Some advices for the city life.
So you have arrived in Sofia and want to take a walk. First of all you should exchange some money. The best thing to do it is at some bank. Nowadays we have lots of banks so it won’t be difficult to find one even not being in downtown. Banks don’t cheat so don’t be afraid. As mentioned in Arriving section. The best thing to do is to arrive here with euro in your wallet because the exchange rate is fixed. Nevertheless if you have dollars you should take a walk in the city center to find the best rate possible. Again my advice is to use banks. Although you could find an attractive rates in some exchange offices, often referred to simply as “Change bureau”, but you should be very careful.
The outside rate board can show different rates than the inside ones. Once entered the exchange office check-out the rates on the board carefully. If they are satisfying, you can proceed to the exchange.
Attention: The deal is considered not done if you haven’t signed the bill. If you are offered less money than expected you can always ask your money back.
Do not try to exchange coins because the rate at which they are exchanged is much lower than their paper equivalent.
You now are equipped with Levs and can have some fun. For sure you will go to some restaurant. There you must also be careful. The waiters are masters of the fraud as much as the taxi drivers. Always double check the bill, because there can be included stuff that you have never ordered. On the other hand you might have ordered something which is never delivered to you. That will not stop the waiter to charge you for it. It will be difficult to understand the bill since it will be in Bulgarian. Still, everyone on the table could bare his own bill in mind when ordering. That wise you will know approximately how much money do you have to pay.
I know that when you’re having fun you don’t want to think about the bill, specially when you have drank too much but it’s up to you how are you going to control that. A common trick is with the traditional liquor drink – the Rakia. Basically it is like the Tequila or the Whisky. Every brand of Rakia has it’s usual and it’s mellow version.
A drink of mellow Rakia could cost as much of a whisky. If you don’t specify the type, you will drink the normal one and will pay the mellow at the end.
That reminds me another thing. A small drink basically is – 50 ml, and a large one or double should be 100 ml.
Language problems
As you can imagine not too many Bulgarians speak well engilsh or other foreign languages (I suppose you can find some mistakes in this blog too). My recommendation to you is to ask for directions younger people up to their 30s. That are basically the generations which could help you on the street.
Criminal activity
Well Sofia is not the safest city but the center is ok and you can feel safe when walking out there even in the night. Many things were written in the foreign press about mafia murders here. Well basically average people don’t get hurt in such criminal acts because only rival mobsters get targeted. You could easily recognise mobsters because they always drive extremely expensive cars and dress in black. Sporty guys, short haircut, scary faces
But they won’t do harm to you because they have other things to do.
Youngsters with baggy trousers and sweatshirts aren’t dangerous either. Basically it’s the fashion here.
Anyway Bulgarians like much foreigners so you can feel ok.
A bit of advice
Don’t show off that you’re wealthy (if you are so). Remember that the average salary here is about 250 euro per month (many people don’t even reach it). So if you’re walking around with a pack of money be sure that even the most pacific people can be dangerous.
