tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-41288332549703859392023-11-16T01:57:31.898-06:00Travels With TerryTerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08243401127339944105noreply@blogger.comBlogger54125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4128833254970385939.post-34564723536138940682020-01-06T12:28:00.001-06:002022-07-25T05:56:53.214-05:00Fall 2019 Part II - Ukraine, Romania and Bulgaria<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I had a week before I needed to be in Romania for my volunteer assignment and after considering northern Romania and Serbia, I decided on Ukraine. It was easy to get there from Lithuania and I thought it would be even easier to get from Ukraine to Romania. I booked a cheap ticket from Vilnius to Kyiv* and found a bus from Kyiv to Odesa.* Traveling from Odesa to Bucharest was not so easy. I had a choice of a two day train/bus trip with an overnight stop in Chisinau, Moldova (being careful to take the bus that did not go through a disputed territory) or two flights. Even though the flights were relatively expensive, it was worth it to have an extra day in Odesa.</span><br>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The first three countries I visited had one currency, a familiar alphabet and English was widely spoken. The next three countries had three different currencies, two different alphabets, five different languages** and a more challenging and entertaining travel infrastructure.</span><br>
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<b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Ukraine</span></b><br>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I am used to traveling in Romania and Bulgaria but Ukraine was new to me. I had to get used to minibuses that were numbered but not listed on on bus stop signs and very confusing methods of payment.</span><br>
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<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">How to pay on the minibus - estimate the price of the ride, throw money on the carpeted area behind the driver and eventually the driver or another passenger will hand you back your change.</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Lots of things were labeled but most of the signage was in Cyrillic. Luckily for me, this one was in English or I never would have known what it was.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Highlights:</span><br>
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<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I arrived during the week of Sukkot and got to celebrate the holiday three times - in two different synagogues and in the middle of a pedestrian street in Kyiv. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I took a tour of Odesa's underground and learned a lot about the catacombs and the country from my guide.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Lots of parks in both cities - great for walking and just hanging out.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Wonderful Jewish history museums in Odesa.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Food - I ate lots of cheese pancakes at "Soviet-style" cafeterias but I did manage to find a couple of other places to eat.</span></li>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Brand new food hall in Kyiv</span><br>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Kyiv Cake a'la Sophie</span></td></tr>
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<li><span style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">Kyivo-Pechers'ka Lavra Monastery - Kyiv</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Potemkin Steps - Odesa I visited multiple times.</span></li>
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<li style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Chrysanthemum Festival - Odesa</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Memorial to the victims of the Holodomor Famine - Kyiv</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">More statues from Odesa - clockwise from top: Isaak Babel, a monument to the orange that saved Odesa and a statue dedicated to famous authors from Odesa in the Literature Museum sculpture garden.</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Romania</b></span><br>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><br></b></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I was excited to return to Romania and my volunteer teaching assignment in Csíkszentsimon. This time I stayed in the volunteer accommodation in Csíkszereda, the closest town. I had a great week. I learned a little Hungarian, taught several classes at the school, achieved my goal of visiting the local beer factory, reconnected with the teachers and ate some of my favorite food.</span><br>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> Me teaching:</span><br>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Me at the beer factory:</span><br>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Me (not pictured) enjoying my second autumn of 2019:</span><br>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I spent two days in Bucharest before leaving for Bulgaria. My hostel was wonderful and I got a chance to explore different neighborhoods, shop and eat some more of my favorite foods. I was lucky enough to see a performance in Yiddish (with English subtitles) at the Romanian State Jewish Theater.</span><br>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I had to take the overnight bus to Sofia but luckily a guy at my hostel was taking the same bus so I shared a midnight Uber ride to the bus station and the bus ride with someone I knew. Once in Sofia I immediately took a bus to Plovdiv, one of the 2019 European Capitals of Culture. It was a very quick trip but I got to stay at my all-time favorite hostel, revisit my favorite place for shawarma and do a little more shopping.</span><br>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8RkfTV8C2QXRZExcDV5LGycgkysgrZIHz2M8thTVulMGIP_Sf0Jq9OCfuHRf6nbfc6dnnUqPnVzaCpghZUub2pLm9KM3i3yzs-Fz2UEbshcJORyTh9oSqxGfJOZ3EjBocgpvK1wAuucl7/s1600/IMG_20191028_101542.