This week we had a special treat. For Sister Segeberg’s birthday we enjoyed a
dinner out with a group of friends at a restaurant named “Vodenitzata” (The
Watermill). This is a very picturesque
Bulgarian restaurant part way up the large mountain that dominates Sofia’s
skyline. It was the
ideal combination of a beautiful natural setting with woods, rocks, vivid flowers
and a vast variety of Bulgarian national cuisine.
This is the
entry of the restaurant. The stairs which descend along the right wall take you
to the patio.
The entertainment was authentic Bulgarian music, song, and dance presented by a folk-dance troupe that was dressed in colorful traditional apparel. They were fascinating to watch as they sang and danced to the music of a drum, a Bulgarian bagpipe, an accordion, a flute-type thing, and a stringed instrument.
The unintentional dance which was performed by the waiters and waitresses, as they dodged and darted amongst the swirling dancers to deliver food to the waiting patrons, was every bit as entertaining as the main attraction. We could not help but wonder how often there was a misstep that sent food and stoneware plates crashing to the cobblestones beneath their feet
A second presentation was ‘NESTINARSTVO’ - an old Bulgarian custom. Accompanied by the musical rhythm of drums
and bagpipes, the Nestinars - fire dance; dancing barefoot in a pit of burning
embers with fire sparks illuminating their movements. The drama was continually
amplified as the gentleman coaxed members of the audience to join him in the
fiery pit as he carried them in his arms.
As parents surrendered their toddlers and small children we could not
help but wonder what they were thinking. What if he tripped? Then he advanced to adults. Several young ladies were scooped up and
transported into the pit. At least they
were capable of making their own fool-hearty choices. We were relieved that we were not noticed by this
hot-footed performer!
 |
| This looks just grey, but is actually red hot coals. |
The evening surpassed our expectations and is something we will want to do again! This needs to be on the ‘must do’ list for any visitor to Sofia!
Love
Elder & Sister Segeberg
