Hangover-free, my ass

When I arrived in Plovdiv (Bulgaria's second largest city), there was a rainbow. I got lost trying to find my hotel and when I asked an old guy for directions he dragged me to two different bars and asked all of his friends plus some strangers. No one knew, and I ended up having to resort to a taxi but still, I like it here. The museums are free on Thursdays and I saw the only icon exhibition I've ever liked. (Not because of the icons themselves--they were still pretty hideous--but there were interesting descriptions of what each one represented. I've been meaning to learn more about religion in order to better understand art for about a decade now.) I also found myself a favorite Bulgarian artist. His name is Encho Pironkov and his paintings are abstract and colorful and have lots of nice shades of green. And there was a little parade with music and people in traditional Bulgarian costumes, to celebrate the first day of tourist season. Kinda cheesy and silly, but also kinda cute and fun. It was reminding me of the Basque country, where they're always celebrating something, and I was wishing that strangers would start sharing wine with me the way they sometimes do in the Basque country. Then later this wine guy pulled me into his first day of tourist season/wine tasting party. Getting pulled into a stranger's party is one of the best things that can happen when you travel. I like this place. Unfortunately, it turned out to be more of a wine spiel (complete with Power Point slides) than a party, and the guy was a sleazy American (complete with a huge thick chain and shirt unbuttoned nearly to his navel). So, I made friends with the other American woman that he pulled in and we drank all his wine. Not so much of a cultural experience, but the wine was Bulgarian, anyway.

Speaking of Bulgarian wine, I haven't heard any actual Bulgarians say this, but the Lonely Planet claims that Bulgarians claim that Bulgarian wine does not give you a hangover. I can assure you that that is entirely untrue.