Sofia is one of my favourite cities to do nothing in. I've only ever spent short stays here, and did a walking tour the first time for an overview. There's probably tons to do really but there's nothing obvious so it's easy to just chill out and rest in nice cafes. Which is what I need this weekend. (To start to recover from Turkey, Country of Lovely but Socially Demanding Extroverts.)
I hate how Turkish bus stations are such a hustle. Like you're surrounded by bus company reps all trying to talk you into taking their next bus to wherever. As if you've turned up to the bus station without having already decided where you're going and when. I mean occasionally, sure, but it can't be often enough to justify the amount of effort they put in.
I met some wonderful lovely people at the Bursa English Speaking Club tonight, which I found via Couchsurfing. Lots of locals, but also others from around the world. Being immediately welcomed into this kind of community is all it takes to make a place feel like home.
Turkish tea is very substantial. I can drink it all day and forget to eat. Which is a very cheap way to survive, though I'm not sure about the long term nutritional value.
It's raining, and all I can hear is the rain. No cars. The occasional cockerel crow. And rain, pattering through the broad leaves of the tree outside the window, tapping the stone walls, clattering across red tile rooftops. I can't see the mountains because a cloud is sitting over the village. I've had my fill of going outside for the past few days, so this is a perfect cosy day.
The air has been bad in Bursa since I got here, not quite as bad as Sarajevo but still makes me cough outside; but this morning the smoggy haze has even reached my village. Remind me not to abandon the coasts in winter in future.