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8RkfTV8C2QXRZExcDV5LGycgkysgrZIHz2M8thTVulMGIP_Sf0Jq9OCfuHRf6nbfc6dnnUqPnVzaCpghZUub2pLm9KM3i3yzs-Fz2UEbshcJORyTh9oSqxGfJOZ3EjBocgpvK1wAuucl7/s320/IMG_20191028_101542.jpg" width="240"></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">My room at Hostel Old Plovdiv - I had the whole room (complete with period furnishings) to myself</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1fpNzs1ZoLpMp-dw470bRnv9QDSJz9E_t3TG_Ip3K74h3nZhgMuRAQEdZ-P2nvWUKsguXC0b6ndDqOljeoRfseZC0G9_wQcJOYwzYnlkFWBwSPLUke11vyN2nL1c9Q7W9A4Xgs7AE1boW/s1600/DSC00626.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1fpNzs1ZoLpMp-dw470bRnv9QDSJz9E_t3TG_Ip3K74h3nZhgMuRAQEdZ-P2nvWUKsguXC0b6ndDqOljeoRfseZC0G9_wQcJOYwzYnlkFWBwSPLUke11vyN2nL1c9Q7W9A4Xgs7AE1boW/s320/DSC00626.JPG" width="320"></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I completed my collection of photographs of the Old Testament frescoes at Sveta Marina Church</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Sofia was the perfect place to end my trip. I visited in 2015 and 2019 so this time I didn't have to run around sightseeing and taking pictures. I did visit a great new museum, the Red Flat - Everyday Life in Communist Bulgaria, a re-creation of a 1980's apartment. I went back to Rila Monastery for the third time, visited the Boyana Church and of course, ate at some of my favorite restaurants.</span><br>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Rila Monastery, this time in the fall:</span><br>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiErwhukWKe28veWJbtVXp3TQ3VFfAd_QO02pdhEBJ0cm6nPW-h2ILWGAKvDXlqAFk1eJ0kNT07vXDWC4zi8zUwiQmLD3FeAUoJToFFOwFnbv_7QEibshVDYAM0xeL_P1hlbnsBmO62EXMJ/s1600/IMG_20191102_142805.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1148" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiErwhukWKe28veWJbtVXp3TQ3VFfAd_QO02pdhEBJ0cm6nPW-h2ILWGAKvDXlqAFk1eJ0kNT07vXDWC4zi8zUwiQmLD3FeAUoJToFFOwFnbv_7QEibshVDYAM0xeL_P1hlbnsBmO62EXMJ/s320/IMG_20191102_142805.jpg" width="229"></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Monument of Stefan Stambolov, a Bulgarian politician who was assassinated (I am sure you can figure out how) in 1895:</span><br>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">My favorite neon sign:</span><br>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLQS2wDnih7u1OB8Jq4SXAG58JhEUqgyLTq9a2jlEkp8X1JCTI_J2Bw9vg2-CC4I3wQ516Yr1OX8P8E5Qu046AEYp0vfI944fR-8G5KNWIbnm_yPqxtbst7gTYpq-yxvILMxYFTc714rl6/s1600/IMG_20191030_184055.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="911" data-original-width="1600" height="182" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLQS2wDnih7u1OB8Jq4SXAG58JhEUqgyLTq9a2jlEkp8X1JCTI_J2Bw9vg2-CC4I3wQ516Yr1OX8P8E5Qu046AEYp0vfI944fR-8G5KNWIbnm_yPqxtbst7gTYpq-yxvILMxYFTc714rl6/s320/IMG_20191030_184055.jpg" width="320"></span></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Things I Learned:</span></b><br>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Overnight buses haven't gotten any better. The only advantage is that you can't see what is going on around you.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The showers at the Frankfort Airport are wonderful.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Six week trips are a little too long.</span></li>
</ul>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">___________________________</span><br>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">* Preferred spellings</span><br>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">** Ukrainian and Russian in Ukraine, Hungarian and Romania in Romania and Bulgaria.</span><br>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span>Terryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08243401127339944105noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4128833254970385939.post-24264961628081924702019-12-04T10:56:00.000-06:002019-12-04T18:33:24.506-06:00Fall 2019 - Part One The BalticsThis is the last time I plan to visit multiple destinations in one trip so I crammed in seven countries in six and a half weeks. I was joined by my sister for the first three weeks and we started with two days in amazingly expensive Helsinki visiting the Design District, the incredible new public library and Suomenlinna Fortress before taking a ferry to Tallinn, Estonia. We followed the usual Baltic itinerary - Tallinn, Riga, Latvia and Vilnius, Lithuania and my sister suggested we visit two smaller towns which really added a lot to the trip.<br />
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It is really easy to travel in the Baltics. Lots of people speak English and the train and bus stations are within walking distance of the city centers. We were able to pay for almost everything with our phones which greatly reduced the chance of my dropping and losing my credit card and there were good discounts for booking bus and train tickets online. Lots of free WiFi made it easy to navigate our way around.<br />
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Tallinn is famous for its Old Town, Riga has tons of amazing Art Nouveau buildings and Vilnius is full of Jewish history. All three cities have wonderful museums, great shopping and some really incredible restaurants. There are castles and churches around every corner.<br />
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<b>Best Museums</b><br />
<ul>
<li>In Tallinn - Lennusadam Seaplane Harbour Museum, located in an old seaplane hanger, the Baltic Chain exhibit (more information here: <a href="https://vabamu.ee/balticway30" target="_blank">https://vabamu.ee/balticway30</a>), Puppet Museum and the Patarei Communism Museum.</li>
<li>Tartu - Estonian National Museum</li>
<li>Riga - Art Nouveau Museum, Art Museum, Ghetto and Holocaust Museum, Jews in Latvia Museum</li>
<li>Vilnius - Palace Museum, Holocaust Museum and Samuel Bak Museum</li>
</ul>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ghetto and Holocaust Museum</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Animated film depicting life on a submarine, projected onto a submarine -<br />
Lennusadam Seaplane Harbour Museum<br />
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Puppet Museum</div>
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<b>Best Markets, Shopping and Neighborhoods</b><br />
<ul>
