A FEW QUESTIONS ABOUT BULGARIA

[chriaaa23]

i just my call this past thursday and im not gonna lie im really stoked about serving in bulgaria. from the pics ive seen and the things ive read i think its gonna be awesome but i still have a few questions about everything before i get into the MTC.

1) ive been told to take my american debit card, how does this work in a foreign country?

2)i read that there was no Air Conditioning, the post was old so i was wondering if they have A/C now?

3)is stuff like food and clothes or whatever cheap?

4)how big is the Sofia mission? is it just the city of Sofia or does it extend into other parts of the country?

thats all i can think of now....any information that anyone would like to share with me will be more than appreciated.

thanks,
Chris

[Richard Davies]

Chris,

Congratulations on your call! Here's my answer to your questions:

1. They have ATMs in many locations in the larger cities (most likely in whatever city you'll be serving in.) You can use the ATMs just like you do here in the states. But I believe that most banks will charge you a "transaction fee" or "currency exchange" fee, so you'd want to find out before hand what the details are. When I was a missionary, the church issued each missionary a debit card, which was refilled  with our monthly allowance, so you probably don't really even need to worry about bringing your own card.

2. I don't recall A/C being very popular when I was there ('99-'00). I'm not sure if it's changed since then. But don't worry about it. Many a missionary has survived without A/C, and you can too! Besides, don't you want some bragging rights when you return and everyone's telling stories about their mission?

3. Yes, compared to the U.S., food and clothes are pretty cheap in Bulgaria. You can eat a decent meal at most restaurants for under $5. Mmmm, I wish I could get some of that food now...

4. When I was there, there were about 120 missionaries in the mission. They serve in many cities across the country. Read the mission history page on the web site for more information.

Let us know if you have any other questions!

[chriaaa23]

i appreciate the answers to the questions man, they were helpful. i was also wondering what the popular sports are there. i know that soccer is popular, but im more of a basketball guy. did anyone get to play some BBall on their P-days?

[Richard Davies]

Yes, of course football (i.e. soccer) is the most popular sport, but basketball is also popular. There are street courts at schools and in other places in the cities. I played basketball several times on my mission.

[chriaaa23]

alright thats great news...i cant wait to ball on some of those Bulgarians lol

[Blindspot]

A/C is gaining in popularity, but it still a bit of a luxury for most people.  Most offices are getting it, but only the privileged have it in their homes...which means the missionaries don't. 

Organized sports, such as basketball, don't happen very often.  The missionaries often play on P-day, but if you're looking to play with the members, you might be a little disappointed.  P-day is Monday, and most people work.  What's more is missionaries are discouraged from having regular activities with the members because it leads to problems.  (Once in a while is ok, but having a standing date is a problem).

Don't let that discourage you.  Bulgaria is a great mission and we need great missionaries.  Chances are that I'll see you soon.

Blindspot

[chriaaa23]

what kind of foods can i be excepting when i get over there?
i buzz cut my hari, and ive heard that i might have to grow it out so that i can have a part in my hair and i was just wondering if this was true?

[Blindspot]

Probably.  Buzz cuts are a little too extreme.

The food is good, if a little different.  Potatoes, meat, tomatoes, peppers.  You'll get to like Bulgaria's own brand of yogurt.  And a cheese which is very much like Feta, but not quite.  On the whole, it's fairly simple and nothing to worry about.  It isn't as varied as in the States, but you get used to it real quick.

[Brinton]

You might get stopped with a buzz cut in the MTC, (I worked there for 3 years).  I would grow the hair out to have a part, but short so that it does not touch the back of your collar on your dress shirt.  And if you get an extreme cut in the MTC--like you let your comp do it, which you should not do, you will be held back till your hair grows out.  The best thing would be to follow the instructions given in your call/packet

[chriaaa23]

alright well this is more than likely going to be my last post on this forum since im going to the MTC on wednesday and im actually leaving for provo tom. i have a few questions left. how will we go about emailong friends and family in the field? will we go to an internet cafe or what? and i have the feeling that most of us are going to be responsible for most of our own cooking since the church doesnt have an extremely strong following there yet, would that be right to assume that? thanks for the replies and good luck to everyone and i will see you guys that are going in with me on wednesday........PEACE!!!!!!!!

[Richard Davies]

Yes, you will go to internet cafes to e-mail your family. In '99-00 when I was there, they were pretty easy to find. I imagine that they're just as plentiful now, if not more so. You'll either pay by the hour, or buy a prepaid card giving you a certain amount of time. I don't know if the Church provides an e-mail account for the missionaries or not, so make sure you have a web-based e-mail account before you go just in case.

As for meals and cooking. Yes, you will be responsible for most of your meals. I had very few dinner appointments. But it you serve in one of cities with a more "established" church presence, you may have an occasional dinner appointment with the members. The good news is that food is relatively inexpensive in Bulgaria. There are little (and I do mean little) grocery stores on just about every other corner (or so it seems). There are also markets with fresh fruits and vegetables. In addition, the restaurants are also quite cheap by American standards so a lot of missionaries eat out quite frequently. It will probably depend a lot on your (and your companions) personal preferences as to whether or not you do most of your own cooking or eat out in restaurants or on-the-go from the many little food stands around town.

I hope this helps some. Good luck on your mission! I'm sure that you'll have a great and memorable experience.

[Blindspot]

Internet Cafe's are plentiful.  When you get here, you'll get all sorts of instructions on how and when and what you can do.  As for food, larger supermarkets are becoming more commonplace.  There are small shops all over the place.  Food isn't hard to find.

As for restaurants, they are becoming increasingly more expensive with relation to Missionary support funds.  Picking up a Dyuner (kinda like a Greek Gyro) is cheap, but eating regularly (at least in Sofia) at a sit-down type of restaurant will eat up your money pretty quickly.

And if you do get invited to a member's home for dinner, it's a special treat.  Members do not have the tradition of feeding the missionaries as they do in the states.  Anyways...good luck and have a great time in the MTC.  My wife and I will look forward to seeing you when you get here.