Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
St James' Park
(
www.stjamespark.biz
)
A British-run venture in the village of Voditsa, in
northern Bulgaria. It's an 'alternative' campsite and organic farm that welcomes volun-
teers, either (through WWOOF) working 30 hours a week for board and lodging, or doing
smaller, casual jobs for free meals.
Peace Corps
(
www.peacecorps.gov
)
The US organisation offers projects working in edu-
cation and community development.
British Society for the Protection of Birds
(
www.rspb.org.uk
)
Volunteers can work as
field assistants in Bulgaria, mapping breeding birds.
Bulgarian Archaeological Association
(
www.archaeology.archbg.net
) Find out about vo-
lunteering opportunities on archaeological digs in Bulgaria.
Women Travellers
In general, travelling around Bulgaria poses no particular difficulties for women. For the
most part, sober men are polite and respectful. However, Bulgarian women won't nor-
mally go to a bar or nightclub unaccompanied and single foreign women may attract at-
tention. If you do attract unwanted advances, saying
Omâzhena sâm
('I am married')
gives a pretty firm message.
Like most destinations in Eastern Europe, common sense is the best guide to dealing
with possibly dangerous situations, such as hitchhiking, sharing hostel rooms and walking
alone at night. For overnight train journeys, choose a sleeper compartment rather than a
couchette. Young women in the big cities and coastal resorts are comfortable wearing
miniskirts and low-cut blouses, but more modest apparel is advisable if you're travelling
in more rural areas.
Feminine hygiene products, such as tampons, are widely available in supermarkets and
pharmacies across the country.
