Not Exactly Like Home

We went to an mid-scale restaurant the other day.  Nice little place.  It's called 33 Chairs, because they have -- 33 seats.  You might be interested in a few of the menu items:

Rabbit meatballs with Parmesan and Tomato Sauce

And then there's . . .

Pork Knuckles with Sauteed Potatoes

If that doesn't get you salivating, how about. . .

Veal Tongue with Green Onions in Butter

Or, for the Piece de Resistance, how about . . .

Lamb Entrails with Onions and Smoked Cheese.  

. . . Hmmm good.  . .

SPECIAL POLICE OPERATIONS

We're again feeling safer here in Bulgaria after learning that the following Operations were conducted last week . . .

"Operation The Money Lenders," targeting an organized crime group dealing with schemes to illegally acquire farm lands with fake documents and then apply for EU financing.  The detainees are unemployed, yet they own a number of luxury cars and boast a rather high living standard.  Good news:  3 of the 4 arrested were kept in jail.

"Operation The Terrorists", targeting a mafia group involved in the sale of Kalashnikov guns and other weapons.

"Operation The Registrars", an organized crime group concentrating on the illegal registration of cars with the Traffic Police (KAT) to avoid emissions taxes.

And finally, "Operation Sweeties", targeting a group allegedly involved in the illegal trade of spare parts for specialist tractors that work in the area of the Maritsa Iztok mines.

The police are making a real effort.  Let's hope that 1. their evidence is legit; 2. the judges follow through by keeping the bad guys in jail, and 3. the guy in charge of Operation Code Names stays on the job -- his work makes great blog entries (and probably doesn't hurt newspaper sales).

PLOVDIV HOTEL

You may enjoy pictures of our most recent hotel . . .

Below is a two-person circulating water tub (that spewed black chunks of something when the water was turned on). 

And even though the place was jumping with Don't just sit there!  Get up and DO something! color, it was clean, new, and we had a very restful time. 

Some things just shouldn't be forgotten.