Bears and Bulgaria

In response to “Now Open: Bulgaria,” May 26, I would advise “Go Now: Bulgaria!” The country-collecting traveler has already made it there. Last year in Varna, the best T-shirts were in a sporting goods store owned by a capitalist from Huntington Beach, Calif. Bulgaria offers castles, monasteries and museums of all kinds. There are numerous festivals; one of the best, at the end of May, is the Rose Festival in the Valley of Roses. In my case, Balkan Holidays ([800] 852-0944) offered thrifty tours, and the “Rough Guide to Bulgaria” told all. Take your own toilet paper and be prepared to pay a few leva for the facilities. MRS. LESLIE M. CLEVENGER

Bellflower

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I was dismayed by the article on Bulgaria. The sight of a captive bear with a heavy chain around its neck and a ring through its nose evidently elicited no compassion in your correspondent. Bears are wild animals. They do not “dance” for humans unless they first have their front paws burned (to make them stand up) and then are punished for not performing. I couldn’t help wondering what would have happened if your correspondent had gone to India in the not-so-distant past and seen widows forced to throw themselves on the funeral pyres of their dead husbands. Would he have recommended that American tourists hasten there to observe that quaint bit of local color for themselves?

ANNETTE EHRLICH

Los Angeles

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I enjoyed your article on Sofia, Bulgaria, but was distressed to see the photo of the dancing bear. This is animal cruelty at its worst. I will not visit any country that permits animals to be subject to this sort of treatment. Animals were not put on Earth to be exploited by man.

BARBARA THUNELL

Canoga Park