[chewyland]

I have visited over 80 Bulgarian towns and villages in my campervan over the last 6 years and have never seen anything what you are describing.

Sure, lots of empty towns, plenty of poverty and old people but did ever feel fear or see any violence, not once.

BTW, I'm just a random friendly Canadian who talks with everyone.

[Asooka]

I'm from Bulgaria. The stuff in OP's post definitely happens and there are more than enough areas like what he describes. Generally the area around Sofia/Plovdiv is civilized (South-West quadrant). But the South-East is depopulated and if he's going from Romania to Turkey, he'll be passing through the rougher parts of the countryside. I wonder if Google Maps or similar made him take a route off the highway as well. Don't do that. 100% on point about the road police.

I wouldn't blame the EU for these developments though, it's the natural consequence of how our country developed post-Soviet rule. I also can't blame the old people for voting how they do, for them it's life or death. At least the EU can keep some check on the corruption, without them we'd be a de-facto Russian vassal and there's no corruption like Russian oligarch corruption.