<li>Telliskivi Creative City in Tallinn - there were "creative districts" in other cities but this one was the best.</li>
<li>Riga Central Market located inside reused German Zeppelin hangers</li>
<li>Cold Weather ( designer winter clothes) and Farmer's Market in Riga</li>
<li>Uzupis District in Vilnius - a self-declared republic with some nice stores, great outdoor art and an amazing fish restaurant.</li>
</ul>
We had a fantastic time in two smaller cities -- Tartu, Estonia and Cesis, Latvia. Tartu is home to Tartu University, several weird sculptures, the Estonian National Museum and some really beautiful parks and buildings. Cesis is the place everyone goes to for fall colors and we were just in time. We went on a great hike just outside of town and took a bus to Sigulda to explore more castles and see the leaves. We also took a day trip to Trakai, just outside of Vilnius. Trakai is one of the places settled by members of the Karaite sect whose religion is based on the Old Testament and we visited the small museum in town. We finished with shopping and a walk to yet another castle -- it was the only nice weather day we had in Lithuania.<br />
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<b>Pictures</b><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trakai, Lithuania<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Art Nouveau Building - Riga<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tallinn, Estonia<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cesis Castle<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5J2nvgIKMrpsKtirDlIvTi1VMgWvLj4N_eNTTkDoZ9m_JZFp4VwYkzl1G-PKApsV7Whz-emry3U1ENCJ5YIhRTFGRcsdYBR1TJAMiHwi4cZQuq7H2ELXV8HCoJsMwML8UjMWkiStKKzNL/s1600/IMG_20191002_190038_959.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5J2nvgIKMrpsKtirDlIvTi1VMgWvLj4N_eNTTkDoZ9m_JZFp4VwYkzl1G-PKApsV7Whz-emry3U1ENCJ5YIhRTFGRcsdYBR1TJAMiHwi4cZQuq7H2ELXV8HCoJsMwML8UjMWkiStKKzNL/s320/IMG_20191002_190038_959.jpg" width="256" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Autumn leaves - Sigulda, Latvia<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKGWWjbYnV04HKnzPZUnYcCeCMwk4Eiew5uci1kpkJ6lNeBtqKWeWflDXHjX_xcYSKmEEdUT1wEaeH37UKhf0QIhKnqIx3U_Nh5RbYyDf-0lArmuGF3P_WL9HVfO8lQ7G3SOwlyJ7AW124/s1600/IMG_20190921_144047.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKGWWjbYnV04HKnzPZUnYcCeCMwk4Eiew5uci1kpkJ6lNeBtqKWeWflDXHjX_xcYSKmEEdUT1wEaeH37UKhf0QIhKnqIx3U_Nh5RbYyDf-0lArmuGF3P_WL9HVfO8lQ7G3SOwlyJ7AW124/s320/IMG_20190921_144047.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Train station - Helsinki, Finland</td></tr>
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<b>Food</b><br />
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We couldn't find the salt licorice ice cream I wanted to try but I did find this tar flavored licorice on the ferry from Helsinki to Tallinn. It supposedly one one of the "ten most brutal candies" available in Finland.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJSeUwf6ezfGyh6XMouGHq7ayzkektXXqLus85SJ-yXqZh1lPQVB4KEczoMAxmMan5OGtmao-nnrCP6aP0w3GX1V2j29hg92FL0NwkhQvgO0TszH47ZgA9EUBAfi7AhOmsy5CWYHQE7H23/s1600/IMG_20190923_110858.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="742" data-original-width="1600" height="148" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJSeUwf6ezfGyh6XMouGHq7ayzkektXXqLus85SJ-yXqZh1lPQVB4KEczoMAxmMan5OGtmao-nnrCP6aP0w3GX1V2j29hg92FL0NwkhQvgO0TszH47ZgA9EUBAfi7AhOmsy5CWYHQE7H23/s320/IMG_20190923_110858.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I made this candy at the Laima Chocolate Factory in Riga. It doesn't look too good but it was delicious and came in handy when I was on a train with no food.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg29Q7pUligSVyLzWoctRH_tIQSBDoCQuU_yUhrtlx_51aN6HXluqiYm4Q4GNTsJ0zgauJJ4KOg9ZSuLBM_p6s7vw5_Ftc7VyjPHdDcmyfAtT2vshy6TIvqKfikH8t1wvBNnxy4I0-2bw-l/s1600/IMG_20191005_162926.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1201" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg29Q7pUligSVyLzWoctRH_tIQSBDoCQuU_yUhrtlx_51aN6HXluqiYm4Q4GNTsJ0zgauJJ4KOg9ZSuLBM_p6s7vw5_Ftc7VyjPHdDcmyfAtT2vshy6TIvqKfikH8t1wvBNnxy4I0-2bw-l/s320/IMG_20191005_162926.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Clavis Riga cocktail at Neiburgs hotel in Riga -- Riga Black Balsam, rhubarb liqueur, apple juice, white chocolate syrup and pomegranate syrup. Tasty!<br />
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Kybinai - traditional Karaite cuisine. Traditionally they are filled with meat but I had one with spinach.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMLa6gG9kv7qPGZ9yL6xACBxrLdhXRFiEz2YXECJQrrRYMfr8Xjm0tJin_-mC9G0xuCKCA6LJKHIDNs4rB5RFiMS-4P2DiUm3E7JCwf52JvRHsBUaswQcMf9HOO5oH_91Hyd-rOWCzpvXT/s1600/IMG_20191009_130716.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMLa6gG9kv7qPGZ9yL6xACBxrLdhXRFiEz2YXECJQrrRYMfr8Xjm0tJin_-mC9G0xuCKCA6LJKHIDNs4rB5RFiMS-4P2DiUm3E7JCwf52JvRHsBUaswQcMf9HOO5oH_91Hyd-rOWCzpvXT/s320/IMG_20191009_130716.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Thanks to my sister we ate at some really amazing restaurants. This fish entree is from Dziaugsmas Restaurant in Vilnius. Absolutely fantastic and after the opera, we went back to the restaurant for dessert - potato ice cream.<br />
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A nerve tonic from Tallinn. I purchased the herbs and bottle at the oldest continually operating pharmacy in Europe (in 1422 the place was on its third owner). I added vodka when I got home but I haven't tried it yet.<br />
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<b>Great Ideas/Interesting Things</b><br />
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This is a "reverse vending" machine for recycling plastic bottles. This picture was taken in Helsinki but the machine is made in Germany. The user inserts a plastic water bottle and once it is accepted by the machine, the machine dispenses money to the user.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_mWKwafjsYYZvhyphenhyphengd7_DsQZN2p5rjDhY2WcYihylci6XpEF4V2GuH6sEa1afiOD9VNNFE2APKKk2KNym1sKnMMboNr0SeiQ7eCygf4YabTQ5uASG_fd1bb5zB5sCJeGgNr-zX8ANVnmwc/s1600/IMG_20190922_152841.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_mWKwafjsYYZvhyphenhyphengd7_DsQZN2p5rjDhY2WcYihylci6XpEF4V2GuH6sEa1afiOD9VNNFE2APKKk2KNym1sKnMMboNr0SeiQ7eCygf4YabTQ5uASG_fd1bb5zB5sCJeGgNr-zX8ANVnmwc/s320/IMG_20190922_152841.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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One of only two public drinking fountains I saw in Estonia - there weren't very many in Latvia or Lithuania either.<br />
