Final Chance to Sign Up for Trip

Today is March 5 -- so there are two more days before we must confirm the number of persons traveling to Bulgaria this summer. On March 8, our friend Vania will begin making reservations for a bus and for hotel rooms along the way. We hope that we have shared enough information for you to be able to determine whether you can be part of this experience. If not, please do not hesitate to call or email us with any questions.

As of today, the following 19 persons have confirmed that they will be going on the trip:

Wanda Wood
Ileta Rutherford
Desiree Lang
Gary and Susan Dixon
Jerry, Debbie, Lauren and Evan Dixon
Jim and Kim Dixon
Harold, Kathy, Jessica and Travis Dixon
Dawn Christensen
Deborah Blair
Jana Adams
Keena Sandlin

If we have missed someone or if you have just decided that you can join us, please let us know by March 7. It is guaranteed that fun will be had by all!

Jerry and Debbie

If you want to catch a flight through Dallas with Wanda, Desiree and Ileta

Please let Jerry and I know by March 7 if you are planning on going to Bulgaria (debkdixon@cs.com). We will begin making final arrangements for hotels, and the tour after that date.

For any one who is considering going on the trip but you don't want to fly alone -- you may want to fly along with Wanda, Desiree and Ileta. Their itinerary follows:


WANDA WOOD, DESIREE LANG, & ILETA RUTHERFORD
Sabre Reservation code: OAMVKN
Sat, Jul 25Flights: LUFTHANSA, LH 0439

From: DALLAS FT WORTH, TX (DFW) Departs: 4:20pm
Sat, Jul 25
To: FRANKFURT, GERMANY (FRA) Arrives: 9:15am
Sun, Jul 26
Departure Terminal: TERMINAL D Duration: 9 hour(s) and 55 minute(s)
Arrival Terminal: TERMINAL 1 Class: Economy
Status: Confirmed
Seat(s): ILETA RUTHERFORD, 24K Seat Status: Confirmed
Seat(s): WANDA WOOD, 24H Seat Status: Confirmed
Notes:
Gate:
Aircraft: AIRBUS INDUSTRIE A343 JET Airline Confirmation: 4WADQ5
Meal: Meals Mileage: 5130
Smoking: No Frequent Flyer:

Please verify flight times prior to departureSun, Jul 26Flights: LUFTHANSA, LH 3486

From: FRANKFURT, GERMANY (FRA) Departs: 2:10pm
To: SOFIA VRAZHDEBNA, BULGARIA (SOF) Arrives: 5:25pm
Departure Terminal: TERMINAL 1 Duration: 2 hour(s) and 15 minute(s)
Arrival Terminal: TERMINAL 2 Class: Economy
Seat(s): Check-In Required Status: Confirmed
Notes:
Gate:
Aircraft: BOEING 737-500 JET Airline Confirmation: 4WADQ5
Meal: Snack Mileage: 868
Smoking: No Frequent Flyer:

Please verify flight times prior to departureFri, Aug 7Flights: LUFTHANSA, LH 3489

From: SOFIA VRAZHDEBNA, BULGARIA (SOF) Departs: 6:05am
To: FRANKFURT, GERMANY (FRA) Arrives: 7:30am
Departure Terminal: TERMINAL 2 Duration: 2 hour(s) and 25 minute(s)
Arrival Terminal: TERMINAL 1 Class: Economy
Seat(s): Check-In Required Status: Confirmed
Notes:
Gate:
Aircraft: BOEING 737-500 JET Airline Confirmation: 4WADQ5
Meal: Snack Mileage: 868
Smoking: No Frequent Flyer:

Please verify flight times prior to departure
Flights: LUFTHANSA, LH 0438

From: FRANKFURT, GERMANY (FRA) Departs: 10:40am
To: DALLAS FT WORTH, TX (DFW) Arrives: 2:30pm
Departure Terminal: TERMINAL 1 Duration: 10 hour(s) and 50 minute(s)
Arrival Terminal: TERMINAL D Class: Economy
Status: Confirmed
Seat(s): WANDA WOOD, 21H Seat Status: Confirmed
Seat(s): ILETA RUTHERFORD, 21K Seat Status: Confirmed
Notes:
Gate:
Aircraft: AIRBUS INDUSTRIE A343 JET Airline Confirmation: 4WADQ5
Meal: Meals Mileage: 5130
Smoking: No Frequent Flyer:

