{"id":3328,"date":"2023-06-03T21:28:29","date_gmt":"2023-06-03T21:28:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.buyuchen.org\/?p=3328"},"modified":"2023-06-03T21:28:29","modified_gmt":"2023-06-03T21:28:29","slug":"sabbatical-week-26","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.buyuchen.org\/?p=3328","title":{"rendered":"Sabbatical Week 26"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Bulgaria! What a little country that fills with history, and it fell onto the wrong side of the history (namely supporting Nazi Germany and Being part of the USSR) and yet it’s now a thriving country in the European Union and is on track to join Schengen and Euro zone. It’s fascinating to see the mix of Soviet era infrastructure yet modern day European way of living (yes, everyone speaks perfect English). The mix between the older generation having nostalgia of the good old communist days and new generation longing for the West.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Perhaps unrelated the top things to do in Bulgaria happen to be, <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  1. Cheapest 5-star hotels <\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. 11euro day brand new electric car rental<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    Day 1<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    To start the day was my gourmet 5-star hotel which I got complimentary as part of the AMEX FHR program. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    The food was just sensational with free flow of champion. The highlight perhaps was the honeycomb<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    The real honey.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    It’s the best ever breakfast I’ve had so far. For $160 a night in the States, you can’t even get a 3-star hotel in most cities!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    After breakfast was the free Sofia walking tour. I learned so much history in just short of a 2-hr block!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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    <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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    St. Sofia.. not how the city is named after <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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    This is where the city got its name from Hagia Sofia <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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    It was a spring hall back in the days before people got bath in their houses<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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    Old communist build <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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    Presidential guards<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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    All the communist buildings surround a historical church<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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    Theater <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    Post tour, I checked into another 5-star hotel. This time was the Hyatt Regency. I used points (5k for the room, 2k for the club access.) I have to say, despite being on the price range and newly built it’s a step down comparing to the intercontinental. It’s more of what I expect from a 4-star hotel than 5.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    I was going to do a food tour, but unfortunately the slots were completely filled. No biggie. Just grouped with others who couldn’t join for a quickly late lunch<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    Rabbit stew! $22.74 with a wine! <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    After the meal, I went to the churches that we only walked by earlier in the tour<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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    <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    There’s a big parade going on, turned out it was for the Russian\/Ukraine peace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    Note that no one was holding the Ukraine flags unlike most parades I’ve seen in the West. It’s simply for the peace not to support one or another country necessarily. The Russians generally had mostly positive influence over its history, the relation is a bit complex as a result <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    Dinner was some snacks from Regency Club happy hours. It’s decent, though I probably won’t be paying it again!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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    Sunset from my room<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    Day 2<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Another 5-star breakfast again!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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    <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    The breakfast was good, just nothing worth extra words for. The cook to order and juice bar were cool. The selection of food was just okay comparing to intercontinental.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    After checking out, I went to pick up my EV! for 11euro day brand new EV!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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    I actually had so much fun driving it! Not to mention hunting for charging stations and plug it in for the first time was hella an adventure of its own <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    First impression of the Bulgarian country side!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    Then I arrived at a historical village called Koprivshtitsa to check in at my guest house.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    You can see the weather was half sunny and half cloudy between hours<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Nonetheless, I found this amazing local restaurant for some local cuisine<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    After many drinks and great food (30BGN), I was really drunk again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    I slept really well in my room with the river flow. Very soothing! <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    Day 3<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Morning sun! Prime time for walking around the village to see some historical artifacts <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    Some museum houses were closed, but still was a great experience<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    of course I need my 35cents expresso. Interestingly, the coffee vending machine is everywhere in town. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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    The blue house is definitely my favorite. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Leaving the village, I continued driving East towards the Black sea<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    First was a stop by a random town called Karlovo, it’s a rose town due to the rose oil boom back in time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    There’s even a rose garden, though not very much in season<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    Perhaps the most important goal of the day was to see this Soviet era alien looking structure<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    Looks like a starship<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    Maybe it’s to ship away communism? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Nevertheless the views are stunning on top of the mountain. Very cold though you could see me buckled up. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    Besides the spaceship, there’s also another monument<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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    It was built to celebrate Russian Army liberation <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    Cool views from the top, too. The ticket was only 2 BGNs<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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    <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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    Spaceship was still visible<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    Finding a charging station was a bit painful, and I was really afraid running out of energy (turned out it was a false alarm. Though going up hill consumed a lot of energy and much quickly than I though, it was able to regain most of the energy back). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    I still had 27% when I plugged in. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    I stopped by a random town for the night, partially was due to having to wait an hour for charging (only slow charging was available. so 1hr equals roughly 25% battery)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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    Food! 12.2 BGN <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    Normally I don’t eat Western food, but at where the charging station was, it seemed only western food was available.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    Communist era stadium
