Today we want to share with all of you in our Expats Story, the interesting story of our friend Gareth, who after many years back and forward in between Bulgaria and other countries, have finally decided to settle in Varna.
He also have a interesting YouTube channel were he promote interesting Bulgarian destinations.
Tell us a bit about you and what you do?
My name is Gareth Gradwell and I work as a Chef, I studied to be a Chef in Manchester in the United Kingdom where I’m originally from.
I have been working for about 10 years on Cruise ships. I’ve worked two years in Spain
Why and when did you come to Bulgaria?
I came to Bulgaria in 2013 living on and off between contracts from the ships with my Partner who is a Bulgarian. We moved here permanently in May 2019.
What do you like about your country of origin?
The thing that I Like about the UK is Football and the food. British food is very unrated as most people think it’s just fish and chips but it’s not. As an Island, we have a lot of different fish and seafood cooking in very interesting ways, and if you go to a well-established gastro pub you can get some very tasty home-cooked foods like stews….and I do miss a good `Sunday roast with Beef and Yorkshire pudding.
What are some differences between your country and Bulgaria?
The UK is very well established as a developed country, quite well organized but this also can be one of its down falls as it is a Big Brother state.
What do you like about Bulgaria?
I love the beautiful nature and the Cuisine. Also, I like the fact that people are still growing their own things and turning the remaining product into things like compotes, pickles, and making their own alcohol.
What was the most dificult bureocratic procedure you have undergone so far in Bulgaria?
Actually, I have not had any major difficulties regarding the Bureaucracy in Bulgaria, even though I’m not married to my Partner things have gone quite smoothly.
Mention one important experience you’ve had in Bulgaria :
Being with a Bulgarian lady has required me to learn to be a man about the house, in the UK if something breaks you call someone to fix it or buy new. This is not possible here so through YouTube and the internet I’ve had to gain experience in fixing it myself.
If you have the chance to change something in Bulgaria, what it will be?
I would fix all the holes in the roads and then teach the bad drivers how to drive.
What languages do you speak other than your mother tongue?
I trying to always improve my Bulgaria, other than that I was learning Spanish when I living there for a couple of years but don’t speak anywhere near fluent, actually my Bulgarian is better.
What countries have you been to?
On the cruise ships, I’ve been all over Europe (with river cruise ships) and also in the Caribbean with the large cruise liners. Privately me and my partner have done some tours in Southeast Asia from Hong Kong, down Vietnam, Thai Land, and Bali. The following year Mexico, Belize, and Guatemala.
How is your business going ?
I have a YouTube channel in which my aim is to Promote Bulgaria through making videos to do with Bulgaria’s culture, traditions. I want to also show the better side of Bulgaria, its beautiful nature, the unknown places in an attempt to change the negative reputation of the country. Or also to show to people whom never considered Bulgaria as a holiday destination
I also created a Facebook group, called A Taste Of Bulgaria which is a place where expats and locals can share their pictures and stories about their life in Bulgaria!
What advice would you give to other people who would like to come to live in Bulgaria?
Try not to bring your country here, embrace the culture and traditions and you will fall in love with the country. Also is a good idea to learn a little of the language and this will gain you a lot of respect.
We want to thank to Gareth for taking the time to share his experience in Bulgaria with Foreigner BG readers and we wish him luck with his Youtube Channel “A Taste of Bulgaria” and Facebook Group.
