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| Georgi and his Vietnamese assistant |
Georgi recalled when he was a child, he often went cycling with his father. At that time, Bulgaria did not have many bicycles, so when when they bicycle was damaged, he had to repair it himself. As a result, he learned a great deal about bicycle repair. After two years of studying at university, Georgi decided to live his life his own way; he quit university and went to Greece. Since then, his life has been linked to bicycles.
"So far I have experienced 25 years of repairing bicycles," Georgi said.
Sometimes when living away from home, Georgi didn’t have enough money to even buy a cup of coffee, but he still persevered in his work. When asked why he has such a special passion, Georgi laughed and replied: "I do not know, I just know that I can manage with a breakdown detail for a week but not be tired." That is the big difference of Georgi compared to those who are “addicted” to vehicles, he loves to repair vehicles rather than "adventurous travelling" (Phượt).
Not being satisfied with Europe, Georgi has even been in the US, and explored bike shops there. With years of experience, he is very confident about the ability to "conquer" the breakdown incidents of bicycle, the number of bicycle breakdowns which require much time for him to solve he can count on a few fingers, even though the technology changes every day.
"Perhaps it was because in Bulgaria I had no books for reference, so I had to just figure out the repair. When faced with a bicycle with new technology, I just feel excited. This working is not for the money, you have to love them," he said.
Georgi often "chooses a person for a bicycle". For bicycles which he has a strong attachment with, he just gives or sells them to someone he believes it will "help the vehicle to be itself." Because each bicycle is only suitable for one person, "like fellow-passengers together."
Two years ago, he met Guim Valls Teruel (the founder of a bicycling club in Hanoi) and his Vietnamese wife when they travelled around the world. Georgi only knew Vietnam through the Internet, so he said with Guim that, "when you go to Vietnam, you inform me, I've never been to Asia."
It seems to be a funny world, but when Guim sent an email to Georgi, he didn't hesitate to go to Vietnam. "It sounds a little crazy, but why I should not", Georgi smiled. Georgi is now a bicycle repairer of the club.
Living in Hanoi, Georgi has discovered that the cost of living here is not as cheap as he thought before. "Now, I have been here more than half a year, I don’t think I like Hanoi so much. I would be here when I was young" he laughed.
Initially, Georgi was shocked by Hanoi's traffic, but he is getting used to the traffic and is skilful when crossing the road. He loves his Vietnamese friends and colleagues because they are always warm and friendly. He also likes traditional dishes such as beef noodle soup (pho bo), spring rolls (nem), noodles and grilled meat. He loves the scenery in the northern border provinces. He has visited Ha Long bay, Da Nang, and Sai Gon. Moreover, he finds “so many opportunities to live here."
"People say to me, at first, Vietnamese people used bicycles as a main means of transport for a long time. Then they used motorcycle more, and now they begin to turn back to bicycles," Georgi said.
Georgi shared that most of his customers repairing bicycles are foreigners living in Vietnam, only a small number are Vietnamese people. Georgi is very glad because he can contribute to bringing new technology of vehicle to Vietnam, encouraging cycling in Vietnam. When asked about how long he plans to live in Vietnam, he smiled and said: "Maybe I'll live here for a long time and get married with a Vietnamese girl."