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According to the law, everyone in Estonia is required to wear a reflector on their clothes so they can easily be seen by cars. I didn't see too many people actually wearing them even though I read that the Estonian government has distributed enough free reflectors so that each citizen should have received at least three.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkrz17OAX95R34IulQB2aoY2tBig2ZyDWSSkKlAM-iKVundATQToBJ0symHyDEvmFVs_dZJByEUxfQ3MYCDxoP8xQPiJBemajXIiTUwGZwlLo2zH8qcuptDffPnGjAg25_VfTHiPol3ofP/s1600/IMG_20190929_195230.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkrz17OAX95R34IulQB2aoY2tBig2ZyDWSSkKlAM-iKVundATQToBJ0symHyDEvmFVs_dZJByEUxfQ3MYCDxoP8xQPiJBemajXIiTUwGZwlLo2zH8qcuptDffPnGjAg25_VfTHiPol3ofP/s320/IMG_20190929_195230.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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When people have too many apples, they leave the extras for people to take.<br />
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Umbrella locker -- I know they have these in Japan but I have never seen one before.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyqIu8xuCn1lzMxMbnN159YLOnCmmNzuO6jyTYeHQZvJ2hbq5xjCZvsX0hREn_mjyYK03V7YO7-N0C1kjHgSwwUsLjIssIaveI7FVV9ffK0-dxurdB4z4-eFSdNWW_O91piqtOw3VLnIu3/s1600/IMG_20191008_122137.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyqIu8xuCn1lzMxMbnN159YLOnCmmNzuO6jyTYeHQZvJ2hbq5xjCZvsX0hREn_mjyYK03V7YO7-N0C1kjHgSwwUsLjIssIaveI7FVV9ffK0-dxurdB4z4-eFSdNWW_O91piqtOw3VLnIu3/s320/IMG_20191008_122137.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Most restaurants, including the small ones, have a play area for children.<br />
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When you buy a ticket at the Estonian National Museum, you get a ticket with a language chip - obviously I got the English chip. When you get to a display, you wave your ticket and this happens:<br />
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My sister contacted a relative and found out that some of our ancestors came from a small village in Lithuania. Our bus happened to drive right by it and I managed to get a picture.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc57RJv0aXqy_3bvF9TgSckgM_TJsCutPgDmvvSTi2f1cOeKkxF9yBU4xWlFrM-wbyBvLGame4YT5Qoow6Ixvllgxss7ZAfh7d6c7vkpHtl7E00FoiQPZdtfdOX2ff7PiNupA08Ab4g7Pa/s1600/IMG_20191007_134552.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1197" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc57RJv0aXqy_3bvF9TgSckgM_TJsCutPgDmvvSTi2f1cOeKkxF9yBU4xWlFrM-wbyBvLGame4YT5Qoow6Ixvllgxss7ZAfh7d6c7vkpHtl7E00FoiQPZdtfdOX2ff7PiNupA08Ab4g7Pa/s320/IMG_20191007_134552.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
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Coming Up Next - a visit to Ukraine, volunteering in Romania, and another trip to Sofia and the Riga Monastery</div>
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Terryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08243401127339944105noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4128833254970385939.post-4983653005763764172019-05-13T17:09:00.002-05:002019-05-27T13:45:28.127-05:00SicilyI hadn't been to Western Europe in a long time so I decided to treat myself as a reward for surviving the sale of my house. I also had a half price mileage ticket from Lufthansa but "half price" meant that I had to choose from a short list of destinations. I chose the place with the best weather in March and April and headed to Sicily's "second" city - Catania.<br />
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According to Lonely Planet, Catania has a "strong magnetic pull" but I never felt it. It was a decent place to get over jet lag and a great place to start sampling the food. I managed an arancini (rice ball stuffed with cheese) and a cannoli on my first night and I really never stopped eating until I got back to Milwaukee.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjulVucBuegu_suGKr3s1unl04eJVXmTvDwgNP3rFbV7riyX7955WqcXE0WMhNcjjCuvv37Dip2TJE0vccdmVA2Ry4tTfbzFRCuhlbJPehxGkOIMdXGusaGgsxSovlZ6pGbFSrRHkRkxe8Q/s1600/DSC00006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="700" data-original-width="1080" height="207" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjulVucBuegu_suGKr3s1unl04eJVXmTvDwgNP3rFbV7riyX7955WqcXE0WMhNcjjCuvv37Dip2TJE0vccdmVA2Ry4tTfbzFRCuhlbJPehxGkOIMdXGusaGgsxSovlZ6pGbFSrRHkRkxe8Q/s320/DSC00006.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Catania's fish market</td></tr>
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I visited the major tourist attractions during my one full day in Catania and headed to Syracuse. I stayed in a really nice hotel (free wine!) in Ortigia, the old part of the city. The two full days I spent there were not enough - churches, piazzas, fresh tuna with pasta, a fantastic market, fountains, a beautiful seafront and a wonderful Caravaggio painting located inside a church - all amazing. I also visited what is described as the oldest mikvah (Jewish ritual bath) in Europe. It is located underground and was found by accident when an old residence was being converted into a hotel. I wasn't allowed to take pictures but there are pictures and more information here: <a href="https://www.algila.it/en/syracuse-and-surrounding/ortigia/mikva-ritual-jewish-bath-/33/" target="_blank">https://www.algila.it/en/syracuse-and-surrounding/ortigia/mikva-ritual-jewish-bath-/33/</a><br />
