria enjoying the intimate setting of restaurants, beaches and lighted street posts.

Today’s Expense’s

…………………....Lev………..Dollar
Bus……………...1.00.………..0.71
Ice Cream……4.00.……… .2.86
Water…………..2.00.………..1.33
Bowling…………5.00.………..3.33
Drinks………….18.00.………12.00

Total…………….30.00.………20.00

Explore. Dream. Discover.

~Michael-Anthony

P.S. Who would want to work at a Ship Hydrodynamics Centre?