Austin Jay Jay Okocha - Africa's Best Mid Fielder

Born on the fourteenth of august 1973 (17/08/1973), weighs between 70 to 74kg, and between 1.7m to 1.75m tall.

Okocha started his professional career with CCB Lions, from where he was transfer to Enugu Rangers. From Enugu He got a transfer to Eintracht Frankfurt in 1992/1993 season. Okocha made his first international debut for Nigeria in May 1993 against coted'ivoire in a qualifier match decided n Abidjan and He distinguished himself by scoring Nigeria's only goal in a game Nigeria lost by two goals to one (2-1). In another world cup qualifier against Algeria in Lagos Okocha scored a text book free kick to level up Algeria who were a goal up. His great performance ensured a four one (4-1) victory over the Algerians. The way he was carried shoulder high by ecstatic fans showed that he was indeed the hero of the day.

The 1994 nation's cup was another sterling performance for Okocha's career has his performance enable Nigeria to lift the trophy for the second time. He was as selected as the member of the tournament best eleven (11).

Three month months later Okocha was with the Nigeria's squad after inspiring Nigeria to her first ever world cup appearance. Although his performance was slow down by a foot injury as He could only play ninety (90) minutes against Italy and He was voted the man of the match in the game which sent Nigeria packing from the world cup that year. However these feats were enough to earn him a place at the Africa footballer of the year in 1994.

In spite of Okocha's achievement in 1994, in December 1994, he was sacked alongside two of his club mate; Ghanaian Tony Yeboah and ex German international Maurizio Gaudino, for an accusation the coach Jupp Heynckes define as gross indiscipline and insubordination. The trio went their separate ways Tony Yeboah and Maurizio Gaudino departed for Leeds United and Manchester City of England Respectively. Okocha shifted base to Turkey with Turkish Champion fernerbache in a lucrative two year contract worth $4million.

Notably the highlight of his stay at Frankfurt was the 1993/1994 season when one of his goals was adjusted the goal of the season. The goal was vintage, Okocha, as he displaced four opponents including the goalkeeper (please don't ask the name of the goalkeeper) over and over again, before flashing the ball to the net.

Okocha chose Fernerbache ahead of other offers from Spain, France and even Germany because of his desire to play alongside his national team colleague Uche Okechukwu, who had joined Fernerbache to a second position finish in Turkish championship.

Okocha tasted international glory again when He came in as a substitute in Nigeria one zero (1-0) win over Uzbekistan in the return leg of Afro Asia Cup, before the afro Asia cup, He featured for Nigeria in the US Cup and scored in the three two defeat (3-2) defeat by the United State. Okocha's great exploit got a Turkish citizenship and lots of publicity in1997 for his contribution to the progress of Turkish football. Okocha won the Turkish championship in 1996/1997 season scoring 16 goals in 33 matches and getting a place at the UEFA Champions League, he finished as one of the highest goal scorer in 1995/1996 and 1996/1997 with 14 and 16 goals respectively.

Okocha enriched his international career by winning by winning Africa's first ever Olympic Gold medal in soccer with Nigeria U-23 team in Atlanta in 1996 scoring a twice taken penalty against Mexico in the quarter finals.

Okocha's exploit at France 98 world cup where he rattled and dazzled against Spain, Bulgaria and Denmark. Jay Jay was marked the player of true class every time he got the ball, he made thousand of spectators shift on their seat contemplating what magic he would spring next. It was no surprise that he was nominated into the team of the tournament, even though as substitute.

France 98 coordinating president and the present UEFA president Michel Platini describe Okocha as one of the few pure number 10 remaining in the world football.

PSG manager Alain Giresse got romance with Jay Jay when he started the move that resulted in Nigeria's only goal against Bulgaria at the Parc De Princes in Paris which incidentally is PSG home ground. The match ended 1-0 in favor of Nigeria. Okocha became the French record transfer and became the most expensive Africa player in the last Millennium with $18million transfer from Fernerbache to PSG.

Okocha got married in 1997 to Nkechi, and his first child was given birth to when the world cup was going on in 1998. the name of the child he named Daniella. He also has a son.

He was the continent best player at the France 98 world cup, he became the second best in Africa in 1998 when the Africa footballer of the year award was given to Hadji Mustapha of Morocco.

Okocha featured in the Nigeria/Ghana 2000 nation's cup, a superb player scoring two of Nigeria's 4-2 demolishing of Algeria. Okocha was red carded in the quarter final tie against Senegal. He missed the semi final match against South Africa and was on target for Nigeria in the final against Cameroon, scoring Nigeria equalizer goal riffling home a rocket shot, the match ended 5-3 on penalties the Cameroonians won.

At the 2002 nations cup Okocha passes and skills must not be written off as it posses threat to the opponent although he was denied of goal, his passes and skills were felt in the matches.

With the departure and dismissal of Super Eagles key players, another team was constituted, and Jay Jay Okocha was entrusted with the captainship role. Okocha captained Nigeria to the Korea Japan 2002 world cup, although it became Nigeria's worse world when Nigeria was grouped alongside Argentina, England, and Sweden. Nigeria finished at the bottom of the table in the group but Jay Jay Okocha's experience and skills earn him a move to Bolton Wanderers of England.

Okocha haven mentored players like Ronaldinho, and Everton Play maker Mikel Arteta at PSG, helped Bolton from relegation contender to UEFA cup contender. He was given the captainship responsibilities after his superb first season at Bolton.

Okocha was in the premier league best five in his second season at Bolton. Players like Sorensen of Aston Villa Ray Palour and Dennis Bergkamp of Arsenal will not forget for hia free kick and great skill. He help Bolton to her first Carling cup final and to the sixth position for the first time in decades.

His performance was superb as he led Nigeria to the Tunisia 2004, scoring the CAF nations cup 1000th goal in a 4-0 demolishing of South Africa. He drive home spectacular free kicks that ensure Nigeria qualify ahead of Cameroon in the quarter final. He was nominated for the Africa footballer of the year in 2004. He was the second best player in Africa on two occasion consecutively-2004 and 2005 respectively. He was the BBC Africa footballer of the year in 2004 and 2005 respectively.

Okocha was released from Bolton alongside Fadiga, N'Gotty and Matt Jensen. He decided to move to a Qatar on a lucrative one year contract half of what Tranbzonspor had offered him. He decided to move to Qatar ahead of Wigan, Reading and Everton.

Okocha came back to England as he was signed by a lower division who are now doing well in the premier league (Hull City). Although injury has been a major set back for Jay Jay, he was with the Hull City side defeated by Chelsea in the Carling Cup. Hull City remained the only club Okocha did not score. Hull city promoted to the premier league last season. He inspired Hull City to their promotion to the premier league and left the club after their promotion. With the departure of Okocha from the national team it will be difficult to find a replacement to fill that big shoe of Okocha. Although young players like Lukman Haruna and Rabiu Ibrahim are showing great class, demonstration and the potential to be the next Super Eagles play maker. It took eight Years to find a replacement for Green Eagles Mudashiru Lawal. Osaro Obaifo, John ENE Okon, Friday Ekpo could not replace Lawal on till the arrival of Austin Okocha. How long will it take to find a replacement for this great player called Okocha who bow out of football as a player on June 27, 2008 said Waidi Akanmu?

Indoor Toilets Verses Outdoor Toilets

It is a feature of most modern house to have an inside toilet, this is a luxury that most households have got used to. Many just can't do without it. The reason this subject is raised is quite simply I'd never thought of having a toilet anywhere else other than in the home until I got to live in Bulgaria.

When I was young we lived in a Victorian styled house and had a brick outside toilet. I remember having to go to the toilet my brother, as I was scared of spiders. Later when I was big enough to cope with that I remember having to walk through snow to get there one winter. Needless to say little time was spent on the throne during winters in the UK, not much was remembered about it, it certainly wasn't a problem at the time.

