Craig Ross
From: Perth, Australia
Age: 40

Working for PricewaterhouseCoopers, Craig has been in Bulgaria for six years - double what was originally intended. A career expat, he's grown quite comfortable in his new home and has even invested in property here - a move that ensures his connection to the country for years to come.

One of Bulgaria's biggest drawing cards for Craig was something most people take for granted - seasonal change.

Working for four years with PricewaterhouseCoopers in Papua, New Guinea, winter was likely becoming a foreign concept. He had a few options before him six years ago when he was ready to leave. "I had a choice of Bulgaria, Qatar in the Middle East, and the 'Stans," he said.

He finally settled on Bulgaria simply because it was something different and it was in close proximity to many other countries. "I met two people who had been here, all they could talk about was the wine and women," he said, explaining one of them loved Bulgaria, and the other had the exact opposite opinion.

Determined to decide for himself, Craig noticed two main differences when he arrived in the summer of 1996. "People were wearing shoes, and you were able to walk safely at night."

As a director for Pricewater-houseCoopers, Craig is heavily involved in accounting, auditing and privatisation. He helps make sure foreign investors understand the numbers that Bulgarian companies are producing and acts in an advisory capacity for companies looking to participate in the privatisation process. "It's going very good, extremely good," he said of his job. "There's different things and clients everyday. I meet and work with extremely good people."

One of the side benefits in maintaining a diverse portfolio for Craig is that it allows him to branch out across country. "The people are very hospitable, they always make sure you're taken care of."

He took a particular liking to the village of Kovachevitsa, where he has purchased a share in a property. "It's wild and remote - difficult to get to," he said. "It's a different world."

The home is presently undergoing renovation to restore it to its former glory. "It's putting something back into Bulgaria after spending so much time here."

One of the toughest things for Craig, an avid anti-smoker, is dealing with the bulk of the population that doesn't share this view. "It's tough in the winter, but great in the summer," he said. In the winter he finds it almost impossible to avoid the groups of smokers congregating and smoking together, wherever there's warmth.

"It's disappointing to see the way they treat the environment as well," he said of his other main concern. "Dumping rubbish by the side of the road."

But he really enjoys the Bulgarian way of spending warm summer days in the city's many cafes, relaxing in the nice weather. It provides yet another opportunity for him to practice his 'passable' Bulgarian.

"I'm seeing a Bulgarian girl who's a philologist," he said. "She's not impressed, only because she studies Bulgarian grammar. I really have a lot of trouble with the stresses."

He took the opportunity to put his knowledge to the test when he appeared on the Dalekogled programme two years ago. "The babbas in Kovachevitsa still tease me after that programme," he said.

In his spare time, Craig enjoys the cinema, sampling new restaurants, and generally keeping in shape. He runs, plays tennis twice a week, and makes a habit of walking to work everyday. "I prefer to walk," he said. "I think it's a hassle, putting up with the extremely poor driving habits of Bulgarians."

Although he's been out of Australia and on the expat circuit for the past 15 years, Craig still makes it home when he can, and was just there last month. "It's one of the most isolated cities in the world," he said of Perth. "It's pleasant to visit where you can understand everything, but it's so routine and predictable, it's boring.

"One of the good things about Bulgaria is that it is unpredictable and not routine."

Perth is spread out along a coast and doesn't have a central area like Sofia, something Craig enjoys. "Compared to Sofia, it's like a ghost town," he said. "Bulgaria has more hustle and bustle, Perth is more laid back and relaxed."

Craig has also grown fond of the way the impossible can become possible here. "There is the ability to get around what you think are established rules and find solutions in creative ways," he said. This is likely part of the reason he's stayed for so long.

"I started on a three year proposition," he said. "It's now a year by year proposition. I'm just beginning to think that seven years is about time."

When, and if, that day of departure comes, Craig knows he'll be back - he'll still have his home in Kovachevitsa. "I'll need to come back forever. A little part is here."

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