Get Sleepy: Sleep meditation and stories - A Sleepy Seaside Town in Bulgaria

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Starting point is 00:01:03 Dyson On Track. Headphones remastered. Buy from DysonCanada.ca. With ANC on, performance may vary based on environmental conditions and usage. Accessories sold separately. Welcome to Get Sleepy, where we listen, we relax, and we get sleepy. we relax and we get sleepy. I'm your host Thomas, thank you so much for tuning in. Jessica will be your tour guide this evening as we travel to Bulgaria in southeastern Europe. We'll soon be strolling through a quiet seaside town and exploring the wonders of the Black Sea coast. It was beautifully written by Joe. Before we Let's prepare for a good night's rest. Close your eyes, relax your shoulders, your neck, your arms and legs, and make sure your jaw is unclenched.

Starting point is 00:02:29 Feel the gentle rise and fall of your breathing down a little more, drawing up the exhale in particular. Now, picture yourself lying on a soft, lush bed of grass, perhaps in your own garden or maybe a local park. Whatever comes to mind is just fine. It's a bright sunny day and you're watching the blue sky up above. You notice the scattering of clouds that are floating around and you just watch them drift by. And you just watch them drift by. If you find thoughts popping up in your mind, then as they come to your attention, attach each thought to one of those clouds, and from this peaceful, warm and comfy spot on the grass,

Starting point is 00:04:14 you can just watch as the thoughts detach themselves from your mind and float off on their clouds across the blue sky. Your breaths are slow and steady, and'll hand over to Jessica as we begin our Bulgarian adventure. Bulgaria is a country in south-eastern Europe, located in a region known as the Balkans. It borders Serbia and northern Macedonia to the west, Greece and Turkey to the south, and Romania to the north. To the east, the Black Sea laps against the coastline. Sun-seeking tourists flock to Bulgaria's golden beaches from spring onwards. Others come to hike through its lush, green forests. Then there are the Balkan Mountains, running west to east through the center of the country. These are the main attractions in winter,

Starting point is 00:06:28 when heavy snowfall makes the mountains ideal for skiers and snowboarders. You are staying in Obsor, a small town on the Black Sea coast, located in the province of Burgers. It's late summer, the perfect time to enjoy the atmosphere of this sleepy seaside town. You've spent the last several minutes in blissful solitude, relaxing on a wooden bench in the small town square. Mostly, you found yourself gazing upwards.

Starting point is 00:07:16 The sky is split into the most beautiful layers this morning. The upper half is blue, a light, powdery blue towards the bottom, deepening into an opaque, cloudless sapphire. The uppermost sky is so clear and so blue. It's one of the loveliest shades you can imagine. The lower half of the sky is scattered with clouds. Mostly, they're dense, like thick cotton wool. But they're not white. Instead, they're a blend of violet, indigo, coral, and magenta. In other parts, where the clouds are thinner and veil-like, rivers of fiery orange run across the sky. They're like streams of hot lava running down the sides of floating purple mountains.

Starting point is 00:08:31 In one or two places, there are gaps in the cloud cover, and sunlight breaks through in all its glory. The sky is illuminated in a dazzling white gold. Rays of sunlight travel towards the ground, forming beautiful patterns. The smooth beige tiles of the quaint town square look altogether ordinary in the shade. But where the tiles catch the sunlight, they sparkle gold, like lit-up squares of fallen treasure. Opposite the bench where you are sitting is a modern water fountain, shaped like a triangle. It's the central focal point of the whole town square.

Starting point is 00:09:31 Benches like yours are scattered around it so that visitors can sit and look at the water. And at the edge, a large white stone offers a spacious seat. At the center of the fountain is a pool of water, level with the stone that surrounds it. You're not sure how deep the basin goes, but the pool looks fairly shallow. It might even resemble a puddle if it weren't for the water spurting out across its surface. The tiny metal spouts are only just visible an inch above the water. There must be a hundred little jets in total, each forming a watery archway.