After marrying we bought a modern house with an inside toilet and for 20 odd years this was the norm, part of what is expected and that's where the thoughts of outside toilets disappeared until recently.

Moving to Bulgaria really brought home some more reasoning behind why we have inside toilets. Pardon the pun, but it is purely for convenience, nothing more; a daily requirement can just as easily be managed outside, but it would be far too much trouble and the comfort zone removed.

The turning point for me with thoughts about inside toilets was on a particular day where I had a village man come to my house. He had lived in the village all his life and had never seen an inside toilet before, let alone use one. When he realised my house had one he said, "It was disgusting that people go to the toilet in my house!" Just saying that now sticks in my mind each time I use the toilet indoors. He is right; going to the toilet in your home is quite disgusting, just think about it for a while.

I still have my inside toilet but I also have an outside on and use this whenever I get an opportunity. Using that outside toilet that is just a hole in the ground without a flushing system just feels right and so much more environmentally friendly. Added to this is the fact that toiletry goings on in the house just doesn't seem right after, especially in a village where no one else other than expatriates have indoor toilets. My Bulgarian guests here never want to use my inside toilet either, they themselves feel that this 'business' is an outside activity and they could never get used to conducting it inside a home.

The inside toilet is essentially the same as the outside toilet. The outside just drains into the land the inside is flushed away to the outside sceptic tank and then also drains away into the land. The only difference is the vast amounts of fresh drinking water used to move the deposits from a to b. What is the point of that?

So, the bottom line (another pun I'm sorry) is, if I happen to move and renovate another house, I will ensure that I have an outside toilet built alongside, it will make me feel better using it.

If you have never used and outside toilet, then I fully recommend you try it, not for the reason of anything else other than appreciating your inside toilet. Anyone who does this will know what I mean. If you use an outside toilet frequently and regularly, there is not really any hardship in this system, it's just getting used to something new (or old).

Palhutev's aboriginal flights on motodelta trike

This is my first flights on motodelta trike on 07.12.2010 in Kazanlak - Bulgaria.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XVCz4lFbhDs&hl=en

Heathrow collapse - night 1 - 12.2010

A capture from Heathrow Airport, London from 18th of December 2010. We're trying to fly for Sofia, Bulgaria, but.... some people spent 3-4 nights in that conditions - WTF?



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=23BEUKx2Wfk&hl=en

The World's Most Affordable Travel Destinations

Wherever you choose to travel, going to popular tourist attractions and major cities tends to add up to higher bills. And as we all know, the most expensive things aren't always the best, and cheaper things are sometimes infinitely more rewarding. Sure, expensive places like Paris and New York are always well worth the visit, but many popular tourists attractions are overcrowded and underwhelming. So why not save your money by going to a less pricy place? You'll probably find it less crowded and more culturally rewarding, which leads to a deeper experience and some great memories to take home with you.

Here are just a few of the best travel destinations that happen to be relatively cheap:

1. South America: There are several countries in South America that now rank among the greatest places in the world to visit, and they're also quite cheap. For example, Venezuela, Peru, and Ecuador all have beautiful coastlines, welcoming people, great food, and attractive natural landscapes for hikers.

2. Egypt: Egypt is a fascinating country with more than just Pyramids. Sure, the Pyramids are great, but there are also some fantastic cities and towns (including modern, cosmopolitan Alexandria and Cairo) in the country, and the majestic Nile River is something that everyone should see at least once.

3. Bulgaria: Bulgaria has become a little more expensive since joining the European Union in 2007, but the country is still relatively affordable. It's home to numerous beautiful small towns as well as an extensive Black Sea coastline that is full of sunny resorts and great beaches.

4. Mexico: Mexico has been plagued by drug-related crime in recent years, but this phenomenon is mainly confined to a few areas of the country, especially around the border regions. We must remember that Mexico is a large country and that the vast majority of its people have nothing to do with the drug trade. Mexican towns have a pleasantly relaxed pace that you just don't find north of the border. The beaches are among the best in the world, and the capital Mexico City is an exciting modern metropolis.

5. Poland: Although its economy has improved, Poland is still one of the cheapest places in Europe to visit. The country is full of picturesque towns and some of the prettiest countryside in the continent. Now is probably the best time to visit, as Poland is expected to adopt the Euro in the near future, which should raise many of its prices.

6. Laos: Laos has some of the most beautiful natural landscapes in southeast Asia, including lush forests dotted with historic temples, as well as some spectacular Mekong River waterfalls. The rest of Southeast Asia is also quite affordable and worth visiting.

7. India: It can cost a chunk of change to get to India, but once you're in the country everything is astoundingly cheap. Best of all, the country is full of cultural riches and an endless variety of incredible scenery and diverse culture. Start in any one of India's major travel hubs, and you can't go wrong.

Muscat - The Oldest Variety of Grapes in the World

There are six main varieties of Muscat wine which comes from the oldest variety of grapes in the world, of which there are over 200 derivatives. The colors of the grapes range from white to almost black and all them have a very sweet aroma. This is one of the most commonly grown grapes in the world with wineries in many different countries producing wine from such vines.

The varieties of Muscat wine are:

• Muscat Blanc á Petit Grains. This has several different names depending on the country in which it is produced. It has the most sparkling flavors. You may recognize it in the name Spumante.

• Moscato Giallo. This wine variety is a colored version of the Muscat Blanc á Petit Grains. It also goes by names such as Goldmuskateller and Moscato Rosa.

• Muscat Hamburg. This is the name of the grape grown in Italy and Australia and is used to make red wines like Malbec that are consumed in the countries of Eastern Europe.

• Muscat of Alexandria. This variety of the grape is grown to produce liqueurs and sherry. The grapes have a very low acidity level and are high in sugar, which results in a lower quality of wine.

• Muscat Ottonel. This grape thrives in cooler climates and is used mainly in the production of dessert wines.

• Orange Muscat. This Muscat wine has a distinctive flavor of oranges. It is mainly used in California wineries for producing dessert wines.

Due to the many different varieties of the Muscat grapes, the tastes, aromas, and color of the wine vary from one region to another. Even the names of the grapes do not adequately describe their color as the Muscat Blanc grapes are not always white. Dry, light, heavy, and sweet wines result depending on the type of grape and the wine making process used.

You will find the Muscat grapes growing mainly in areas with a temperate climate, such as California, Australia, France, Italy, Spain and Greece. They are harvested very late in the growing season, which gives them a very sweet taste.

Table wines produced in Chile come from Muscat [http://www.wineaccess.com/wine/grape/Muscat] grapes and to a lesser degree in California and Italy. The Muscat Ottonel is the grape of choice in the wineries of the Finger Lake wine district of New York state. In Italy, it is mainly used to produce sparkling wines, such as Asti Spumante. In the production process for this wine, the grapes are stored in cold tanks after they are crushed.

The juice and the crushed grapes are warmed and allowed to ferment as they are needed. Then the product is sealed in large tanks that help to trap the carbon dioxide in the wine. Careful attention is paid to the fermentation process so that it is stopped once the wine achieves the right levels of sugar and alcohol. At this time it is chilled, bottled and allowed to age in the bottle.

The inexpensive bulk Muscat wines in the United States come from Orange Muscat and Black Muscat grapes grown by only one winery in Stanislaus County in California. Napa Valley wineries are known for the Muscat de Beaulieu, which is a fortified wine. This wine is also used as a blend in making Conundrum wine and in the ice wine called Vin de Glaciere.

