Relax. Read. Rejuvenate. Repeat. It seems the Black Sea Coast in Bulgaria was made for slowing down and soaking up coastal living.
For two weeks, we managed to indulge in this sentiment entirely. We boarded in the home of a local Bulgarian grandmother, Gayna, who has a 3-story house she rents out to travelers throughout the high season. At just $13 a night, we enjoyed a private room with a balcony and views of the ocean, hot water, a complete kitchen, and lovely Bulgarian exchanges. Though Gayne did not speak a lick of English, she was full of stories, questions, warnings, hugs, and kisses. I am pretty sure she told me one night that she was so impressed with Lee (a man cooking in the kitchen) that she was going to steal him away in a sack and keep him forever…though that may have just been my liberal interpretation of all the hand gesturing, “oohs” + “aahs”, and smiles.
Trying to soak up the long, lazy days as much as possible, we awoke each morning and enjoyed a breakfast of fresh fruit and cereal. Afterwards, we practiced yoga on our balcony before heading out for the day.
Just outside our doorstep was the local neighborhood park, and a short walk downhill past an ever-patient donkey brought us to the main strip of beach in Sozopol. With the help of an incredibly gracious Russian family we met on the journey to Sozopol, we discovered hidden gems thoughout town. The jutting rocks around the point of the peninsula were our main haunt. We soaked up the heat from the rocks below and sun above while winds whipped at the air and waves crashed dramatically against the rocks. We sat for hours in the miniature alcoves we found amongst the rocks and explored the florescent living pools of seaweed around us.
Each day, we tried to discover a new rock or beach hideaway, comparing the merits of each to the day before. The crushed seashell beach was enchanting, with a pastel rainbow of shells in varying shades of peach and purple. I loved combing through the seashell sand to find well-worn sea glass in greens and blues.
The entire coast was dotted with fig trees that were poppingly ripe. We enjoyed the fresh fruit by the handful, and the seagulls above enjoyed the occassional snack from the trees as well. The fallen and dripping fruit created sticky patches that reminded me of smushed fig newtons. The area was also populated with pomegranate trees that were in fruit, which is incredible to see since they are so foreign.
For the price of a cold beer ($2.50 lev or about $1.88 US), we lounged in an infinity pool overlooking the cliffs and beaches of The Black Sea below, listening to American ballads and alternating between our deck chairs and the chilly water in the midst of “infinity”.
The Old Town (founded in the 7th century BC) is lined with half-stone, half-wooden houses with dark creaking boards that lend the city its sea-blown charm. Between each set of houses were stone paths with views to the roaring ocean.
Most of our lunches consisted of the basic Bulgarian salad ingredients: fresh tomato, feta, cucumber, and bell pepper. Though we did try “tsatsa”, or tiny little minnows fried whole (bones, tail, eyes, and all). Lee enjoyed a heaping plateful; I enjoyed one!
We cooked simple meals for supper, but it was the first time I really whole-heartedly enjoyed cooking. We made our own pasta sauce from ingredients bought at the local fruit & vegetable stands (several fresh tomatoes, an onion, and a clove of garlic) and I was wowed with how simply such a delicious sauce could come together. Watching solid ingredients melt to a sauce in the pan before my eyes was so rewarding. Clearly, I am a new chef! We got a little more adventurous with a potato pastry supper we made with phyllo dough, potatoes, eggs, and sausage (inspired by a local dish I ordered in the Old Town a few days prior) which was pretty good though we made mental tweaks for the next round!
The gorgeous water views and endless inlets kept calling our names, so we tried to spend as much time by the water as possible. We dove head first into The Black Sea, tread in the strong waves, donned goggles for intrepid exploration, and read + wrote by the water. Serendipitoulsy, the first poem I turned to in my book captured the spirit of Sozopol and our current exploits perfectly:
Roadways by John Masefield
One road leads to London,
One road runs to Whales,
My road leads me seawards
To the white dipping sails.
One road leads to the river,
As it goes singing slow;
My road leads to shipping,
Where the bronzed sailors go.
Leads me, lures me, calls me
To salt green tossing sea;
A road without earth’s road-dust
Is the right road for me.
