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.
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Hi Debbie,
ReplyDeleteKeena Sandlin and I are going, but, flying to Rome 7/28 then on to Paris before we'd like to meet up with the family for the weekend in Popovo. Should we contact your travel agent to get travel arrangements from Sofia to Popovo? We'll stay with the family until Monday when we'll go back to Sofia and then to Rome to spend in Italy until 8/11 back to Amarillo.
The only reservations we have so far is from here to Rome. I still need to arrange flights within Europe and travel down to Popovo and back. What would you suggest?
Thanks,
Jana
Response: Wow -- your plans sound wonderful. Glad to hear that you are still planning to make the trip.
You may have noticed, we are flying back through Rome on our way home to stay for 5 days. What we found is that the BTC 2000 Travel Agent cannot make our reservations from Sofia to Rome. We have to make our own plans. Our friend Vania said that La Italia and Bulgarian Air are the two major airlines that fly between Rome and Sofia. They expressed some concern about the Italian airline, however, because it is rumored that they may go on strike this summer. So they recommended that we travel on Bulgarian Air. We haven't tried yet, but on a previous trip we were able to make reservations on the Internet.
Regarding your plan, one hiccup may be that there is no airport at Popovo. This is a very small town. (Maybe not as big as Clayton!). If you only want to be in Bulgaria for the period of time that we are meeting family, you would have to fly to Sofia (or maybe Varna, which is on the Black Sea --- but I think all flights still go through Sofia first). Then from either Sofia or Varna, you will either need to rent a car or ride a bus. If you want to explore this option, you may want to start with Bulgarian Air and see what their flight schedules are. Then we can ask our friend about a car rental. I know the bus is an option. It is probably 8 hrs + from Sofia to Popovo and maybe 2 hours from Varna.
Another idea is there are 4 family members who live in Sofia. Perhaps you'd rather just go to Sofia and meet them instead of the 20 - 25 family in Popovo? But then, you would not be able to see Grandpa's birthplace.
It sounds like you do not want to take the bus tour from Sofia cross country to Popovo, but if you change your mind, you could arrive on the 28th in Sofia, take the tour to Varna and then fly out from Varna to Sofia to Paris (or where ever) This would shave a few days off of the total tour schedule. Melanie and George said they can only stay one week in Bulgaria, so you may want to talk to them about an abbreviated trip to Popovo and rent a car together?
Hope this helps. If it raises more questions, just let us know.
Debbie
(FYI -- I'm posting comments that Jerry or I receive by email --Deb Dixon)
ReplyDeleteHi Debbie, Just want to let you know that I am possibly planning to go.....working on some details with Dawn as far as flights. I'll keep you posted. Debbie Blair
This one is from Melanie Belcheff:
ReplyDeleteHi family,
George and I are down to the wire! We so want to make the trip but my old injured knees are acting up pretty badly! Now paying the price for years of atheletic abuse! Last week I finished over 2 hours of MRI's and have a Dr. appointment Feb. 12 to see what the next steps will be. So we are holding out confirmation on this...Also George is trying to figure out how he can take off time at work. If indeed we do get to go ( as we hope) we may have to cut our trip down by a few days! Hard to get away for more than a week at a time having our small business! When the Cat's away the mice will play! More soon!
Melanie
Hi Debbie,
ReplyDeleteWhat day should Keena and I meet with the family in Popovo? We'll want the same hotel reservations as you guys so how do I set those? Also, what day will you go back to Varna, can we ride with you, so we can reserve a flight from Varna to Rome. Thanks! Jana
After a lot of thought I've decided not to go. I'm sure you'll all have a great experience! Thanks Jerry and Debbie for all the work getting this trip organized.
ReplyDeleteGeorge
I want to give two pictures of George Belcheff and his family. And one letter of himself address to my grandpapa,grand grandpapa Kanio Markov Cvqtkov from Seachi, Popopvo BG. I find them in old book when I clean house of my grandpapa. Sorry I right heare but I can't find contact of living family of Belcheff. I can send by emai
DeleteThought I'd post mine and Keena's itinerary if anyone's interested in joining with us along the way...
ReplyDeleteTues 7/28 Amarillo to Rome arriving 12:30 pm Wed 7/29. 7/29 Rome to Paris arriving 8:25 pm. Two nights in Paris (Wed-Thurs)Fri 7/31 leave, back to Varna arriving Sat 8/1 3:45 am (hope to catch a bus to Popovo to then meet with Belcheffs). Enjoy the weekend family reunion, hope to ride bus with Dixon's back to Varna before Tues 8/4 5:25 am flight to Rome arriving 9:10 am to meet up with Gregg, Luann, Austin & Christen and spend the week until Tues 8/11 9:50 am flight back to Amarillo.
We're looking so forward to the entire trip!!! Jana
I am glad to see this post on your website. It is beneficial for us and can be very useful in our daily life, and we always use your website information and experiences. Anyway, thank you so much.
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