Today's breakfast: Bulgarian mekitsi. Magically crispy, chewy, and fluffy at the same time. Served with jam and brined cheese for the perfect mix of sweet and salty. #foodstr

The sun has finally come out, and so has this #catstr.

Merry Christmas! This morning, men in Yambol, Bulgaria, dance and sing to bring health and happiness in the new year. Teams from the Kargon neighborhood dance first for their friends and neighbors... ...and then they process to the center of town, attracting huge crowds.

Good night, everyone, from me and my Estonian alter ego. I found her picture in a flea market in Tallinn. I hope you have a peaceful night.

GM! Christmas is coming, and so is the baby Jesus to these nativity scenes in Yucatán. His spot is empty until he's born. Left: a pueblo near Mérida. Right: Sisal, Yuc.

Maybe 2026 is the year that you go to Romania. Clockwise from top left: near Sibiu, also somewhere near Sibiu, Sighișoara, Vama.

#Language learning can knock decades off your age. These bears look happily forward to the day when I can complete a Bulgarian immigration form by hand. I also enjoy reading Sherlock Holmes stories in kid-friendly Bulgarian.

One reason I chose Bulgaria: Traditional dance is alive, part of daily life. It's not just polished and put on stage. There are lots of groups who dance for fun and to keep the tradition going.