Need help

[PhiliptheUniterchaeronea]

Originally Posted by christov

My deepest gratitude to everyone! Yes, I have been searching for the place and my relatives (for I know there are still living there) in many places, including in the genealogical site: http://genforum.genealogy.com/greece/messages/5226.html Istor was asking. So far I couldn’t find whether the place, nor any track of my distant cousins. It way well be the case, they are simple people who doesn’t use internet. Or they do not come to the idea of somebody is searching them.

Another issue that makes the case complicated is the language: I do speak English, German, Russian and Bulgarian, but coming to a simple village, which of them should I use? Some ears ago I went to Herso for half an hour, and there I met very polite lady, probably Pont Euxin Greek, who spoke in marvelous Russian with me. She simply looked at my car’s number and began the conversation. But I guess this experience is more exception, than a rule. So, there comes my concern about a very natural and basic contact. I do not want to insult anyone in any way, but still to be able to communicate somehow. Thanks again to everyone!

Best of luck with that mate. Perhaps to make this a little easier to break the ice I am sure one of the members here would write you a brief letter of introduction in Greek so that you can take it with you and show at the local kafe if there are no youngsters to converse in English. I think it would be a good backup to have this letter with you.

[Christov]

Dear Istor and PhiliptheUniterchaeronea,

These are the first two positive answers with real help I’ve ever received! It is wonderful to see the ice melting, replaced by human warmth! My knowledge in Greek is limited only to: “Kalimera” and “Evharisto poli”. If someone would like to write 2, 3 sentences in Greek, will be great!

[Istor]

Hey my Bulgarian are limited either: blagodaria, dobroyutro, ...and .... some insults.

Ask for it (them)

[Tsontos]

From my time on internet forums and my contact with Skopjian diaspora in Australia, this is my grasp of the bulgarian language:

Bre
Dobro
Smrt
Sloboda
tsarigrad
pitchka

makedonija na makedonski
sloboda ili smrt
egejska pirinska vardarska makedonija
aleksandar makedonski
cleopatra ptolemayov
grci grcite


very unfortunate that this is all I know of the Bulgarian language I think

[Christov]

Well, I do also know one insulting word, a Greek colleague of mine (between men) told me. But although immediately understandable, I guess it won’t help for a positive contact And of course, a lot of words for food, drinks, clothes, etc. By the way “sLoboda” is a late and maybe Serbian variant of the word. In Bulgarian is “sVoboda”. And one more personal feeling: I do prefer words like “Elada” and “Helenic”, but who asks me…

[Christov]

There is a wonderful train Sofia-Thessaloniki-Sofia: 13 Euro return ticket! I will use it tomorrow. To everyone have a nice summer holiday!

[Tsontos]

Good luck. Remember to post in this thread again once you return mate.

[Christov]

Hi all! I also think I must share my experience during my sojourn in Greece. First of all I had a wonderful trip! It is really great the opportunity to travel with the City-Train Sofia-Thessaloniki-Sofia for only 15 Euros. It is a European standard of rail-service with air-conditioner. A man can interrupt the travel literally on every station on the road and to continue lately without any additional paying. The train is used preliminary by tourists and by students from the both countries. It offers a lot of space (even for short nap for those who need it :-)) . For everyone interested here is the link of the Bulgarian State Railway Company in English: http://www.bdz-rila.com/index.php?la...etable&train=4. For sure there is a Greek equivalent for those who prefer it. The hotel “Evridiki” in Kilkis was very good. Just a street away from the center, air-conditioned, free internet at the reception-desk, clean and comfortable, moderate prices, with one word - recommendable.


I wasn’t able to find my relatives.

But on my way I was helped by many people:
1. In Kilkis Municipality I met a person – working at the Department of Planning & Development, who does his job very professionally. He speaks fluent English and one more thing I insist to underline: he really cares! It was much more than I expected.
2. On my road to Elefhterochori I met two persons, who were capable to communicate in basic German. They asked whether my ancestors were Turks, for the village long ago was inhabited with these ethnicity. As you know it is not in my case. But their efforts to help are noticeable.
3. In Cherso the very first person I met was a Greek guy, born in Soviet Union, who was like a gift from Heaven! He speaks marvelous Russian and took me with his car to some of the Bulgarian speaking persons in the village. All of them elderly people, with spouses who aren’t Bulgarian speaking, but all of them extremely hospitable, always suggested meals, drinks, etc. Lately, as I missed the last bus, the same first man I met brought me back to Kilkis. Meeting all these people was such a great and warm experience!
4. The last village I visited – Neochori near Rodopopis, was not the right place. It appeared that the village is only 60 years old. But there I met a Greek pope, who spoke fluent German. He offered delicious figs-jam and even made countless telephone calls in searching of my distance cousins. A great guy, if I may say so.

I don’t know how many of you will read this till the end. I wrote it honestly. For me a human is a human. It simply depends on you which page you will turn someone’s soul to.

[akritas]

christov what was the purpose of your trip?
To find your Bulgarian relatives or to find Bulgarian inhibants in Greece ?
Just curious!!!

[Christov]

I was searching for my relatives