This enormous structure behind me is the St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral in Sofia. •• This Orthodox Church can hold 10,000 people and is one of the largest Eastern Orthodox churches in the world. Built over 30 years (1882-1912), the church commemorates all those who lost their lives to liberate Bulgaria from the Ottoman empire. •• Monuments and landmarks are cool to visit and pretty to photograph, but they are also usually glimpses into a city’s history and struggles. I’m surprised by how many people I see pass by outside such monuments and only take a quick look and snapshot. Always look around, and read the signs. I find my travels are much better when I learn a place’s past, and I have context for all the things I’m seeing. How can you get to know a city without hearing its stories? . . . . .