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Travelogue: An Artist's
Journey
Robin Ann Walker's Trip to
Eastern Europe, October 2003 - Page 9. |
October 10, 2003
This type of cold blue blinding light only comes in this place where
there is no pollution, only fresh clean air.
It's very cold today, so I am shivering after a tepid shower. No hot water,
and I've washed my hair. It's a "four layer of clothes" day, with no heat in
the hotel. |
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I have to take advantage of the sunny day to do
laundry. It wasn't a good choice, since I can't get the shower to turn off
in my bathroom, and have to wash clothes naked! My second time today - and
still no hot water.
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A surprise excursion to town! Zdravko has come
to take us to Shiroka Laka. |
Nice view from above, of the many textured slate
roofs. |
Some of the locals.
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Fresh vegetables! We looked, but couldn't find
anything that hadn't been on our plates. I wanted something green, but I
guess this isn't the season. Those peppers are the ones we had stuffed with
cheese the day we went to the gorge.
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This local woman reminds me of the movie "Wizard
of Oz" for some reason.
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It's a custom to leave your shoes outside the
door.
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Zdravko has arranged a visit to a local museum.
This lovely gentlemen with Anna is explaining the customs of ancient times.
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Bill demonstrates the power of a mask.
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A surprise wedding ceremony for Carol and Bill
at the museum. Wonderful looking couple!
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The men of the group are instructed about the
vessels and customs of drinking Bulgarian brandy, Rakia.
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We took photos outside the museum. I hope
somebody got a better shot than I did. That's me in the red scarf.
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We had refreshments in town before heading back
to the home base. That's Valeri, Nasco (back), Michelle, Bill, Carol and
Peter.
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The studio has become the place to hang out. We
discovered how to operate the heater. Nancy, Michelle, Judy and Anna.
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Carol thought the light was better and set her
easel up in the hotel lobby.
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Always the lively one, Peter grabs my scarf and
dances for us in the studio.
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Valeri works on a watercolor.
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Anna starts a portrait of handsome Nasco.
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Judy works on her painting of the Magic Spring,
using the ping pong table as an easel.
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Keazim Issinov (Kay) and Kalina at dinner. He is an
artist, but very shy and stayed in his room working most of the time. Kalina
was very friendly, and fun to be around.
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Kalina surprises us with a gift. She produced a
lovely bag which we all reached into to choose our own special hand-made
ceramic pendant. Mine is a mother and child, and it brought tears to my eyes
more than once.
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It was such a very cold day, and
I had spent a good part of it wet and shivering, that at dinner I told Nancy
(who had had a sick day and gotten a heater for her room) that it was my
turn for the heater. I went to bed that night with warm air and a few less
clothes on. I kept waking up in the night smiling at the warmth! |
