Eating and Drinking Outside a Yambol Street Cafe on New Year's Eve

The last day of the year on New Year's Eve, right in the middle of winter I find that people are still sitting outside, eating, drinking and talking in this street cafe in the middle of the town. Mind you most have their coats on.

Yambol's Polytechnic

The Yambol Polytechnic is where most Yambol students attend once leaving high school. Situated just 200 metres from the town centre and next to the beautiful Yambol Town Park, thousands of Yambol students attend courses there before going out to work or moving on into higher Education either abroad or in other bigger town and cities in Bulgaria.

Yambol's Coach Booking Office

This is just opposite the Yambol Polytechnic and where you have to go to buy coach and bus tickets to travel. Coach travel is cheap and the staff there very helpful, (and attractive). They speak English but I try to speak to them in Bulgarian and they play along with me.

Yambol's Main Post Office

The main Post Office is the town centre opposite the park. It is probably the most popular meeting place for people. Its always busy and queuing up at the counters is fun. It is also the BTK (Bulgaria's Telephone Company) office where you bill it paid and the place where you can get your National Road Disc.

One of Many Casinos in Yambol

Yambol has many Casinos, don't ask my why, I suppose if there must be a demand from somewhere! This is one of them, always bright with flashing lights, not my scene at all.

Yambol Christmas Lights Display

It is a very simple but effective Christmas lights display laid on by the Yambol authorities. Many Bulgarians bring their children her to see it and take pictures, an exciting time for them. Again no need for any security as people can walk right up the display and actually touch it. Why would any one want to spoil such an innocent event?

Yambol Garden Set For Winter

All the bedding plants are now taken out and preparation for a winter has been made in this little garden patch in the centre of town. They say is going to be quite severe in Bulgaria this winter with temperatures so low there is a possibility of setting new records.

Yambol's Theatre - A Closer View

This is a closer view of the theatre/cinema/concert hall in the heart of Yambol. One of the most attractive building and well maintained the town has. There is always something going on in this spectacular hall.

St Nikolai's Church - A view from the North

St Nikolai's Church is spotted again, this time the picture is taken from a northern viewpoint. It dominates the centre of town, even with tall apartments surrounding it. Never a bad photograph taken of this historic and well used church.

A Bit of Yambol Culture

This is one of many sculptures seen in Yambol town centre. all have an appeal and something to say in the art world. They are there to be seen not touched although you do get little children playing around them. These works of art just add to the character of Yambol environment and are appreciated by Yambol people by the respect and care they give to them.

Tables and Chairs Still Out in Yambol

Another walk on this mild December the Sunday before Christmas and the only reason the table and chairs are not being sat on is because of a shower. It is very mild and now only 4 days to Christmas! Will it be white? - We'll have to wait and see. No one here is really bothered if it isn't though, snow is not practical, besides it is kind and kind God respecting people that make Christmas, nothing else.

Still Leaves on Trees in December in Yambol

Less than one week to Christmas and there are still leaves on the trees in Yambol. It has been mild throughout autumn and continues throughout the first part of winter. This scene of the boulevard could well change over the next few weeks.

Yambol's Giant Administration Building Nearly Complete

This massive building is nearing competion. It is to be the adminstration office centre of Yambol dealing with taxes, pensions and various other government sections to do with Yambol's administration. You have to wonder how much adminstrative red tape will still go on here with the amount of offices that are being set up.

New Yambol Shopping Complex

This shopping complex just by the main boulevard just opened a couple of weeks ago. There are countless little shops trading on two floors and the first public escalator in Yambol! From the shops that are there, 90% are selling fashion-based products such as fancy clothing, boots and handbags. A women’s paradise.

A Yambol Back Street View

A view of a part of Yambol many tourists don't get to see whils walking in the backstreets. the 'posh' apartments tow above th eold residental street where formal houses still remain undeveloped. Notice the pavement parking that is common here.

