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Bulgaria: A Sippin Gypsy Interview with Dani

3/1/2018

13 Comments

 
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Nazdrave Sippin Gypsy team Rakia! This post comes to you while enjoying this home made brandy like drink made in Bulgaria!

As I've started into this life of travel and capturing my experiences in writing and photography, I've been exposed to the stunning photos and posts of fellow travelers and other enthusiasts and their experiences.  Although proud of my beautiful and diverse American heritage, I've always been drawn to cultures and experiences abroad. 
During an delightful evening with friends hosted by my friend from Bulgaria, Dani, it occurred to me  I could live vicariously through friends like Dani  and travel through them (at least until I could get there myself!)  Thus initiated my first ever travel interview with Dani, a dear friend who was born and raised 24 years in Bulgaria.   I wasn't sure what to do or what to ask, I just knew i wanted o get as close to Dani's Bulgaria as possible. 
First and most importantly, you must know my friend  Dani is a dear to our family and is a gracious hostess.  She is an amazing woman.  Her passion for her country, Bulgaria was beautifully laced with pride and her hopefulness of her future here in America.  
Dani ventures back to Bulgaria yearly to spend time with her family and friends.  In preparing for this interview, instead of meeting out at a bar for drinks, she graciously insisted on meeting in her own home  while she prepared some of her favorite dishes to eat.  
When I first arrived to her home, Dani was in the middle of making a dish with rolled pork and a seasoning that included an salt/herb blend made in Bulgaria.  She had also already diced fresh vegetables for our cold soup or "Tarator" before she added the yogurt and water. "This is great to cool off with in the summer" she stated proudly as she mixed it together.  She also had diced  tomatoes and cucumber for her Shopska salad which she later topped with the most amazing feta cheese I had ever tasted.  "Everything is fresh" Dani told me, " When I was little I would go and pick the vegetables from the garden, now I still prefer to cook with fresh ingredients, it reminds me of home!" Fresh ingredients, and brands direct from Bulgaria that were only available from a small private grocery store, elevated my experience from "something good" to something unique and special!  
We sat around the table and conversed.  She had her computer ready with photos from the cities and villages she had recently been to on her last visit to Bulgaria.  She showed me pictures of her family and spoke with such admiration of her beautiful grandmother and although aging, how her grandmother was still an example of a gracious hostess and a woman who took exceptional care of her family, friends and home.  We drank wine from Bulgaria and even tried her fathers own Rakia, which is like a fruit brandy.  She spoke with such pride about the beautiful cities like her hometown Sliven, and Sophia the capital with its modern businesses and exceptional University.   She took me through the history of her country, explaining how Bulgaria has had three different capitals, and that I have to get to Veliko Tarnovo the second capital.  She told me about the amazing fortress in Velika Tarnovo that transports you back into time.  I was enchanted with the city of Nessebar (which is also a UNESCO Site) and all of the medieval churches set against the Black Sea.  I also took dubious notes to remember to spend at least one day in Koprivshtitsa...She told me how this town fought proudly against the Ottonman rulers back in 1876 and how the town has preserved its architecture and other relics from the past in various museum houses and memorials.   Dani told me about one of her favorite places to visit, the Rila Monastery, an Eastern Orthodox Monastery set deep in the mountains.  She shared with me the most beautiful smelling lotion of roses.  She proudly informed me that her great grandfather worked on a rose farm, and that some of the world most desired roses and rose oils and lotions came from Bulgaria.  She giggled as she came across photos from a national festival that takes place yearly where Bulgarians will dress in traditional clothing and forfeit all modern conveniences  to enjoy time together and great food.
I was awestruck.  Growing up I didn't know much about Bulgaria except to pass a geography test in 7th grade.  She introduced me to the bold favors of Bulgarian cuisine and walked me across the landscape, diverse with its majestic forests all the way to the relaxing beaches on the Black Sea.  She proudly informed me that the Cryillic alphabet was formed in Bulgaria, and that a powerful  Bulgarian folk song "Izlel e Delio Haidutin"  by Valya Balkansa was selected to represent music in capsule that was sent into space aboard the Voyager.  Although our evening was spent in her charming home here in Florida, between the amazing food and her showing me photos from around Bulgaria, I felt transported to this stunning country.  I asked why she was here in America...  She admitted that she missed her beautiful country and her family and friends, but that she loved it here in the United States of America.  She first came with a program to intern with a business here.  She was studying finance in Bulgaria and visited Wall Street while here in America and was so inspired.  She had also visited some of our popular landmarks...the Grand Canyon is one of her favorites.  It was obvious she was proud to be in America too, but her whole spirit was bright when talking about her home.  We're looking forward to going to Bulgaria together to see her family and the beautiful towns and cities.  Thank you Dani for sharing about Bulgaria with me... I'm excited to explore your country! Nazdrave!!!!
13 Comments
AMITABHA GANGOPADHYAY (Tab) link
3/30/2018 10:13:56 pm

