A Yambol Tree Covered Car Park

Cars tend to park anywhere in Yambol. That is changing in the city centre with no parking signs going up like there is no tomorrow, but on the outskirts this still happens. The car parked on the pavement has chosen this tree to shelter for the sun. The trouble is that birds often leave a big mess on the car; the driver’s choice has been made though in this case – Cool car, but splattered window screen.

A Filled Hole In The Road In Yambol

When Yambol’s roads need repairing and they often do, there is no provision for traffic to be diverted or warned of the work going on. This is a classic example right in the middle of the road. No problem though car that approach just drive on the pedestrian walkway. It works here in Yambol and other town and cities because the cars travel at a snails pace on the side roads die to the condition of the roads and there very little danger of hitting pedestrians, there is enough time to just walk out of their way.

Glassed Apartment Stairway In Yambol

I found this interesting piece of glass architecture on the backend of a small apartment block on the outskirts Yambol. It covers the landings and flights of stairs all the way to the top. Most apartment buildings have brick or blocks with no natural light and the use of lights have to be switched on to find your way up. No need for that here, all they need is street lamps and no light internal light would be needed during night either. I wouldn’t be seen to be going up those stars though as I have vertigo!

One Vine For Five Familes

This community vine tops the previous picture of a community, which catered for four families. This one covers five floors and each has a harvest to look forward to in September. Not enough for wine but more than enough to fill a fruit bowls on the dining room table for a few weeks. This is great to see.

A Yambol Waste Bin Full To The Brim

There is this reputation that Bulgarian just throw their rubbish everywhere and that there is no care about the environment when they do this. In actual fact form my experience in Yambol this has two sides. The younger generations tend to be more conscious of using of rubbish bins whereas the older generations tend to be the litterbugs. I can’t only put the older Bulgarian attitude this down to post reaction of communist times of the past when they could be put in prison for littering the street. This of course could well come back into play with western influence smothering Bulgaria. The well used waste bin pictured here is in an area where younger Bulgarians frequent – A good omen for the future.

An Old People Carrier In Yambol

This people carrier vehicle couldn’t be parked inconspicuously in Yambol with those glaring headlamps. I’m not too sure of the make, but it is Sofia registered with the ‘C’ on the registration plate. The age of the van is also a mystery; I’d say around 20+ years old. No chance of it being stolen, firstly because that doesn’t go on here and secondly it’s not exactly a ‘joy’ ride vehicle that’s for sure. Make the most of seeing these types of vehicles around they won’t be for much longer in Yambol

Fuel Prices In Yambol Right Now

This is the current price of car fuel in Yambol right now. Much as I hate cars with the pollution and dangers they bring no matter how high fuel prices rise, it will still be purchased and cars still being used in many cases unnecessarily. Traffic in Yambol is unprecedented compared to four or five years ago and the amount of pollution has dramatically increased with it. I need to wash my hair daily living in Yambol with petrol and diesel fumes about town. That never used to be the case when I first moved here.

Note:
If you want ot convert the BG Leva is around $1.50 or 1.96 Euros

A Lovely Iron Stairway To A Yambol Shop

Leading up to a Yambol shop, an almost new flight of stairs in Bulgarian red and green. I love the way the design has been worked on, giving a chunky and robust look yet retain a certain elegant styles that serves very well. This should last 100 years or more. The waste bin placed on the top just begs to be used as the wrapper off an ice-lolly is taken off on the way out.

A Typical Bench For Yambol Apartment Residents

This is a typical Yambol bench for apartment residents that you will find just outside the entrance. I love the aged look and the circular designed framework, many a Bulgarian bottom has rested itself upon the softwood of the bench in the warmer seasons of the year, but not too many during winter.

Another Classic Trabant With Roofrack In Yambol

Another Trabant in fine condition with a roof rack, which is quite common with these vehicles, was found parked in Yambol today. There are still many around, you can hear their distinctive high-pitched grinding of the two-stroke engine. Someone said that if you fill the tank with petrol the price of the vehicle is doubled. I doubt that very much in the future though, as these will become treasured antiques in years to come.

The Tall And The Short In Yambol

A contrast in the height of Yambol residents homes from a small bungalow to a high-rise apartment block. The contrast is quite dramatic and there are many examples of this around the city. Many Bulgarian prefer the apartments due to being very economical during the cold winter months and not needed much repair. Practicalities rule again in Bulgaria.

Yambol Gypsy Mudslingers Early To Work After A Night Of Rain

After a night of heavy rain the first people out in the streets in the morning are the gypsy mudslingers. this was taken at 7:00 and as you can see they are clearing the landslide of mud that had been washed into the gutters of the street. Without these workers doing thee business the street of Yambol would be potential reservoirs with the drains that would be blocked up next time the rains fall. Rain in Yambol is an expensive business for the public service authorities here.

A Dangling Carp Outside A Yambol Fishmonger's Shop

This fishmonger shop in Yambol city centre is situated next to my local hairdresser and is one of a few fishmonger shops around. I don’t buy any fish from this one, but I do like the big plastic carp that hangs from the shop front. Again, this is untouched by the youth of Yambol and has happily dangled there for years and years to come hopefully.

