Kamila the Camel is back in Bulgaria

KAMILA RETURNS TO BULGARIA

It has been a long long time since Kamila the Camel has made any statements or observations. 

She has been locked away in London, England for over 6 years with her carers feeling very sorry for herself. Understandable so.

 Although she had been there before as she was for sale in the famous Hamleys toy Shop in Regents Street, she never thought she would return.

History now indeed for Kamiila who looks forward to her new life in Yambol Bulgaria. This is where she learned so much about the culture and Bulgarian ways which make so much sense to her now.

So with renewed vigor and refreshed brain, Kamila is ripe for sharing her experiences once again.

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Fruit Trees - A Great Investment

Kamila would like to wish everyone a happy spring right now. It has been raining so she has a little time to blog today. Up until now Kamila has been a hard working camel trying to get on top of things on the growing front and she has achieved that to date.

Twelve new trees were planted last weekend at the farmhouse. pairs of plum, apple, pear, peach, apricot and cherry are now rooted and secured with stakes for fruit for years to come. The cost was 50 lev, (about £20) for the lot from the local Yambol bazaar. What an investment that is with the fruit that will follow year in year out. The cost will be recovered from the produce within two years according to local knowledge.

So if anyone has any energy left for your garden, Kamila recommends buying a few fruit trees that will help your food bills be reduced, not be subjected to chemical bound like the supermarket fruit sell and of course the feel good factor from it.

Happy days right now for Kamila in Bulgaria.

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Hibernation? - Not With Blogging

Yambol's St Nicholas Church

Kamila took a break this weekend, she didn’t go to the village but stayed in town of Yambol with friends who she hadn’t seen for ages. A late night Saturday saw Sunday curtailed with a lie in until midday and why not? Winter here in Bulgaria is all about recovering from the spring, summer and autumn preceding it. It is non-stop for nine months of the year and the period of semi- hibernation has to happen as he batteries need recharging.

It is a tired camel who has not only been blogging but working really hard to survive the coming winter with food and finance for the bills that naturally rise during this season of cold.

The blogging will continue throughout the winter with the hope of a competition or tow that she can win. Currently Kamila is in two minds whether to subscribe to Adgitize this month. She and here team earned just under the $24 dollar that was paid, it is a great return for the traffic that is generated, but the fee could more than cover filling a bottle of gas for heating for a month which is more important than near on a 100 visits each day from the traffic generated advertising. She will decide when the request comes in a week or so.

Entrecard is still going strong, Kamila drops on about 30 a day, time is a big problem with this and she is just on tick over right now. She always drops on those who drop on her, that’s only fair.

Finally, Kamila helped out on a new blogger template on one of her team member’s blog ‘Dosh For U’. We are all very pleased with the result although it is not quite finalised yet. It took a whole afternoon and evening. Kamila invites you to look at the result on the link given.
“All for now and don’t’ get drawn into

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Weekend Blogging And Dropping To Stop?

Image by Divwerf via Flickr

Kamila is in a bit of a dilemma from a frugal point of view. Here in Bulgaria Kamila uses the Internet in two places. The first in the City of Yambol in the family home, then at weekends she uses the Internet at the farmhouse in the village. The problem lies in that there are two lots of Internet bills.

The town house monthly Internet connection is 22 leva per month and the farmhouse connection 25 leva per month. Even though the village connection is more expensive it substantially slower than the town connection, it takes hours and hours for sites to be downloaded to drop on and of course only used two days of the week. Kamila doesn’t earn enough to cover the cost of both Internet connections so she is seriously think of just being a 5-day-a week blogger and is trying to weigh up what will be lost by not blogging or dropping on Saturday and Sundays.

It seems such a simple decision to make, but there is a sense of letting the side down by not dropping and clicking on 51 Adgitize ads on those weekend days of the week. This will mean her team’s position will drop like a lead balloon in most communities.

