The last six days made up one of the best and worst race weekends of my lengthy career. Bulgaria is about as far removed from Central/ Western Europe I have ever traveled for a World Cup race. I did not know what to expect when I boarded the plane to Sofia with the rest of the World Cup field. Trudging off the plane, ski boots in hand, at once I felt welcomed. Being from the United States, where coercing a ski area to hold a race can be a mighty task, it was delightful to be in a country that was truly excited to have us. After three hours, the five bus caravan arrived at our destination, the resort town of Bansko. Hotel Strazhite, in it’s entirety, was devoted to housing and running the white circus that is World Cup racing. It is a rare occurrence to have all the nation’s teams staying under one roof. I love my teammates dearly, but having a little diversity is wonderful. Like they say, variety is the spice of life. I am a huge believer in the cross- pollination of culture. It helps me grow as an individual, and it provides fantastic entertainment. In the course of one dinner I had the opportunity to partake in the following: teasing Nike for the comical undulating cadence of her language, sounding much like the Swedish chef of Muppet fame; attempting to roll my r’s like an authentic Italian while my teacher Nicola coached my trilling; laughing with Hanna, Alessandro, and Verena when I, inevitably, botched the beautiful pronunciation of their mother tongue; getting swept up in Chemmy’s enthusiasm for a bowling tournament in our own hotel. And that is just a small sampling of the amusing exchanges that take place at meal times.

The race course was another story entirely. The mountains in Bulgaria are unlike what I imagined; I was thinking quaint, rolling peaks. I was completely mistaken. The Pirin Range is staggeringly majestic and provides a very fitting venue for a World Cup Downhill. Our course was plenty difficult to challenge the women elite of ski racing. What upped the ante was the course set (extremely turny), and the snow conditions (intensely bumpy). You literally had to psych yourself up before pushing out of the start because it took some serious chutzpah to throw it down that mountain. Without a doubt, it was the most arduous ski race of my life. My skiing every single day was slow and ugly at best, but, I can say, with a little dignity, that my skiing improved over the course of five days, if not my times. It was a tough weekend on my self-esteem, but, after being put to the test, I emerged unscathed. My ski racing scale of difficulty has honestly been adjusted; what was hard before will now seem a bit easier. And that is, albeit rather small, a triumph.

After the SG on Sunday, I was back on the bus to Sofia. I thoroughly enjoy long rides through countryside I am unaccustomed to. It gives me time to have a nice, long, continuous think. I can zone out to my music while watching the scenery pass by or I can meditate on any subject I choose. This particular bus ride had me marveling at how enchanted I was by Bulgaria. I was taken by her epic panoramas and the incredible warmth of her people. You couldn’t round a corner without sharing a smile or coming across someone that wants to practice their English. Of course the peddlers want buyers and the restaurants want diners, but I never felt pushed, only encouraged. If you ever find yourself in Bansko, Bulgaria you must stop by BAYTI Home Decorations, and ask for the owner, Emil. He is the charming owner of this lovely shop that sits 200 ft. from the gondola. Whether you decide to purchase a trinket or not, he will gladly point you in the direction of a delicious meal. I also thought of my new friend Maria and the fascinating story that led her to Greece for three years and back again. I instantly understood when she explained her desire to visit New York City to see her brother that now lives there. Our lives are so different, but I easily empathized; when I am on the road I, too, miss my brothers.

As the plane took off, hauling us all back to Munich, I felt so unexpectedly fortunate to have experienced a small piece of beautiful Bulgaria.

For now,

Kaylin

BBQ Bulgaria Style (and, no, I have no idea what kind of animal that once was to my left…)

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