Yambol Shop Workers, Working

This is a common sight everyday in Yambol city centre are shopkeepers on the street. Many have a resident table and chair in which to sit out and have a smoke a drink and a chat with the neighbouring shopkeepers. It looks like a little street café sometimes as you walk past. Business is such right now that they spend most of the day outside of the shop and obviously up to date on the latest Yambol news and gossip.

Yambol Homes Cleared For More Development

Yet another area in Yambol city centre sees Old Bulgarian houses being demolished to make way for new developments for profit. I do not know what is planned here but is certainly won’t be a Bulgarian house but more than likely to be expensive apartments geared to wards foreign buyers. There are so many of these instances and many that have got half way through the development and then being abandoned due to lack of funds or buyers.

Yambol's Army Cadet Training Recruitment Offcie

In Yambol city centre there is a cadet training recruitment office, where I often wait outside while Galia is in one of her favourite women’s fashion shop across the road. The pictures on the window look quite exciting, but I have never seen anyone walk in or out of the office in all the years I have been here. There is also another window next to the one that has the advertising posters that give a pictorial history of the Bulgarian army going back to the world wars and the fight for Bulgarian Independence against the Ottoman rule. I have spend literally hours looking at these pictures of men trained to kill whilst just killing time myself.

Bad Parking Habits In Yambol - Even Wheelbarrows

Bulgarians are well known for their bad parking habits. Not just Yambol, but everywhere you go in Bulgaria you see cars parked on pavements without a thought for pedestrains. Today the same manner was shown for a badly parked wheelbarrow. I had to laugh as I saw it lying there in the street. Some things never change.

An Attractive Yambol Iron Window Grate

Tucked away amidst the undergrowth in Yambol city centre is a basement room of a house with an attractive window grate. It can be easily missed when you walk past. I like the way the bars lengthen climaxing to the centre. the lovely little twirls just add to it. It will last far longer than the windows it protects, probably ending up somewhere else in Yambol on a new development.

Sweetcorn For Sale In Yambol City Centre

There is nothing like the taste of freshly cooked locally produced sweetcorn. This is a sure sign of summer in full swing Yambol as the sellers are out in force. They are very popular and good to see children being bought some to eat as a snack rather than the fast food crap they are being forced to eat in other non Bulgarian food places. However, this freedom to sell simple good food on the streets might be stopped in the future as EU directives are being processed right now on health and safety. This make me mad to think they can do this yet let crap fast food through!

Yambol Electrical White Goods Stores Selling Buggies And Motorbikes

In many Yambol Electrical white good stores they used to sell a few bicycles alongside. Now it has got more ambitious with buggies and motorbikes taking the limelight of the shop display. Sign of the times and diversity in products has to be made during a recession I suppose.

An Old Yellow Lada Taxi In Yambol City Centre

In Yambol city centre this old yellow Lada taxi waits for no one, it is no longer in service, however it does have a use. It was used to display national parliamentary election campaign posters. Somehow though I don’t think the owner of the Lada received fees for advertising space.

Seedling Nursery By Yambol's River Tundzha

On the south side of the River Tundzha there are flood plains. The soil here is great for crops. On this particular patch there is a seedling nursery, which is now are well into their second crop this year. It is excellently managed in regimental fashion and a treat seeing the tremendous rate of growth each time I pass it.

Anitque Tractors On Yambol's Tundzha Riverbank

Just before you cross the Tundzha River on the road to Stara Zagora, if you look to your left you will see these antique tractors lined up. Obviously not been used for decades and have no use to anyone other than for scrap metal, which is where they will probably end up. I like the bare metal wheels.

Yambol City From A Distance

This is Yambol seen from a couple of kilometres out on the road to the big village of Roza some 10 kilometres firthe up the road. You can sse the hill where the TV mast is situated at the top and the Borovets Hotel half way up the hill. This is the road I take to Skalitsa (37 kilomtres away) each weekend.

(Sorry about the marks on the picture)

Boyko Borisov's GERB Party WIns Bulgarian Election

Well the national parliamentary elections are over and Boyko Borisov’s GERB conservative party has had a landslide victory and will become the new Prime Minister shortly. The amount campaign of posters slapped in every corner of Yambol is criminal. Now they will remain until the weather elements wear them out or other posters slapped on top of them.

Yambol's Hospital Toilet - Funds Needed Obviously

As we visited the hospital today to see one of our friends who was there we took a trip to the toilet. This toilet is for the use of patients there. What you see is typical of the requirement of updating, repairing and modernising that is needed in this hospital, but there are no funds to do so. Most funds are put into the development of businesses unfortunately. At least the toilet works.

Old Abandonded Car On Yambol Wasteground

There are thousands of old cars tucked away in garages in Yambol, most out of sight from public view, but one I saw today was abandoned on a bit of wasteland. It looks like it had been there for quite a few years. I’m not sure of the make or how old it is, but and sure it will remain there for a few years to come.