Its a short run from Sofia to Plovdiv, which seems like any other East European town as we enter. Horse or donkey and cart are still common means of transport and we swerve to avoid them as we pass. A suitable place to pull over is eventually found and we offload in the afternoon sun, looking round to spy the hostel and spotting the fruit we have all been craving in a little shop on the square. Lana leads us up a heavily cobbled street. For once, those of us with backpacks have the advantage over the those with wheely bags. Wheelybaggers are struggling with the hill and the large cobbles as their bags bounce and topple over or get stuck in between the big stones. There is no relief as we continue up and up, past quaint medieval houses and shops, round a corner and onwards up and up. Some way up, Bev graciously agrees to swap her big wheely bag with Daenes (correct spelling, not Denis as previously reported) the driver's tiny little rucksack and eventually we are outside our hostel and it looks so pretty. We are allocated our rooms and continue up and up to the top floor. We are back to 8 to a room but at least we have an en-suite wet room!
Our afternoon walking tour guide, Angelina, is delightful. Her self confessed poor English does not hinder her as she regales us with stories of the history of her home town and the beautiful buildings. At the top of the hill we look down on the Colosseum to where they are setting up for Boney M's concert tonight. At the bottom of the hill, we stop at the old Roman underground streets and Angelina tells us there is a little walk along a lovely, pedestrianised shopping street. As she sets off, a few of us spot an ice cream stall with home made ice cream. It looks delicious. Being half Italian, Frankie declares it suitable for consumption. We choose our flavours and the young man weighs it carefully before telling us the price. As we exchange tastes we look up to see where the others have gone. They have disappeared so we start to walk quickly towards the end of the street. By the time we reach the park all evidence of our delinquency has been consumed.
That evening we split into small groups and go for a wander. Our group chooses a little street side restaurant which seems to be frequented by locals. The waitress is somewhat disconcerted by our presence and takes a while to pluck up the courage to take our order. The food is delicious and plentiful and we chat to the strains of ' Brown Girl in the Ring' and ' By the Rivers of Babylon' not so far away. Back in the hostel, most of us agree we would have gladly skipped Belgrade or Sofia for a chance to spend 2 nights in Plovdiv.
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Our afternoon walking tour guide, Angelina, is delightful. Her self confessed poor English does not hinder her as she regales us with stories of the history of her home town and the beautiful buildings. At the top of the hill we look down on the Colosseum to where they are setting up for Boney M's concert tonight. At the bottom of the hill, we stop at the old Roman underground streets and Angelina tells us there is a little walk along a lovely, pedestrianised shopping street. As she sets off, a few of us spot an ice cream stall with home made ice cream. It looks delicious. Being half Italian, Frankie declares it suitable for consumption. We choose our flavours and the young man weighs it carefully before telling us the price. As we exchange tastes we look up to see where the others have gone. They have disappeared so we start to walk quickly towards the end of the street. By the time we reach the park all evidence of our delinquency has been consumed.
That evening we split into small groups and go for a wander. Our group chooses a little street side restaurant which seems to be frequented by locals. The waitress is somewhat disconcerted by our presence and takes a while to pluck up the courage to take our order. The food is delicious and plentiful and we chat to the strains of ' Brown Girl in the Ring' and ' By the Rivers of Babylon' not so far away. Back in the hostel, most of us agree we would have gladly skipped Belgrade or Sofia for a chance to spend 2 nights in Plovdiv.
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