Starting point is 00:10:27 total, each forming a watery archway. As fountains go, the design is fairly simplistic, but you find yourself calmed by the sight of it. Patterns form and fade repeatedly around each little jet. Where the arches cascade back into the water, ripples move outwards in circular patterns. Tiny waves merge into others, sending water rippling in another direction. The sound of it is incredibly soothing, too, from the gentle bubbling of a single fountain, to the combined sounds of all of them together, hitting the pool in unison. If you close your eyes and really listen, you could easily be set opposite a gentle, flowing waterfall. It's the kind of sound that washes out thought, leaving you only with a feeling of peace.

Starting point is 00:11:42 This feeling is amplified by the quiet of the town beyond the fountain. The air is filled with the chirping of the birds soaring through the sky far above you. Others call from closer to the ground, from the branches of trees that are planted throughout the square. Behind the trees are various shops which don't appear to have opened for business yet, nor have the restaurants which have outdoor seating, and tables equipped with brightly colored sun parasols. You can imagine the town is lively in the evening, when tourists and locals frequent

Starting point is 00:12:32 restaurants and bars. At nighttime, perhaps the fountain lights up, the arches illuminated against the darkness of evening. It must be lovely to dine outdoors, you think. Just a short distance from the soothing central fountain. No sooner has this thought passed through your mind, Movement on your left captures your attention. The doors of a cafe click open, and you spot a waitress moving among the round wooden tables. A chalkboard sign is positioned outside, just in front of the roped-off seating.

Starting point is 00:13:29 just in front of the roped-off seating. Handwritten in bold letters are the Bulgarian words which translate as, Open for Breakfast. You hadn't planned on eating out this morning. You didn't plan further than a stroll through the town. But the smell of fresh coffee from the cafe proves too tempting for you to resist. So you stand up from your tranquil little bench and head over to the cafe's outdoor seating. The waitress smiles and welcomes you warmly, inviting you to sit anywhere you choose. You select a table at the end of the row with a pot of red roses positioned at its center. Bulgaria is famous for its roses. It's one of the biggest global producers of rose oil. The flowers on your table smell sweet and fragrant, and their petals are like soft crimson pillows. The waitress brings you a small menu and you order a coffee before perusing the dishes.

Starting point is 00:14:50 Each is written in Bulgarian with the ingredients translated in English below. You scan through the menu, examining each dish before selecting a meal of Mekitsa. As she serves your coffee, the waitress tells you that it's a popular breakfast. Bulgarian coffee is rich and strong and surprisingly thick. It's made in a similar way to Turkish coffee. Fresh beans are ground into a fine espresso-like powder. These are boiled in a little brass pot until the liquid bubbles and looks ready to overflow. and looks ready to overflow. The result is a drink that looks almost chocolatey, with a texture as smooth as velvet. Your coffee has been served in a delicate china cup. It's a brilliant white like the saucer beneath it. A packet of brown sugar rests on the side,

Starting point is 00:16:09 alongside a spoon for stirring. You empty the sugar into the cup, watching it fall like grains of sand. Then you stir it in with the spoon, noticing the bubbles that form on the surface. The scent of the coffee enlivens your senses. It's as if you can already taste it. Slowly, you bring the cup to your lips and take a sip of the invigorating drink. The taste is bold, like espresso. And it might well be bitter if it weren't for the sugar. The brown sugar adds molasses-like sweetness. It's exactly what's needed for balance.

Starting point is 00:17:10 This is the kind of coffee that you have to drink slowly. It's worth savoring each and every sip. So as you drink your coffee, you watch over the fountain, enjoying the view from another angle. You've seen very few people in town this morning, aside from the waitress and the occasional jogger. But as you sit here now, enjoying your coffee, more people pass by your table. Many seem to be locals heading to work with purpose in their stride. Some enter buildings around the town square.

