From Sofia to Frankfurt.

Cheese Sandwich, Bad Weather and Warm Coffee

 This is the story about good food and Sofia, Bulgaria.  When I was leaving Sofia airport I was very hungry there were no fast food places available.   Unfortunately, I have to eat at the terminal and I can only eat what ever is available. There were not a lot of choices to choose from.  So, it was either eat at the small cafeteria in the corner of the terminal or leave with an empty, hungry belly.   At the time, 1993, fast food was not an option yet.  Nor were cafes, restaurants, duty free shops, and free WI-FI available that time.  Oh you could get WI-FI if you were in a government branch of some sort such as the CIA, Defense Sector, etc.  Compared to today, we are very lucky now in the fact that you can go anywhere in the terminals around the world and find all the major fast food chains from food to coffee or souvenirs shops etc. 

Sofia International Airport  new terminal 1,2 "2006"

I had a few minutes to catch my flight to Frankfurt, and it was late night.  I ate before I left the hotel and had three hours before my flight to sit and waste.  This really sucked because there were no food serve in the airplane except snacks and drinks.  I went to the cafeteria and have very limited choice to order.  Their menu consisted of only coffee, drinks and cheese sandwiches.  Well, hummm.  What to order?  Decisions, decision.  I had a choice of grilled cheese or grilled cheese.  So I ordered a three cheese grill cheese sandwich which was toasted with butter and a little touch of mayo. The smell and texture tasted wonderful.  It was a tasty flavor for my mouth and empty, hungry stomach.  I  am not sure if it was the best thing I ever ate because I was so hungry or it really was the best thing I really did ever eat.  I also ate a fresh mozzarella, basil and tomato grilled cheese sandwich with extra mayo and buttery cheese.  Price was not too expensive and portion size was very good with thick and toasty white bread.  Outside, it was a dark night with heavy rain and thunder.  When weather like that happens the flight gets delayed by another hour.  I ate three sandwiches and am so full.  I finished my soda.  Because of the rain, it started to get a little chilly I got some coffee.  It was after midnight and I wanted a refill on the coffee but the cafeteria had already closed.  

I heard over the PA announcement that we would start boarding shortly to depart to Frankfurt.  I return to my gate and wait in line to get into the airplane. Within few minutes I was inside the plane but after I sat a few minutes, I was freezing and really needed a hot drink.  I cannot wait until we take off.  I was so cold that my legs were shaking, my teeth were chattering and I hand to rub my hands together to keep them from getting stiff from being so cold.  Shortly after we take off from Sofia Airport, I look out the window watching the lightning and sprinkling rain.  Watching down from the airplane window can’t see anything because our airplane disappear the clouds, I put my head over window and close my eyes to get some rest.  It’s been long night and when I will reach Frankfurt it will be early morning and daylight.  My problem is if I can’t sleep in the dark and see the sunlight it’s hard for me to go to the bed.  Well right after our airplane settle down to the limit altitude they start serving snacks and beverages.   I can smell the coffee coming out from the kitchenette and can’t wait to touch my lips on a cup of hot brew that I have been waiting a long time for.  My mind keeps screaming TEEEEEAAAAA!!!!  I don’t get tea and have to settle for coffee because the only tea that I drink is Lipton and they do not have that brand.

I am anxious.  Where is my coffee?   As soon as the flight attendant is at my seat, she does not even get to ask me before I say, “Coffee Please!”  What happens?  By the time they got to me they ran out!  Now I have to wait 10 minutes to get some coffee!  I said Damita.  Why is all this happening to me?  Why?  Anyway I finally got my freshly brewed hot coffee with milk and sugar.    Now I am happy camper!  Spent over two hours in flight from Sofia to Frankfurt.  It is now time to prepare for landing in Frankfurt airport and I am tired because I was up all night up and the only thing I could do was doze off.  I did not get the chance to sleep.  I am happy to say the trip to Sofia was enjoy and unforgettable.  I really had a good time there.  Not enough time to see many places around but small budget trip I am grateful I had a safe trip.

Finally, the newly remodeled terminal 1 and 2 opened in 2006.  There are lots of fast food cafes, restaurants, ATM's, Duty free shops compare to before when they had nothing to offer.  I am very grateful to the Bulgarian government who put a lot of effort and investments  in trying to maintain the best airport service for an international traveler's and meeting industry standard of quality service to attract travelers from all around the world.  Sofia is the gateway to the western European and Eastern Europe's countries.

 

 

 

 

Frankfurt

Frankfurt