Yambol Hospital Complex

This is the main hospital in Yambol on the outskirts of the town. Many of the buildng there qare in disrepair and need more than a facelift. There are new sections that have been built over the last few years so some improvement to the complex has been. A very professional and caring staff work there and they deserve better, but without money it's more than difficult.

Burnt Out Car In The Back Streets of Yambol

Most visitors to Yambol never really venture out into the back street of Yambol. There are many interesting side to Yambol and this one has been there for a while. This car has been sitting here for at least two years as I pass it time and time again. Stripped of everything useful you would think that someone might want to cash up the metal value and get rid of it. But it still remains and deteriorates further each season - who know it may be a project for renovation at a furture date. I've seen cars like this being used as cart and pulled by horses in the gypsy quarter of Yambol.

A Yambol Obraztsov Dom - Model Home

On passing a house today I noticed that one had the mark of being judged to be a beautiful home. This award system was in place in the olden days of Bulgarian socialism where houses got a placard and certificate if their home was deemed to be a model home. In fact my own farmhouse in Skalitsa has such an award on its gate. Shame it doesn't still apply, but you will still see many placards still on walls and gates of older homes in Yambol and the surround.

Yambol Lada Estate Police Car

Contrary to being told by a policeman many months ago that there are no Lada police cars anymore I caught site on one today on this sunny but much colder December afternoon. It was parked in the police headquarters car park. Why would they tell me that there weren't any more? Well at least this time I wasn't reported and taken in for questioning for taking pictures. By the way I personally think that this is a fine looking police car and a one for the archives.

Hearse Parked Outside Yambol Hospital

There is no consideration as this hearse is seen every single day parked outside the Yambol Hospital. All visitors have to walk past it to see their ill friends or relatives. It must be a worrying moment as they are reminded of the the possibilities of the hearse being hired. Sometimes I see a dead body in the back (in a uncovered coffin) whilst the driver parks up to get a coffee from the shop opposite the hospital. Death is not hidden here and no calls for being more discrete.

Yambol Fruit Tree in December

On walking in one of the inner Yambol town suburbs there is a townhouse with a new method of preserving winter fruits. They are just left on the tree. There are peaches that remain in excellent condition and didn't follow the leave tot he ground. I can only assume that because we haven't have any night will below zero temperatures that they are still there. no doubt if a cold spell is forecast, they will be picked put into jars with sugar and water and made into compote for Christmas and the New Year.

Typical Yambol Stray Dog

Dogs in Yambol are all over the place, both as loners and in packs. Today I saw a loner, they are sorry looking animals but never go hungry as there are many rubbish bins about for them to scavenge before the gypsies get there. If you approach the dog they shy away as most Bulgarians just kick them away. If they are in packs they have a bit more courage with humans and shouldn't really be approached. This particular dog won't last long as it is in a heavy traffic area and will get run over soon. This unfortunately is how it is here.

Remembering the Dead on Yambol Doors

A memory of the dead is always present in Yambol. Many doors are a memorial to those who have past away. At 40 days after death and every anniversary thereon - These memorials are refreshed and sometimes decorated with flowers on such occasions. A reminder in December that most old people in Bulgaria pass away in the cold winter months.

A Yambol 'Nursery' School Playground?

Passing a local school in Yambol I noticed that in the playground they have growing areas. This is a brilliant facility for the kids to learn and take on board the growing of flowers and vegetables. Something in the school curriculum that will be invaluable for many children when they grow up and have a horticultural education build in from an early age. The playground and nursery is in immaculate condition by the way.

Operation Lada in Yambol

A normal sight on a cold morning in Yambol where a Lada owner is performing operations. We have to recognise the person by either the car he is lent over or by the trousers and boots. Like I say this is a very common sight myself included in this group of Lada operations. Notice the door wide open on the road side, this is common as well.

Upper Bazaar Area at 5:00 in the Evening

This was taken around 5:00 today, dark but still bustling with activity just next to the junction by the upper bazaar. The main green lighting comes from the Global telephone company shop. Most people are still working here right up until 7:00 so still a while before most shops close. The bazaar stays open slightly longer as workers buy their produce for this evening's family meal.