Live Like a Local
in Bulgaria

I came from Barcelona confident that I understood the learning process. But Ilindenski showed me something else – language isn't learned. It's lived.

30 days with Nikolay were like a novel where each chapter is a real day. Mornings began with coffee and deep conversations. Then – activities that teach without explaining. Afternoons – at mineral springs or on the golf course at Pirin Golf.

And the golf! Nikolay isn't just a host – he's an amazing golf instructor. Every other day we went to the course, where he introduced me not only to the technique of the game, but to the philosophy and culture of golf. I learned to understand etiquette, to feel the rhythm, to see the game as meditation. From a complete beginner I became a player who understands the spirit of this sport.

We toured Melnik, the village with sand pyramids and wineries. In Dolene I felt like I was in an artist's canvas. Heraclea Sintica – a story of the past that Nikolay turned into memory. And in Rupite – while drinking mineral water near Baba Vanga's house – I felt part of something greater.

But the real magic is in what's invisible – in Nikolay's heart, which gives without reservation. I returned to Spain not only with Bulgarian language and love for golf, but with the feeling that I had lived something completely authentic.

The initial idea was three weeks, to feel the language, culture, and folklore. We were especially drawn to the folk songs – those deep, melancholy-beautiful voices that capture your heart from the very first note. But from our very first evening with Nikolay, it became clear that this was about something much more.

We began to live as the locals do – without rushing, with open eyes and ears. Andreas was simply amazed – the air here is like Switzerland, the mountains too... but in the valleys grow figs, pomegranates, pistachios, almonds... And the tomatoes – so genuine and aromatic that they simply remind you how little a person needs to be happy.

In Nikolay's yard there are at least three varieties of figs, grapevines, almonds, pomegranate – and for each of these plants he would speak with love and knowledge. I remember how we sat one evening under the vine, drinking his wine and talking about antioxidants in pomegranates, about resveratrol in wine... without any heaviness, without pretending to be scholarly. Simply conversation – alive, human, and full of meaning.

And the wine? You don't need to be a sommelier to appreciate it. You simply like it. You drink it and feel that it was made by someone who looks upon the vine as a living soul, not as a means of production.

The walks through the mountains, evenings with the village people, sunrises over the vineyards, songs that someone quietly begins by the fire – these weren't excursions. This was life. Real, warm, and deep.

After 20 days we simply knew – this is where we want to stay. We bought a house just a few streets away from Nikolay. Today we are his neighbors, and also his friends.

If you ever find yourself here someday, I suppose we'll meet and have a chat – about this place, about life's things, and about how sometimes life itself chooses where your home should be.