They didn't pay their bill?

In this week’s Buzz:

• Bulgarian Food Safety Agency confiscates six tons of fake butter

• Traditions & Arts summer programme published by Bansko Municipality

• Bansko Notice Board cover photo competition

• Bansko reports a strong summer season & significant growth is expected

• Events section update in the newsletter

• Bulgaria starts using new toll cameras to fine lorries breaking overtaking rules

• BSD’s summer school sports day in less than three weeks!

A restaurant’s public plea, a deleted post, and how it got resolved

This week, Damyanitsa Restaurant posted on the notice board in an attempt to reach out to the nomad community due to “…several cases where groups of guests left Restaurant Damyanitsa with unpaid bills.”

The post got a bit of traction in the group and was then screenshot and shared in some local WhatsApp groups, where another discussion took place.

I’d share the original FB post with you, but the person who wrote it later deleted the post after the issue became “resolved”.🤷‍♂️ 

As a result, some individuals in the local community (nomads turned expats) settled the outstanding amount with the restaurant, amounting to around 30€ in total. The amount was over the course of the week of Nomad Fest from multiple group bills that had been split and never 100% settled, so a few Euros here and there, which all adds up.

All settled, all good. Just one-off, right?

Well…

It reminded me of more than a handful of instances when I’ve been out in Bansko over the last few years and I’ve ended up settling the rest of a bill in a restaurant when I was one of the last to leave; or I paid for a few glasses of wine that “someone” drank on my table and as I was the last person to leave, I settled up (I was drinking beer, so I knew they weren’t mine); or our group had collected all of the money for dinner, but my generous tip seemed to have disappeared into the total amount resulting in a total table tip of two Leva.

That’s why I always get a separate bill/check when I’m out and about (where it isn’t pre-payment), and why if you “buy me a drink,” it’ll most times automagically go on my bill. And I like it that way: I know I’m not supplementing someone else’s night out and the amount I want to tip actually goes to the staff.

But, the most important part of this story is to check that you’ve paid for everything before you leave a place, especially if you’re in a group. Get a group bill before anyone leaves (sometimes the prices on the menu aren’t the same as billed or they’re not the same as you remember from last time you visited), and give plenty of time for the bill to come: it’s Bansko, it’s relaxed, no one’s in a hurry, and that’s why we all love the place.

Great Food That Tastes Like Happiness

Wondering where to go for a great meal and an enjoyable evening?

Try Five M. We offer some of the most delicious moments you’ll have during your time in Bansko, alongside a warm, enjoyable evening that tastes like happiness.

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Inside the Bansko Notice Board Group

✍️ 121 New Posts, 💬 296 Comments, 👍️ 1,406 Reactions

Looking For English-Speaking Christians in Bansko
Adonna is visiting Bansko in July for a few weeks and wants to connect with fellow Christians while in town. See what people suggested.

Here Are Some Prices of Vegetables in North Macedonia
Slav posted photos and the prices of vegetables he saw in Strumica, North Macedonia, compared to those of the same products in Bansko. A few people shared their opinions.

Traditions & Arts Programme for the Summer
Nick shared the full traditions and arts programme for the summer months, put on by the local municipality.

I Found This Little Shop/Cafe on the Other Side of the River
Victoria shared a photo and some information about “The Cool Store”: a shop/café that serves teas/coffees, wine, and other refreshments, and sells meats, cheeses, and other produce.

PHOTO COMPETITION: Win Dinner for Two at Su Casa Bistro
Take really great photos and want yours to be the main cover photo of the notice board group? If you win, you’ll not only have your photo displayed as the group’s cover photo, but you’ll also win dinner for two at Su Casa Bistro!

👉️ Run a business in Bansko? There’ll be an important announcement tomorrow.

Bansko & Beyond

Bansko Mayor leads the way on July morning hike
Stoycho Banenski, Bansko’s Mayor, led a group of hikers up the mountain to the top of Vihren. He posted some photos and a reminder that the mountain conditions/weather can change from hour to hour and day to day. Read more.

Progress photos of construction projects across Bansko
The local municipality shared photos of construction projects across the municipality, highlighting the improvements they are bringing to residents and visitors. Read more.

So what happened to the Lidl supermarket for Bansko?
If you read the special email on Thursday (never sent one of those before), you’ll know that the path to a Lidl supermarket in Bansko isn’t as simple as we all thought. The company representing Lidl withdrew its application for a land-use change from the main municipal council vote. Why? The sub-committee for land changes voted unanimously in favour of blocking the change of use (all 4 of them), citing more discussion and consultations being needed on the area and infrastructure etc (maybe other “things” too, who knows). This motion was clumsily worded and was taken as an affirmative for a land-use change request, which then passed the wider municipal council vote (~17 to 20 individuals). That means Lidl has a while to go if they want to move forward with their chosen plot below Guinness Hotel/Stefanos Restaurant. If something changes, I will update you.