Tribute to Balkan Holidays airlines

BH Air (Balkan Holidays Airlines) is a charter airline headquartered in Sofia, Bulgaria.[1] It is the charter arm of Balkan Holidays International with charter flights to the UK, Scandinavia, Germany, Israel and Switzerland, as well as ad hoc charters to other destinations. Its main base is Varna Airport, with hubs at Sofia Airport, Plovdiv International Airport (PDV) and Bourgas Airport



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nSiwxW1gsbE&hl=en

The best of Matey Kaziyski

Matey Kaziyski (Bulgaria, Trentino Volley)



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DheXFcQLNUk&hl=en

European Flight biking laws

In a flight never carry any of the items mentioned below

o Many flights do not allow to carry any kind of liquids or fluids including perfumes, hairspray, shampoos have been banned recently due to safety measures (please check with your air flight company)

o Under no situation carry drugs, heroine, brown sugar and any other kind of narcotics.

o Needless to mention although never carry any kind of compressed gas cylinders like oxygen, butane, and aqualung.

o Corrosives such as acids, alkalis, mercury and wet cell alkalis or fireworks, guns and flares

o Lighters, matches, magnetized materials, offensive irritating materials, medicines without prescriptions.
(there are few other items that are banned in certain countries that might even lead you to imprisonment so be extra cautious not to break any rules and never forget to ask for a travel law copy from an agent)

Inside Countries Law

o If your flight is full and you want to quit it voluntarily always ask for better incentives if you feel you are not offered well.

o If your luggage is expensive and you want to declare a higher value then please do it at the time of check in so that the airline will become liable in case of loss.

o In Europe rules are very strict, so if you get to know that you have victimed 'bait and switch' that do not forget to file a complaint with the attorney general of the state. The results are much faster for a traveler because tourism is a big business for Europe and they do not want to lose on the tourists.

o The major car rental service provides free assistance if you have a flat tyre so don't forget to contact your company in case you face one of these situations

o European countries have strict rules against law breaking so incase if you break one don't panic and always let them know that you are a foreigner you might be let go of.

o Littering off in a garden or tourist attraction could end you up in heavy fines so always remember to use bins.

o Never bribe a cop in the European countries that might lead you to severe fines or imprisonment.

o Never overtake or drive fast they will levy a heavy charge on you. Always follow the traffic lights and road instructions which are very well organized in the European countries.

o Always be polite to people and never trust a stranger in the Europe because there are thieves and bag snatchers at tourist locations

o Gay sex and lesbians are not encouraged at all places in this continent unless you are in Amsterdam (A city in Netherlands) where free sex is allowed.

o If you are caught with a prostitute or a whore you might end up in severe imprisonment.

o Never drink too much because if you get unconscious the police might catch you and jail you up.

Turkey Car Hire Guide

Turkey is a city lying within the boundaries of Europe and Asia. It is bordered by Greece and Bulgaria on its Europe side then by Syria and Iraq on its Asian side. It also touches the Mediterranean Sea, the Black Sea, and the Aegean Sea. Turkey is a transcontinental country that is both historic and beautiful at the same time. The unique offerings of this nation are the things that make tourists choose this place for a once-in-a-lifetime adventure.

Turkey has many interesting spots and ancient ruins that can be a little too hard to visit if you don't have your own car. If and when you decide to come here, be sure that you seriously consider renting a vehicle that you can use to drive around. Turkey is made up of excellent highways and the locals are a bunch of civilized drivers. Even if Turkey is an entirely foreign place, driving around here can be such a breeze.

Istanbul is the largest city in Turkey but Ankara serves as its capital. In Istanbul you can see and appreciate the Bosphorus Bridge and the Maslak financial district. The Sultan Ahmed Mosque and the Dolmabahce Palace are worth visiting as well.

To hire a car, you an simply call up the major car hire companies operating in the area such as Europcar, Auto Europe, Avis, and Hertz, among others. They can help you reserve the car that you like and at the best possible deal at that. You can book directly by calling up the local partners of these car rental companies or you can book a car the moment that you arrive at the airport. However, the best way to reserve a car around here is to do it online. International car hire providers normally have online partners that can help you book the vehicle that fits you right at the convenience of your own home.

Booking online also allows you to request for your car to be available at the airport's parking lot so you can use it the moment that you arrive. Minimum driving age in Turkey is 17 years old but you have to be at least 25 years old to be able to rent a car.

Turkey Car Hire Guide

Turkey is a city lying within the boundaries of Europe and Asia. It is bordered by Greece and Bulgaria on its Europe side then by Syria and Iraq on its Asian side. It also touches the Mediterranean Sea, the Black Sea, and the Aegean Sea. Turkey is a transcontinental country that is both historic and beautiful at the same time. The unique offerings of this nation are the things that make tourists choose this place for a once-in-a-lifetime adventure.

Turkey has many interesting spots and ancient ruins that can be a little too hard to visit if you don't have your own car. If and when you decide to come here, be sure that you seriously consider renting a vehicle that you can use to drive around. Turkey is made up of excellent highways and the locals are a bunch of civilized drivers. Even if Turkey is an entirely foreign place, driving around here can be such a breeze.

Istanbul is the largest city in Turkey but Ankara serves as its capital. In Istanbul you can see and appreciate the Bosphorus Bridge and the Maslak financial district. The Sultan Ahmed Mosque and the Dolmabahce Palace are worth visiting as well.

To hire a car, you an simply call up the major car hire companies operating in the area such as Europcar, Auto Europe, Avis, and Hertz, among others. They can help you reserve the car that you like and at the best possible deal at that. You can book directly by calling up the local partners of these car rental companies or you can book a car the moment that you arrive at the airport. However, the best way to reserve a car around here is to do it online. International car hire providers normally have online partners that can help you book the vehicle that fits you right at the convenience of your own home.

Booking online also allows you to request for your car to be available at the airport's parking lot so you can use it the moment that you arrive. Minimum driving age in Turkey is 17 years old but you have to be at least 25 years old to be able to rent a car.

DONI I NETI-TOZI FILM

pop music from bulgaria with goth style



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YFCqAPd9wHw&hl=en

viaggio in bulgaria

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3oknU1GMYfA&hl=en

Maria - Ti pozna li me (Official Song) (CD RIP) 2010

Maria - Ti pozna li me (Official Song) (CD RIP) 2010



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KhnI_fSpB_w&hl=en

A Guide to Living Abroad

Gone are the days of growing up in one place, buying a house, working and remaining there until old age. In our increasingly globalised world with technology, ease of travel and accessibility to different parts of the world, thousands of people daily pack up their old life and move to a country which before they could have only dreamed of. This phenomenon is most widely seen in Europe, Australia and New Zealand, and thousands of people daily are taking the plunge and moving abroad. Different parts of the World have so many different things to offer, and it is easier than ever before to sell property, find an ideal location abroad and relocate!

You no longer have to be one of those people believing the grass is greener; you can now experience such a life altering move quite easily. There are numerous agencies in place to aid you, from estate agents to lifestyle advisors, even people to help you locate nearby schools for your children upon your move. It has been estimated that 3,000 Brits daily immigrate to different parts of the world. Many of these are permanent re- locations but with the availability of Travel visa's and so on, many choose to do so for a year or two and get an experience of living abroad.
The European Union has proven to be one of the most popular places to move within, particularly Spain and France. As has Australia and New Zealand, with its Commonwealth roots.

Escaping the hum drum retrace of Britain, ridiculously long working weeks, high mortgage rates, this for many first- time buyers is an impossible task!

Europe is renound for its relaxed way of life, fantastic weather, history and culture, fantastic bargain properties, which no longer have to be rented as a holiday home for two weeks of a year- people are choosing this way of life permanently! There are amazing new 'hot spot' locations proving popular, from Bulgaria, to Malaga and beyond, each city and region with diverse options and price ranges- all in amazing locations with essential amenities and facilities, often of much better standard than your original home!

