Only in Bulgaria

Sometimes it happens that Anne and Mark look around and wonder where exactly they are.  This is perfectly understandable, given all of the different places they have visited and things they have seen.  Sometimes, however, they see things and realize that they must be in Bulgaria.  There are just some things that happen here that do not happen anywhere else.  For example, dumpster fires:

Now this is not the first dumpster fire that Anne and Mark have seen.  In Bulgaria during the winter, these were not common, but they were not "uncommon."  Apparently, people take the coals from their furnaces and drop them into the dumpster while they are still hot.  The next morning - boom - melted dumpster.  The unusual parts about this particular melted dumpster are (1) that it happened in the summer (and it is still far too hot for any one to be running the furnace around here) and (2) this is a dumpster for recyclables only.

Another example.  The fountain located outside of the main building of the university is sometimes covered by graffiti.  Usually, the city allows this "street art" to remain indefinitely.  However, next month Blagoevgrad will be holding local elections.  Apparently, in an effort to increase the prospects of the incumbent candidates, public works projects have picked up around town.  One of these, apparently, is washing off the graffiti of the fountain.  What makes it uniquely Bulgarian?  Well, it appears they just dumped a ton of Dawn dish washing liquid into the fountain and let it circulate for awhile.

Sorry, Mayor, I am still voting for Vlado.

Third example: horse rush hour.  It is not unusual to see horses around town in Blagoevgrad.  The Roma population still uses horse-drawn carriages on a daily basis and it is not uncommon to hear the clip-clop of horse hooves rumbling through town.  What is uncommon, however, is to see a couple of horses out for their nightly stroll without supervision.

These horses do not appear to be the brightest knives in the drawer, as they appear to be looking to eat the grass in the asphalt on a fairly busy intersection.

Today's fourth, and probably most memorable, "Only in Bulgaria" moment is brought to you courtesy of this kid in the Rooney jersey.  (For those of you who do not know, Wayne Rooney is an English soccer player who could be a twin brother of Flea from the Red Hot Chili Peppers)

Anyway, as you can see, little Rooney is ready to check out with his purchase of beer and a hard cider.  Not bad for a Thursday night, my friend.  

It was not clear whether the clerk carded lil Rooney, but is clear that he waited around for his change.

Also, for future reference:

Flea, bass player from the Red Hot Chili Peppers

Wayne Rooney, English "Football-er"

Not to be confused with EDWARD Rooney, the nemesis of "cool dude" Ferris Bueller.