HUNGRY, RESILIENT, ALLURING
Born in Seattle, the 33-year-old American Rory Miller manages the Ah! craft beer company, an event management organisation and the Karavan Kitchen travelling kitchen in Bulgaria.
When did you come to Bulgaria and why?
I came about eight years ago, to further my travelling experience. It was a choice between Poland or Bulgaria. Bulgaria is warmer, so I chose Bulgaria. Before that I had known almost nothing about the country, something I’m a ashamed of. After some time I had made a good deal of close friends and learnt the language, making Sofia the most convenient and comfortable option.
Have you experienced any special treatment in Bulgaria because you are a foreigner?
I’ve had both positive and negative experiences here with both Bulgarians and foreigners. But I’m a bit of a chameleon and can easily blend in making it a bit harder to be marked out.
Has life in Bulgaria surprised you?
It surprised me that I so easily adapted to it... one thing that gets to me is the general indifference about politics.
Do you have Bulgarian friends?
About 90 percent of my friends are Bulgarian.
Do you celebrate Bulgarian feasts?
I celebrate all the major holidays here with the family of my son’s mother... so I guess I have an easy way in to be able to enjoy them.
Describe Bulgaria with three words.
Hungry. Resilient. Alluring.
Do you plan to stay for a longer period in Bulgaria?
I do plan to stay longer because of my son to be near his grandparents, but also to further develop my beer company which will in return develop the beer culture for Bulgaria eventually leading to really great things. What does it mean to be Bulgarian? I think many Bulgarians have a complex that they aren’t good enough. Which is sad because in most cases they are better than enough.
Do you want to be a Bulgarian?
I don’t want to be any particular nationality. I’m happy just being Rory. I feel that I understand people from here and can sympathise with them.
