|
April 30 2005 page 19 |
2005 BALKANS TOURBen Oostdam |
Sofia BULGARIA |
| My last evening in Plovdiv, I walked to the amphitheatre and had coffee and soup with Hrisi: shtesevidiumpac (see you later). Next, I descended to ArtCafe Philipopolis and had a clubsandwich and two yoghurt drinks. On the way back I stopped at a shop where two ladies were anxiously watching a man on a ladder reach up to hang a print, when suddenly and inexorably the ladder slid backward along the floor, pushing the counter away till the man was stretched out on the floor. I could not refrain from applauding the performance once he got up with a big grin on his flattened face. |
| On Saturday morning, I had a good breakfast in the form of a large cake/omelet; the kind waitress presented me with a colored hard-boiled egg for tomorrow's "Great Day, " Velikden, or Easter. Next, I packed my luggage, then - with the help of receptionist Ivaylo Todorov - called Irena in Sofia about her mother and my return time, made reservations in Ohrid, Macedonia, my next destination, and settled my bill - which required a quick trip to an ATM since the hotel did not take VISA cards. I then took a taxi to the railroad station to end my fine time in Plovdiv and catch the train back to Sofia at 12:00. |
 |
 |
|
| Back in Sofia, I took the tram but after I got off, I got lost, so I talked a shoplady into asking a customer to call Irene on her cellphone to come and collect me. That did not feel very boy-scoutly, but it was practical. Felt like getting home, and mother was back from hospital and healing. That evening, more photographs, stories, and as added bonuses, Irene playing the accordeon and watching people carrying candles after the Easter service. |
BLO fecit 20050701-07 - contents - next page