Good morning from Ruse, Bulgaria – about 75 kilometers south of Bucharest, Romania. Viking had the herd buses lined up and ready this morning. One was going to a monastery made out of rocks. Maybe interesting, but also a 2 hour bus ride. Pass. The other bus was a shuttle into town. Kind of a head-scratcher for us, since we’re only about a mile away from town – but walking a mile isn’t in the cards for a lot of these folks. Ken and I would much rather walk, so we just waved to everyone as we set off on foot.
Little Vienna
Ruse bills itself as “Little Vienna”. Thaaattt’s a bit of a stretch. There are certainly more buildings in Ruse that were once beautiful, but like much of Eastern Europe, the theme here seems to be deterioration and decay. And the buildings that *do* look like they could have potential are “far away” buildings. Because if you look at them close-up, everything is falling apart.
Sidebar: Everything in Cyrillic, Day 2. I wonder what sound the number 3 makes in Bulgarian?
Am genuinely concerned about the electrical and internet wiring in Bulgaria. This chaotic wiring scheme is everywhere. And it looks like it’s about to start a fire. When you hear stories about spotty electricity and internet in these towns, you understand why.
Sidebar: Ken made a Bulgarian cat friend. Lots of cats in Bulgaria, but not nearly as many as in Istanbul.
Odds & Ends
Quick walk by the Monument of Liberty in Freedom Square. Honestly, all of these freedom monuments/squares are starting to look alike to me. The statue points toward the free people of Europe. Kind of surprised the communists didn’t change the direction of the statue to point toward Mother Russia during occupation times. They did rename the square, though: Lenin Square.
Jaunty Bulgarian track suit. 
Here’s a pic of a typical store in Ruse: need some shoes? You can get them with or without spider webs and water damage.
I did find a jewelry store (I have a special spidey sense for this) that specializes in sterling silver made by local Bulgarian artists, so I bought a few of pieces for my collection.
Ah, and here are some more rose oil products.
Wine friends will find this interesting: Bulgarian rose oil is a Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) under EU law – meaning only oil produced in Bulgaria’s Rose Valley can bear the name Bulgarian Rose Oil.
Time to pack up our suitcases. For the next two nights, we will be in Bucharest, Romania.
Travel date: October 21, 2025.
You’re so funny! Love those track suits! It’s always nice when you’re in a tour group of sorts and you feel younger than the rest cause you can still walk!!!
Thanks, Mimi!! Ken and I felt like teenagers on this trip! 😂
A few questions / observations:
– I think that wiring was done by a few of my old network engineers (just kidding in case Tony is reading along).
– What is Bulgarian Rose Oil? What is it used for? And why would anyone want to copy it?
– I think I would look hot in that track suit. Do you agree?
Careful what you wish for on that track suit. 😂 Though, it might be comfortable (and stylish!) on the 24 hour trip we’ve got coming up!
Oops….i’m just getting caught up. Just read the previous post. Now I know all about Bulgarian rose oil. Forgive the ridiculous previous question. Although, having gone back and educated myself via your previous writings, I’m 1000% into the track suit look. I’m getting some for future travel!
Get the track suit – hell, get two.
My neighbor is from Bulgaria. It made me sad to see the conditions his family may still live in. It’s also an incredible reminder of how fortunate we are in the U.S. Thanks for sharing your travels.
I’m sure the situation in the larger cities is much better, but it was interesting nonetheless to see a Bulgarian city that’s not going to make the highlight reel.
Sad when a cat photo in a post is the one which makes you smile – oh, I do like the jewellery. Since I know almost nothing about SE Europe had not even heard the name of Ruse. You describe it accurately. Had seen an electricity wire mess almost as bad as yours on a post somewhere in SE Asia . . . no rules, no regulations . . . just with electricity, or other facets of life also . . . ? Thanks for being there for us also !
My girlfriend (who is from Chile) says this is how they wire in Chile, as well. It all looks like one big DANGER sign to me!
We spent a night in Ruse on our way from Bulgaria to Romania. Not much to see is there. 😊 Maggie
Nope, not much to see here at all. I kept trying to imagine how on earth they could fill a 3 hour tour with information on this city! ;o)
That guy’s track suit was chosen by his Mum. She says he looks like an Olympic athlete in it. What she doesn’t know is that he doesn’t go running any more and only wears his track suit to work. He’s a wiring installation technician.
😂😂😂
That wiring looks more like something I’d expect to see in parts of Asia than I would in Europe! I believe what looks like a 3 is a Cyrillic E, if my memory serves me right 🤔
[…] and sketchy road conditions. The internet is spotty in more than a few places. And once you see the wiring schemes, you’ll understand why. Don’t expect Western-European efficiency, or you’re in […]