So I was in an autoshop yesterday for the mandatory annual inspection. This is the first time that I have gone through the process so I didn't know what to expect. I was told by Vlado where to go for the inspection. I parked my car in the lot and walked inside. There was noone at the desk so I wandered around until I found someone who could help me. I used my best Bulgarian to ask where I should go for an inspection. She pointed me back to the desk and went to get a man to help me. When he came out, I gave him my documents, but realized that I did not have everything. We were having trouble communicating, but he got me to give him my telephone number and I put my name on a list next to a number which I assumed was the cost of the inspection - 16.00. I returned around 2 pm with the missing document. This time another man was at the desk. He spoke even less English than the other and I was struggling to find the right Bulgarian words for the situation. Finally he brought out the sheet on which I had previously placed my name and number. He wanted me to give him my information again, but I showed him that my information was already on the sheet next to the inspection price of 16 leva. When I showed him, he seemed bothered and then, all of a sudden, I began to understand the sheet. Above 16.00 was 15.30, and below it was 16.30. These were appointments. At 1 pm, I signed up for 4 pm, but returned at 2 pm. I tried to ask if I could leave my car and return when the inspection was completed, but this only created more confusion, so I called Vlado for help. He spoke to the man and the man explained to him that I could do this, but that I would have to leave some of my personal documents behind. I agreed and then asked if I should pay now or later. He was very happy to accept my money, a 100 lev bill, but when I asked for a receipt, he told me that he couldn't give it until the inspection was completed. With no verification that I had paid, I declined paying up front. In response the man gave me back my documents and told me that I could not leave my car, but that I would have to come back at 16.00. What choice did I have? I complied with his directive because he was in control and he knew it. At 16.00 I returned and stood in line at the desk where both men were now working. When I got to the front of the line. The man said something that I could not understand and pointed to a bench. I sat as directed, but I was very confused. He then turned to the lady who was now sitting next to me and said "OT Dyordya." She smiled and he laughed. In case you are wondering, yes, he was laughing at me.
He remembered me and that I had trouble understanding earlier, but I understood those words. They meant "from Georgia." Actually that is the literal translation. The meaning was more like, "The reason he is such an idiot is because he's from Georgia." I sat not knowing what was going on and feeling very uncomfortable. I wondered if they would make me wait all day because I didn't trust them with 100 lev earlier. They looked at me and smiled a lot, occasionally chuckling. I had a hard time understanding most of what they were saying, but I felt like I was being mocked. Then, out of the blue, a change occurred. The first man said,"Yul Brynner? Magnificant 7!" I responded ,"Da," indicating that I knew who he was. The man continued with other American icons: "Steve McQueen?" He asked about another actor and seemed disappointed when I didn't know him. I offered, "Clint Eastwood," but he didn't seem to care for the gunslinger. The mood lightened. My Bulgarian began flowing more easily. He introduced me to another customer and we spoke briefly. Finally, the inspection was over and my new comrad led me to my car. He gave me my new card and placed a sticker on my window. He turned to me and said, "Arnold Schwarzenegger..... Hasta la vista, baby!" He walked away, but quickly turned back, tapped on my door before I could drive away and said, "Ne!....I'll be back!" I smiled and said, "Dobre (good/ok)," and then I drove away.
He remembered me and that I had trouble understanding earlier, but I understood those words. They meant "from Georgia." Actually that is the literal translation. The meaning was more like, "The reason he is such an idiot is because he's from Georgia." I sat not knowing what was going on and feeling very uncomfortable. I wondered if they would make me wait all day because I didn't trust them with 100 lev earlier. They looked at me and smiled a lot, occasionally chuckling. I had a hard time understanding most of what they were saying, but I felt like I was being mocked. Then, out of the blue, a change occurred. The first man said,"Yul Brynner? Magnificant 7!" I responded ,"Da," indicating that I knew who he was. The man continued with other American icons: "Steve McQueen?" He asked about another actor and seemed disappointed when I didn't know him. I offered, "Clint Eastwood," but he didn't seem to care for the gunslinger. The mood lightened. My Bulgarian began flowing more easily. He introduced me to another customer and we spoke briefly. Finally, the inspection was over and my new comrad led me to my car. He gave me my new card and placed a sticker on my window. He turned to me and said, "Arnold Schwarzenegger..... Hasta la vista, baby!" He walked away, but quickly turned back, tapped on my door before I could drive away and said, "Ne!....I'll be back!" I smiled and said, "Dobre (good/ok)," and then I drove away.