Yambol is not the prettiest City in Bulgaria, but it does have a unique character which is now in the process of being captured by camera. What you see now in Yambol will be short lived in a world of change, especially with the EU strangling the heart and soul of Bulgaria's culture with directives and uniform regulations.
There are many blocks or aprtment block in Yambol and car parks right next to each one. It never fails to amaze that many Bulgarians just sit in the car parks having a picnic, talking in the evening. They bring their table and chairs out and amongst the cars parked there, often eat their evening meals there, sometimes with a barbecue and always with a rakia or two. Today on this warm sunny day the table and chairs had alrwady been set int he car park. In an hour or two they will be filled with locals.
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Another bike spotted parked outside the Yambol Rakia house this afternoon as I went for a wander. This was used for carrying everything for making Rakia. The wood in the plastic top box had already been taken out and was now being burned. Notice the bycycle's top frame bar, which had been cut and rewelded lower down so it is easier to get on and off. What is unusual about this bike is that it has a brake.
There are many homes in Yambol that just turn their entrance and front room into a shop. This is a fine example of just that. Secondhand clothing seems the be the favourite home/shop theme
This house was passed today and the was a black ribbon and poster of the member fot he family that had passed away recently. I small memorial placed on the gates of the homes that have had death brought about. This is seen itn he streets fo Yambol and throughout the country as it is the tradition here in Bulgaria.
There are many road repairs right now, it's the right time for this as the weather isn't too hot. But by golly do they neede repairing. this was found today as I turned left at the junction. Luckily I wasn't in a car at the time. Many a car repair is needed after driving over these tyhpes of pothole! By the way, the state of this road is typical and quite a common sight in Yambol's increasing traffic filled roads.
Walking along the road this morning I came across an obstruction. Now rubbish is a common sight in Bulgaria but this didn't make sense. The rubbish had been placed next to a wheely bin or could have been taken out of the wheely bin I don't know. In any case it was just left there. Most of it would be collected and recycled by whatever means by gypsies by the end of the day so that's half the problem solved!
This was started about a year ago and is in the same street as out house in Yambol, about 1 kilometre from the town centre. It has been a major problem with the car turning into this road with all the building that was going on but now it is almost complete. You can see the project picture by the tree which isn't too far removed from the finished product.
I just love walking along the streets of Yambol, every house and home has something interesting to show. this luchtime my walk took me past a home with vines, (ever house has them). The grapes were being pick as I paused for the photograph. Being Bulgarian they saw me, climbed down the ladder and handed me over a couple of bunches of grapes to take home. This is normal here and by golly were they sweet!
These Yambol apartment homes are a few years old now and in the street we live in. They are the new breed of apartments that are slightly more 'up market' than the 'blocks'. Again, well out of the price range for the ordinary worker now.