Kamila will be thinking about this all today. The bill for August’s Internet connection is due on the 11th August. Will it be paid or will is be discontinued. It can be started up any time again in the future without penalty, that a bonus. I think we know what the decision will be, after all, there is a life outside Entrecard and Kamila thinks that too many bloggers should get out more at weekend especially in glorious summer days as we have right now.

“Bring back free weekends again!” Kamila says.

PS
The holiday break is now booked. Kamila will let you know when she is off.

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Geri - Kamila's Monkey Friend

Kamila had been on the farm for a few weeks and found herself back in Yambol this weekend. She will be there fore a few weeks then the work really begins on the farm once April and the growing season starts. Kamila is keen that we don't go hungry this year and will be helping wherever she can.

There was a new friend waiting to meet her in Yambol, Geri the monkey who was also from London, she had arrived a few weeks ago as she was fed up with UK life. the price of bananas had doubled in the last year and you are not allowed to say monkey business as it offends minority communities living there. She had read about what happens here in Bulgaria and even though there isn't much much to live on we were always happy and free.

Kamila took to Geri straight away and before long they were bonded friends alongside Eli Kamila's best friend. It may be that Geri might get a taste of village life with Kamila in a few weeks as she had heard from Kamila that there are sliva (plum) apple and pear trees that she can swing from as long as we took a supply of bananas with us.

Kamila also has been in deep though recently as she has seen her family struggle a bit with their health. We think that she has something up her sleeve, but she won't let on yet. We'll just have to find out what it is in due course.

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Skalitsa Healing Stones

"What's that rock you're sitting on Kamila?" is the inevitable question that will be asked looking at the photograph.

Well, Kamila knows that this is no ordinary rock. She has been told the full story behind the stones and knows full well what powers this stone has. Kamila, being a sensible camel, was rather confused when we told here the story about some healing stones in Skalitsa. It was only when a kind of miracle happened that Kamila realised that these were special stones that had 'magical' healing qualities.

The story is told on another blog in full, but basically, the stones heal many types of illnesses, from rheumatism to hangovers, if laid on for a while. They are a phenomenon that Skalitsa holds and only one other place in the world does this phenomenon happen, somewhere in Mexico.

Kamila is quite happy now that we have one of the healing stones in the house, both in the Skalitsa village and in our Yambol house. As Kamila now says, "Gone are the days of illnesses."

Well the stones have only been in place for a few days and everyone is fine right now. Galia did have a bit of flu until the stone was brought in the house and it cleared up the very next day. Kamila was witness to this and many other healing that the stones have brought.

Yet another surprise that Kamila has experienced here in Bulgaria, we had known about these healing stones for years, but this was all new to Kamila.

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Kamila's Treasured Award

Every day is an adventure and full of surprises and today the surprise was another award - "The Friends Forever Treasured Award" from Laura her treasued friend at A Touch Of Scrap.

The blushes came out again as Kamila realised that another touch of fame has come over here. But at the same time she can't understand why all this fuss is being made as she just gets on with things like everone else, including camels. She feels that she has done nothing special other than telling people what goes on in here life and how she feels.

Well Kamila, you are not an ordinary camel as you are very fortunate to travel to lands without deserts and meet the kindest people on earth, both in Bulgaria and Bloggers.

Kamila simple said nothing after that comment and just slowly walked away into the kitchen to do more jobs helping Baba with many thoughts of how lucky she is in this world. Lucky indeed in a world seemingly that has so much hate in it - At least that's what Kamila sees on television, but a kind world is there to see looking out on the Yambol streets, to Kamila this is the real news!

It has been a hard couple of days for Kamila as she had to nominate 5 friends in which to pass this award on to. She finally arrive at the five who now will have this bestowed upon them. They of course can pass this on to another 5 treasured friends in their circles.

