Abandoned Places

For those who love to discover abandoned places, Sofia is a goldmine. Even after more than a year I love to take a walk and find new places and buildings. So many things are currently in a phase of transition, this contrast between old and new is still very exciting and all-consuming. Here are some of my favorite pics. 

That's what I've discovered here in the Military Academy Park. A kind of open air library or cute place for a book swap.

This is also part of the Military Academy Park: a beautifully decorated pavilion. This park was closed for public, because it is still a part of the Military Academy complex G. S. Rakovski. But three years ago they allowed the access for regular visitors like me and now it‘s one of the quietest and unexcited areas in Sofia.

This is a part of the building of the Military Academy.

A lion - the town's landmark. Unfortunately, a very battered version of the proud beast.

This is - for whatever reason – one of my favorite urban places. It’s not beautiful or impressive but I like the colors and the mood of this house wall. By the way, many thanks to my dear friend Jan for this picture, he took it during his stay with me here last fall. You have to come over again soon!

Once again - A tribute to the weather

I definitively have to be faster regarding my posts about the Bulgarian weather. Couple of weeks ago I found these amazing and stunning pictures of the foggy Sofia, taken by the Bulgarian blogger and photographer Hristo. So annoying and depressing the fog is (it smells badly because of the many coal-burning stoves), so beautiful looks this natural spectacle from a different perspective, from the top of the Vitosha Mountain.

Unfortunately, I was too slow and the pictures are by now out of date. But I still have to share and show them! Meanwhile, we have already beautiful spring weather and lots of sun.

All images(c)inasearchofbalance.wordpress.com

A trip to Boyana Waterfalls

Before winter and snow will arrive here in Sofia (by the way, still sunny and warm in the afternoon, still able to drink coffe on the balcony – and this is November, as a German I am blown away!), I have to share some pictures of a beautiful trip we did this summer. For locals it might not be a big deal as they know their number one destination very well, but for me it was. The Boyana Waterfalls are really stunning and it’s a nice – but quite exhausting – excursion. Besides the great view, we noticed something very curious: Unlike in the city, in the shops, on the stairs and seemingly everywhere else, every single hiker who crossed our way has greeted us. As a close-knit community. Well, it seems you have to have something obvious in common to greet each other, otherwise you are just a stranger – and who would like to say hallo to perfect strangers…. I'll stay tuned on this observation ...

Sunny Times

One of the best things here in Sofia is the sun. The sunny weather, the dry heat, the blue sky. No wonder - Sofia is located approximately at the same latitude as Southern Italy. Never ever in my whole life I could soak up as much sun as this year! And that clearly improves the quality of life and mood. It's so much nicer to be able to drink my coffee in the morning sun and - a special plus – to work and write in the sun. Summer in Germany means the absence of rain, at least most of the time. So that’s a significant improvement, which I absolutely love! Next year, the balcony will be upgraded in any case, because it's definitive worth it. Even now, in September I can still spend every afternoon in the sun. However, I must consistently use sunblocker next year: wrinkle alert!

Minimal beautification of our balcony in the 
spring of this year - Next year we tackle 
it properly!

We have also tried to grow vegetables and herbs. 
Here is also room for improvement next year..! 
A lot!

At least, we had some flowers!