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Next stop was Modica, one of the three main cities located in the Noto Valley. I chose it over the other two because of its location and reputation for amazing chocolate and gelato. My two nights were spent in the upper town in a converted palazzo (the owner still occupies part of the first floor) and I splurged for a meal at the hotel's gourmet restaurant. More churches, piazzas, and fountains.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5hXOKT8LfSyf6YD7FlYCg6uw9dQpZC1gIRA059LFXxjiSNOAqpzUhMEeRCMsPzaFPigZ7nhWrbCoKqgNso1bdCRJt3RaioS2UxeBhw0UQtGCyFth9-4dTW8RMr8RglZ1obkSlB3HmaRCr/s1600/DSC00077.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5hXOKT8LfSyf6YD7FlYCg6uw9dQpZC1gIRA059LFXxjiSNOAqpzUhMEeRCMsPzaFPigZ7nhWrbCoKqgNso1bdCRJt3RaioS2UxeBhw0UQtGCyFth9-4dTW8RMr8RglZ1obkSlB3HmaRCr/s400/DSC00077.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Baroque is big in Sicily and the Cathedral of San Giorgio is one of the best examples.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiweVNhmbSRsJEfSoiabldU_Z_gq2yTOsIvgQiMNY8Foe1gI1wYRA6medEH2AxISfXJTbudj9YAsUK3XgAxz9qX9anz_AncHhHJ3zMVDj9h4pZmqP45LEfWQP2K0NhZac0Nj4cX7eQyALJ8/s1600/DSC00074.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1005" data-original-width="1080" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiweVNhmbSRsJEfSoiabldU_Z_gq2yTOsIvgQiMNY8Foe1gI1wYRA6medEH2AxISfXJTbudj9YAsUK3XgAxz9qX9anz_AncHhHJ3zMVDj9h4pZmqP45LEfWQP2K0NhZac0Nj4cX7eQyALJ8/s320/DSC00074.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from Modica Alta<br />
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After sampling and buying chocolate, and eating the best gelato I have ever tasted at Cafe Adamo <a href="https://www.caffeadamo.it/" target="_blank">https://www.caffeadamo.it/</a>, I headed to Piazza Armerina and the nearby Villa Romana del Casale, known for its beautiful mosaics. The piazza was built as a country home possibly for one of Rome's emperors and the mosaics were stunning. I had not planned to include this stop on my trip but it turned out to be one of the highlights. It is possible to visit the Villa on a day trip from almost anywhere in Sicily but I decided to spend two nights. Piazza Armerina was a great place to wander around and it has some excellent museums, most of which are free.</div>
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Some of the floor mosaics of Villa Romana del Casale. I like the bloody ones the best but the "bikini girls" are the most popular.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH90_SNXNj9UoVIR9DfpKPJnRE8vGCsepf59BOfInnDv_EafKu6DKTRy7YU9O9JuECu2dD7WM66nq22CChK4uz5uS5oSSf7yHxTL4PMyu8WGbJHAdkiZDA7pQs1BE6h5X-mx7W1RH3mOmd/s1600/IMG_20190328_113044.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1201" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH90_SNXNj9UoVIR9DfpKPJnRE8vGCsepf59BOfInnDv_EafKu6DKTRy7YU9O9JuECu2dD7WM66nq22CChK4uz5uS5oSSf7yHxTL4PMyu8WGbJHAdkiZDA7pQs1BE6h5X-mx7W1RH3mOmd/s320/IMG_20190328_113044.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Bikini girls"</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr6fvYhWVi0nuaVkjeVwkClO_vAmnTswnEHNbnegzPEmtKo0Cj4EwS8riXZ2cGVaN66Ks5b34LrkjnYKDQBNhnPr0tP8-_rDZUDwieVRyO3sq7DCbw707hdIkh7BmGLqE5oZY-pC_t6tjd/s1600/IMG_20190328_115222.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr6fvYhWVi0nuaVkjeVwkClO_vAmnTswnEHNbnegzPEmtKo0Cj4EwS8riXZ2cGVaN66Ks5b34LrkjnYKDQBNhnPr0tP8-_rDZUDwieVRyO3sq7DCbw707hdIkh7BmGLqE5oZY-pC_t6tjd/s320/IMG_20190328_115222.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNzSWfnptHspKAkNT_HUN55cQKf6O025sZ09s8LWNLY6emWA33C_UaXhUinIT56Ijql4Gkr1Z1oU8iQYJ-huBgMXnupwBLNcFUV8APhtANmLNZ4IX9pCQG-gWD9_34h4M2RCrNtgGGZGhO/s1600/IMG_20190328_115316.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNzSWfnptHspKAkNT_HUN55cQKf6O025sZ09s8LWNLY6emWA33C_UaXhUinIT56Ijql4Gkr1Z1oU8iQYJ-huBgMXnupwBLNcFUV8APhtANmLNZ4IX9pCQG-gWD9_34h4M2RCrNtgGGZGhO/s320/IMG_20190328_115316.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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My next to the last stop was Palermo, primarily so I could visit the Cattedral di Monreale and the Palatine Chapel. Both places are known for their gold and black mosaics and were absolutely breath-taking.<br />
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Cattedral di Monreale<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguZZoP5rjpAf_A7hVs9VyYllP4u8vhyphenhyphen_XfPE-H8sQDAt9kED4zJZX0bvMrLcIbksP3b_TuUNgcqOg9m57iOzSUjyIP9c9omzdvelIjcDT545I-amDdO7cjxCs0v-bA_7fHqaI4PH2f5SDf/s1600/DSC00164.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1363" data-original-width="949" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguZZoP5rjpAf_A7hVs9VyYllP4u8vhyphenhyphen_XfPE-H8sQDAt9kED4zJZX0bvMrLcIbksP3b_TuUNgcqOg9m57iOzSUjyIP9c9omzdvelIjcDT545I-amDdO7cjxCs0v-bA_7fHqaI4PH2f5SDf/s320/DSC00164.JPG" width="222" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJqWo_zXkUdjG7lJvKU7Rh9rLtzXUgS5dMxweUIFh5DmxhupWrR2JvnX_YWsd059tXioZP2a68QKj1_TprDIvjcoeNYmEIpRMwbCuaLQ-yrdUwpZNKLxZWiRodTucOteZOvKb14Z-92S5C/s1600/DSC00143.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1274" data-original-width="1038" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJqWo_zXkUdjG7lJvKU7Rh9rLtzXUgS5dMxweUIFh5DmxhupWrR2JvnX_YWsd059tXioZP2a68QKj1_TprDIvjcoeNYmEIpRMwbCuaLQ-yrdUwpZNKLxZWiRodTucOteZOvKb14Z-92S5C/s320/DSC00143.JPG" width="259" /></a></div>
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Palatine Chapel</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkxHeu6IhVwklAPCOZPb-dFwL16CiTQ4CtZnJH1uSa2XnILxx9z5gFsqG11KaBLChduM3ggta9Pd84irUdYEmERKLe27Yhroam39Dne7orZ9gqMjDx4vqCKc8x_wTPWWXIDBgNmsAypBFH/s1600/IMG_20190330_113622.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkxHeu6IhVwklAPCOZPb-dFwL16CiTQ4CtZnJH1uSa2XnILxx9z5gFsqG11KaBLChduM3ggta9Pd84irUdYEmERKLe27Yhroam39Dne7orZ9gqMjDx4vqCKc8x_wTPWWXIDBgNmsAypBFH/s320/IMG_20190330_113622.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJPrXJUhpfQ2-Q5uuARE8v7QTP0Db0SCT7zQvx4mPmB-FtMCOwsIa-Aw4QMqk-H2O8tcLQV8fdFFC2prMoN4hQ0tA1WsU1p5wubyO-4-0gmFyDjaU_ykWrR9FdYCmDD1K3DguEN5PbeLqb/s1600/IMG_20190330_115045.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1265" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJPrXJUhpfQ2-Q5uuARE8v7QTP0Db0SCT7zQvx4mPmB-FtMCOwsIa-Aw4QMqk-H2O8tcLQV8fdFFC2prMoN4hQ0tA1WsU1p5wubyO-4-0gmFyDjaU_ykWrR9FdYCmDD1K3DguEN5PbeLqb/s320/IMG_20190330_115045.jpg" width="253" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The creation of Adam and an amazing wooden ceiling</td></tr>