Starting point is 00:18:01 Minutes later, more doors click open. On the walls of the buildings and shop faces, electric signs are suddenly illuminated. First, it's the supermarket. Then the newsagent. Next, it's a clothes shop, soon followed by a pharmacy. The sleepy town is waking around you, and it's a lovely feeling to sit here and watch it happen. Soon, you're joined by a couple of tourists, easily identified by their curious expressions. Their eyes light up when they see the open café, and minutes later, they're reading

Starting point is 00:18:57 the menu just a few tables away. Their minds are made up by the sight of your breakfast, carried on a tray by the smiling waitress. The couple sniff the air as she passes their table and gaze admiringly at the contents of your plate. Mekitsa is a kneaded dough made with flour, sugar, yeast, and yogurt. It's deep-fried until it's golden brown, and has the appearance of a slightly fluffy flatbread. As the waitress said, it's a popular morning meal, and often served with a range of toppings. Most commonly, the dish is eaten as a sweet tasting breakfast, with powdered sugar sprinkled on top. Though it's not unusual to see feta as a topping, or Bulgarian white cheese, sometimes with honey. The Mekitsa you ordered is extra special. It's topped

Starting point is 00:20:18 with slices of caramelized apple and a heavy sprinkling of sweet cinnamon. It looks and smells utterly divine. And the taste is even better. It has the texture of a savory flatbread crunching slightly as you bite into it, but it's also sweet and fluffy like a golden doughnut. The cinnamon and apple taste wonderful too. Sweet, gooey, and fruity all at once. It's exactly what you wanted, an authentic Bulgarian breakfast. And better still, it's truly delicious. You eat it with your hands, it is an indulgent and rather messy affair.

Starting point is 00:21:28 You're thankful for the napkin left on the table, which is in a packet with a lemon on the front. Once your plate is empty, you open the packet and gently clean your hands and mouth. The lemon scented wipe is cleansing and refreshing, as is the water, brought earlier alongside your coffee. It is just the thing to cleanse the palette after the sweet makitsa and the strong coffee. In between sips of the cool water, you glance at the pages of your guidebook. Obsor, you learn, has a rich history, stretching back over three millennia. This small port town has had many different occupants over the years. The area was originally inhabited by the Thracians and then the ancient Greeks.

Starting point is 00:22:39 Later, the town became part of the Roman Empire. Later, the town became part of the Roman Empire. It was named Templum Jovis, or Temple of Jupiter. This must have felt like an appropriate name for the sunny seaside town. After all, Jupiter was God of the sky, similar to Zeus in ancient Greek mythology. From the late 14th century, the town was ruled by the Turkish Ottoman, who renamed it Gezikhan. In fact, Obsor has only been known by its current name since 1936, and it wasn't officially recognized as a town until the 1980s. You're keen to explore this picturesque little place. You plan to wander through the streets on your way towards the coastline. Plan to wander through the streets on your way towards the coastline. So you pay your bill and thank the waitress with the Bulgarian thank you, Blokodurija.

Starting point is 00:23:56 You exchange smiles with the couple nearby, who are happily eating their breakfast. Both have plates of apple-topped makitsa, inspired by the sight of your order. You wander out towards the fountain, where a few of the surrounding benches are now occupied. A middle-aged couple sit, chatting on one of the benches. On another, a man reads a newspaper. He's folded it in two so it doesn't block his view of the fountain. On the bench, where you had previously been sitting, an elderly woman has taken a seat. sitting, an elderly woman has taken a seat. A small, fluffy dog sniffs the ground beneath her and occasionally looks up, seeking her touch. You take one more look at the lovely, soothing fountain, watching the movement of those little watery arches.

Starting point is 00:25:07 Sunlight flickers all across the surface. And glancing up, you see fewer clouds than there were before. For the first time today, you feel the warmth of sunlight on your skin. It's a lovely feeling. You take a deep breath in, as if you're inhaling the sunlight. Then you turn and head in the opposite direction, Then you turn and head in the opposite direction, letting out a long, gentle breath. You walk through the town towards the coastline, all the while observing the sights along the way. Your journey takes you down quaint little streets lined with buildings on both sides. Some have the look of holiday apartments where tourists might stay throughout the season.

Starting point is 00:26:19 Others are shops, businesses, and eateries, though only a handful are open this morning. In one of the shops is a friendly-looking older man wearing a blue and white captain's hat. Glancing inside, you see the goods he's selling – coral jewelry, shell-encrusted trinket boxes, and nautical hats, like the one he wears. A few doors down is a shop selling traditional pottery, teapots, crockery, pitchers, and casserole dishes. The designs originate in the Trojan region of Bulgaria, named after the Roman emperor Trajan. These beautiful ceramics are made from clay and kiln-fired to a reddish-brown. Intricate patterns have been hand-painted on each in a great array of soothing earthy tones.