Your quality of life is easily improvable; the majority of places speak English as a second language so being daunted by a language barrier need not be an issue!

The International property market is becoming ever more fluid so living abroad is not the hassle that it previously was. Your options can be easily assessed on the internet and help is readily available to those of you who are unsure.... Do not be put off by the hassle you perceive in living abroad, seek the help available, assess all your options and start experiencing that fantastic change of culture and lifestyle which may have seemed a distant dream before!
This phenomenon is most widely seen in Europe, Australia and New Zealand, and thousands of people daily are taking the plunge and moving abroad. Different parts of the World have so many different things to offer, and it is easier than ever before to sell property, find an ideal location abroad and relocate!

You no longer have to be one of those people believing the grass is greener; you can now experience such a life altering move quite easily. There are numerous agencies in place to aid you, from estate agents to lifestyle advisors, even people to help you locate nearby schools for your children upon your move. It has been estimated that 3,000 Brits daily immigrate to different parts of the world. Many of these are permanent re- locations but with the availability of Travel visa's and so on, many choose to do so for a year or two and get an experience of living abroad.
The European Union has proven to be one of the most popular places to move within, particularly Spain and France. As has Australia and New Zealand, with its Commonwealth roots.
Escaping the hum drum retrace of Britain, ridiculously long working weeks, high mortgage rates, this for many first- time buyers is an impossible task!

Europe is renound for its relaxed way of life, fantastic weather, history and culture, fantastic bargain properties, which no longer have to be rented as a holiday home for two weeks of a year- people are choosing this way of life permanently! There are amazing new 'hot spot' locations proving popular, from Bulgaria, to Malaga and beyond, each city and region with diverse options and price ranges- all in amazing locations with essential amenities and facilities, often of much better standard than your original home!

Your quality of life is easily improvable; the majority of places speak English as a second language so being daunted by a language barrier need not be an issue!

The International property market is becoming ever more fluid so living abroad is not the hassle that it previously was. Your options can be easily assessed on the internet and help is readily available to those of you who are unsure.... Do not be put off by the hassle you perceive in living abroad, seek the help available, assess all your options and start experiencing that fantastic change of culture and lifestyle which may have seemed a distant dream before!

Bulgarian - Who are we ?, Where do we appear from ?

Journalist MacGahan's coverage of Bulgaria About the book "American Witness" - a publication of Januarius MacGahan's coverage of the crushing of the April Uprising of the Bulgarians by the Ottoman Empire in 1876. St. Nedelya church in Batak The name of the small southern town of Batak will forever be associated with the April Uprising of 1876, one of the most heroic events in Bulgarian history, and a peak in the liberation struggle of the Bulgarians against the five centuries of Ottoman domination. The residents of Batak first fought the Turkish mercenaries on April 30, 1876. 5 000 people of the 6-7 000 population of Batak had been slaughtered in the massacre. The small church of Sveta Nedelya, built in the centre of the town has become a relic for every Bulgarian. What happened here 130 years ago has made the church into one of the symbols of April Uprising. Says Ekaterina Peychinova, Director of the Museum of History in Batak: "The Sveta Nedelya church was built in 1813, many years before the Christian population was granted greater freedoms to erect new Christian temples. Legend has it that Batak residents had finally got permission to build a small church. The Ottoman administration placed the condition that they do it in 3 months, because he was certain they would fail. However, the residents of Batak put all their efforts to this task and managed to finish the church in 75 days. And yet, the historical importance of this monument stems from the events that unfolded ...



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_sxpcRpc2YY&hl=en

Berbatov compilation

Cheers, Bitner



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=97E2pl89HZM&hl=en

paraflight with my boy

flight with my son extremebulgaria.com



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lB95NsiGsh0&hl=en

Michael Jackson - Behind The Mask

here is the super rarest song "Behind The Mask" by Michael Jackson - "The Greatest Entertainer Of All Time".He recorded it some time,who knows?I don't own anything.I made a video with the newest Windows Movie Maker version and the song I own from the album "Michael" I downloaded from the very legal website ZAMUNDA for free torrents in my country Bulgaria. So enjoy it and this is it!



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JYJzlWJhMGk&hl=en

France- The Safest Place In The World To Buy Property

It has recently been announced that 30,000 homes are due to be torn down in Spain this year as they have been classed as illegal developments with insufficient or incorrect documentation or simply without planning permission. This sort of thing may come as no surprise to many of you who have been reading the papers over the last few years where cases such as these have been well documented. This is in addition to other problems in Spain such as the "land grab" scenario by local authorities in Valencia where hundreds of home owners have ended up losing their homes which many have their life savings locked up in. Now it seems that this type of thing is now happening in other newly "fashionable" cheap countries which promoted cheap investments with seemingly incredible projected capital growth prospects such as Bulgaria. The OPP magazine recently discovered that 200 developments in Bulgaria have now been torn down in just the 1st 6 months of 2006 for very similar reasons to the properties in Spain- namely insufficient planning permission. This type of rogue developing and false selling is not only a financial disaster for the poor individuals who spent vast amounts of money on their properties in these countries but is also incredibly emotionally draining for them, many of whom have based their pension plans on the capital growth of these properties or are in fact already retired and may be planning to live there.

Unlike any other country in the world the French have a fascination with paperwork, contracts and the rule of the law and although this can be seen as a hassle at the time to comply with all their regulations and complete all the necessary paperwork it does in fact protect the purchaser to the extent not found any where else. Vast numbers of developments being torn down by mis-selling and illegal construction activity by developers in France is simply unheard of and therefore makes it the safest place to buy property. It is therefore an excellent location to invest as it provides very reasonable capital growth with a steady rental and resale market. Some Bulgarian developers have been boasting capital growth of 20% per annum in some areas but with no way of verifying their statistics can these figures really be relied upon and will the property actually still be there in a couple of years? On the other hand capital growth in France was over 10% in 2005 which coupled with its very low deposits and ease of mortgage application makes it a highly rewarding and yet sensible place to invest.

Of course there is still the choice of where in France is the best place to purchase and from whom. For property hunters who can often be bombarded by developments from every location it is hard to distinguish which are the savvy investments and which are not so savvy. Leapfrog properties works with only the most reputable and established developers in France and has nearly 150 developments to choose from placing it in a unique position where its consultants can give totally unbiased advice on where and what to buy. They can advise on which are the areas currently performing the best but also on where future growth is predicted and whereabouts in France the best deals are to be had.

SAF - Safari

Rap Group from Skopje, Macedonia SAF with their song "Safari"



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SPBO6JwyCA0&hl=en

Traditional Bulgarian Souvenirs - A Piece of Unique History in Your Hands

Bulgaria is a country of many traditions and customs preserved through time. With more than 1300 years of history, the country has been involved in many wars with its Balkan neighbours who left their cultural imprints in the time. Still the Bulgarians managed to save their traditions and folklore untouched. Visitors and tourists in Bulgaria will be able to take home a slice of this distinctive history by purchasing traditional souvenirs and gifts.

Traditional costumes exist in many varieties and forms depending on the different Bulgarian regions. The main parts of the women's costumes are long cotton shirt dress (soukman), apron with traditional embroideries, belt, kerchief and the so-called "tsarvuli" - woollen or leather traditional shoes/slippers. The male costumes include white or black traditional trousers, shirt, embroidered vest, wide woollen belt and black or white sheepskin hat (kalpak). The shoes (tsarvuli) are hand made from calf leather and are typical for all Bulgarian regions. Other popular traditional textile products are handmade woollen carpets and rugs. The most popular ones are produced in Chiprovtsi, a small town in North Western Bulgaria. Another major centre of the carpet industry is the southern part of Rodopi Mountain. Very popular carpet patterns are abstract geometric shapes as well as flowers and birds shapes.