Please verify flight times prior to departureSat, Jan 16Other:
City: DETROIT METRO, MI (DTW)
Status: Confirmed
Information: ACCOUNTING
Notes:
PRICE 1316 USD TTL PER ADULT

February 26 Update -- Still Time to Sign Up

Hello Everyone -

Sorry about the temporary suspension in communications about the Bulgaria trip (it got a little hectic around here the last few weeks. But we are caught up again for a while.)

So, here is what we know so far:

Last fall, 32 persons expressed an interest in going. As of last week, the following have plane reservations:

Gary & Sue Dixon
Wanda Wood
Ileta Rutherford
Jerry, Debbie, Lauren & Evan Dixon
Harold, Kathy , Jessica and Travis Dixon
Dawn (Hart) Christensen
Debbie (Hart) Blair
Keena Sandlin
Jana (Belcheff) Adams

Three more persons have recently said they are interested and plan to make reservations -- but we haven't heard the details yet:

Carl Comba
Kim and Jim Dixon

And a few others have said that they may try to go at the last minute.

What you need to know is that it is not too late to still plan on going! We have spoken with our friend, Vania, who will make the hotel reservations. She has confirmed the dates with a bus company and they are allowing her to wait until March 7 before finalizing the exact plans. (The cost for the bus + driver will run around $2000 for the week. So the cost per person would be proportionately less, as more people decide to go -- (that's supposed to be incentive for more to sign up!)) Also, FYI -- Wanda and Ileta were able to make reservations through BTC 2000 travel agency (212) 252-9277 from Dallas, round trip, for $1316.00.

Debbie Blair noticed that one govt. website recommended a Hepatitis A and B shot. You may want to check on your medical records and ask your doctor if you personally need these shots.

Most exciting is that Jerry received a response from the young cousin who lives in Sofia. Paulie is a senior in highschool and speaks very good English. She said that she spoke with the family in Popovo and they are all amazed about the trip and look forward, very much, to meeting everyone. She did mention that one of the family members - Rusin - whom we meet in 2006, has since passed away. We were so sad to hear of this news. He was a very kind man. Paulie also mentioned that unemployment is extremely high in Popovo and that many in the family do not have jobs. So when Vania sets up the arrangements, she will reserve a hotel in which we can host the meals and gathering at the hotel and not put any undue pressure or expense on the Bulgarian families. But, of course, we will still go their home so that we can all see where Grandpa Belcheff was born and raised.

************ So if any of you were uncertain, but really want to go -- now is the time to make your final plans. It's going to be a great trip. We need to know no later than March 7, and then Vania will begin making final arrangements.

Please call or email if you have any questions at all.

Chow,
Jerry and Debbie (505) 345-7008

MORE INFORMATION FOR PLANNING YOUR TRIP

Hello All You Belcheff's In "Blogspot-Land" !

We're getting concerned that we haven't heard from many of you. We hope it's because you are beginners at blogging - and if so, we're in the same boat. This is our first try at it too. So here are a few more instructions:

* Go to the Bottom of this article where it is labeled "Let's Talk" and click on "Comments". (It may take a while to upload.) Once it does, you should be able to see comments from others if they beat you, and below that will be a blank space for you to enter your comment. When you add your comment, let us know:
1. If you were planning on coming but something changed and you know you can't come now (but we hope no one has to respond this way), or
2. If you are still planning on coming, but haven't made plane reservations, please let us know and say if you need help or if you want to try and connect with others so you don't have to fly alone, or
3. If you have reservations, list the important details (departure and return dates and what cities you may be flying through on the way). Then, whomever may be looking to fly with someone else, they can find your comment and contact you -- or communicate through this blog site. Include your name and email address at the end of the comment.

Also, if you sign up as a "Follower", then you will automatically receive notice of any blog site updates (and it's all free).