Starting point is 00:27:38 A shelf of bowls displays a rainbow of such colors. Oranges and yellows, olive greens and deep, rich maroons. Each bowl displays a unique mandala-like pattern, swirling around a colorful flower at the center. Next to the pottery shop is a cafe with a small outdoor area filled with garden furniture. There are a few tables and plastic chairs and a two-seater swinging chair or hammock bench. A lady, who seems to be the owner of the cafe, sits on the bench, rocking back and forth with the slightest of movements. Her face is a picture of peace and tranquility. A tortoise shell cat, not much larger than a kitten, sits near her feet. It's lapping up water from a repurposed yogurt pot beside a similar container filled with biscuits.

Starting point is 00:29:02 Once it's finished, the cat moves towards a table where a man in his twenties is drinking espresso. The cat purrs as it rubs against the man's legs. You notice the cup from which the man drinks, that distinctive Troyan design again. Perhaps all the crockery used in this café was purchased from the shop just next door. The tiny cup has hints of lime green and dark yellow, like egg yolk. But the predominant color is bright blue, the same shade as the sky right now. Only the occasional cloud remains above, and the sun beams brightly, now unabsorbed. now unobscured.

Starting point is 00:30:10 The town is flooded with dazzling sunlight, and everything looks brighter because of it. The most striking thing about this lovely little town is the way that nature is woven between the buildings. The streets are lined with cypress trees, planted in tile-sized squares of soil. Their emerald needle-like leaves are trimmed into the shape of tall cones. They smell fresh and fragrant, like cedar or pine. Nearby there are some much larger trees. They've been expertly planted in patches of soil, beside roads and walkways, shops and lampposts. shops and lamp posts. Most of them are red horse chestnut trees. Despite autumn's approach, a few rosy pink flowers remain among the foliage.

Starting point is 00:31:19 An abundance of seeds dangle from the branches in bright green cases that are oval and spiky. Some have fallen and cracked on the ground, exposing the chestnuts inside. One of these chestnuts catches your eye. It's the glossiest shade of polished mahogany. You pause for a moment, and then pick it up, turning it over in your hand. You carry the chestnut with you as you turn a corner, taking a route along a residential street. Buildings differ in size and stature, from three-story apartments to semi-detached bungalows. a beautiful front garden, enclosed behind picket fences and painted iron railings. Some homes are surrounded by trees, so lush and tall that much of the garden is hidden. In the case of some bungalows, the home itself almost disappears behind a wall of bright greenery.

Starting point is 00:32:51 Other gardens are home to pergolas, with plants and flowers entwined between panels, and garden furniture positioned below. furniture positioned below. You pass a group of locals taking breakfast outside. They eat happily beneath a roof of foliage, dangling vines, velvety green leaves, and fragrant pink roses. Indeed, roses are everywhere in Absor. They're in every garden, in every color you might imagine them to be.

Starting point is 00:33:40 Now and then, you catch their scent, the sweet fragrance that hangs upon the air. It's as if the town itself has been subtly perfumed, or sprinkled from above with droplets of rose oil. As you walk on, you catch other scents too. Most of all, the salty sea breeze. There's nothing so refreshing as coastal air. You breathe more in with each step forward. Soon, you come to a downward slope where the path widens to a series of steps. The sea becomes visible not too far ahead and you pause for a moment to gaze at its beauty. It's an endless line of shimmering cobalt under a sapphire sky,

Starting point is 00:34:51 glowing in the sunlight. And there's a long golden beach with just a few people walking on the sand. a few people walking on the sand. You've heard stories of the beaches in Absor. How pristine and unspoiled they are. From what you can see, this wasn't an exaggeration. You begin walking slowly down the staircase in time to the rhythm of the waves. It's as if you're being gently pulled towards the water. You feel calmer and more relaxed simply at the sight of it. When you reach the bottom of the stairs, you cross the road and begin strolling towards

Starting point is 00:35:52 the promenade. Mountains become visible far in the distance. They curve around the coastline, soaring high above the beach. Houses appear to be built along the rock face, with white and beige walls and terracotta roofs. They stand out beautifully, even from afar, contrasting against the greenery that decorates the mountains. The buildings along the promenade are grander and more elaborate. They look like hotels or seaside apartments. Most are painted in pastel colors and are five stories high with gardens at the front.