"Martenitsa" is traditional decoration from red and white thread which is related to the Bulgarian custom "Baba Marta" (Grandma March). It symbolises the end of the winter and the beginning of the spring. Bulgarians give each other and wear "Martenitsa" during the month of March. The belief is that "Martenitsa" brings good luck. It comes in different varieties, but the typical one is in the form of male from white thread with the name of "Pizjo" and female from red thread with the name of "Penda". On the last day of March most of the people hang their "Martenitsa" on blossoming fruit trees.

Bulgaria is known as the country of the rose and is the biggest producer in the world of rose oil, which is used in the perfume industry. The Rose Valley is the major rose growing region and is located in southern Bulgaria with town Kazanlak being centre of the rose oil industry. The most popular rose souvenirs are vials of rose oil essence typically around 2ml. They are sold in packs of ten or individually hidden in a wooden traditional doll or carved wooden bottle.

Woodcarving and decorative ceramic pottery are the other areas where the Bulgarian customs are very well preserved. Well-liked souvenirs for tourists and visitors are wood carved boxes, wooden dolls in traditional costumes, wine or water bottles (baklitsa) and decorative wine cask (bure). The most popular pottery souvenirs are plates and bowls from the town Troyan which are brown coloured with beautiful white, black and blue droplet patterns.

The traditional musical instruments of Bulgaria are great choice for tourist gift or memorabilia. They have been used through the centuries and the 500 years Turkish rule to preserve the Bulgarian spirit alive. Typical folk music instruments include goat or sheep bagpipe (caba gaida), flute (kaval), traditional two- headed drum (tapan), rebec (gadulka) as well as bells, clappers and whistles.

The roots of Bulgarians are going back in the time to Slavic's, Thracians and even the mighty Genghis Khan. Whether you are purchasing for close friend, relative or yourself the traditional Bulgarian souvenirs are great piece of the preserved history of this European country.

Spend Your Skiing Holiday in Switzerland

It's a ski haven like no other!

Swiss skiing areas have these: transcendently formidable mountains, excellent skiing, valuable ski learning areas and a lot of of superb mountain dining places. Most of Swiss resorts are conveniently accessed by the strategic transfer links, making it the premier hot spot for versatile ski trips.

Switzerland and the Swiss Alps have some of the most widely known ski holiday getaway destinations on the earth. Resorts like Davos, Zermatt, St Moritz and Wengen, to bring up only some, provide breathtaking mountain panoramas, glaciers making sure snow-sure skiing and picture-postcard ski holiday hotels - all kept jointly by an unequaled transfer process. Uncover what would make lodging in Switzerland distinctive.

Travelling

The approximate airline flight time from London to Basle, Bern, Geneva or Zürich is around two hours. Ski transport companies are always there. There is also the opportunity of travelling from the UK by rail, the quickest way being the Eurostar by way of the Channel Tunnel to Paris (2 h 40 min) and, from there, to Switzerland. With car/coach the journey from UK to Switzerland (Calais-Geneva) needs approximately 12 to 13 hours.

Ski Housing in Switzerland

Contrary to the purpose-built hotels of France, Swiss ski places are actually made all across mountain villages, therefore providing a traditional ambiance. Frequently you will have to relax and take a brief walk or get on a ski bus to get to lifts and slopes. Regardless of what Swiss ski setting you have chosen, these kinds of pristine ski hotel villages will will give you a number of lodging. Lodges are of outstanding as well as of high demand with benchmarks to include high-class to more simple pensions. Recent movements reveal B&B's as starting to become progressively more preferred.

Skiing

Found at the heart of the amazing, very high Alps, Switzerland is skiing writ large. Whether you are a seasoned skier seeking significant, challenging, confusing surfaces or an intermediate still getting your feet, Swiss slopes cater for your unique wants. Additionally, should you wish to schuss down a mountainside in comparable seclusion as opposed to alongside other skiers, Switzerland also holds a world of back country landscape just waiting around to be identified.

Ski Housing Fee

Upon decades of being affordable only by the abundant, reasonably competitive forces and exchange rates have made Switzerland a ski destination price-comparable with some other countries. For affordable accommodation, try one of the many traditional individual B&B's and Pensions offering half-board bargains or rent one of the self-catered chalets, houses, flats and furnished apartments recommended. For eating out, count on paying £25 for dinner, £4 for a pint and £2 for a soft drink, more is a number of the more exclusive hotels.

Book your ski accommodation in Switzerland. You only write on a request form. Your requirement is discussed with responsible and documented ski lodging companies. Individual keepers can publish a quotation and you may select the location you want. Despite that it is not necessarily ski housing in Switzerland.

With all of these said and done, see you around the Swiss Alps!

Piling - Foundations

It is a well known and accepted fact that for any building, house or concrete structure to be built well, it must have a very strong foundation and underground structural base that supports the building. This is what makes piling so important.

What Is Piling? Piling is a technique used extensively by contractors to set a deep foundation for structures such as buildings. By driving and embedding piles of wood, concrete or steel into the deep soil of the ground, the piling contractors are able to provide a strong support to the building structure at the foundation level - a pre requisite for any construction project.

Factors such as the size, capacity & scope of the project, the condition of the soil immediately beneath the ground, and space required for rigging, all need to be taken into consideration before beginning the piling process. As opposed to a shallow foundation, a deep foundation is used to transfer the load of the structure to the deeper, stronger layer of the soil which has a high bearing capacity and can take the load, thus supporting the structure well.

The commonly used Piling materials include wood, concrete or steel - precast concrete piles, vertical columns of wood, steel sheet piles & timber piles etc.

Piles of the chosen material may be drilled or driven into the ground, thereby, making a solid foundation for the structural load. Geotechnical Engineers, Structural Engineers, Site Fitters & Foreman, Area Contractors as well as all other team members of the construction staff play their individual roles in designing, planning, understanding and streamlining all the tasks that go into digging, piling and constructing a strong structure.

The different forms and variations of piling techniques are hired and used by all major Contractors, Housing Developers & Consulting Engineers etc in the construction and establishment of large Commercial projects, Housing Development projects, Retail and Road Construction projects, Marine projects etc.

The different types of piling can be differentiated from one another based on the choice of material used or the specific method / technique adopted etc.

Driven Piles: This technique makes use of a Pile Driver which is used to drive in prefabricated piles into the ground. Most Driven piles are made of wood, concrete, or steel & the driving technique leads to soil displacement.

Drilled Piles: Drilled piles are also called Cast-in-drilled-hole piles (CIDH piles) and use extensive boring techniques to drill into hard earth.

These include:

· Auger Cast Pile also called Continuous Flight Auger Piling (CFA)

· Underreamed piles

· Pier and grade beam foundation

· Tripod Piling &

· Mini Piling

Some of the most commonly used Piling Devices include -

- Pile Driver: a mechanical device used to insert or drive piles into the soil.

- Hydraulic Hammer: a modern and state-of-the-art piling hammer for inserting / driving timber piles and pipes etc into the ground.

There are many different Piling Contractors and Companies offering Piling Techniques around the globe.

Bulgaria Arsenal SAR M1 cal 7.62x39

Bulgaria Arsenal SAR-M1 {AK 47 Model } cal 7.62x39 met de POSP 6x24 kijker op de 100 meter baan.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H9R4ExcwgGs&hl=en

River Cruising Down the Rhine Or Danube Or Beyond

The Rhine and Danube River systems are the most traveled in Europe. Deciding on which river to explore is a tough decision as they flow in different directions through two completely different regions.

The Rhine begins in the mountains of Switzerland, touches Austria and Leichtenstein on its way to Basel, where it becomes river cruise compatible. From their, it forms the border between France and Germany for a while, then swings northward through the heart of Germany and finally ends up split into several smaller rivers in the Netherlands.