A wet road heaving, shining,
And wild with seagull’s cries,
A mad salt sea-wind blowing
The salt spray in my eyes.
My road calls me, lures me
West, east, south, and north;
Most roads lead men homewards,
My road leads me forth
To add more miles to the tally
Of grey miles left behind,
In quest of that one beauty
God put me here to find.
Soil and Thread 
Are we going to see some of this cooking enthusiasm carry over when you get back?
I hope so! I’ll have a friend minnow party….Dom and Lee can cook ’em up:)
Haha I hope the cooking enthusiasm comes home with me too! Ill be putting on my international chefs hat and cooking up a storm, all are invited!
Happy Birthday, Dominique!! Sorry it’s a day late. This blog is AMAZING. The pictures and commentary blow my mind. It looks professionally done. I love it. Best of luck on the rest of your journey. It looks like you and Lee are having a great time. Tell him “hey” for me. And remember:
“It is better to travel well than to arrive.” – Buddha
– Ross
Thanks Ross! I love the quote, it is the perfect daily reminder to enjoy even our bumpiest rides! Great to hear from you, hope all is well!
Each glimpse of your Adventure paints
a beautifully lasting picture!
Your choice of the poem about being drawn
to the sea strikes a heart-felt tug!
Can’t wait for resumed email acces to you…
I feel you are “isolated”, which makes me
Miss you all the more!!
However, I hasten to add I am thrilled for
You Both in actually embarking upon this
Wonderful saga!!! Love Always… Dad
Yes, the poem struck a chord here as well! Will you be adding more to your own collection over the next months? Hope so! Love you.
The pictures are fantastic and vivid. The poem is perfect for conveying your feelings and describing your adventure. Food is a global adventure which it sounds like you two are really embracing. We really look forward to and enjoy your updates. Take care. Bob Chaney
Thanks Bob! We love sharing a few bits and pieces from the road, and hearing from everyone back home is such a treat! Looking forward to catching up over Mexican next time we are in town!!
Dom…have you considered writing a book when you return? Your posts are incredible and I look forward to each and every one! Miss you! Enjoy the sunshine! It’s starting to cool down a bit here in NOLA and we’re spending more time outdoors. One of about two glorious months of weather we’ll get all year:)
A book someday would be a dream! For now just soaking as much in as possible! I bet Royce & Bruin are thrilled with the cooler temps in NOLA too! Have you made it to a movie in City Park yet? Sounds like it would be a perfect time. Miss you all!
Sozopol Sounds like a heavenly adventure. The sea is stunningly blue! Appropriate poem for the locale. So glad you shared the content. Perfect Black Dress! Go Fashionista on the ROCKS!
Love, Mamacita xoxoxox
Lol, nothing compared to your “belted” beach number! 🙂
Yeah! That’s when I had a waist!
Hmmmm very nice …. did you go fishing …… just about to smoke something …. maybe fish … hahaha its ready now ….
No “dead” dog? Good to hear! No fishing in Sozopol for us – we saw many men fishing, but not one fish caught. Glad all is well in Veliko Tornovo!
I once wrote a song to words by the poet John Masefield – “I must go down to the seas again, to the lonely seas and the sky,” and I am so touched to read about your journey. Courage and strength and love for the days to come. Thanks for sharing it with us…tonight we visited Jelly Roll and Satchmo, and they were doing just fine! xoxoxo
Thanks Sarah! We must get together upon our return and hear your Masefield song, so neat! Missing our “music room” days, but brought along some harmonicas so hopefully we can return with a few notes to accompany the piano 🙂 Great hearing from you!
Sounds like this wa quite the spot for y’all! Miss you both and am so glad y’all are enjoying yourselves!
Also, grace I can’t believe you ate that little fish!!
Haha, yes well when adventure calls…!
Tom and I want to wish you a Happy Birthday. We know your celebrating somewhere in Europe. Enjoying your journal. Maybe someone will make a documentary out of it or “How to travel the world on _$ per day for a year”. Love you both and take care.
Thanks so much Carla and Tom! The big birthday was actually spent in Nepal, which was as far from ordinary as it could get, but perfectly enjoyable. More details to come shortly!