In the very beginning of our journey, we visited the ostrich farm and the lemonade factory, placed in the interior of the country, together with Elmar and Shtefan form the Fossys forum as well as with Shtefan’s brother Sven.

The Fore- Balkan

From left to right: Elmar, Sven, Georgie and Shtefan

We reached the ostrich farm after half an hour traveling.

Would you like scrambled eggs?

Then we went to the lemonade factory, where they treated us to lemonade, freshly- baked cake and strawberries.

I made a wish of mine to come true, thanks to the second trip. We traveled along the continuation of the Fore- Balkan on our way to Koprivshtitsa. We passed by Kalofer, Vasil Levski, Karlovo, Sopot and Klisura. Every Bulgarian knows these names. These towns are connected with the April uprising in 1876 against the Ottoman rule that continued almost 5 centuries (1396- 1878).

The Turks suppressed that uprising brutally. There were horrible massacres of people including women and children. Actually, that brutality turned down the Turks from the throne. A cry of indignation rose and spread around whole Europe. The Russian- Turks war burst (1877/78), and Bulgaria was freed.

The first rifle fired off in Koprivshtitsa and gave the beginning of the uprising. A lot of monuments and memorial plaques remind of that historical event. Houses from the time of the Renaissance modify the face of this attractive small town, situated in the Middle Forest Mountain.

A view towards Kalofer

Here we are already in Koprivshtitsa

Here the first rifle fired off

A memorial plaque in Koprivshtitsa

The “First rifle” restaurant. Of course, we visited it!