The Rhine carries the most traffic of any other major river.

The Danube (Donau) is the second longest river in Europe; only the Volga is longer. It rises in Germany's Black Forest near Ulm and flows eastward to the Black Sea, passing along or through Germany, Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine, and Moldova.

The tributaries of these 2 rivers make this river system the most traveled in Europe. The Rhine has the Mosel, Main, and Neckar; the Danube tributaries include the Drave, Tisza and Sava.

The river cruises on these waters generally last a week or more. Rhine cruises are shorter, as the distance covered is shorter, and there are also 2 and 3 day taster cruises based in Strasbourg offered by CroisiEurope. They go down the river through the most scenic areas and then return.

Other Rhine river cruises detour briefly into the Mosel, Neckar, or Main, all of which are worthy of their own separate cruise.

The lure of ancient castles is part of the Rhine's appeal. Including several along the French border, the area between Rudeshiem and Koblenz is heavily infested with former castles, now ruins or sometimes hotels or just plain tourist attractions.

Back in the old days each castle guarded a small section of the river and collected tolls to pass by. If you didn't pay, it often meant several uncomfortable nights (weeks?) in a dungeon or jail.

A map locating each of these castles is found at Roll International.

A sharp turn at Koblenz onto and down the Mosel will bring you to Trier, which is one of my favorite small cities. More Roman ruins there than you can ever imagine, including a basilica and intact city gate, the Porta Nigra. Another turn at Wiesbaden will bring you to Frankfurt, while yet another turn at Mannheim takes you to Heidelberg on the Neckar.

The Rhine, notwithstanding castles, offers a look at many of Germany's major cities. Depending upon the cruise, each stop at one city or the other will offer a chance to explore.

How To Germany is an entire web site dedicated to information on Germany, from river cruises to maternity matters, jobs, to living in Germany to education. And beyond. Pretty much covers everything.

Travels Through Germany is full of info about various river cruises and other tidbits of traveling through Germany.

The Danube (Donau) is the second longest river in Europe; only the Volga is longer. It offers serious river cruises as it rises in Germany's Black Forest near Ulm and flows eastward to the Black Sea, passing along or through Germany, Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine, and Moldova.

Of the two rivers, river cruising on the Rhine is probably the most picturesque and it offers more interesting cities to visit. The Danube, however, is no slouch in scenic beauty and adds some spectacular vistas that previously were unattainable due to the political situation.

Some of the many interesting cities on the Danube include Nuremburg, (actually on the Main-Danube Canal), Passau, Vienna, Bratislava, Budapest, Novi Sad, Belgrade, Izmail (Ukraine), where most of the river cruises end their journey.

The eastern reaches of the river are more rural in nature, with more small villages than large cities. If the river cruise continues on to the Black Sea (Constanta, or Sulina Romania) It's theoretically possible to transfer ships and continue on a Danube river cruise through the Black Sea and ending up in the Greek isles - or Spain.

In addition, within the area spanned by these two major rivers, in regions some may consider off the beaten path, there are also several other smaller rivers that provide stunning scenic views and interesting city stops.

Not to be forgotten is the Elbe, which flows from the Czech Republic to Hamburg. It passes through some pretty rugged territory before it hits the German border. Most Elbe river cruises start with a short bus ride from Prague to the river.

The Elbe also has short cruises originating in Dresden, which should be a mandatory stop. These cruises, which can last an hour or an entire day, travel downriver to the outskirts of Dresden or upstream into the Czech Republic. Usually, the day tours provide a bus ride back to Dresden.

Canals connect the Elbe to Berlin, although most boats will dock in Potsdam, on the Berlin outskirts.

One river cruise typically overlooked is on the Vistula, in Poland. This is an area that is not over-run with tourists, but has a wealth of castles and natural beauty. Much of the time on these tours may be through canals or on a bus. It's a fascinating and still undeveloped area for river cruises with much to offer.

The Peter Deilmann Company offers cruises up the Oder River from Potsdam through Poland. While you're in Poland, Gdansk and Warsaw must be on any itinerary.

If you're going on the Danube or Vistula, remember that a visa will be necessary.

To find out more about the terrain and cities on any cruise, I suggest a trip to Google Maps to find out more about any area. Simply type in the address, including the city and country and you will be able to zoom in on most areas on the earth. Choose satellite, map, or terrain and move around with the directional button in the upper left.

With practice you will be able to follow the entire course of a river or road. Pictures, street views or videos are often available, as well. While you're there, check out your own home address. For more fun of discovery, I also suggest downloading Google Earth and traveling from the comfort of home.

Whether going on a virtual cruise or one in reality, a vacation on the Rhine, Danube, Elbe, Vistula or anything in between is sure to provide for a memorable and educational experience.

Why You Should Seriously Think About Making Canada Your Next Vacation Destination!

Canada vacations can provide some of the most enjoyable breaks from work. Especially if you're in a warm country, the colder climate can make a nice change for once; you might not want to live there, but as a vacation destination Canada can really deliver. The way the world is with so many countries at war, the socially indifferent and politically free Canadians can be a very welcoming community. And Canada has so much to offer, what with all its history, places to visit, cultural activities and sport activities such as White water rafting. Then there's its spectacular countryside offering all kinds of activities for all.

So where could you visit during your vacation in Canada?

There are so many great places in Canada to visit, that you'd have to make a number of trips just to see the most interesting parts. Canada is the second biggest country in the entire world after all, from Alberta to Quebec to Ontario to British Columbia, there is plenty to see. Then add to that Manitoba, Vancouver Island, and Newfoundland (not actually a part of Canada, but very close by). Probable the first places on your list to visit should be the best known internationally tourist attractions; the incredible Niagara Falls, the equally grand Jasper National Park and the spectacular Banff National Park.

Ok, so what activities will you be able to participate in while in Canada?

Obviously hiking in such a grand environment would be spectacular, but if you're one of those people who need a little more action you definitely won't be disappointed. Some of the best locations for white water rafting can be found here and then there are other water sports such as kayaking and boating to consider. One of the best places to participate in these activities would be the longest river in Canada, the Mackenzie, which begins in the Northwest Territories and eventually ends at the Hudson Bay.

If water sport isn't for you, you could always visit some of the wilder regions where fishing and hunting activities bring in an abundance of pro and non pro sportsmen. And you could also go and see a hockey game at one of the most well known Canadian hockey Stadiums. Then there's the French Canadian cuisine, you just have to try some of the specialties like the gallettes, the maple syrup and galumpkies.

If all this doesn't interest you, why not consider actually getting away from all the tourist attractions and sporting activities and take a closer look at the Canadian culture. Meet the people, participate in their cultural activities, take a look into their history (interestingly free from international trouble). This is something few tourist actually do, but it is the only way to really get to know a country and its culture.

Whether it's just the pure beauty of the Canadian wilderness that interests you or it's the pure adrenalin you seek from speeding down a river in a raft or the challenge of climbing Canada's highest mountain situated in the Canadian Rockies, Mount Robson, in British Columbia, Canada has something to offer all of us. The only question is will you let the opportunity pass you by?

Introduction To Beautiful Bulgaria

Bulgaria is a recently discovered country for investers and many foreigners are now making this country their home. It has massive investment potential and an added bonus is its moderate climate. However, how much is actually known about this country and its people? This article aims to inform everyone about Bulgaria and the ever important details that make it easier to understand this country and the way of life!

Bulgaria is located in southeast Europe, it is situated in the Balkan Peninsula. The countries surrounding it are: Romania- to the north, Turkey and Greece- to the south, Serbia and Montenegro and Macedonia- to the west. On the east it is bound by the Black Sea.

