A Simple Yambol Greengrocer Shop

Nothing fancy about this greengrocer shop, just selling fine quality fruit and vegetables at the going rate. Most of the time the owner is sitting out under the shade of the parasol chatting to others who would sit with her. Right now though there are customers to attend to or are they just there to chat?

A Live Wired Shop In Yambol

Exposed live wires just left in the wake of a passing public has been focused on before in Yambol. I found another example here in this newish gardening and novelty shop. There are two sets of live wires one at head height and one at hip height. As you can see a door is open right next to them, this is the entrance to the shop where many children visit with parents. No fatalities yet which would obviously only then bring about the a change in lax electrics. Right next to plants that need watering daily as well!

Road Signs Of The Times In Yambol

It is noticeable that road sign in Yambol are changing to EU uniformed style and becoming more frequent. This is a change for the worse as far as I see it. This picture could now be quite easily be mistaken for another EU country and has not real identity or character. A sign of the times in Yambol indeed.

Typical Three Tiered Building Set Up In Yambol

This picture gives a typical example on how many buildings are set up in Yambol. There are three tiers of buildings you can see. The first in the forefront at ground level are the shops. Above the shops are apartments and behind the shops and apartments are the apartment blocks where the customers live. This is how the world goes around in Yambol.

A Domed Greenhouse In Yambol

This domed greenhouse is used in the winter by a restaurant to protect the shrubs it puts on display in the outside eating area in warmer weather. Of course now the warmer weather is here this is no redundant and hidden away at the back end of the restaurant out of sight. No doubt is will be put back in place next winter.

A Yambol Bus Shelter With Low Seats

Bus shelters in Yambol are varied and interesting which is why there are quite a lot that have been featured on this blog. this one is no exception. I like the yellow tinted glass blocks and the open plan design, however there is a design fault with the seating. Surely it should have been slightly higher or is it seating in the first place?

Another Hand Painted Road Sign In Yambol

Hand painted road sign in Yambol are one of the great pleasures that I get in walking the streets. I know that very soon they will all disappear and become EU uniform and official. This one has a nice little tractor and bus draw both of which are not allowed on this route. As I stood and took this picture a BMV sped past me at well over 40 Kmph! Naughty but common on Yambol roads, even with massive pot holes.

A Basement Bulgarian Boot Shop In Yambol

This Bulgarian Boot shop is unique in position and exterior design. Sitting in the basement of an apartment block with hand painted pictures of boots and description it couldn't be mistaken for anything else other than a boot shop. Did I go in and buy boots? No, but only because I only bought a pair a few days ago. 

A Tarted Up Trabant In Yambol

I caught sight of this tarted up Trabant car in Yambol and must admit was quite impressed. I didn't see it drive off but am sure it would still whir and purr away leaving a trail of 2-stroke smoke in its wake.The owner must have spent quite some time doing this up.

Anarchy And Hitler In Yambol

I'm not too sure how old this 'graffiti' is on this electricity station near the centre of Yambol, but is sent shivers down my spine when I saw it. 'Skins' is of course a an extreme Nationalist movement and 'Hitler' was probably the most radical of this genre. I was surprised to see that is had not been erased by locals. 

A Coca Cola Caravan In Yambol Apartment Block Grounds

I don't think anyone lives in this Coca Cola sponsored caravan purely for the fact it is not held up level. It is however a mystery why this is actually there on apartment block grounds. The owner of the caravan should gets a fee for advertising Coca Cola considering the vast population of residents living there who see it every day.

A Plain Cycle Parked Up In Yambol

I just love the simplicity of the bicycles in Yambol. This was is so plain and functional with the normal plastic carrier although this one is rather special as it has a bell on the handlebar. This bike will last well beyond the new breed of cheap fashion mountain bikes that are increasingly seen on Yambol streets (and pavements). Bikes are never locked when parked up outside shops etc. That's good!

A Closed Down Gas Station In Yambol

to me this gas station that is now closed down looks quite new. The no entry sign there has a backup system with the shrubs that are growing in the the drainage system. Even though it is closed there are people who attend the office and sweep the area for some reason, maybe for security I guess. Or will it open up again in the future? 

A New 'Posh' Furniture Shop In Yambol

I was quite taken back by the architecture of this new furniture shop that is about to open in Yambol. It is certain the state of the art and has a posh feeling about it. The furniture however is not quality wood and reminds me of MFI furniture that is sold in the UK. The bottom line is the building impresses, but that's all.

A Hole In A Yambol Road

This year in Yambol and the rest of Bulgaria the state of the roads has been horrendous. Here is just a little taste of what you get when you drive in Yambol. A hole with then obligatory cigarette carton within. Traffic accidents with pedestrians are down, but car repairs are up! 

Yambol's Amiliya Medical Centre Entrance

You may be surprise to know that this is the entrance to a medical centre called Amiliya in Yambol. It is quite an invitation to walk though sometimes wishing I was ill enough to have reason to walk it. A few years on and the wood will have aged and be covered with greenery, this may lose a bit of uniformity but bring about a more natural feel. This is the best entrance for a medical centre I have every seen.

