Ahh sweet Bulgaria.

[pnjsurferpoet]

I know, I know. If you see one my discussion topic on Bulgaria on the Internet, you'll just scream. But humor me.

Has anyone ever been? I've read facts about the country, but has anyone heard how they're doing economically. I read, pretty good. They seem like another people that were always in the wrong place at the right time and are just now getting to be free.

[JonBoi]

Hey PNJ. I was in Bulgaria when I was 13 (1991) and they had just begun the transformation from communist state to a more western style government.

The poverty of the place really struck me when we first arrived, even though I was pretty young and was more interested in the ski-resort my teachers were taking us to!!

Made a couple of good Bulgarian friends whilst studying in Germany and from the impression they gave me, they are a very motivated country. Not too sure about the in's and out's of their economy but they've certainly come a long way in the past 12 years!! I know a lot of German companies are going to that area (Romania too) and their tourism industry has really taken off as well.

well thats my two-pence worth. for whats it worth.

[pnjsurferpoet]

Hey, that's cool and thanks for posting that. I know when Bush was there they were going crazy with the flag waving. And they've offered up 5 airports or bases for the US to station troops in if we need it.

I think the US should only have troops in countries where the people as well as the government wants them.

[Clandestine]

I was there in 1996 with a political rally of international motorcyclists I had been asked by some friends in the European rider's rights lobby to spearhead. The transformations you speak of were all but non existent to us whilst on that leg of the rally.

What was evident was the widespread delapidation offset by monolithic Soviet style monuments even along the highways.

Moreover, Bulgaria has long been remembered by those involved as the worst nightmare of the entire effort. From the moment we entered (having has only 3 hours of sleep in the previous 24 hours), we were herded like cattle by the secret police attache assigned to us. No rest stops were allowed, no nights lodging was provided, and we were driven (sometimes at threat of arrest or possible army intervention) through the night for 16 hours until we reached Sophia.

There we were allowed 4 hours rest before being pushed to the border of Greece.

That hardline reception lead to 18 motorcycle accidents and three broken legs from amongst the nearly 85 motorcycles and 120 participants (many of whom ended up forced to ride in the vans).

Bulgaria today remains well behind even the rest of Eastern Europe in political as well as economic reform.

[pnjsurferpoet]

This is so cool. Thanks for posting that Clandestine.