Offices - Mon-Fri 9am-5:30 pm
Government-related offices are closed 30 minutes for mid-morning and mid-afternoon breaks as well as an hour, or longer, for lunch. The best approach is to avoid the Post Office, for example, around lunchtime, as they enjoy very generous lunch, coffee and cigarette breaks.
Banks - Mon-Fri 9am-4pm
Shops - Mon-Fri 10am-7pm; half-day Saturday
The more entrepreneurial shop owners (e.g. Benetton) stay open until 8pm on weekdays, 5pm on Saturdays. Very few shops (except for grocery stores) are open on Sunday.
Electricity 220 volt; 50 hertz (Western-style appliances need adapters for the country's twin-prong plugs, as well as voltage converters)
Time Zone GMT+2 hrs; CET+1 hr. Daylight savings is observed with clocks advanced one hour in the spring, back one hour in the fall
Communications Post offices and major hotels in most cities and towns have international postal, telephone, telegraph, and fax services. In the larger towns and cities, Internet cafes and pay-for-use services are springing up.
Washrooms Many public places charge small fees to use their washrooms, usually 0,10-0,30 leva. Some of them still have porcelain 'squat pots' instead of real toilets.
FEATURES ABOUT BULGARIANS One unique feature is that Bulgarians most often nod for 'no' and shake their heads for 'yes'. Watch out! It can lead to a great confusion.
TAP WATER Tap water is safe to drink but often quite unpleasant tasting. Bottled mineral water is available everywhere, as there are mineral springs in many areas of Bulgaria.
STREET DOGS Generally they are harmless and friendly. Should you be unfortunate enough to be bitten, seek medical advice even if the incidence of rabies in the city is minimal.
STREET SINGERS While you are walking in the city center you can come across on street singers. Most of them sing and play different types of music trying to earn some extra money or because they don't have any work. It's very rare that they do it for fun.
WINDOW WASHERS At all the main intersections around town you will be confronted by street kids wanting to wash your windscreens. The going rate is approximately between 0.20 and 2 leva.
