September 5, 2003
Friday Sep 5: Harmanli to Haskovo
Today was only 30 km to Haskovo, where I stayed in an old Soviet-style BalkanTourist Hotel, which must have been grand in its day, but now is very grandless. However, last night the top Bulgarian folklore band was performing in the town square about 200 feet from my hotel - and they were amazing. Also neat were the locals who held hands in a line and did a kind of group up-back-one-step-left-and-three-steps-right-then-repeat dance. Really neat. People speak very little english and no french, but communication is still half-decent.
Spent a few hours sorting out how to send back camping gear in 2 kilo allotments since more would cost a fortune. A steady stream of other customers gladly translated until we all knew what I wanted to do and how to do it. No use carrying around these anchors, not to mention, the nights are very cold now and are sure to get cooler when I get to the mountains here in Bulgaria, and certainly in Serbia.
Today's ride: 30 km (19 miles)
Total: 350 km (217 miles)
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