Chapter 55 Chapter Fifty-Four

My first impression of Bulgaria is the mountains overlooking it from a high altitude.Occasionally we saw gleaming veins in fissures in the mountains, and I thought they must be rivers.I struggled to make out the curved tail, which might answer our questions, but in vain. "You know, I don't know anything about Bulgarian history," I said, "and I'd be lost in that." Helen smiled, "I'm not an expert myself, but I can tell you that in the sixth and seventh centuries, the Slavs migrated here from the north.I think it was in the seventh century that a Turkish tribe called the Bulgar came here.Together they rebelled against the Byzantine Empire - cleverly - and their first ruler was a Bulgar named Asparu.In the ninth century, Tsar Boris I established Christianity as the state religion.Still, he's a big hero here.The Byzantines ruled here from the eleventh to the beginning of the thirteenth century.Later, Bulgaria became very powerful until the Turks crushed them in 1393. "

"When were the Turks driven out?" I asked curiously.We seem to see Turks everywhere. "Until 1878," admitted Helen, "Russia helped Bulgaria drive them out." "Bulgaria then sided with the Axis powers in both world wars." "Yes, shortly after the war, the Soviet Army brought about a great revolution. Where would we be without the Soviet Army?" Helen gave me the brightest, bitterest smile, and I squeezed her hand. "Keep your voice down," I said, "if you're not careful, I'll have to be careful for both of us."

As we were checking in at the airport, an official took us to a bar inside the airport, and all I could think about was that there was something wrong with that letter of introduction. At this time, a man in black clothes and black hat with a serious expression appeared, and we were saved.He looked only a little older than me, and he was handsome if an expression of amusement flitted across his face. The officer greeted him with respect and introduced us to his appointment as our guide in Bulgaria.He explained that this is our privilege, because Krasimir Ranov is highly respected in the Bulgarian government, and when he is mentioned, people think of Sofia University. Anyone more.

I shook the man's fish-cold hand, wishing we had visited Bulgaria without a guide. Helen seemed less surprised by all this than I was.Mr. Lanoff remained silent. The official reported too loudly that Helen was Hungarian and was doing research in the United States.Before that, though, he seemed to dislike her. "Professor, ma'am," he said—his first words—and turned away. The customs officer laughed and shook our hands as if we were old friends. Outside the airport, Ranov hails a taxi.He told us that he had arranged for us in one of the most prestigious hotels, "I am sure you will feel comfortable, there are very good restaurants there. Tomorrow at breakfast time, you will definitely hope to meet colleagues and related parties at Sophia University." department. Then we will arrange for you to visit the monuments of Bulgaria."

I stared at him, growing more and more frightened.His English is too good, precise and monotonous. His face is also a bit familiar.We must have never met, but he reminded me of someone I knew.That feeling lingered on my first day in Sofia. I asked him if he could put us in touch with a man named Anton Stoichev, only to see him flinch, and my sense of foreboding about him deepened. "Why do you want to see him? Of course, if you want to see him, I can arrange it. He is very famous, maybe you want to see him because of that?" "They want Ranov to do everything we want," said Helen, when we had a little alone time outside the hotel. "Why? Why would anyone think that's a good thing?"

We looked at each other in horror. "Wish I knew," I said. "We have to be very careful here," Helen said with a serious expression and a low voice, I dare not kiss her publicly, "We have agreed that from now on, we will not talk about anything other than academic issues." "agree."