For those of you just beginning to look into whether you are going, here is a recap:

1. You need plane reservations that get you there sometime on July 27th, Monday, for tours of Sofia (or absolutely no later than early in the morning of July 29th, Wednesday, when we load the bus to tour the countryside). See the article labeled "Details for Travel Dates" for more details . We contacted BTC 2000 - a travel agent in NYC (ph. (212) 252-9277) that specializes in US/Bulgarian travel. It was $1600 round trip from Albuquerque to Sofia. (And, they can make reservations for a stop somewhere else on the way there or on the way back. It may just cost a little more. It only cost us an extra $100 per person to fly to Rome on our way home).

Also, Harold found a good discount travel website called "Kayak.com", if you want to compare costs/schedules, etc.

2. Once in Bulgaria, we estimate about $125 per day for hotel, food and transportation expenses. So for ten days plus air fare, we think it should cost between $3,000 and $3500, total.

So far, we know of 11 persons going for sure: Gary and Susan Dixon; Harold, Kathy, Jessica, and Travis Dixon; Dawn (Hart) Christensen; and Jerry, Debbie and Lauren, and Evan Dixon. Yo, Dixon's --- Can you all please add your schedule in the comments? (Ours is attached to our profile.)

Okay. If you still have questions, then please put them in a comment (as discussed above) because someone else may have the same question. Or if you prefer -- email Debbie, debkdixon@cs.com or Jerry, jdixon@dsblaw.com.

So we'll be looking forward to hearing some "Shout outs". Our friend whom is arranging the trip for us needs to have a head count no later than February 15.

Once we begin seeing some activity on this blog site we can start posting some interesting pics and will list a few Bulgarian words to practice before we go!


Debbie and Jerry.

Belcheff's to Bulgaria in 2009

Hello family and friends. This blog site has been created so that everyone that is planning on being a part of the trip to Bulgaria this summer can begin communicating with each other. A few emails were sent out last fall that we will also post here. Then we will begin adding information along the way as details begin to unfold.

We had mentioned that our friend Vania Vladimirova, who lives in Sofia, would be visiting Albuquerque in October '08. In fact, she did come and was able to meet many of the Belcheff's who live here. We talked about an itinerary for the trip and she has agreed to plan the details, and will begin making arrangements starting in the middle of February. So we will need to get a solid count of who is going by February 15th. If you weren't planning on going before, it's not to late to change your mind!

A map is attached that shows the route we will take through the country. We will first stay a few days in Sofia and there are some Belcheff descendents who live in Sofia who we will meet. Then we will travel by bus and along the way will visit various representative towns and villages, historic sites, the mountains, and of course spend time in Popovo to meet Grandpa Belcheff's brothers' families. Vania agrees that we will also have time to go all the way to the Black Sea before returning to Sofia. We have written an email to the family members who live in Sofia to invite them to travel on the bus with us since most of those who live in Sofia speak English. So that would be an added treat if they are interested in doing so.

Most importantly, we hope that you have made your airline reservation by now, or are at least working on it. We personally tried a variety of airline arrangements and found that awards travel is booking fast, so if you hope to use points to get free tickets, it is particularly important to do so now. Otherwise, you probably have some time, still, if you are paying outright for your tickets. The best prices we found when buying the tickets were to book them with BTC 2000, the Bulgarian travel agent in New York City; or to use one of the discount travel websites. For those of you who have booked your flight, we are hoping this blog will allow everyone to share in the details and we can also help each other out if someone has found any special deals.

Please ask questions and provide any suggestions for improving lines of communications as the blog progresses. (This is our first time at trying a blog, so we are learning along the way).

We are so excited for each of you to experience visiting Bulgaria. It's rather ironic that it will be exactly 50 years since Grandma Lucy and Grandpa Belcheff visited in 1959. And we will visit the very same house that they stayed in when they visited Popovo, Grandpa's birthplace.

If you can confirm now that you are still planning on going on the trip, please comment in response to this posting as soon as possible (or email Debbie @ debkdixon@cs.com) -- and if you have airplane reservations confirmed, please include your arrival and departure dates/times for Sofia (and if you are traveling elsewhere before or after Sofia).

More to come................