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I loved Palermo but I spent way too much time running around and visiting places I could have easily skipped. One place I was glad I visited was the Inquisition Museum, located in the former prison. The only things remaining are the cells and graffiti made by the prisoners using blood and urine. The graffiti was plastered over when the building was converted into offices but it was discovered in 1906 (restoration did not begin until 2005).</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyzdmOC0SzjkadVA0ZUsFt484utohCUDO4rL87ElDajB3vWzBK-GgEEJ2RThcqzTZ5hZ5kRWkPSksRGcYPHXDsXG5samlIrdjron3ocfq_s2ivwaPxhE3UxPfACAMSFfuliaDC0ab3yodc/s1600/IMG_20190331_132536.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1201" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyzdmOC0SzjkadVA0ZUsFt484utohCUDO4rL87ElDajB3vWzBK-GgEEJ2RThcqzTZ5hZ5kRWkPSksRGcYPHXDsXG5samlIrdjron3ocfq_s2ivwaPxhE3UxPfACAMSFfuliaDC0ab3yodc/s400/IMG_20190331_132536.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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My last three days were spent in Aci Trezza where I did nothing but walk, read and stare at the Ionian Sea. A perfect way to end a very busy trip.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJuQg0vKvpQLXNfQ4WMqJaAn_oloAKp5O1eShqyS2mJnCWTr0zJaAKubr93dsduUCDydO_Zt_JYlVBHJLMz_a1KyYMaYnKYKMRtwtXVX5xR1NZCbS7HZdWxrlTdjufgxDEZAs5JfBe1u8P/s1600/IMG_20190401_173107.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJuQg0vKvpQLXNfQ4WMqJaAn_oloAKp5O1eShqyS2mJnCWTr0zJaAKubr93dsduUCDydO_Zt_JYlVBHJLMz_a1KyYMaYnKYKMRtwtXVX5xR1NZCbS7HZdWxrlTdjufgxDEZAs5JfBe1u8P/s320/IMG_20190401_173107.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Four of the actual missiles hurled by Cyclops at Odysseus</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hike to the village of Santa Maria la Scala</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk65_hzRrSABLc_egBAVFlUYjnMH8aRwWwsX5MZGDOSqVcOrt8dhx3ffwnQ348grq_cb4oPW7CunSe7osCqu7OljaJYYWD6ZZwvCVzAxfPjX2OzQ_ulwAy0eskkhfk5kOpIqYKYI7su9fM/s1600/IMG_20190403_180154.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk65_hzRrSABLc_egBAVFlUYjnMH8aRwWwsX5MZGDOSqVcOrt8dhx3ffwnQ348grq_cb4oPW7CunSe7osCqu7OljaJYYWD6ZZwvCVzAxfPjX2OzQ_ulwAy0eskkhfk5kOpIqYKYI7su9fM/s320/IMG_20190403_180154.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aci Trezza Harbor</td></tr>
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Things I Learned</div>
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<ul>
<li>The food is amazing. My favorites were gelato and granite, especially the gelato in brioche - I followed the local tradition by eating it for breakfast. I brought back lots of Modica chocolate, ginger and lemon jam, and pistachio pesto. The hotel breakfast buffets were colorful as well as delicious; the hostel breakfasts were terrible.</li>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw8q6lb6YIe3PLYWJDO-SEGT1BbTqqsaXZDx4HHR_VTdRei6ohpMmRmi9lgapJ96ntx6Pgtik76GinL4pTE3A3LgGjGUTNled7dzy-SqakoH20lwSSnfHSmHNhY3ZPAUiQ7pW-HfDbuVHe/s1600/IMG_20190331_144916.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="755" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw8q6lb6YIe3PLYWJDO-SEGT1BbTqqsaXZDx4HHR_VTdRei6ohpMmRmi9lgapJ96ntx6Pgtik76GinL4pTE3A3LgGjGUTNled7dzy-SqakoH20lwSSnfHSmHNhY3ZPAUiQ7pW-HfDbuVHe/s320/IMG_20190331_144916.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Its kind of hard to see but this is a scoop of coffee/chocolate gelato in a freshly baked brioche.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8MIYu2FmdGDsMEB0_DfHx7aJ88gRd3i-w4ma2x0XbN-SUaYesIA8fEmZjmGLd7-4eUAAceAGQEQC8jPMsoIndI37YK7OLqDgNHfP-eVyXG8ufJpW77UpS5y-jV9Q75xSGhPoJ_kw9J8vp/s1600/IMG_20190327_073133.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1587" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8MIYu2FmdGDsMEB0_DfHx7aJ88gRd3i-w4ma2x0XbN-SUaYesIA8fEmZjmGLd7-4eUAAceAGQEQC8jPMsoIndI37YK7OLqDgNHfP-eVyXG8ufJpW77UpS5y-jV9Q75xSGhPoJ_kw9J8vp/s320/IMG_20190327_073133.jpg" width="317" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There was always a green cake for breakfast and sometimes a red one.<br />
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<ul>
<li>There are a lot of gatherings.</li>
</ul>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU3v7m94HqLF9WQMV6k9f0jPhxtptoZdZRU8qMAKB0CBQJBaSh2tc-eaU7Puh4tZaEawMxESV48-zjVxjeEUWLaRN5ceUwqqufS-okiq5bnjcuPBlBKcVMNf0rinlpx-LanC3okSMwSTDL/s1600/IMG_20190401_091531.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1380" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU3v7m94HqLF9WQMV6k9f0jPhxtptoZdZRU8qMAKB0CBQJBaSh2tc-eaU7Puh4tZaEawMxESV48-zjVxjeEUWLaRN5ceUwqqufS-okiq5bnjcuPBlBKcVMNf0rinlpx-LanC3okSMwSTDL/s320/IMG_20190401_091531.jpg" width="275" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Moderately angry group of "pensionati" waiting for their monthly government checks</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy0aq8VOYmF5xcHI_-w46N00DfYLW3hwo8uyq17iqgm08VSvtO-XlVweOeZxOOlfmn1yFj_dkcmWJ5uot0RFapKS0XT-hJhbN6o2p3sbOjdKVUP71nqszi7uLXJmoWzJnXHHfgxruSqT7w/s1600/IMG_20190325_124125.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1201" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy0aq8VOYmF5xcHI_-w46N00DfYLW3hwo8uyq17iqgm08VSvtO-XlVweOeZxOOlfmn1yFj_dkcmWJ5uot0RFapKS0XT-hJhbN6o2p3sbOjdKVUP71nqszi7uLXJmoWzJnXHHfgxruSqT7w/s320/IMG_20190325_124125.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My two-car train was packed with people going to a demonstration in Ragusa. <br />
There was a short press conference at every stop which made the train late.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4gIwMYR3ou5wjrEpAI6geQyeuclep7OEUrVm9RHvQW51U1yfvbfW2X0vIqAnRIrPeuw_qcXmUV0m0zRLePEi5-Kuwr4dt6SViMgQeSg4Z-gsBYNOaCb-ETBmSfjECZ84y1Yvoj7wJpop2/s1600/IMG_20190331_173221.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1529" data-original-width="1600" height="305" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4gIwMYR3ou5wjrEpAI6geQyeuclep7OEUrVm9RHvQW51U1yfvbfW2X0vIqAnRIrPeuw_qcXmUV0m0zRLePEi5-Kuwr4dt6SViMgQeSg4Z-gsBYNOaCb-ETBmSfjECZ84y1Yvoj7wJpop2/s320/IMG_20190331_173221.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The balloon man</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuvSfXt536QyfZkoCxsc-tR0bDuXBymsb3ZIhmJS5CkLE2E75R9o600kLvSOv4migV-njBFp8cALeuh0UHPrcicLU333UVhzeFPm04ViFRxwRGig4L2QOIO5cdxZa-70xfZ3Y-_U-wyp2L/s1600/IMG_20190331_173323.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuvSfXt536QyfZkoCxsc-tR0bDuXBymsb3ZIhmJS5CkLE2E75R9o600kLvSOv4migV-njBFp8cALeuh0UHPrcicLU333UVhzeFPm04ViFRxwRGig4L2QOIO5cdxZa-70xfZ3Y-_U-wyp2L/s320/IMG_20190331_173323.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The balloon man gets paid</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<ul>
