Ruse

Rousse (Ruse) is the largest Bulgarian port on the Danube river. Years ago the Roman Emperor Vespasian built a river port here for the Roman Danube fleet. It was destroyed in the 6th century and was relatively unimportant by the end of the 19th century. Being a bridge between Bulgaria and Romania, it played a significant part in the struggle for liberation from the Turkish yoke (Ottoman empire), which was brought to an end in 1878 with a success. The town then was submitted to the Communist rule. Bulgaria was long a friend of Russia because Russia helped liberate Bulgaria from the Turks.

Houses in villages around Russe and in the town itself have fenced backyards, where people grow vegetables and fruits, and places for outdoor leisure, often under a grape arbor. Buses give a high vantage point to sneak-peek into people's gardens and savour the view. People have also flats in the city as well as village houses.

Life and agriculture are a mixture between ancient and modern traditions. One can frequently see horse-drawn carts as a mode of transportation and shepherds guarding flocks of sheep. On the other hand, one will also find modern buildings, trucks and automobiles, agriculture based on machines, air-conditioning, cell phones, and things one can find in the U.S.