A SPECIAL LADY

From my very first day in Kolkata, India I created a spiritual connection with the deceased Mother Teresa. The first site I visited was her former home and resting place where I was drawn in to help prepare her tomb for her 100^th birthday celebration. From that day on I commuted 1 hour each day to the suburbs of Kolkata to volunteer at Mother Teresa's Nabu Jibon home for mentally and physically disabled street kids, which would consume my entire trip to India and change my life forever.

 This trip I have had the opportunity to visit her birth place in Skopje, Macedonia making my personal connection with this inspirational woman even stronger. It is amazing that even having been deceased for so long her legendary effort to help those in need has directly affected my outlook on life. She serves as a role model for what compassion for mankind, an open heart, and selflessness truly are.

SKOPJE SKATERS

No matter where I go I seem to find the coolest people to hangout with and Skopje, Macedonia was no different. Within a few hours of arriving in Macedonia I found myself in an abandoned garage in the middle of the night; a place most people would have nightmares about if it was their vacation. However this was not just any garage but a garage turned skate park, where local youth can come in the night to and let loose and express themselves! A very interesting place to start my tour of Macedonia.

RILA MONASTERY

Nestled in a remote river valley in Western Bulgaria rests the captivating Rila Monastery. Although only accessible by a journey along a winding mountain road, the Monastery remains the largest Eastern Orthodox Monastery in Bulgaria. Saint Ivan founded this Monastery in the 10^th century and it remains today an iconic symbol of not only Bulgaria but Southeastern Europe as a whole.

Due to it's location in deep canyon carved by the Rilska River, the setting is creates a tranquil peace. Even the resident cats and dogs move about in silence. Looked at with more care however the main church depicts scene after scene of demonic figures interacting with human affairs creating an overall bizarre harmony between heaven and hell.

Changing of the Guards- Bulgaria

An ongoing theme of my trip is visiting the lavish and grandiose homes of those who rule over the world's nations. There never seems to be a lack of elegance and seemingly unnecessary grandeur involved. My sympathy always goes out to the young men who serve to guard these homes, forced to wear absurd outfits and partake in ridiculous changing of the guard ceremonies each and every day. The Bulgarian Presidents house in downtown Sofia was no different.

WHATEVER WORKS

Sometimes a traveler just needs a little help! This little baby helped me out while sitting in the snow upon arrival in Bulgaria. A little old man speaking no English played charades with me until figuring out I needed to make a phone call. A few minutes later another girl came back and said she saw me and felt bad for walking by, and was able to connect me to my friends and get me to their home! A week later I pulled it out again and a little old woman thought I was homeless and handed me money, then she went home to charge her phone and came back to allow me to make a call. No shame on the backpacker trail!

KINDNESS OF STRANGERS MAKES THE JOURNEY SUCCESSFUL

Sculptures of Sofia

Sofia's historic importance and old communist style is getting a new make over with the help of innovative modern sculptors. To some perhaps a bit gaudy and tasteless; the many statues dotting the city center none-the-less give a slightly new identity to Sofia. This once drab city is moving out of the Soviet Era and making a spot for itself in the modern arts.

 

                                                                                             

A Picture Perfect City

Although Sofia might not be the most magnificent city in Europe or even the busiest in the Balkans, this Bulgarian capital city still packs a punch. With the gorgeous Alexander Nevski Cathedral at the heart of the city, from it radiates a pulse of Eastern Orthodox influence mixed with communist remnants, an Ottoman Empire make over and signs of a modern day city revitalizing. Surrounded by snow capped mountains this expansive city shows the many faces of Balkan influences over the centuries.