Bulgarian People

Around about 85% of the Bulgarian population is classified as ethnic Bulgarian. There are also other smaller groups of people such as Turks, Roma (known as Gypsies), Armenians, Greeks, Macedonian Slavs and of course there are now a growing population of expats from abroad such as Brits and Germans etc.

All young Bulgarians find it important to have a very neat appearance, western and european fashions are very popular. In the towns and villages a very strange clash appears- one of old and new together. There are old baba's and dyado's (grandmother's and grandpa's) walking the street with their goats in tow and then a very fashionable young couple walks along in their designer jeans! In Rural Bulgaria most families share a big house, for example if there is a 3 storey house then the grandparents stay at the bottom, their grown children stay on the second floor and then their children will stay at the top! In urban areas most people stay in small flats.

Under Communism Bulgarians became accustomed to free health services and a wide range of other benefits, however when Communism came to an end Bulgaria's post-Communist governments didn't have the financial resources to maintain these services. Furthermore, the transition to a market economy resulted in food and water shortages, high inflation and increased unemployment. Residents of Bulgaria's large cities are burdened by housing shortages and rising rents. Things were made increasingly bad when the Lev (national currency) collapsed in late 1996 and early 1997, only 10 years ago Bulgarians still had to stand in a queue for about 6 hours waiting for one loaf of bread!

Now that food is easily available there are many popular traditional dishes favoured by all here, these include things such as "Shopska Salad," which is a salad unique to Bulgaria normally featuring tomato, cucumber, peppers and white goats cheese (sirene). Another summer favourite is "Tarator ," this is a cold yogurt and cucumber soup which can be served as a starter instead of salad, often it is even served up in a glass. In Sofia the capital you are likely to find many stalls selling something called "banitsa," which is a flaky sort of pastry which can have any filling, one of the more popluar is yellow cheese (kashkaval).

The Bulgarian literacy rate is hitting 98%, as education is free and compulsary. Students firstly attend Primary School when they are 7 years old for 4 years, they then progress to Middle School for 3 years and then Secondary School can range up to 5 years depending on personal choice, compulsory education ends at the age of 18. Most students continue their education past secondary school and attend various universities. There are many institutions for higher learning in Bulgaria, most are located in the larger cities such as Sofia (the capital), Plovdiv, Varna and Bourgas.

The Language

Okay, lets face it Bulgarian is a difficult language to learn, but when you get the hang of the cyrillic alphabet then it is no more difficult than any other! Bulgarian is spoken by 90 % of Bulgaria, so it could be pretty useful to learn it, even if you try, it is appreciated!
The history of the Bulgarian language is divided into three periods. Firstly, The Old Bulgarian Period- this lasted from the 9th century throught to the 11th, and the text that was created during this period is what makes up most of the Old Church Slavonic Church. Secondly, The Middle Bulgarian Period which lasted from the 12th through to the 14th century and last, The Modern Bulgarian Period started in the 15th but only became fully formed during the 19th century. Modern Bulgarian has two major dialect groups which are eastern and western.
So while learning the lingo be careful about picking up words which are only used in that area!

The Culture

A long time ago, back in the Middle Ages Bulgaria was at the centre of Slavic culture, between then and now Bulgaria has been greatly influenced by others such as Byzantine, Greek, Russian and Western cultures.

All over Bulgaria there are plenty examples of the fine art and architecture that has been produced over the centuries for example, the Boyana Church near Sofia shows some fine examples of the painting from the 13th century. The country has over 200 museums, some of which show the beautiful handcrafts that used to be produced here including embroideries and wood carvings. The oldest building that can be found is the 4th century Church Of Saint George in the very centre of Sofia, this has recently been restored and is quite a strange mix of old and new! Other important buildings include the Aleksander Nevski Cathedral in Sofia, The Rila Monastery in the Rila Mountains and The Bachkovo Monastery to the south of Plovdiv.

Recently there was a gathering of Bulgarian people in our village singing traditional Bulgarian folk songs and dancing, it was quite incredible! The main native instruments from here are called the gaida (this is a kind of bagpipe) and also the kaval (a wooden flute) The most popular folk dance is called the Hora, which is a sort of round chain dance, in which everyone can join in!

Economy

Bulgaria used to be mainly agricultural and there was almost no heavy industry. However, after World War II, all the industrial enterprises were nationalised and heavy industry was the governments top priority, at that point Bulgaria had one of the most prosperous economies. There downfall came when they started to convert to a market economy, this was made worse when the countrie's voters elected former Communists into power in1994. Instead of transferring the expensive state owned enterprises to private ownership, they continued to sustain them and they acted as huge money drainers. In 1996, the Lev plummented in value and the banking system nearly completely collapsed, at this time many declared bankruptcy and ceased business, all of this caused a serious economic crisis! In 1997 a new government was elected and they took some major steps in order to stabilise the ever shaky economy!

Agriculture used to be a huge part of Bulgaria's economy, but since the Second World War it has declined in a big way! One of the most important crops here is tobacco, it contributes to about 20% of the total value of all agricultural goods. Every year Bulgaria produces surplus food but agriculture is facing an economic downturn due to the fact that the price of agricultural produce is not rising at the same rate as that of inflation.

A really huge industry in Bulgaria is wood, almost everyone in the rural areas burn wood throughout the winter. The forestry police keep tight reins on the people- they must have documentation in order to either cut down the wood, or if they buy it the seller supplies the document. If you don't have it you can be fined instantly! The principal timber areas are the Rila, Rhodope and Balkan mountains. Some people also burn coal which furnishes the bulk of Bulgaria's mineral production. Another big industry is located on the Black Sea Coast-Petrol- it was discovered there in 1951. Another is fishing, there is a large variety of fish such as mackerel, whiting and carp to be found in the coastal waters. The processing and canning plants are found in the main towns in that area i.e Varna and Bourgas.

The Environment

The biggest percentage of Bulgarias terraine is mountainous. The major mountain ranges are called: The Balan Mountains- these cross the country from the northwest to the Black Sea. The Rhodope Mountains- broad and irregular mountains found in the south of Bulgaria. The Rila Mountains- are located in the southwestern part of the country, most of the countries wildlife is confined to here, you can find all sorts- bears, wolves, foxes and wildcats to name a few! In all of these mountains you can find a variety of trees such as conifer, beech and oak. Many areas have been deforested and there has been a gradual deterioration of several fertile areas, however there are still some lands that have highly fertile black and grey soils!

There are five main rivers that flow at various locations thoughout the country, the biggest and most well-known is called the Danube. Then there is the Maritsa which flows towards Greece and Turkey. The three smaller rivers are called the Kamchiya, The Struma and The Mesta.

Bulgaria can appear to have quite a severe climate, in the winter it is freezing cold with frosts, winds and hail storms and in the summer it can be absolutely scorching which can lead to droughts. The change in climate in Bulgaria can be somewhat dramatic almost appearing as if it is moving through the seasons overnight..

The environmental health of the country has been suffering because of the huge industrial economy. Almost all of the rivers are polluted and water treatment facilities for wastes are mostly inadequate. The European Union has given the country money in order to greatly improve these problems, so time should see an improvement!

History

Bulgaria was formerly included in the Roman Empire as part of the province of Thrace and Moesia. However, during the 9th century Bulgarians had gained a considerable amount of territory and they laid foundations for a strong state, under the power of Khan Krum. By the late 9th and 10th century, Bulgaria was the strongest nation in Eastern Europe. Tsar Simeon became the most powerful monarch and his reign was marked by great cultural advances, for example the Cyrillic alphabet was adopted. Bulgaria's power declined during the following century and when the Russians invaded and seized the capital and the royal family, it could have been the end for Bulgaria but Emperor John I Tzamiseces intervened and the Russians withdrew. So, Samuel, the son of Bulgarian provincial governor became the ruler of Western Bulgaria, his armies were later destroyed by Emperoro Basil II and the state was incorporated into his empire.

