My incredible Evs experience in Blagoevgrad

" Hello everybody!
This is Benedicta from Italy, and today is a sad day because my short-term EVS project in Active Bulgarian Society came to the end! Before leaving the amazing team I worked with for the last 2 months, I want to share with you my impressions and feelings related to the city and to this experience.
But let's start from the beginning. Have you ever heard about this little city in Bulgaria?  I don’t blame you if you don’t, but it’s never too late to now why you should give a chance to this amazing Bulgarian hidden gem.
This lovely city is in southwestern Bulgaria. Located in the valley of the Struma River, and at the foot of the Rila Mountains, it’s just an hour away from Bulgaria's capital, Sofia. Just by having a walk, you can discover more about the city, as well as many of Bulgaria's brightest citizens because of many monuments dedicated to them. One such statue is the huge one in Gotse Delchev’s honor (a Bulgarian revolutionary/personality in Ottoman-ruled Macedonia and Thrace) right in front of the Opera House.  "

" ​Renovated places like the main square with the singing fountains and new ones like the American University in Bulgaria stand out in the clear sky of beautiful Blago, which boasts a remarkable record in terms of air quality, with one of the lowest pollution rates in the country. "

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" ​Along one of the pedestrian streets that leads from the heart of the city to the city park, colorful umbrellas seem to float over the heads of passers-by. But not everything is left to chance! Yes, because umbrellas also have a practical and not just a decorative function: they offer shelter from sudden seasonal downpours that can surprise the unlucky ones. "

​" But there’s more: if you want to immerse yourself in a magical atmosphere and relive the past, you just have to cross the bridge that connects the city center to the ancient town of Varosha. With its traditional buildings and wonderful Church dedicated to Virgin Mary, Varosha evokes typical settings for the most beautiful fairy tales of all time. " 

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" Also, the orthodox cross on the hill above the old town is worth a visit. From the top of the hill, you can enjoy a breathtaking view of the city and the valley all around. "

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" Blagoevgrad was my house for the last two months and ABS team, my family.  For sure, this is one of the best and most incredible experiences in my life. I met a lot of wonderful people and had with them the craziest adventures ever (like crossing the whole country by hitchhiking!!).


​I cannot say that everything was amazing and fine because I also had my bad days but still, in the end, this experience changed me in a positive way and I will always be thankful to all people who were part of this chapter of my life.

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So, as you can imagine, when you really enjoyed a place and the people around you, it's very complicated and painful to say goodbye.  But I know that one day, soon or later, we will have the chance to meet together, again, somewhere. "

A presto ❤️!



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Author: Benedicta Marinelli, short term EVS volunteer in 3E: EVS Eastern Express vol.2 project.