    <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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    Old town looks much cooler <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    After checking in and parked my car, I went out to find some place to hang out<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    This local pub is cool. Lots of cool beers, and the staff just let me sample everything without even asking. Though after 1 beer I was pretty tired. It’s been a long day <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    Day 4<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    The first thing was to visit this Ethno village Etar (10 BGN).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    a grill<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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    hand drill<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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    After the museum was the monastery. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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    Abandoned church <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    Then was the Andaka River Canyon<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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    can’t decide which pictures looks nicer, hence posted both <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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    Canyon waterfall <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    Around midafternoon, I arrived at my hostel (25 BGN and I got lucky to have the double bed that’s almost private) in Veliko Tarnovo. One of the most famous medieval towns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    It’s a very touristy town and being on a national holiday didn’t help either. It’s quite busy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    Ordered a draft to start my day (4 BGN) <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    later I went to visit the castle in town (10BGN).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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    The castle surely has nice view of the city <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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    castle wall <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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    <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    I hadn’t really eaten anything at this time, time for a Bulgarian feast!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    The pork plate was plentiful! enough for two for sure (37.2 + 10 for the tips) BGN<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    Post dinner I took a walk around the old bridge<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    Last photo of the day<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    I got lucky in my hostel where I got a double bed with a curtain. (25BGN)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Day 5<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Another road trip day towards the Black Sea! Started off visiting a few monasteries near town. To be honest, at this point I was pretty bored of religious structures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    Weather started to be quite wet, in between rains I found a lake to chill for a bit<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    before heading to this transformer like monument.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    There was parade going on in the city due to school graduations. Loads of dads driving their kids to show off on the street<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    View of the monument from the city<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    Got some food from a recommended place from my hotel<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    $8.11 for the beer and food. It wasn’t that great. The restaurant is more or so a contemporary western-like restaurant<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    I went for dinner #2<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    I got a pig ear stew and salad with a few drinks for 35BGN. Quite interesting.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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    Gradration celebrations <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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    Some random park <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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    Day 6<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Sea!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    The Black Sea! <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    Weather was great, warm and sunny. Beach was quiet at the time<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    Found a place for lunch<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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    It’s one of the best meals I had in Bulgaria. The Mussles are to die for. 17.5BGN! what a steal<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    Later while waiting for my car to be charged, I went to the park nearby Varna<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    Quick dinner lol – 7.26BGN at a cafe <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    My hotel for the night was the best deal I had for the week! 40BGN with Sea view! It comes with a kitchen and a large balcony as well!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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    Beach walk! <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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    Second dinner! The deep fried fish was surprisingly tasty! 5BGN<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    Day 7<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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    Sunrise from my hotel before I had to say goodbye <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    I arrived at this old town called Nessebar<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    Honestly, it wasn’t too interesting given how tourist the town is and how many similar structures I had seen at that point.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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    Quick lunch at at another big resort town Burgas – 18.49BGN <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
    \"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    Walked a bit more on the waterfront <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    before driving to Plovdiv<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Not so quickly checked in with my hostel (the staff on duty was the second day at work, understandably there was rough edges). Tried to socialize a bit at my hostel, but the vibe just didn’t cut it. Party oriented young British kids. Can’t even have a small talk… Anyhow, had a beer at the hostel and then headed out to see sunset<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    I have zero clue who this person is<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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    Sun is surely setting <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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    <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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    View from below <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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    city core<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    Dinner was Turkish, funny how it’s both bigger in portion and cheaper. Great in taste too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    22.5BGN<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    Expenses<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
    Week 26<\/td>Currency:<\/td>BGN<\/td>1.81<\/td><\/td><\/tr>
    Day<\/td>Food&Drink<\/td>Lodging<\/td>Transportation<\/td>Other (tickets\/tours etc)<\/td><\/tr>
    1<\/td>$22.74<\/td>$87.50<\/td>$0.00<\/td>$14.36<\/td><\/tr>
    2<\/td>$16.57<\/td>$24.86<\/td>$11.78<\/td>$89.00<\/td><\/tr>
    3<\/td>$11.05<\/td>$33.15<\/td>$15.10<\/td>$13.26<\/td><\/tr>
    4<\/td>$35.03<\/td>$13.81<\/td>$12.89<\/td>$11.05<\/td><\/tr>
    5<\/td>$27.45<\/td>$31.49<\/td>$11.78<\/td>$15.20<\/td><\/tr>
    6<\/td>$25.26<\/td>$22.10<\/td>$17.31<\/td>$3.59<\/td><\/tr>
    7<\/td>$29.50<\/td>$12.15<\/td>$11.78<\/td>$0.00<\/td><\/tr>
    <\/td>$167.60<\/td>$225.07<\/td>$80.63<\/td>$146.46<\/td><\/tr>
    <\/td>Total<\/td><\/td>Grand Total:<\/td>$619.75<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>
    Fuel cost is excluded, it should be no more than 10euros a day.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    Bulgaria! What a little country that fills with history, and it fell onto the wrong side of the history (namely supporting Nazi Germany and Being part of the USSR) and yet it’s now a thriving country in the European Union and is on track to join Schengen and Euro zone. It’s fascinating to see the… Continue reading Sabbatical Week 26<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3328","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized","entry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.buyuchen.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3328","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.buyuchen.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.buyuchen.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.buyuchen.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.buyuchen.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=3328"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/blog.buyuchen.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3328\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3463,"href":"https:\/\/blog.buyuchen.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3328\/revisions\/3463"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.buyuchen.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=3328"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.buyuchen.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=3328"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.buyuchen.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=3328"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}