a summer paradise. for others the path to the free world's. good. the 1980 s. when the world was still split into 2 camps with an iron curtain dividing europe bulgaria was part of the eastern socialist bloc it was also a magnet for tourists from east and west alike who were drawn to black sea coastal resorts. it became a place where germans from both sides of the wall could meet. you can see who was a citizen of the german democratic republic the g.d.r. in september 1988 he and a friend flew off to bulgaria from. view of all members of us from all. who were there was our 1st time on a plane and we were hoping to have a nice holiday here in bulgaria you know. seaside. as well for me so it was really