Dust & Echoes in Plovdiv: A Slightly Broken Trip
okay, so, plovdiv. honestly? it’s… a thing. i landed yesterday, and my sleep schedule is currently orbiting a dying star. i just checked and it's...there right now, hope you like that kind of thing. 16.67 degrees, feels like 16.38, pressure’s holding steady at 1015, humidity’s clinging to 76 - basically, a perfectly pleasant, slightly oppressive Bulgarian afternoon.
my flight was delayed, naturally. like, three times. and the guy at the gate just kept saying ‘it’s a thing.’ a thing. i swear, if i hear ‘it’s a thing’ one more time, i’m buying a private jet. i ended up grabbing a burek from a tiny place near the station - flaky pastry, spiced meat, the whole shebang. it was… fine. i’m operating on caffeine and the vague memory of a documentary about ancient Roman ruins.
i’m staying in this Airbnb - it’s… rustic. let’s go with rustic. think exposed brick, mismatched furniture, and a faint smell of lavender and regret. the host, a woman named Elena, left a note saying ‘don’t touch the cat.’ the cat is named Dimitri and he judges me. seriously, he judges me.
i spent the afternoon wandering around the Old Town, which is seriously impressive. like, genuinely impressive. the Roman amphitheater is huge, and the streets are just… layered. you’re walking on Roman stone, Ottoman cobblestones, and modern Bulgarian pavement all at the same time. it’s a weird, beautiful collision. i snapped a bunch of photos - trying to capture the light, you know? it’s hard to do when you’re this tired.
i overheard some guys at a cafe talking about a hidden courtyard - something about a secret garden and a forgotten fountain. someone told me that it’s only accessible if you know the right password. i’m pretty sure the password is ‘Dimitri doesn’t judge you.’ i’m going to check it out tomorrow.
i also stumbled upon this amazing little shop selling hand-painted ceramics. the owner, a grumpy old man named Stefan, insisted on telling me the history of each piece. he kept saying, ‘this one was made by my grandfather’s cousin’s brother.’ it was… a lot.
“The city breathes history, you know? It’s in the stones, in the air. Just… listen.” - Stefan, ceramic artist.
i’m trying to find some good places to eat. Yelp says there’s a place called ‘Mehana 44’ that serves traditional Bulgarian dishes. i’m cautiously optimistic. i heard that they have amazing shopska salad, but also that the service can be… slow.
i’m also planning a day trip to Pazardzik - if you get bored, [cities] are just a short drive away. apparently, it’s known for its waterfalls and hiking trails. i’m picturing myself in hiking boots, looking effortlessly cool and outdoorsy. the reality will probably involve a lot of sweating and complaining.
i need to find a decent coffee shop. my current supply is running dangerously low. i’m looking for something with a proper espresso machine and a knowledgeable barista. i’m pretty sure plovdiv has at least one. i’m checking out a place called ‘Coffee Culture’ - it’s supposed to be good.
honestly, this trip is a mess. a beautiful, chaotic, slightly overwhelming mess. but that’s kind of the point, right? i’m not trying to curate a perfect Instagram feed. i’m just… experiencing it. and maybe occasionally taking pictures.
check out TripAdvisor for more info on Plovdiv: https://www.tripadvisor.com/Tourism-g293673-Plovdiv_Bulgaria-Vacations.html
and if you're looking for something to do, this local board has some interesting events: https://www.pldiv.bg/en/events
i’m off to find that secret courtyard. wish me luck. and maybe send coffee.
p.s. if you see Dimitri, tell him i said hi. he needs a hug.