Being 18 in Dolna Banja

A short dress, is better she thinks. After turning 18, Valya has just started her last year of high school in Dolna Banja, but she already knows what she will wear during school graduation party in the summer! She likes her school and her country in general, but she would like to travel, to see new place. She asked me about countries I visited in the world and I guess she likes the idea of moving from here, “just to see different places” – she says.

According to few words we exchanged – she looks shy of all these foreigners just come to this town – I thinks she likes Bulgaria after all, even if the city doesn’t offer many opportunities – she confirms. Till last year, she’s been dancing local tradition ballet, than she stopped, preferring to concentrate on studying for her final exam and on getting her driving license as soon as possible. After that, she dreams to go to Sofia and study to be a nurse, than settle there, a better place to live.

“I spend a lot of time to the stadium, you can stay there and just walk around, it’s relaxing and no one will disturb you. That’s why I like it so much”.

Valya, 18 years old, so shy while talking, turns far more confident when we start to make some photos. She has clear ideas about her life, a rare gift for her age.

The tennis court is among her favorite places to go to play or just spend some good time with friends.