A New Business In Yambol - Now For Rent

This new business premise was built last year with the hope of it up and running now. But because of the lack of business and an ongoing recession here it is now for rent and to be quite honest not a snowball chance in hell of being taken up. Such a shame as this is in a nice area surrounded by apartment blocks, but people with no money.

Another Casino In Pristine Condition In Yambol

Another casino in pristine condition in Yambol. I am a open opponent of casinos which I feel breeds all the wrong ideals that are associated with gambling. The reason these places are so well presented and maintained? Well their upkeep is paid for by the poor who go and lose money they can't afford to lose, but to it in desperation. A generalisation I know, but in may cases so true.

Another Statue Of Yambol's Goddess Diana

There are many statues of Yambol's favourite Goddess Diana. Today I found another one tucked away in a little park facing the main road away form the pedestrian path so not many people see in on foot. I do believe there was a javelin or spear in here left hand, another form of hunting of course from the hunting Goddess. No hunting dog with her this time.

A Lonely Woman In A Yambol Children's Park

A lovely sunny warm day in Yambol but no children playing in this area designed for them. Instead a lonely old woman deep in though sits there on her own. What's going through her head I wonder? I'm sure it is something to do with money and worrying considering how much pension she gets to survive on here.

Yambol School Named after Hristo Smirnenski With Statue

Hristo Smirnenski has a school named after him in Yambol. this is the statue that stands in the school grounds. He a Bulgarian poet and prose writer who wrote thousands of pieces of poetry and prose in various genres using more than 70 pseudonyms. An interesting trivia is Smirnenski Point on Robert Island, South Shetland Islands is also named after him. He died young at only 25 years old form tuberculosis. Why do all great artists die young?

Another Vilton Supermarket In Yambol

Much as I have a pet hate for supermarkets, the Vilton chain are quite acceptable to me. They are firstly Bulgarian owned based all around the city of Yambol, i.e. you don't need a car to get there to shop. Secondly, they are all on a small scale and more like a grocer shop. This one I particularly like because there are no trolley to push around, just baskets. this one has recently undergone a complete renovation, but not got bigger! Refreshing indeed to see no progress in that department - Oh yes I nearly forgot, only one checkout point!

A Nice Little Park Area In Yambol

This nice little park area is a place I often visit whilst waiting for people, Not too far from the big Kaufland supermarket I would much rather be in the park than touring the aisles with a shopping trolley. I like the circular styled metal layout backing of the seating area. Simple, effective and pleasant to those who use and respect it in Yambol,

A Children's Slide Without The Slide In Yambol

Money is the problem here. A children's slide that has parted company with the actual slide has not been repaired. Luckily there are many other children's play apparatuses around Yambol that are in slightly better condition than this.

Yambol's Sveti Kliment Ohridski School

A popular school in Yambol is the Sveti Kliment Ohridski School across the road is the main Yambol hospital. The school is of course a place for learning but also a place where socialising goes on out of school hours. You will see many children returning to school in the evening using the sporting facilities that remain open 24/7. Good to see the Bulgarian flag proudly fluttering in between the two big trees with the whitewashed trunks.

A Rakia Ad On A Car In Yambol

This is becoming more popular where companies place their ads on cars for a premium. It is a good way to make some money which of course is a passive income. There are condition of course, keep the car clean and drive a certain amount of mile per month. This car is not from Yambol, but from Plovdiv so is getting the mileage in. On the other hand I might be wrong and the owner might actually work for Peshterka the famous rakia brand. By the way I don't like this rakia and much prefer my own home made version

Brushes On The Move In Yambol

Bulgarians are possessed to keeping there paths clear of dust and rubbish and no more popular are the straw brushes that do just a good job. Gypsies can be seen selling them off their backs and that's where I get mine. The snaller hand brush is priced at 2 BG Lev. Like I said, there is no brush that sweeps as well as this one.

A Live Wire In Yambol

This to many would be a serious problem and a danger to a passing public, in Yambol this is a common sight. Live wires are seen in many places, this one is on a street lamp without the protective cover. I hasten to add that only an idiot would tamper with it therefore it is only dangerous to idiots.

An Advert For A Yambol Toy Shop

This very colourful character (Pinnocio I think) stands outside a local toyshop which specialises in dolls, teddy bears and many other cuddly toys. I like the way this is made form recycled tyres, so typical of Bulgaria in this way.

A More Than Interesting Yambol Garage Door

I found this Yambol garage door a more than interesting collage of put together materials that make it up. Just look at all the components from the hinges to the door built in, it is a jungle of a design that wasn't planned on paper I hasten to add. 

A Yambol Apartment Block Built In 1965

There is now questionat all about when this Yambol apartment block was built. It was 1965 and of course you can tell by the cement work on the left of the door. However I have serious doubts whether the date that was put there was put there in 1965, surely an after thought with the wall renovation!