Hot in the City

Bulgaria and Turkey were hot. However, on returning to Skopje it was humid, no wind and 42 degrees C! After a day working in doors with the air-con switched on, I escaped to Prilep where it actually got cold at night! It also meant I had slept in 13 different beds in less than a month. One 6 day period I was in a different bed each night (except one night which was on a coach). Disorientating.

Now I've started planning again for the new term with the students.

Travel Stories

On Saturday my bank card was eaten by a machine! I managed to get some money out but then it didn't give my card back. The bank said they couldn't do anything until Monday, by which time I had planned to leave Istanbul.

Anyway, the city seemed to be able to keep me there for a couple more days. When I went to the bank on Monday they said to come back at 16:30. So I went for a boat ride, but unfortunately got stranded on an island and wasn't able to get back in time for the bank.

So next morning I had wanted to catch a bus at 10 am for Bulgaria, but bank opened at 9, giving me little time. I ran to the bank, only to realise I'd left a bag behind, had to run back and forth, losing 15 minutes. Bank gave me card and then it was a rush to get to the bus station, withdraw some money and buy a ticket. The minutes ticked by as I waited for the metro. It looked unlikely I'd make it as I arrived at bus station at 8 minutes to 10, and I prayed for help. Quickly I got to a bank machine and withdrew money.

Then the amazing part happened. As I went to look for the bus, very little time left, I man asked where I was going. When I told him, he ran with me to find the ticket office. He helped me buy the ticket and then ran with me to the bus. It was already after 10 but the bus was still there. The man who helped paused long enough to see I was OK then walked off. I don't know who he was or why he helped, but I was still amazed and praising God that I had managed to catch the bus as we were driving off!

Istanbul

Standing on a bridge over the Golden Horn, the wind blowing through my hair, looking out from the edge of Europe over to Asia, the Muslim call to prayer sounding out from various "camii". A vibrant city, my introduction to modern Turkey. Lively bars and restaurants, and laid-back community-feeling, nestled in the walls of the old city - Sultanahmet - surrounded by such historic sites as Ayasofia and Topkapi Palace.

I had come to Istanbul, having wanted to meet other Christians and then deciding to simply trust God to direct me, instead of waiting around for it to happen. Walking back from the bridge I remembered again this decision and continued to trust. Minutes later I encountered a group playing music and quickly discerned that they were Christians. I discovered that there are very few Christians in Turkey (a country of 70 million), so the chance of that meeting was very small. I could see God's hand in it.

Veliko Turnovo

This is a pretty town in Bulgaria, once the capital of the country. It is nestled in hills around a twisting river valley, with some great scenery. I can recommend it!

Half Way to 70!

It was my birthday yesterday! I was celebrating it in Veliko Turnovo in Bulgaria. I was staying in a private room with a view out over the gorge. Very nice!



I've met with various people from different countries, and today went for a walk with a French guy who lives in Uganda, an Albanian living in Canada, and Argentine girl living in Scotland and an American who used to live in France. Very international!

Tip of the Day

Don't eat chocolate while lying on your back wearing a clean white shirt.

Food

I like food. I don't like being food. I was bitten over 200 times by bed bugs and it itches. I've considered adding a photo but I'm not sure you'd want to see.

Sofia

I'm in Sofia, Bulgaria! I've come on a holiday, and already it's been interesting. Fortunately I was not left behind by the bus this time (see previous post) and arrived at the station OK. Whilst looking for an ATM, I met another British guy who welcomed having some company. We had a great day together, talking most of the time. He was interested to hear about my faith in Jesus and it was a pleasure to talk with him about it. In fact we were so intense in our conversation that we saw very little of the city. He's now gone off to Belgrade.

It's been nice to realise that I can actually communicate here - Macedonian is so similar to Bulgarian that I can talk to the people and understand their answers (mostly!). When a couple of English guys who I was with heard me speaking they said they thought I was a spy!!

As for where I go next - well, I don't even know!

Nicest photo of Sofia (in fact my only one)

Stranded!

So I was traveling back from Ohrid by bus. I sat down next to someone praying for an opportunity to speak to him, while at the same time also wanting to sleep. Anyway, he started talking to me and we continued the conversation at the half way point, at the mountain pass- miles from anywhere, but a popular stopping place. As we talked we saw the bus leaving without us! After unsuccessfully try to hitch a lift from various cars, trucks and a tractor (the latter would have been a mistake anyway!), another bus stopped for us, and when we told what had happened, gave us a lift for free! And there were two empty seats as well. I eventually got to Skopje and went to the bus garage and managed to recover my guitar and backpack. An interesting journey.