Yambol's Memorial To Bulgaria's Independence

Every year on the 3rd March Bulgarians celebrates their independence and liberation from the Ottoman Rule. Last Tuesday was that day and 130 years years free of the yoke. The memorial picture here was centre stage when the formal celebrations took place in Yambol's Town Park. It was of course another public holiday and reason to celebrate and party on - And we all did.

Beer Bottle Label Collection

Some of the picture on this photoblog aren't very artistic or pleasing to the eye, but that's not the point of this blog. Yambol is shown as I see it and that is what I want to portray. I am not an estate agent trying to promote the area, just an observer seeing Yambol on a day to day basis. On the window of the entrance to one of the apartment block in Yambol there is a growing collection fo beer bottle labels. With hundreds of residents in this high-rise block alone, I'm sure that they could fill the window with other brands by summer when the beer drinking is in full swing. Most Bulgarians drink beer at home so there are many beer bottles going in and out of these apartment blocks - It's cheaper than bar prices and all Bulgarian women are master chefs at Bulagrina food to accompany.

Yambol's 'Posh' Diana Palace Hotel

This is the famous Diana Palace Hotel. The word 'posh' comes out here as once you enter the 'palace' it is just that. It is situated in a area that is shrewn in rubble and rough ground with not even a car park alongside, which is just a waste area. I went in the place once when first coming here and felt totally uncomfortable with the 'high class' environment. It may well be for those who want VIP treatment and have lots of money - Yes it is around double the cost of other decent hotels - But then if you have lots of money to spare, the chances are you wouldn't be in Bulgaria, but somewhere else more up market!

Martenitsa Day Gift Stalls Still Working

It is one week after Martenitsa Day or Baba Marta Den (1st March) has passed and still the gift stalls are working and selling the red and white traditional emblems of the day. It is another few weeks before the traditional bracelets gifted to friends can be taken off and either hung on a tree or bush branch or put under a rock and a wish can be made. In this part of Bulgaria this can't be done before sighting the first stork that migrate here to nest. On the western side of Bulgarian in the Sofia area, they don't get these big gracious birds and have to wait until the first bud of spring has opened.

Grapevine Garden Fences in Yambol

As you walk the streets of Yambol it is not uncommon to see garden fences used as supports to grapevines. Everything is so open and trusting here as in the late summer, the grapes ripen to their sweetest tune and there is no thieving of the fruits by passers by or night walkers. This is one thing I just admire about Yambol, the trust they have to respect each other's garden produce. It maybe to do with most having their own grapevines and don't need to steal.