<li>Do not, under any circumstances, forget to validate your train ticket before boarding. I forgot and had to run back to the station with all my luggage to punch my ticket. I still missed the train but there was another one in 40 minutes.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>I really don't like running around for two or three days trying see a bunch of things. I am going to transition to spending a week in every city.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Although I am still learning how pack fewer things, I am really happy I switched to a backpack. I don't have to check my luggage and so far the backpack is much easier to use than my wheeled suitcase. </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>One country + one currency + one language = a very easy trip.</li>
</ul>
</div>
Terryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08243401127339944105noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4128833254970385939.post-55788104801874437802018-11-24T17:26:00.000-06:002018-11-24T17:26:29.122-06:00Georgia (the country) and Armenia - Part II Turkey (the country), Food and Summing Up<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b>Turkey</b><br />
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We added Turkey to the itinerary primarily because there was supposed to be a new train line running from Tbilisi, Georgia to Kars, Turkey. The plan was to visit the "ghost city" of Ani in eastern Turkey and then ride the famous Doğu Express train to Kayseri (Cappadocia). Once I realized the new train was not going to be operating any time soon, I set out to find a bus. Two different guides told me there was a bus every day between Tbilisi and Kars and after several visits to the tourist information office and the bus station, we finally found the elusive daily bus to Kars. It turns out that the bus runs from Tbilisi to Tehran and happens to make a dinner stop near Kars. We had a long but comfortable ride and an easy border crossing.<br />
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Ani, the ancient capital of Armenia, was spectacular and the Doğu Express definitely lived up to its reputation. The views were amazing and the train was very comfortable - our compartment had a free non-alcoholic mini bar and slippers. Luckily the hour I spent on the phone with US Bank trying to straighten out an issue with my house sale occurred at night so I didn't miss any of the scenery. Our hotel was nice enough to send someone to pick us up at 2:30 am and the next day we set off for Goreme and the very special Kelebek Special Cave Hotel.<br />
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Ani - former capital of Armenia</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJXqu1PpRAef3vMWG1SkeJOjeRWTEv1c5Z0JDHgdi7WLMXqlE3FDdudFwhiI5ZZyeNE1VB32sE8WpudDJY6RMvQ1CYoqgvykURs-C2bBkWb1tRAzImE87AhDny-npts8LhkNkWII7gPp5v/s1600/IMG_20181002_231014_045.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1564" data-original-width="1564" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJXqu1PpRAef3vMWG1SkeJOjeRWTEv1c5Z0JDHgdi7WLMXqlE3FDdudFwhiI5ZZyeNE1VB32sE8WpudDJY6RMvQ1CYoqgvykURs-C2bBkWb1tRAzImE87AhDny-npts8LhkNkWII7gPp5v/s320/IMG_20181002_231014_045.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Scenery from the Doğu Express</td></tr>
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I had been to Goreme in 2015 so I hung out in town, did some walking, spent an afternoon hanging out at the pool and had another long conversation with US Bank. We spent a wonderful morning having breakfast at an organic farm owned by our hotel - some of the best food we had the entire trip.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOvh-2n4BqhaK_5KzL8lvcf-P362r5roARNHvbjez-hmOmne6CMAxFNnN8Cg92xQoFMNeH6-o5c5WbwESSaV4CBrKHM83JqbcJM-OwoSGLusK7r-_ZXRucAmxb2iXXP6xyezSX8O7KAo04/s1600/IMG_3682.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="566" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOvh-2n4BqhaK_5KzL8lvcf-P362r5roARNHvbjez-hmOmne6CMAxFNnN8Cg92xQoFMNeH6-o5c5WbwESSaV4CBrKHM83JqbcJM-OwoSGLusK7r-_ZXRucAmxb2iXXP6xyezSX8O7KAo04/s320/IMG_3682.jpg" width="271" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me on my way to the organic farm - I did not take this picture</td></tr>
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<br />From Cappadocia it was off to Istanbul for two and a half days highlighted by breakfast with our cousins and even more amazing food.<br />
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Seen on the streets of Istanbul:<br />
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<b>Food</b><br />
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The food was outstanding everywhere. In Georgia we ate lots of khachapuri (cheese pie), khinkali dumplings, sour plum sauce, beans in a pot, ajika (chili paste), amazing bread and all sorts of eggplant dishes with walnuts. The food in Armenia was also good, especially at our guesthouse, and Turkish meze (best described as small dishes, kind of like tapas) is my absolute favorite thing to eat. I had a list of food I wanted to try and I was able to find almost everything.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwXM97SzlXgfUSeEv9UCS_ynRCZ3wN8cJq7nastzsszy-w-2yh-tm_8dX3C9ElraqJUQMz-Sv5Y-_PeNrOqbXcenE9TNxSwPlYOAbplBAs3JWdxx5KZXg0xsoqmr3oJotDxZRgODuVMUEI/s1600/IMG_20180914_194540.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1405" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwXM97SzlXgfUSeEv9UCS_ynRCZ3wN8cJq7nastzsszy-w-2yh-tm_8dX3C9ElraqJUQMz-Sv5Y-_PeNrOqbXcenE9TNxSwPlYOAbplBAs3JWdxx5KZXg0xsoqmr3oJotDxZRgODuVMUEI/s320/IMG_20180914_194540.jpg" width="281" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sulguni -- a seemingly never-ending cheese dish in Georgia<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tashmujabi - mashed potatoes with cheese from the Svaneti region of Georgia</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1201" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO7C4kd5TePcwc74nwU0-3mP-W_5Mkgd4soM0YELVwo0QCv9YN32Moq7fxt1RNSk5eopVlDl-OUedcWS_eNkTl41pshtH5-TeCZ71EC46ip9N6paUYbUA3YcL4xMtKt3mXI5X9Lrp1kISV/s320/IMG_20180921_193818.