Yesterday morning dawning bright and sunny, if a bit chilly, I decided to go get my shopping done for most of next week. Friday was already filling up fast, including another cooking lesson, and Saturday will (hopefully) see me on a day tour to Rila. So, it was time to do shopping and I went to see if two of the vendors that had been recommended to me were there.
The Women’s Market is not more than a couple of hundred yards (if that) across the river from the end of my street. For all that the street doesn’t connect to the “new” road, the sidewalks do and if there were a way across I could be there in about a minute. The Women’s Market is really the local farmer’s market with stores along the route hosting various butchers, fish mongers, and other stores selling various specialty goods.
Both were there, and I made out like a bandit at one of them. I fear the second one got the better of me, especially if I understood a comment made by an older lady watching the exchange correctly. Bad enough I won’t go back, and frankly won’t need to given all I can get at the other. More on that in a bit.
I took my gains home and got them in the refrigerator, then had to go get more cash for round two. As long as I was at it, I also stopped at a bakery I’ve wanted to try and got some bread, and then I went and toured the local synagogue on my way back to the upper end of the Women’s Market.
It’s not just any synagogue as the photo above tells the story. It is, in fact, the largest Sephardic synagogue in Europe. It was built after Bulgaria won it’s freedom from the Turks and has survived WWII and communism as well. Two things I will share real quick.
There is security, obvious and less-than obvious. Unlike here, I told them before trying to come in that I had a pocket knife. Gave it to them, told basically that it was nice and they would hold it for me while I was inside; but, be sure to get it back before I left. Here, security would probably have to change their underwear at merely being asked and I would never have seen it again had I tried to enter. Second, security was good enough that for the first time ever the plates in my chest were detected. I showed my card to them, explained I had to be put back together a bit after being hit by lightning and was allowed to go on in. They were shaking their heads at everything that came out of my Scot-E vest and my 5.11 shirt with the hidden pockets. Yes, I am a packrat.
Second, inside, once you bought your tour ticket, they have a wifi set-up that brings up a guided tour in your language. Things are numbered, and you can pull that “station” up and either read it or listen to it. It was a great system that I wish more places would consider using.
I was glad I went, as I can’t remember the last time I was in a synagogue of any type. It may have been when I was in high school working on my God and Country award for Boy Scouts. Really don’t remember, so treating this as the first time in some respects.
Then I walked a couple of blocks and hit the Women’s Market at the upper end and started working my way down. The shoe shop I was looking for, having bought a pair of bath slippers from them my second day here, was open and I now have my fuzzy slippers! It started as a bit of a joke in conversations with others, and then became a mini-quest. A needed one IMO since we’ve dropped down into the 30s at night the last few nights. Not the model I was after, but finding them in my size was a challenge. Thank goodness this isn’t Japan as I would be out of luck.
Along the way, I visited the church of Saints Cyril and Methodius. I can see it almost from my apartment, but this time it was open when I went by so I went in to pray for a bit. Found out they do an early Liturgy every morning, and am planning to attend at least one next week. Want to ask an Orthodox friend of mine here about the church and get their take on it.
At any rate, I am now stocked up with farm-fresh whole raw milk, raw milk yogurt, fresh butter, various cheeses, fresh eggs, lunch meat, sausages, and more from my first run. I got most of the above from one vendor for about 20 euro. The big wheel of cheese and the dry sausages I got from the other vendor, and I’m not telling. Like I said, think I got taken. Smile. Oh, and no idea what is in the small bottle with red liquid, one of the vendors tossed it in my bag as a freebie. Oh, and from the good vendor you can also get fresh goat and sheep’s milk, yogurt, and cheeses. The feta you see is made from the sheep’s milk.
Oh, that wheel of fresh homemade cheese is delicious.
The second run netted me fresh strawberries, bread, a snack, and a local pottery dish used to make a special stew. This one is for me to practice with here. For the meal I plan to cook for my church after I get back, am going to order three large (5 or 6 liter) ones from the source so I can get them shipped. Got a matching mug as well because I have a thing for mugs/cups when I travel. Before I forget, the little dry sausages have a good flavor (this being Bulgaria there is paprika in them) and remind me a bit of the German Jaeger sausages. Thinking I will pick up some cherry tomatoes and fresh herbs to make a salad out of the mozzarella-type balls. Add some olive oil and a bit of balsamic, should be good.
Not planning on sharing any of the dairy with this fine fellow though. One of the many feral cats that haunts the area around me. I see a number of them up on the roof of the old garage. Some run as soon as I come out; some glare at me; some ignore me; and a couple just sort of nod. Not too worried about rodents and other pests in the area.
Onwards!
If you would like to help me with this trip, seminary courses, and more, feel free to hit the fundraiser at A New Life on GiveSendGo, use the options in the Tip Jar in the upper right, or drop me a line to discuss other methods. I’ve added Cash App ($CliffPow7) and Venmo (@Clifford-Powers-5). There is also the Amazon Wish List in the Bard’s Jar. Getting hit by lightning is not fun! It is thanks to your gifts and prayers that I am still going. Thank you.