I took this photo at the beginning of October this year. It's been two months since then, and I've been gathering the strength and energy to share something
Hmm, that's fine, someone might say, but what does the photo of a recycling corner in Lidl have to do with flying cars? There is a connection, but it's not that direct. And maybe it is. But that's not that important, actually. Some time ago I spoke to a young American who, after working on projects in Bulgaria for about a year or two, had decided to stay and live here. The conversation was intimate, at a table, as good conversations usually take place at these latitudes, and after a few drinks, I asked him the following two questions:
"What do you like most about Bulgaria?" and "What do you like least about Bulgaria?".
The answer to both questions was the same: "Nobody gives a shit!"
I also remember one of the articles by soulsdetour about German pensioners who decide to spend their autumn-golden years in Bulgaria and about the difficulties they face, not only on a linguistic and cultural level, but mainly on a domestic level.
Two recent examples from the place where I live - a major renovation of a central street nearby began in the summer. Replacement of the central water supply underneath, new curbs and possibly new asphalt. The street is not very long, maybe about 400-500 meters in total. Since the renovation began, everyone around us has been in a combat situation - mudslides, closed streets with no bypass routes, dust. The water supply is cut off at least twice a week, the electricity also cuts off several times, and there are even moments when there is neither electricity nor water. Welcome to Bulgaria, the twenty-first century! It's already December, and the curbs haven't even been laid halfway yet. Even if they put them in place by the end of the year, I don't believe anyone would start laying new asphalt in January, in the coldest weather.
The photo above is just a small illustration - these recycling points, where you will eventually receive 5 stotinki (that's EUR 0.025) for a returned PET bottle and aluminum can, have only existed since the summer of this year. I have seen similar ones in Western Europe many years ago, my earliest memory is from Austria, from a mall in Salzburg, in 2010, and even then I think the machine issued a voucher for EUR 0.20 per piece. Or something like that. But let's leave the value aside. I took this particular photo, guess why... Well, because these doors wouldn't open and the service actually didn't work.
Hundreds of other services also don't work, and in general, there are days when I wonder how this whole country hasn't fallen apart. When I watch the reports about the war in Ukraine every night, we, without actually being at war, are almost as bad as them.
I don't even want to bring up the topic of healthcare, which is certainly the worst in Europe. Maybe one of the most expensive, because whatever you ask for from this so-called healthcare system, you have to pay for it. Despite the large mandatory health insurance that we all pay every month.
So my little dream of flying cars, if it eliminates the need for streets, will turn into something huge. Yes, I know it won't happen soon, but it's possible. J
At least dreams are free here...
And I have one more wish, for all Bulgarians to start giving more shit... Then many problems will disappear, we will respect each other more, corruption will decrease, the quality of life will increase. Dreams, dreams...