Other news stories
Here are a handful of other news stories you may find interesting:

• Bansko reports strong summer season and significant growth [Translation required]

• Demolition starts on Banderitsa Chalet without permits [Translation required]

• Food Safety Agency pulls six tons of fake butter off Bulgarian market

• Bansko Municipality makes further improvements to sports area near river

• Pirin National Park Directorate cordons off broken bridge

• Main square busy for Bansko’s Film Mania Under The Stars event

• Bulgaria starts using new toll cameras to fine lorries breaking overtaking rules

• Bulgaria proposes digital wallet for some government services

• 92% of Bulgarians say drugs are a problem in the country

• Vihren Hut road closure notice expected soon (usually mid-July to mid-September), but may also close earlier for the bike fest

Looking to Sell Your Apartment in Bansko?

If you own an apartment in Bansko and you’re thinking about selling, then we offer a free valuation and listing of your property.

We help you through the whole process to get the best price for your property, offering a realistic for-sale price, ensuring that all local property and maintenance fees are paid, showing prospective buyers around, and making everything easy. We have lawyers on hand and use one of the best notaries in the area.

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Events Next Week

(Regular readers will see some changes.)

Release Control - Therapeutic Cards
On Wednesday (8th) at 6.30pm at Harmoniya in Razlog, enter the spirit of the cards by releasing control, reclaiming peace, and returning to trusting yourself. “You’ll leave with greater clarity, a lighter heart, and practical ways to release the need to control every outcome.” Price 18€. More info.

ZZ Land Live Music Nights
Starting on Thursday (9th) and every Thursday going forward, from 7pm at ZZ Land Play Cafe, there will be live music for you to enjoy. Enjoy the tunes alongside a glass of wine or beer with this week’s star: “Asen Trenchev, a graduate in Pop and Jazz Singing, and a participant in the latest season of The Voice of Bulgaria.” More info.

Bansko Bike Fest
On Friday (10th), Saturday (11th), and Sunday (12th), Bansko Bike Fest returns for its second year, slightly earlier than last year (September). Lots of events, including gourmet tours, children’s events in the town park, E-MTB, Enduro, cross country, and a road tour. [Bansko town park is expected to be busy with bike fest events and construction projects.] More info.

Demonstration of Local Trade & Handcrafts
Outside the Tourist Information Center between 5pm and 7pm is making artistic dolls for children (Friday) and Authentic Bansko Cuisine (Saturday). Live folk music between 6pm and 6.30pm on Saturday only (see the singers perform here).

Tip of The Brush Painting Exhibition
Lora Bojilova celebrates her sixth solo exhibition, The Tip of The Brush, featuring paintings at the Tourist Information Center in Bansko from Friday (10th) to Wednesday (15th), 9am to 12noon and 1pm to 6pm on most days. More info.

Bulgaria Crafts Come to Life (Banya)
On Saturday (11th) and Sunday (12th) at Pulse Therme’s Fun & Sport Park in Banya, there will be a craft festival bringing together over 16 different master craftsmen, from pottery to blacksmiths, to leather-work, to Bulgarian cuisine. From around 11am to 6pm on both days. More info. [Translation required.]

Amateur Football Tournament (Razlog)
On Saturday (11th) and Sunday (12th) in Razlog, there will be a football tournament for the lads. Different age categories for children (13-17) and men (18+). If you fancy your chances of winning, get a team together and enter the competition. More info. [Translation required.]

Salomon Gravel Run Test
On Saturday (11th) at 4pm to 6pm, take part in a real-world 7.4km run over gravel and forest areas, with professional athletes offering advice on a number of topics. Pre-registration advised due to limited numbers. Starts in the main square. More info.

Regular Weekly Events in Summer

Check with individual organisers/venues as event details may change.

• Mondays: Group fitness; Bear Functional Training at 8am

• Tuesdays: Run Club (5km); 6.30pm at Altspace (Central)

• Wednesdays: no recommended events on this day

• Thursdays: Killer pool; Tipsy 360 at 7pm

• Fridays: Beers at Altspace (Summit); 6pm to 8pm (BYOB)

• Fridays: Latin dance party; DiVino from 9.30pm

• Fridays: Karaoke at Tipsy 360; 8pm to 11pm

• Saturdays: BSD’s Saturday Sale; 10am to 2pm

• Saturdays: BBQ Evenings; Kempinski Hotel, 7pm to 10pm

• Saturdays: Acoustic live music; Ginger from 8pm

• Sundays: Free walking tour; under the old tree at 11am

Planning Further Ahead?

Here is a list of some events/festivals coming up this month.

• 14th July: Under The Light of The New Moon. More info.

• 16 to 18 July: International Festival Academy. More info.

• 17 to 19 July: Splash Classical Music & Ballet Concert (Razlog). More info [Cyrillic]

• 18 July: Anita’s Art Studio Grand Opening. More info.

• 16 to 19 July: Catapult to Creativity Retreat (Bachevo). More info.

• 17 & 18 July: Predel Moto Rock Gathering (Razlog) More info [Cyrillic]

• 18 to 19 July: Three Mountains Hard Enduro. More info. [Cyrillic]

• 22 to 27 July: Bansko Rock Fest. More info.

• 24 to 26 July: Table Tennis sports weekend (competition). More info.

• 25 July: Todorka Vertical (for extreme runners). More info. [Cyrillic]

• 25 July: Bansko Street Dogs’ Summer School Sports Day. More info.

• 31 July to 9 August: Bansko Jazz Festival (main summer event). More info.

Organising an event in or around Bansko? Submit it for consideration here.

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