Rose at www.obstaclesandglories.com
William at wsblogs.blogspot.com
Grr, Midnight & Cocoa at grrmidnightcocoa.blogspot.com
Two Greyhounds at twogreyhoundtown.blogspot.com
All the Friendly Chaps at www.featherfurfin.com

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Kamila Helps With The Christmas Tree

Today was a day where Kamila got all excited, she was going to help with the Christmas tree. this is her first Christmas in Bulgaria and she couldn't quite understand why there wasn't such a fuss here compared to the madness she saw in Hamley's Toy Shop in London where she used to be.

We only have a little Christmas tree and we think Kamila was expecting a massive one that would fill the room along with tinsel in every nook and cranny of the room. This is what she saw in England along with all the big expensive presents that were being bought. And all this started in November. We are now into the second week of December and thoughts of Christmas are just beginning to be considered.

"Don't they like Christmas in Bulgaria?" Kamila questioned. We were quite astonished with Kamila asking this.
"Christmas here is different, Kamila," we said. "It is not all about Santa Claus or Father Christmas and spending ridiculous amounts of money on presents to impress, food and drink, it is about real Christmas celebrations with family with Jesus being born in mind and modest gifts with more love than money."

Kamila just paused a moment in between putting another decoration on the tree. After what seemed like a deep though she said. "I think I will like Christmas here better than in London."
We asked, "Why?"

"It has more meaning here" she said and went on to add " And more smiles."

This was a Camel who had seen the height of commercial Christmas from the most visited toyshop in the UK and now is experiencing the other end of Christmas in a tucked away town called Yambol in Bulgaria.

"Christmas is still a long way away, there's still over two weeks to go." Kamila pointed out as she carried on with the decorations on the tree.

"We know." we replied. "What's the rush? No one rushes in Bulgaria, even at Christmas."

We all agreed that Christmas shouldn''t really begin until the 12 days before Christmas Day, well in Bulgaria anyway.

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Kamila the New Bulgarian Route Master

We were due to go to Stara Zagora last weekend but forecast for snow put us and we are now due to try again tis coming weekend. Kamila was to come with us as she really doesn't get out enough.

When Kamila found that she was to coming with us, the questons started and the answers were given:

Where is Stara Zagora?
West of Yambol.

How far is it away?
50 Kilometres from Yambol.

How long will it take to get there?
About an hour by car.

Is it a big town?
Yes, it is the biggest in the region.

Can we take Eli with us as well?
Of course, as long as you make sure she doesn't get lost.

With all these questions answered Kamila also wanted to know which roads we would have to take. With this we presented her with a map. We showed her where Yambol was and then pointed on to the place on the map where Stara Zagora was.

"Now Kamila, it is you job to find out how we get from Yambol to Stara Zagora, you are the Route Master and tell us which roads to take." we said.

Kamila looked down at the map at all the lines and shaded areas looking confused. All the town were in Bulgarian but she knew the two places we had shown here so it didn't really matter. "Don't worry about a thing," Kamila suddenly said. "I will make sure that we get there safely, you can trust me." she added.

We looked at Kamila as she paced her eyes up and down the map. We wasn't sure that she understood as we said "Okay Kamila, you are in charge of the navigation, we trust you."

(We daren't tell her that we knew the way without a map, but that's out little secret. )

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Picture on a Book

It has been two weeks now since Kamila returned to Yambol an she was missing being surrounded by the wonderful nature and the Skalitsa countryside. She caught a glimpse of a sight she had seen a few time on the cover of a book. It was a picture of a sunset taken from the garden of the farmhouse and used as the cover of the book.

"I remember beautiful evenings like that." she said with a sigh. "We just don't get sights like this in the town." she went on to say.

We tried to explain by saying "Well Kamila, there is no work it the villages that why we have to live in the town, to earn money."

"I understand" said Kamila. "But it is a shame that people can't make a living from living in the countryside."

"That's the way of the world Kamila, the cost of living always rising and the country folk struggle to make ends meet." we added.