Tentative Route of Bus Trip

Details for Travel Dates

THE BELCHEFF FAMILY REUNION IS NOW OFFICIAL. (from email in SEPTEMBER 2008)

Incredibly, thirty-one (31) family members have so far indicated a desire to be a part of the trip to Bulgaria in 2009 and several more have said they are interested and may be able to commit once they know more details! The names of each of you who have indicated your plan to join the Belcheff reunion are listed at the bottom of this letter. If their is a mistake in the list, let us know. It is still early and you are welcome to join in at any time. Just let us know so that we will have an accurate count as we begin making arrangements for travel while in Bulgaria. We have appreciated your ideas and will make every effort to take each of your suggestions into account. With regard to the length of the trip, you have expressed an interest to travel anywhere from 7 days to 2 weeks. Looking at it from the standpoint of length of time to travel to/from Bulgaria and the number of sights to see, it appears that 10 days is about the minimum practical time for the trip. If you absolutely cannot travel for more than 7 days, let us know and we will try to figure out an alternate plan for you.

We are sending this email to everyone on the family list. We will continue to do so. If you see that someone's name is missing, please let us know their address. Likewise, if you prefer to be deleted from future emails, let us know that as well.

So, here are the preliminary details, (as they evolve, we will continue to keep you all posted so that as many as are interested in going can still make plans):

1. The reunion trip will begin upon arrival in Sofia, Bulgaria on Monday, July 27, 2009.
2. The basic itinerary includes:
1. Spend Tuesday and perhaps part of Wednesday touring Sofia and meeting relatives.
2. Tentatively, on Wednesday (July 29) we will depart Sofia and begin a bus tour of several towns and historic sites in Bulgaria.
3. Arrive in Popovo, Bulgaria by the weekend to spend 2 or 3 days visiting the birthplace and home of Grandpa George. While in Popovo, we will arrange to meet with Grandpa’s living relatives who are direct descendants of Grandpa’s brothers, and who are our 2^nd and 3^rd cousins.
4. Continue to Varna to spend a day at the Black Sea.
5. Return to Sofia on Wednesday, August 5, and either:

i. Depart the following day,Thursday, August 6, 2009, or

ii. Many have expressed a desire to stay for two weeks in Sofia - so for those wanting to stay longer, a few day trips could be arranged from Sofia to visit the nearby mountains, monasteries and other historic sites.

Five or six families have said that they intend to go to other countries in the region either before or after the Bulgaria excursion, so we are going to start a blog site that will let everyone begin to exchange information with each other in the event that some may want to coordinate other travel plans together.

Many of you have said that you are hoping to use frequent flyer points to schedule your air travel. So this email, in particular, is to tie down the dates of arrival and departure so that everyone can begin scheduling flights. As we understand it, frequent flyer seats become available 300 days before travel. However, paid seats are better to reserve 180 to 200 days before flying to get better prices. So there are probably three main options for making plane reservations:

1. Using frequent flyer points, make reservations yourself ASAP to arrive in Sofia, Bulgaria on July 27. Because we are spending the first day or two of the trip in Sofia, however, if your best choice is one or two days either side of the arrival date, that should still work. But, you should plan to arrive in Sofia no later than early morning on July 29. The August 6 departure date is the first full day we would be back in Sofia, so make your reservations for departure for either that day or any day thereafter if the 6th is unavailable.

2. We have contacted a travel agent in Albuquerque that will make group reservations for anyone that wants us to take care of the reservation for you (but they tell us "group" does not necessarily mean "group discount" - apparently there may be no such thing anymore). You do not have to be leaving from Albuquerque to be a part of this group, and we would try to get everyone together for the longest leg of the flight. Let us know if you want us to make reservations for you.

3. We are familiar with a travel agent in New York that specializes in travel plans to Bulgaria. They suggest making reservations in early January. You may prefer to contact them directly, BTC2000, Inc. (212) 252-9277, yourself to make your own travel plans. However, this company can probably not help you with traveling to other countries, only USA to Bulgaria and return to USA.

Please know that once everyone arrives in Bulgaria, all arrangements will be taken care of including transportation, most meals and hotels – you can just relax and enjoy.