Wonderful! I read about Bulgaria as a kid in history; I knew that it has a plenty of history, but has been little known to me. Thanks for sharing your experience with us. And the photos of the food...Yammi!

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Sippin Gypsy
3/31/2018 05:32:58 am

Thank you for taking the time for reading! Yes, there is a lot of history in Bulgaria! I am very excited to go and explore it for myself! Cheers!

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11/8/2018 03:43:41 pm

Bulgaria is home of the best culture in the world. In fact, one of my wrestling idol's country of origin is Bulgaria. Miroslav Barnyashev also known as Rusev in the wrestling ring, prides himself with the moniker, "Bulgarian Brute". I am a real fan of his work and performance in the ring. He is really agile for a man his size, which makes it really interesting for the people who are watching him. I think Bulgaria will continue to produce great people in the future!

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7/4/2019 02:57:31 am

Wow! Your experience in Bulgaria sounds amazing! I've read so many good things about Bulgaria, and how rich their culture is. I always wanted to come and visit and maybe taste Bulgarian brandy or maybe have a wine tour in Balkan. Bulgaria offers so many great things like historic treasures, great art scene, tasty food, and shopping! I appreciate you sharing your experience in Bulgaria with us. The photos are a delight and food looks extraordinary. Great post!

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Anna link
3/31/2018 12:30:27 am

wow she sounds like an amazing woman. How great to learn about local tips for trips whilst drinking local rakia!

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Sippin Gypsy
3/31/2018 05:35:20 am

Dani is amazing! I really appreciated the balance of her love and dedication to her home country Bulgaria, balanced with her admiration and appreciation of America! The food and rakia was incredible! Thank you for reading! Cheers!

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Katie link
3/31/2018 11:11:26 am

Great post! Her dress looks stunning and homemade fruity brandy sounds amazing. Thanks for sharing 😊

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Alex Trembath link
4/2/2018 07:48:35 am

This is such a rich interview that gives the real flavour of Bulgaria. There's no better way to learn about a country and its heritage than from the people who live it. This takes me back many, many years to when I nearly moved to Bulgaria! At the time I read up a lot on the history so I knew a bit about the Ottoman period and the Cyrillic alphabet. Such an interesting history.

I would love to try some of that Bulgarian food!

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10/30/2018 12:04:15 am

Bulgaria is also known as the country of flower, food and the beautiful girls and if you are a tourist the much recommended the tour of Bulgaria. The article is about the Bulgarian life in which the site elaborates the food, places and many more regarding this place.

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2/3/2019 07:29:11 pm

I’d have to check with you here. Which is not something I usually do! I enjoy reading a post that will make people think. Also, thanks for allowing me to comment!

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3/12/2021 12:31:44 am

Great travelling article, I read the article it is very interesting which makes me to travel these places and eating delicious foods.

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3/12/2021 12:37:11 am

Great article and provides good information about treveling.

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10/23/2022 01:59:32 pm

Thoughtful blog, thanks for posting

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    Lover of  travel to charming places dusted with unique flavor. Join me as I explore the world sip by sip. Cheers!

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