Kamila was in deep thought after this and walked off slowly to sit down on the sofa. We all wanted to know what her thoughts were.

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Lots to Talk About

It's been a while now since Kamila got back to Yambol and the best moment was seeing Eli again. She had missed here so much and there was so much to talk about.

So that's exactly what they did, everyday another sotry was told by Kamila about her time in the Skalitsa village. She explained about all the differences between living in the country and living in the town. Eli couldn't get a word in most of the time.

They both are still the best of friends and Kamila promised that Eli could come along with her next time she goes on holiday.

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Back to Yambol

It was a long and lonely path today as Kamila made her way to the car. She was on her way back to Yambol after some three weeks holiday on the Skalitsa Farmhouse. She had a wonderful time and fond out how different it is in the villages compared to the towns in Bulgaria.

She will be reflecting on the experience over the next week no doubt, but right now she is looking forward to seeing Eli again, who is waiting in Yambol for here.

Although Kamila loved it here in Skalitsa, she saw for herself that it is hard work for many people who live here. they have no money and have to grow their own food to survive. Basics such as water is always available although you sometime have to walk to get it but to Kamila and most people living here, that's not a problem.

So, Kamila, full of thought, says goodbye for now to Skalitsa, she will have lots to talk about when she gets back to Yambol.

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Storks in Skalitsa

Kamila was feeling quite sad today. The reason was quite simply that tomorrow was the last day here holidaying on the Skalitsa farmhouse. She will be very sorry to go, but at the same time be happy to get back to here friends she left behind in Yambol.

She wondered into the street and saw at the end of the road a stork's nest with three baby stork there. We told her that they will be flying away very soon and will return to nest again next year in the same spot.

Kamila was quite taken with these birds as they were very large and graceful as she saw them glide over her head on occasions.

"Do you get Storks in Yambol?" was the question on Kamila's lips.

"No, just int he villages where they have peace and quiet and lots fields of hay and straw to search for food." we replied. "You can come back next year and see them again Kamila," we added.

To this Kamila turned towards the storks and shouted out, "See you next year storks!"

They didn't hear or understand Kamila, but we didn't tell her that.

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Hanging Tomatoes

As Kamila brushed past the garden there was something that stood out like a sore thumb. It wasn't only the sight of a bright red tomato that caught here eye but the strong smell of the tomato plants as they were touched.

Kamila had of course seen tomatoes before, we bring them back to Yambol every week from the farm, but she had never seen one hanging from the plant before being picked.

"So that's where you get them from!" was her comments as she took a closer look. Kamila was quite taken by the tomato and the fresh smell that came with it.

She also saw lots of green and orange tomatoes that wheren't quite ready to pick just yet.

"Can I take one back for Eli?" Kamila asked.

"Yes Kamila, we'll let you pick one to take back don't worry we won't forget." we replied.

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Kamila helps make Skalitsa Banitsas

It was with great fascination that Kamila watched me make the Skalitsa Banitsas early this morning. Kamila didn't realise how all the ingredients put together in different ways made the end result taste so good. Kamila even helped with the mixing of the yoghurt, flour, egg and baking powder but didn't want to get involved with the messy business of breaking up the sirene (Bulgarian white goat cheese.)

Afterwards, when the Skalitsa Banitsas had cooled down Kamila helped put then all into a plastic container. She knew these could now be stored in the fridge and eaten for up to a week later. "These are going in the freezer Kamila," I said. We will taken them back to Yambol after our holiday and eat them there."

Kamlia was quite pleased with herself, she now considers herself a good cook and now looks forwards to more cooking in Skalitsa. "There's so much food around here," she said looking out into the garden later.

"Yes Kamila, that's one of the reasons we love it here!" we added.

