The first thing I noticed from the plane was how green Bulgaria is. The fields, forests, and small towns looked so peaceful and I felt curious more about the country. On the train from Sofia to Kazanlak, I thought people were really helpful. Even though I don’t know Bulgarian, I could still connect with them in some way. People looked at me warmly. Also, I realised that they communicate with each other with lots of laughter and smiles.

I haven’t visited another city yet, but I’ve already started exploring Kazanlak. It’s such a
lovely place for walking and taking pictures. Before coming here, I didn’t know much about
the city. When I searched online, I couldn’t find many photos. But I think that’s actually a
good thing because it helps the city stay authentic and protected. Kazanlak turned out to be
a cuter and more organised place than I expected.

I love living near the Rozarium Park. It’s October, and the autumn in Bulgaria is truly bright and colorful. Because there are so many trees around the city.

I love walking, and Kazanlak is perfect for that! There aren’t too many hills, and there are small parks everywhere where you can sit, rest, and keep walking. I feel really happy to be here and to discover this small town. I’ve always loved roses, and since Kazanlak is known as the City of Roses, it makes me even happier. My grandmother used to grow roses in her small garden before she passed away, and Kazanlak reminds me of her. It’s a beautiful, clean and nice smelling city.

Another thing that caught my attention is how many children live here. When I was in Germany, it wasn’t so common to see so many children around. Also, there are cats on the streets, which is something I really love about this country. I’m from Istanbul, where street cats are part of daily life, so seeing them here feels familiar and comforting. I think Bulgarian people truly love animals.

Even though many people don’t speak English, I can understand some words because I know a bit of Russian words. I’m really curious to discover more cities in Bulgaria and to learn Bulgarian at least at a beginner level. I’m looking forward to learning more, meeting new people, and creating beautiful memories during my ESC journey here in Bulgaria!

Ayse Osmanli from Turkey
Long Term ESC Volunteer in Kazanlak