CRYING ON ARRIVAL, CRYING ON DEPARTURE
The 46-year-old New Zealander Hugh Frazer arrived in Bulgaria in 2004 while he was looking for an interesting places to live and do business. He fell in love with the country. He is the CEO of an IT company developing the consumer platform Getti with 100,000 members.
Have you felt special treatment as a foreigner?
The treatment is great. Sometimes, because my Bulgarian is not perfect, people laugh at the way I talk, and this is great ice-breaker. On the negative side, I have to change the tyres of my car a lot because of the potholes.
What surprised you in Bulgaria?
I love developing countries, and when I took the taxi on my way from the airport, it just looked so enchanting to me. Let's face it, Sofia is not the most beautiful city in the world, but I sensed that it had a great deal of character, and it does. As a friend says, "You cry for Bulgaria twice – once when you arrive and once when you depart."
Is there something unique in Bulgaria?
People are extraordinary, they don't have a fake way of being nice to you. Many foreigners complain that the Bulgarians are impolite, but this is only on the surface. When you get to know them, they are very warm. And of course, I am still confused by the way they nod to say "no."
Do you have Bulgarian friends?
I do, I meet them on social events and through my wife, who is Bulgarian.
Do you celebrate any Bulgarian holidays?
All of the Bulgarian holidays. We often spend them with my wife's family, and her father cooks fantastic.
Describe Bulgaria with three words.
Home. Enchanting. And I think that is enough.
Do you plan to stay here?
Sometimes I think about moving out, but my business is here and when I travel outside the country, I do miss Bulgaria. Bulgaria keeps me here.
Do you feel Bulgarian?
I do feel half-Bulgarian already.