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The Linden Tree

It was in the garden by the side of the Skalitsa Farmhouse that Kamila caught sight of a big tree. "What tree is this?" Kamila asked.
"It's a linden tree Kamila, the type of tree that we can pick the flowers in spring and make tea with them, you saw the tea in Yambol." we explained.
Kamila climbed up the tree and nestled herself between the junction of the two main trunks.
"I like it up here." she said as she gazed over the garden wall into the street. You can see all that goes on from up here."
"Yes, Kamila, you can keep guard in your lookout post while I go and make a cup of linden tea."
Kamila kept post and the tea was made, perhaps she'll like to taste the tea now after knowing where it came from.

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The Flyscreen

It was a mystery to Kamila as to why we had two doors. We explained one was for security and to keep the weather our. The other we told here was to keep insects and bugs out of the house as some of them bite and sting.

"I don't have a problem with being bitten or stung, I have a thick coat to protect me." said Kamila with a grin on her face.

You very lucky to have in built protection Kamila but us humans are very juicy food to many insects, we have to try and put them off with sprays and netted doors."

Kamila thought for a while, then said, "I'll stand guard on the balcony and have a quiet word with these insects and bugs, they seem quite friendly in Skalitsa."

We didn't want to upset Kamila so we left here thinking she was doing us a favour. We don't think she knows what insects are in Skalitsa, they are different from the town insects of Yambol. We'll see how she gets on.

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Up Early

Kamila woke up very early this morning, 5:00 but that what they do in the villages. Kamila said that the silence in the night brought back memories of Egypt, there wasn't a sound to be heard at night there either.

First off, Kamila had new friends to meet, the village folk in the house were a rabbit and two teddies one large and one small. Kamila was a bit shy with them but soon got to know them as they talked about where they had come from and what life was like on a farm. It was very different from the life in Yambol town.

They said that there were more village teddies around but they were out helping milking the goats with our neighbour at the moment. It is a very busy time in the villages right now and the days are very long, we don't get to go on holidays as the animals all need to be tended to every day of the year.

Kamila was confused. If I'm here on holiday then they must be here on holiday all the time were her thoughts. How lucky they are to have a holiday every day of the the year she thought.

Is she right in thinking this?

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Linden Tea

Every morning Baba Mama makes here linden tea and every morning Kamila watches her. this particular morning Kamila wanted a closer look and asked if she can help.

Well Baba was quite happy with this as she explained that the linden tea was picked from the linden trees in Yambol and left to dried in the warm sun. Then a handful is put not the pot with some water and brought to the boil.

After that the tea is strained off and drunk. Baba also told Kamila that she can use the same linden tea to be boiled ten times, so it is a very cheap tea to make.

Kamila was all eyes and ears this morning as she tried a bit of the tea when it was ready. She didn't like it much but Baba said try it with a little sugar added. It was put i and stirred and Kamila tried it again. She still wasn't that keen but then we know Kamila doesn't have a sweet tooth.

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Pussy Cats

Kamila was on the prowl again today, looking for new things to ask about and learn about here new home.

It was a simply tray that started Kamila's questioning from the fact that it had two cats in a basket pictured there.

"Why are cats painted on the tray?" was the first question. We told her that they were very pretty and it would be nice to serve food on a pretty tray.

"These cats need a haircut, in Egypt our cats don't have any hair, it's too hot for cats to have long hair."

Again we said that cats have long and short hair depending on what breed they are. These cat probably aren't from Bulgaria, but then they probably aren't from Egypt, they are the type of cats people like because they are fluffy and cuddly.

"I like these cats, they look playful!" Kamile announced changing her mood into a more happy than inquisitive one. "I wish they cold come to life then we could all play together and Eli would love them."

"Unfortunately Kamila, they are not real kittens, but just made up as a nice picture for the decoration for the tray." We thought this might upset Kamila, but it didn't.

"They will always be playful kittens for me to look and and I can always image I'm playing with them, that's brilliant!" she said as a big smile emerged on her face.

Kamila really surprises us sometime with her accepting things as they are in a very happy way.

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