We are vagabonds, travelers, free-minded people.
Be a volunteer gives you opportunities to travel and discover the world.
Travelling is not only visiting and have fun. It's, before all, know yourself better, test your abilities and manage alone. Because it's when you travel you are totally free, nobody is here to tell you what you have to do. It's you, with yourself, only. It's a way to have more consciousness, meet people who can grow your mind up, and gain in self-confidence, maturity and independence.
If you realize you are able to travel to the unknown, and manage without problem, you can be proud and after this, nothing seems impossible. We are stronger than we can think. We can accomplish whatever we want.
In November, Noemie traveled during 10 days around Bulgaria and Serbia.
"I had the idea to explore more than Romania, and do a trip around the Balkans. It was the moment, it was something that I had to do. Because you can never know if you will have other opportunities to travel again in these countries.
There is a special offer with the trains, The Balkan Flexipass. For 50 euros, I was able to stop in 5 cities in the the following countries : Romania, Bulgaria, Macedonia, Serbia, Greece and Turkey.
Unfortunately, no more trains went to Greece for this period. I would love to go to Thessaloniki.
So, I focused my trip on Bulgaria and Serbia, even if Turkey attracted me as well. I checked on internet which cities were worth to visit. Then I established my way : Take the train from Bucharest to Veliko Tarnovo, a city in the north of Bulgaria. After this, continue in the south to Plovdiv and the capital city, Sofia. Three cities were enough in my opinion, so after this I planned to go directly from Sofia to Belgrade, and Belgrade to Novi Sad, after coming back to Romania.
Before my departure, I managed to find people to host me in each cities, via Couchsrfing", and that's all ! My plans were ready, I only had to prepare my bags, move my legs, and I was leaving.
• The first city, Veliko Tarnovo, is very nice, with a very special architecture, because it's build on the hills. I didn't see that much of the city, I stay only the night and the morning, after that I move directly to Plovdiv.
• I really enjoyed Plovdiv ! I was hosted by two Greek people, I visit the city with them, we went in some nice pubs and at the top of the hills. There are a lot of Greeks in Plovdiv, because is not very far (350 km) from Thessaloniki, the city of Greece were I wanted to go.
Plovdiv is surrounding by seven hills, and on one of them, there is a very big statue, the monument of Alyosha, which represent a Russian soldier. This statue was built to celebrate the victory of the Russian army on the Nazis.
Plovdiv is one of the oldest cities in Europe ! You can see some ruins from the Roman Empire, like an amphitheater. All the streets are so peaceful and quiet, people are relax and take time. It's a breathtaking to go there.
• About Sofia, I heard a lot of bad things, like : "It's not a very nice city" "It's ugly" "Not worth to be visit" etc... Okay, it's not the most beautiful city in the world, but I think Sofia has a lot of good things to offer. I had great time there. Maybe thanks to the persons who hosted me. Three people from Czech Republic, students in the Art faculty of Sofia. Party people, of course, so party in Sofia during two nights ! It was very funny, and very nice to walk in Sofia by night. They bring me in a "underground" pub, and I felt in love with this place ! You can write on the walls, play baby-foot, and sit in very original places. All the walls are decorating with drawing, it was an artistic atmosphere, very pleasant.
• Belgrade... Belgrade... What a wonderful city. Very beautiful buildings, elegant people, and delicious hot chocolate ! I went in a place (Choco Caffe) were I took a croissant and a hot chocolate... And I flew to the paradise. It was the first time I drunk a hot chocolate like that. Usually, for me a hot chocolate it's milk and cacao powder. But in Serbia, it's true melted chocolate ! ONLY chocolate, not milk. It was amazing.
I did shopping there, with the girl who hosted me. We shared the same passion of fashion, so the last day we decided to go shopping, because I needed boots. The two nights, we hanged out in some clubs. We walk in the cold wind of Belgrade. Cold is an euphemism. I was frozen ! But I had great time, and met some of here very nice friends.
• Finishing my trip by Novi Sad. This city reminded me Sibiu or Brasov. There are the same houses with colors, the same main place very spacious, and old streets. So calm, tranquil. I had the opportunity to visit the city very well, thanks to my host, who brought me everywhere !
I think it was the best part of my trip. I met his friends, and two people from Austria and France ! It was strange to speak again in french, I had the impression it was not natural at all ! I really enjoyed spend time with them, they were so nice, and we shared a lot of things. I wish to go to Novi Sad to see them again !
• After that, I took the train from Novi Sad to Bucharest. 12 hours in the train. I wanted to go to Timisoara, but I had no more money, I felt tired and dirty, so I wanted to go home. Timisoara is in Romania so I could have the possibility to see this city before coming back in France.
That was my trip, not in all details, of course. I had to start another diary to write everything !
To conclude, I can say this trip allowed me to see what I am able to do, prove to myself I can travel alone, and gain self-confidence. I recommend to everyone to do on trip alone in their life, it gives you a lot, more than you could expect ! And it's an experience you will remember all your life, for sure."
