Colors

URBANIZE - Photos from an Urban Festival in Sofia

Just a cool sticker that had fallen to the pavement. It is for the local writer's shop - showing that graffiti art is more accepted in Bulgaria and, from what I've seen, all around Europe.













This is my boy from Poland. Watched him for about 20 minutes working on this piece.













Had a nice chat with him - the event organizer flew him in to paint for three days. He's a student in Warsaw, but does this as his hobby.













Here is his finished piece (well, almost).













They had a nice little skate park with about 30 kids riding and doing tricks.













Lots of young kids trickin' it out.













Eastern European skater sag.













On his way up...













Eagerly awaiting his turn.













Flying by...

















A large artists wall.












Here is an artist working on the wall.














Some of the art from this wall.

Mobbin' It in Bulgaria

Check this out:
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/16/world/europe/16bulgaria.html?scp=2&sq=bulgaria&st=cse

I think I'm seeing a pattern here: From one country to the next, it seems that I am steadily progressing deeper and deeper into states more and more affected by the Mafia and corruption: the United States to Italy to Paraguay and, now, Bulgaria. If this pattern holds, I suspect I will be in Zimbabwe for my next job and, then, eventually somewhere like Haiti (considered THE most corrupt country in the World).

Branch is Famous (and dubbed) on B-TV in Bulgaria

BTV, Bulgaria's national television network, showed up on our campus yesterday looking for Yankees to talk political shop. Although I told them I was one of those California hippy-socialist types, they still wanted to do the interview.

Here is a screen shot that my friend Brett took. Hopefully they send out a copy of the whole interview. The best part about it was that I was dubbed. They had audio of my voice somewhat muted in the background while someone translated my words into Bulgarian. The second best part is my name there in Bulgarian. We are looking for a full 1/2 hour of air time on BTV when we have our official Election Party. What would be more interesting than some ex-pats drinking and staying up to an ungodly hour awaiting the results of the US election, on a school night no less? I'm pretty sure we can smash records for viewership - it's like Big Brother or Real World, but cooler.

Mt. Vitosha

Here is our backyard (more or less).


This shot is from our back stairwell of Mt. Vitosha. It dominates the city as it rises about 8,000 feet into the sky. The locals call it the "lungs of the city" which is an absolute necessity since Bulgarians smoke non-stop and need a few extra lungs around just in case.


Another shot for some perspective.


Vitosha received its first little topping of snow last weekend. I've never lived anywhere where it snows, so this was a momentous occasion for me.


Another shot of the snow.


Here is a shot of Vitosha from campus. From here it is a ten minute walk to the Gondola where a 45 minute ride will take you to the top. You can hike in the summer and ski in the winter. Downhill and cross-country sking and snowboarding are very popular and, in winter, I've heard it is quite crowded with the city dwellers taking a break and hitting the slopes. There are hundreds of trails for the summertime hikers too.

Our Apartment

I finally got around to snapping some shots of our apartment in Sofia.


Here is the living room. We've managed to put up some of our art that we brought from Paraguay. The place was furnished for us, including the tv. The chair here is Gringo's favorite and he does quite a number on it with his claws. The kitchen is right behind me, all part of this same space, but I didn't feel like including a photo. It is small, but it works for us.


The other side of the living room. There is a small balcony too where Kate has started a nice little garden of sorts (the small yellow pots in the window). The sun has been out lately really helping this project along. I have come to dominate the small table; it is now my work space.


Here is our yoga and guest room. I caught Gringo during final relaxation. The three bins on the right would be downstairs in storage if it wasn't for the Bulgarian mob forcing us out of our space. There are two twin beds, so come on over -- we are ready for some guests!!


Here is our bedroom. We brought the down comforter with us. It has made the journey from Roma to Asuncion to Sofia. Gringo usually sleeps on the far chair. He also stares out the window wishing to be out there on the attack.

Coolest Bulgarian Ever Award

Although you might think it is a bit premature to give this out, seeing that we've been here only a wee bit more than a month, I am pretty sure that this guy deserves the award.



He is stationed at this exact spot every Saturday and Sunday (it is possible that he is here on weekdays too, but I have not yet been down in this area Monday-Friday). As far as I can tell his favorite things are:

• leaning back in his small wooden chair
• checking out scantily clad Bulgarian teens as they make their way from store to store
• checking out scantily clad Bulgarian moms as they make their way from store to store
• starting up a conversation with those few people who stop for a snack at a near-by snack stand
  
• hanging out

Unfortunately I was a bit too hesitant to ask him if I could take a picture. I need to work on that if I want to improve my shots. This was a clandestine shot from about 25 meters away. But because he is always there I still have hope of getting the perfect close up.

Photo of the Week

End of Summer