Goodbye 2013

This is the second year in a row I brought in the new year in a country other than Australia, but under vastly different circumstances than last year! 2013 was a whirlwind for me. There were some completely unexpected changes in my life, but they all led to me sitting here in an apartment in Sofia, contemplating the next 7 months in this city.

I've been here almost a month now and it's starting to feel more and more familiar to me - I can find my way around the centre, order food and drinks in broken Bulgarian, and have started crossing the road assuming cars will stop for me like a true local.

I spent Christmas Eve at the house of one of the YFU Bulgaria board members for a true Bulgarian Christmas dinner, which was amazing. They have lots of great Christmas traditions here, like the food should be vegan on Christmas Eve - which makes everything much easier for me! They also bake a coin in a round loaf of bread for good fortune. I found it in my piece so fingers crossed that riches are coming my way!

After Christmas I went to Veliko Turnovo for a couple of days, which I'll write about later since it was a great town and I need to do it justice!

2013 was one of the most significant years I've had so far, and luckily I've come out of it in a better place than I was in the beginning! Here's hoping 2014 will be even better.

Arriving in Sofia

Alexander Nevsky Cathedral

So I finally arrived in Sofia last Tuesday evening, after a gruelling 30-hour journey that involved three flights and not much sleep. It's taken me a few days to shake off the jetlag (thanks for the numerous 4am wake-up calls, body clock), but I'm finally feeling settled. The main impression that the city has left on me so far is that it's freezing and I had to buy a warmer coat. Australian clothes just aren't equipped for this weather.

It's been overwhelming so far, but in the best possible way. It's so strange to think that this time last December I was arriving in Paris for a winter holiday in Europe. I never would have guessed that I would be coming back in just a year, to live and work in Bulgaria for eight months - the idea still seems crazy to me. I'm living with 16-year-old Yana and her mum Rusanka, who are lovely, and keep worrying about whether I'm warm enough and whether I'm eating enough!

Bulgaria is a poor country, and you can see that everywhere in Sofia. There are cracks in the pavement, the public transport is rickety and old-fashioned, and there are half-constructed buildings where the money ran out before they could finish them. It's definitely a different kind of city to what I'm used to, but it has its charm. There is lots of cool architecture and some pretty amazing churches, as well as a giant egg of happiness right outside my office.

The egg of happiness, everyone puts their hand on it when they walk past to make a wish

Everyone in Bulgaria has been incredibly nice and helpful so far, although that could just be because I brought them Tim Tams (which were devoured almost immediately). I am hopeless at Bulgarian, so it's lucky most people speak excellent English.

On Saturday night I overestimated my abilities at navigation in the dark and got a bit lost, oops. I managed to get off the tram at the right stop but then couldn't find the way back to my apartment. Luckily with the help of a very attractive Bulgarian man I managed to call Yana and find my way home, so no harm done! If it means I get to chat up sexy men I might get lost more often.

I'm starting to long for the warm weather back home, but it did snow here a little the other day. Hopefully I get a white Christmas!

Mount Vitosha overlooking the city

So why Bulgaria?

Sofia, the capital city of Bulgaria (source)

This is the question everyone has asked when I tell them where I'm going. After 'you're going where?', which explains the title of this blog.

The best answer I've got is 'why not?'

I'm going to Bulgaria for eight months to work with Youth For Understanding as an intern. A friend who hosts exchange students through YFU told me about the job advertisement, and it happened to be absolutely perfect timing. I'd just gone through some big changes in my life and it has been my dream for years to live overseas, so I applied without a second thought.

A few months went by, and I was busy actioning other plans when YFU said they wanted me. So then it was a decision between a great career opportunity or a chance to live in Europe - naturally, I chose the latter. Who needs a career when instead I can eat lots of pastries and have a white Christmas? (Incidentally, it's also the second Christmas in a row I'll be in Europe instead of at home - sorry Mum!)

Really, though, it was the easiest choice to make. When I was at university I got accepted to go to Sweden as an exchange student, but I pulled out just months before I was meant to leave. It was partly because Sweden is a seriously expensive country, partly because I was a bit scared to leave Adelaide for a whole year, and partly because I'd just met a nice guy.

Moral of the story: don't let nerves and romance get in the way of awesome overseas trips.

So this time I'm going through with it. Moving to a country where I don't know anyone and don't speak the language is the scariest thing I've ever done, but also the most exciting. After months and months of waiting for my visa to be granted, I finally have everything sorted - I'll be leaving in just over three weeks!