Plepe's Blog

Gara Lakatnik in Bulgaria again, in April 2009

Originally uploaded by plepe

I really liked this rock face near Gara Lakatnik so, one day when I needed some fresh air, I went there again (and a third time in June with some other Erasmus students). Down in the village a nice Bulgarian couple started talking to me, I think they thought I’m confused and lost my way, in fact I was just doing some mapping for the OpenStreetMap-project. Anyway I showed them the way up the rock face, as they were there for their first time and we had a really nice time together.
As you can see, although it was the beginning of April, spring hasn’t really started yet, only the cherry trees were in full blossom. In the valley you can see the train line in direction Sofia.

Gara Lakatnik, Bulgaria in January 2009

Originally uploaded by plepe

There was an especially warm period in Bulgaria nearly one year ago. I and two friends used the opportunity to go for a little hiking trip to Gara Lakatnik, about one hour by train to the North of Sofia. That rock face in the background is easily climbable in about an hour, a socialist monument waiting on the top.
Gara Lakatnik is a village itself, it must have been founded when the train line was built. There’s a village Lakatnik too, some kilometers to the East.

„TCM“ shop in Bucharest, Romania

Originally uploaded by plepe
Today I want to show you a picture of a „TCM“-shop selling „Produce Germania“ meaning „German Products“. Quite funny, you can find them all throughout Eastern Europe and seem to be quite popular, selling electronics, cooking utensils and clothing. In Germany and Austria those products are sold by coffee shops like Eduscho and Tchibo and are famous to be „low priced“. My mother is very fond of them, she often buys me some stuff.

Group of Photographers in Bucharest

Originally uploaded by plepe

The day I went to Bucharest (Rumania) my CouchSurfer joined a group of photographers who meet regularly (like once a month) to explore a district of their city. For sure I used the opportunity to join them, that’s what I’m travelling for, don’t I?
So we were this huge group (about 50 people I guess) of photographers walking through this district, taking pictures of everything. Imagine the astonishment of the population ;)
It was really interesting, as this were my first experiences with Rumanian culture.
If I remember correctly, on this picture I think they were taking pictures of the moving swing.

National Library in Prishtina, Kosovo

Originally uploaded by plepe

In March 2009 I made a trip to Kosovo, as I was interested in the youngest democracy of Europe. It’s a country which still needs a lot of time and energy to develop their economy, but people are very friendly and helpful.
In this picture you can see one of the most famous buildings of Prishtina, the capital: The national library, located near the city centre in something which might develop into a park some day.

View from Tauplitz, Austria

Originally uploaded by plepe

In Februar 2007 I went skiing with some friends to Tauplitz, a mountain in Austria. On this picture we are admiring the beautiful view from there.

Sunrise in Istanbul, October 2008

Originally uploaded by plepe

Another picture of Istanbul, this time in October 2008. We (me and Wicky) managed to come to the sea side right after sun rise, although we tried to be there on time, but we didn’t manage (it was my first time in Istanbul anyway). Right after taking this picture we searched for a nice place for breakfast in the harbour and finally sat on the wave breakers.

Istanbul, Turkey in January 2009

Originally uploaded by plepe

A view from Galata Tower to the East. In the back you can see the Bosphorus Bridge connecting the European side (left) with the Asian side (right). The picture was taken about a year ago shortly after our arrival in Istanbul, after a bus travel from Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria.
This year (2010) Istanbul is one of the European Capitals of Culture.