So was all lost, was there no more Bulgaria!? No, noble brothers Asen and Peter led the Bulgarians to revolt in 1185 and again Bulgaria was established! By the early 13th century it included extensive territories such as Serbia and all of western Macedonia. Sadly, this was short lived as the Bulgarian armies were defeated in 1330 by the Serbs. During the next five centuries the existence of Bulgaria was almost completely and utterly destroyed. In 1876 the Bulgarians decided to revolt against Ottomans rule, bur were unsuccessful and in reprisal about 30,000 Bulgarian people including children were murdered! In 1877, Russia declared war on the Ottoman Empire and swiftly defeated them! After this a part of Bulgaria came into being again! In 1879 the first prince of Bulgaria was elected- Alexander of Battenberg, but in 1886 a group of conspirators abducted him and established a Russian-dominated government. This wasn't on! Within a few days the government was overthrown and a new ruler chosen- Prince Ferdinand. In 1908 Ferdinand declared Bulgaria as independent and assumed the title of Tsar!

During the Second World War Bulgaria signed the Anti-Comitern Pact and declared war on the USA and Great Britain. Even though they were allied with Nazi Germany, Tsar Boris refused to persecute Bulgarian Jews, so most of them survived the Holocaust. When the tide turned against the Germans, Adolf Hitler tried to make Bulgaria declare war on he USSR, they refused but the USSR declared war on them! However no fighting occured! Furthermore Bulgaria declared war on Germany. Bulgaria then asked for an armistice which was agreed to. The armistice also made provision that the Bulgarians evacuate all territories that they had taken!
So in 1946, the Bulgarians rid themselves of Tsar Simeon and the monarchy came to an end, a week after this Bulgaria was made a "Peoples Republic."Bulgaria has been dominated since 1946 by The Communist Party. However in 1990 a multi-party system was adopted and the political system has expanded and improved since that time.

So now you know all about Bulgaria and how much it has struggled to be what it is today! Over the past 10 years or so the changes in this country have been massive and amazing to all who live here. The country now hopes to join the European Union and its target date for joining is January 1st 2007!Prior to its joining the EU it has many targets which it has to meet so the people of Bulgaria will have to wait and see if they will indeed enter on this date.

This is a beautiful country with some truly amazing scenery and friendly people.So, regardless of what links you have to Bulgaria you may find it very different from most other countries. Remember differences are what also makes a country new and exciting and if we did not want change why consider moving here in the first place. Its just a new way of life thats a little more relaxed! ENJOY!

Comes from our free online PDF magazine all about Bulgaria

BulgariaInfo-Online

[http://www.bulgariainfo-online.com]

Debbie Lockhart

Journalist and Photographer

Strategy For Romania Properties - First Time Buyers

Investing in Romania Property Market can be very profitable but you have to respect a few rules.

First of all you have to stick to some general successful proved steps:

1. SET YOUR OBJECTIVE

This is an obvious thing but many of the first time investors don't do this as it should be done. There is a difference between buying a house for you and your family and investing in a property only for a profit. There are different strategies if you intend to make a profit on short term or a medium-long investment.

Your main options:

Holiday house. Romania offers some extraordinary tourist destinations. Buying a mountain house is much cheaper then other places and new developments on Black Sea cost are interesting too. Danube Delta is a
fantastic destination with great potential.

Things to consider when buying a holiday property:

- Access. Cheap flights, good roads, train.

- Maintenance. You mast be able to keep your house in good condition with minimum effort.

- Finance. As you don't intend to live there all the time is better for you to rent the property. So you need someone to take care of things. Usually is possible to find or a private person or a specialized company to manage your property. It's harder in case of isolated properties.

Permanent house. An increasing number of foreigners are deciding to move permanently in Romania. They find interesting business opportunities or better jobs in multinational companies. Some of them decide to profit from the booming real estate market and invest in one or more properties.

Buy a property for pure investment. This is the main reason the investors buy real estate in Romania. There are two main options in doing so:

1. Buy to let. You buy the property and then finance the mortgage from rent. In the best scenario you will be able to have a small monthly income if the rent exceeds the mortgage. The profit will be made from increase value of the property. This is a medium-long term investment.

2. Buy to sell. This is a strategy that works extremely well in emerging markets like Romania. In general you put a deposit on a property that wasn't build and sell right before completion or immediately after. The profit emerges in case the property price will increase during it's construction.

Example: Suppose you want to buy a one bedroom apartment costing EUR100,000. Required deposit is 25%. Construction will last 3 years.

Your investment: deposit plus buying cost (estimated at EUR3,000) makes a total of EUR28,000.

If the property appreciate with a 20% annual rate in 3 years you will sale it for EUR172,800. Your profit will be EUR44,800 from a EUR28,000 investment.

In some cases you have to arrange to finance the property before completion and then selling or just assigning the property to another buyer without paying the balance (flip the property).

Some developers will require a different payment structure: 20% down, 20% with foundation, 20% with structure, 30% with roof, 10% with completion. In such cases is possible to get a mortgage that pays out with stages, so all you will have to pay is initial deposit.

Investing off plan has some fantastic advantages but comport some risks too:

- Price will not grow, or worst, it will fall.

- Developer will have problems.

3. Buy to renovate. This can be a very profitable business but a foreigner will always have disadvantages comparing to a local businessman.

2. HOW MUCH CAN YOU SPEND

This is crucial. Real estate is a serious business and it takes money. If you're not careful with your finance you will lose big time.

You mast take a long look at all potential costs. You may be exited by a fantastic penthouse with great view, but have the budget for a two bedroom apartment.

Costs should include trip, hotel, lawyer, agent, deposit, etc. Is possible that you will not be able to finance right away all the mortgage by the rent so consider supplemental monthly costs.

After you figure out what the budget may be add a 5-10% just in case.

3. CHOSE PROPERTY TYPE AND IT'S LOCATION

Romania is a big country offering a big range of real estate opportunities. After general research try to understand what type of property is best for you. This depends much on your objective and budget.

The location of the investment is an important step to your success as real estate investor. Once you get to know more about Romania narrow your search to an area that corresponds better to your personal criteria. This e-book offers you some information to start from. You should look deeper in places that correspond to your specific interests.
You have to remember that Bucharest is offering some fantastic opportunities, but you can find really good deals in other regions of the country.

4. LOOK AT THE DOWN SIDE

There is no such thing as risk free investment. Of course, Romania has potential and you can make good profit from investing in real estate properties, but the risk is always present.

When you decide to invest your contact persons will be the state agent, the lawyer and the translator. They are all paid only if you buy. Even if they are all honest people it will be natural for them to express optimism. You are the one that should be realistic.

5. USE LEGAL ADVICE

It is important to work with a trusted lawyer. He will review the agreement, verify titles, and carry out other checks for your protection.

6. CONTACT AN ACCOUNTANT

Depending on your situation, having an accountant can be very important. If you form a company to invest in Romania properties this is a legal obligation.

Proper advice can determine the best way to invest your money. This depends on the objective, type of property (if you invest in land you'll need to form a company) and the dimension of the property.

7. FINANCE

Consider the options you have. It is possible to obtain finance in Romania, but chances are that you'll get lower loan interests in your home country.

8. GO VISIT

There is no better way to understand a property market than visiting it. The longer you can stay the better. Prepare the trip carefully. Before arriving you should already have a solid idea about the market. You should precisely know what you are looking for (property type, location, budget).

- Make a list of questions.

- Have maps with attractions in the area.

- Dictionary

- Make a glossy for every property that you visit.

- Have a camera to take shots of the property, view from the property and surrounding area.