Starting point is 00:36:52 One of these buildings is infinitely charming and somehow reminiscent of a ship or cruise liner. The walls have been painted in a soft powder blue and aligned with massive windows. Curtains are noticeable through the glass, fluttering in the breeze near the open windows. The curtains are the exact same hue as the walls of the building. Between each window, there's a single glass door, framed in white. The doors lead out onto individual balconies, each enclosed by black iron railings. You can't imagine a prettier spot to gaze out across the Black Sea, especially with the hanging baskets filled with roses, positioned at the center of the balconies.

Starting point is 00:38:05 You continue walking along the promenade, with the sea on your right and the town to your left. The beach continues, blissful and unspoiled. It's as calm and quiet as the waves that lap against it. But the surroundings to your left seem to change continuously. After passing a cluster of holiday apartment blocks, you catch sight of a vast green park. There are manicured jade green lawns and all kinds of trees. Parts of gravel swirl between the grass, like golden ribbons bathed in sunlight. Flower beds have been planted around a circular fountain, where water cascades down from an ancient Greek pillar. Nearby, there's a series of bushes, expertly trimmed to mimic the shapes of sea creatures. You notice a man in the park walking towards a bench,

Starting point is 00:39:30 which is ideally positioned beside the circular fountain. On his way, he makes a detour towards a large wooden box raised on a post. large wooden box raised on a post. To you, this looks like a giant birdhouse with its pointed wooden roof painted turquoise and orange. But the man knows better. You watch as he opens the door of the box, revealing a selection of books donated by strangers. He peruses the titles in a matter of seconds, then takes a book and heads to the bench to read by the fountain. Fountain. Continuing your journey, you see the tourists who were at the cafe earlier. They're heading up the hill towards the ancient Roman ruins.

Starting point is 00:40:37 You've read about how the Romans left their mark on Absor, much as they did everywhere they settled. As well as roads, temples and statues, they also built fortresses like this one here. Only the walls remain today, but they're still impressive, standing tall on the grass-covered hill. The walls are circular and mostly built of golden sandstone. A line of red terracotta runs horizontally around the exterior. The top of the wall is lined with massive stone archways. They take your mind back to the start of your journey, and the tiny arches of water in the town square fountain. Perhaps you'll explore the Roman ruins another day. But for now, the sand is calling you towards it.

Starting point is 00:41:55 After stepping onto the beach, you take off your shoes and carry them. What a feeling it is to walk towards the sea, your clothes dancing in the salty breeze. The sand is the color of golden sugar, like the kind sand trickle between your toes. It molds to your feet, especially when you wander closer towards the sea, and the ground becomes wetter. You can see the imprints of your footsteps more clearly. They're joined in places by the footprints of seagulls, three triangular lines connected by curves. They're how you might sketch the shape of a kite, or the way a child might draw a bird in the sky. This stretch of the beach remains very quiet. There's only the occasional person reading on

Starting point is 00:43:18 a deck chair or paddling in the sea in thoughtful contemplation. or paddling in the sea in thoughtful contemplation. Further ahead, you may count more figures. There's sunbathing on lounges or playing ball sports on the sand. Some are even braving the chilly temperatures of the sea. This part of the coastline is scattered with hotel complexes. The giant palatial mansions have swimming pools, restaurants, and everything in between. Later, you'll return to your own hotel, where your room faces the sea. But for now, you're content to stay where you are, on this quiet stretch of golden sand. There's a sense of being so wonderfully alone here. It's

Starting point is 00:44:31 as if there's only you and the never-ending water. You find a spot close to the tide where you can look and listen without getting wet. From here, you can gaze across the sun-kissed ocean and watch the waves as they rise and fall. You can watch the approach of the foaming water as it gently washes over the shore. It's all you need to be here right now, watching and listening to your coastal surroundings. You can breathe it in, deep and gentle, becoming one with the sea and the sand. The You You You You You You You You You You You You You You You You The You You You. you

Get Sleepy: Sleep meditation and stories - A Sleepy Seaside Town in Bulgaria

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