Comments on "Words of Magnificence" by Andrew!: Sing a Little Song! Do a Little Dance!

If I remember correctly, there are schools in seve...

2008-04-26T09:51:00.000-07:00

If I remember correctly, there are schools in seven nearby villages which will also be shut down. The only way these kids will get some kind of education is if they travel to a "nearby" city. But the expenses of sending their kid to a school in the city is beyond the capacity of most villagers. So essentially, they're stuck in a place without the means to be educated. At least for an education that will allow them to be something more than janitors and maids.

I'm sure there was no "under the table" foreign investment involved. I was simply taking a jab at the amount of British folks who are immigrating to Bulgaria for the cheapness of the place - and ironically, complaining about Bulgarians immigrating to Britain for opportunity.

Certainly foreign investment could be a good thing. But the foreign investment that I've seen doesn't give anything back to the community - as in providing more than just a few jobs. I see, time and again, homes, land, and schools being bought by British folks as an investment to sell back to someone in a few years. This doesn't stimulate any kind of economic gains in the realms of work - but it does drive the value of land and property up to a point that Bulgarians can't begin to think about owning their own land.

As far as tourism goes - I agree, it is a valid economic activity. But in the places I've been, I can tell you from experience, that there's no quicker way to rob a community of it's culture than to set up fifty souvenir shops all selling the same crap, which is probably made in China anyway.

Bulgaria has developed to a point that depends on tourism. Catering to the needs of tourists doesn't necessarily maintain your culture. Though, it does provide a means for seasonal job development. Those jobs could quite well be more diverse than janitors and maids, but again, on a seasonal basis.

The country is in a very important developmental stage right now, and the next few steps it takes will be very much "sink or swim" development. It's a really interesting situation and one of the major reasons I chose Eastern Europe as a place to do my Peace Corps service.

Thanks for the comments, njr, you've always got something thought-inspiring to say.

So this leaves the children with no place to go to...

2008-04-24T12:20:00.000-07:00

So this leaves the children with no place to go to school? Or is it just a consolidation of school districts that eliminates one particular school house?

In that village there are many hotels and there're...

2008-04-24T09:45:00.000-07:00

In that village there are many hotels and there're tourists all the time. The problems is not in the investors - the problem is to find an investment for the scholl. Well, its a primary school - the children there can't become managers or something, because they need a basic education first. Acually, the business haven't got an interest for saving that school - that is responsibility of the municipality. But the municipality don't do anything because it will receive about $120 000 for closing that school. That's the Bulgarian business!

I'm afraid I don't see the connection between bash...

2008-04-24T08:05:00.000-07:00

I'm afraid I don't see the connection between bashing the school-closing, which is terribly unfortunate (assuming there are no other schools for the kids), and the foreign investment. Are you saying that the Brits paid off the mayor to make this decision? If so, then obviously that would be a very negative connection. If not, then it makes no sense to criticize the investment. Are you saying tourism cannot be a valid economic activity? Does renovating and maintaining a hotel only create "maids and janitors," or does it produce demand for hotel managers, carpenters, electricians, accountants, tour guides, etc.?

Shame on the mayor. But unless there was a payoff from the investor -- which I know is a very real possibility -- I don't see how that translates to the complaint about the British.

Andy should buy it and name is Motorcross hotel sc...

2008-04-23T21:11:00.000-07:00

Andy should buy it and name is Motorcross hotel school
- #1 student

At least people came together to do something abou...

2008-04-22T01:01:00.000-07:00

At least people came together to do something about it because they cared. Even though they didn't get exactly what they were hoping for, the act of doing something... anything... is enough. Bravo na tqh!

Well, must the children of the "the REAL Bulgaria"...

2008-04-21T12:29:00.000-07:00

Well, must the children of the "the REAL Bulgaria" become maids or janitors in a hotel, to become servant of the business? Is this the future of the youth in this old historical village? Is that what people with own identity, with unique culture deserve? I don't think so.

That was great! I wish I could just wash my hands...

2008-04-21T10:40:00.000-07:00

That was great! I wish I could just wash my hands of all of my bad deeds and then give it to my children, actually that is a good idea....I think I am ready to have kids now.

See? Problem solved! All the local children can ...

2008-04-21T09:50:00.000-07:00

See? Problem solved! All the local children can grow up to be maids and janitors at the hotel! We've carefully preserved a historic building (well, not counting the gutting and redesign), provided high-paying career opportunities for local youth, and provided a high rate of return for the British! Plus, fat American tourists will now be able to say they saw "the REAL Bulgaria" in comfort.