Fancy a drink?

And lots of pictures!

I grew up surrounded by alcoholics - the term largely unknown and unused in Bulgaria in the 70s and 80s, but the problem nevertheless existed. With very little to look forward to in an oppressed society, drinking provided an escape and a pastime with family, neighbors, and friends. Cheap alcohol, often produced at home, and no minimum drinking age lowered the barrier to entry. Almost everyone I knew had a small vineyard in a village somewhere and plenty of fruit trees to distill some potent potions to knock the despair out and render them semi-comatose until tomorrow. You know, like the stereotypical drunk Russian nowadays.