Jokes about Bulgaria

My friends often poke fun of me for being from Bulgaria. It's all in good spirit, of course. In those jokes, Bulgaria is always a poverty-ridden, dusty place, where people have no consumer choice, are afraid of politicians (especially after dark) and spend hours waiting in line for bread. Not entirely unlike what Bulgaria was like under Communism (but that was 20 years ago).

I find this endlessly entertaining because it always leaves me wondering... this really is a joke, right? they don't really think we are that backward, right? they don't really think that about Bulgaria, right?

However that conversation goes in my head, it always ends the same.... Wait, wait... maybe they DO!

Remembering the fall

Let's spend the week reflecting on what happened 20 years ago. You know, THE Wall falling and all that. Where were you then? Where are you know? How's your family done through the transition? For the non-Bulgarians among us, does the fall of communism hold any personal significance to you? Email me your stories and pictures and I would be more than happy to share here on the blog. I hope this would be a post-heavy week.


The picture above was taken in Berlin this past summer. My dad is headed towards the crosses that mark the death of East Germans who tried to swim their way through to Western Germany. It's a horrifyingly peaceful site. My dad, however, was more interested in testing the settings of his digital camera.

Not totally impossible

The big news from Sofia is that MADONNA is having a concert there this coming summer. It's all that people are talking about. My friend Gala, who lives in Paris, was so excited she immediately started plotting and scheming... wouldn't it be fun to have drinks with Her Majesty! Don't underestimate me, she told me. It is not totally impossible!

Gala and Kyle, they both believe that in Bulgaria, there's always a way.

Fluffy clouds, indeed

Prof. Grady, my husband, is one of the most virtuous people I know. I swear, I have no idea how he manages, but he is a GOOD GOOD GOOD person. I admire him so much, I married the man.

Yet, one day, he shows me this picture and, naturally, my heart drops in my pants. What?! What if?! How come he never told me?! What are we going to do?! Cocain is a safe drug...yes? I mean...it's good, that's why people do it...yes? And he probably uses the good stuff...yes?

Well...no. It was corn starch.