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="240" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jengyalov Hats - flatbread with herbs and vegetables from Armenia<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtttvwVG_ePhq7iZjysc0H2EII92nWIHbo9fQAaLowRZ_9oMRwQHfsBDWdhmykK7b3BrFSYYKr1a79Pnax0whqF7-SkJQDk3ng-BgcquThDstzjZ41hVAkfSQup_LoNQocjOgm5B8ygz94/s1600/IMG_20180924_093946.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="924" data-original-width="1600" height="184" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtttvwVG_ePhq7iZjysc0H2EII92nWIHbo9fQAaLowRZ_9oMRwQHfsBDWdhmykK7b3BrFSYYKr1a79Pnax0whqF7-SkJQDk3ng-BgcquThDstzjZ41hVAkfSQup_LoNQocjOgm5B8ygz94/s320/IMG_20180924_093946.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Breakfast jams - from the Casanova Inn, Dilijan, Armenia</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilZkEWn8W1jT-CGonm9QoX9m2SJv06YJj-U2L1cNnNkkI19FjX-JSO-Om0BreVOCS20RBHzvgYgHFN7QUuhL52xQCGamNrNehdLjxTJ9VoeGBbzhKABsZsxDSLwVI01669LzTYgguBYYMh/s1600/IMG_20180928_181615.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1524" data-original-width="1600" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilZkEWn8W1jT-CGonm9QoX9m2SJv06YJj-U2L1cNnNkkI19FjX-JSO-Om0BreVOCS20RBHzvgYgHFN7QUuhL52xQCGamNrNehdLjxTJ9VoeGBbzhKABsZsxDSLwVI01669LzTYgguBYYMh/s320/IMG_20180928_181615.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fermented watermelon salad with basil and walnuts - Poliphonia Restaurant, Tbilisi</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b><br /></b>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx6GI7lsOhBq0BarPiFwhP0FTK60yA5QcEC0U2i8CbDnXJKqmB6h7SEREH3lrDoZOEtIw1MOqWd5jgWaApqIaRe6Yukg_CFMORgsvAuPf4FTLwpIqSAUXCBiXZNH45LT-dIKeyk57JN216/s1600/IMG_20181008_181549.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx6GI7lsOhBq0BarPiFwhP0FTK60yA5QcEC0U2i8CbDnXJKqmB6h7SEREH3lrDoZOEtIw1MOqWd5jgWaApqIaRe6Yukg_CFMORgsvAuPf4FTLwpIqSAUXCBiXZNH45LT-dIKeyk57JN216/s320/IMG_20181008_181549.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tavuk Göğsü Tatlısı -- chicken breast milk pudding<br />
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</tbody></table>
Summing Up<br />
<div>
<br />
<ul>
<li>Great idea -- these kiosks are found pretty much everywhere in Georgia. You can pay utility bills, purchase bus tickets, buy lottery tickets and place bets all in one convenient location.</li>
</ul>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX1Z5UqpwJMnrU67qpe69u9LQX39oHlq-5NA-e26U1LGIXJ3VbncIjmxDDxn2rdL2RCjXEA1s33iVJStUPwdAFJVrWb33Jet4nBS3RUobTfQkmz6HBLKfzYtgAjpGgBs072APY8S5vHE9T/s1600/IMG_20180917_111848.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1201" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX1Z5UqpwJMnrU67qpe69u9LQX39oHlq-5NA-e26U1LGIXJ3VbncIjmxDDxn2rdL2RCjXEA1s33iVJStUPwdAFJVrWb33Jet4nBS3RUobTfQkmz6HBLKfzYtgAjpGgBs072APY8S5vHE9T/s320/IMG_20180917_111848.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<ul>
<li>I would visit all three countries again. </li>
<li>Even though the tourist infrastructure is not great in Georgia and Armenia, we had no trouble finding someone who could find someone to take us where we needed to go.</li>
<li>My favorite mode of transportation -- 1975 Russian Volga with 621,000 miles.</li>
<li>Most often heard phrases:</li>
</ul>
During Soviet times<br />
UNESCO intangible cultural heritage list<br />
We were the first country to (<u>insert accomplishment here)</u> <br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>Read this for an explanation of chicken breast milk pudding: <a href="https://goo.gl/Sj45sc" target="_blank">Chicken pudding</a></li>
</ul>
<br /></div>
Terryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08243401127339944105noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4128833254970385939.post-22646566495218948062018-11-02T19:23:00.000-05:002018-11-02T19:23:30.148-05:00Georgia (the Country) and Armenia<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<b>Georgia</b><br />
<br />
I had heard all sorts of wonderful things about Georgia - food, scenery, wine, relative cheapness, etc. so I decided I had to visit. Azerbaijan and Armenia are close so after consultation with the Internet and my sister, we decided to go to Georgia and Armenia and then take the fabulous new train to Turkey that was (after several delays) due to open in mid-2018.<br />
<br />
Pretty much everything in Georgia is no more than two and a half hours from the capital so it made sense to base ourselves in Tbilisi and travel from there. We spent a couple of days in Tbilisi getting acclimated. The highlight was a day-long Culinary Backstreets walking tour (they have tours all over the world - <a href="http://culinarybackstreets.com/" target="_blank">culinarybackstreets.com</a>). We sampled all sorts of Georgian food and wine, visited a major market, and had an amazing dinner at one of Tbilisi's best restaurants - a perfect introduction to our trip.<br />
<br />
Our host on the walking tour looked extremely worried when we told her we planned to take a shared minivan to the mountains so we decided to ask our hotel to find us a driver to take us to Kazbegi. The main attractions of this part of the country are the scenery, hiking, Gergeti Trinity Church and Rooms Hotel. I had a problem with altitude sickness several years ago in Colorado I decided to take it easy, stay hydrated, take my altitude sickness prevention medicine, and avoid alcohol. My plan was to sit in Rooms Hotel and look out the window. That is pretty much what I did.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZEw_85icsfXXbTuyUVqbIhUo1nF2HPD00A8HuTZIL7pPLWnsYq3NxPOsvxkuOh-LZnLFYSiazd3PDn_E3khZsoMQuTfOOw6z04F2UfqIeVulFktYnO606jx5nbYHBfVEobK-amptwogQ2/s1600/IMG_20180915_084935.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZEw_85icsfXXbTuyUVqbIhUo1nF2HPD00A8HuTZIL7pPLWnsYq3NxPOsvxkuOh-LZnLFYSiazd3PDn_E3khZsoMQuTfOOw6z04F2UfqIeVulFktYnO606jx5nbYHBfVEobK-amptwogQ2/s320/IMG_20180915_084935.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View of our balcony and our view</td></tr>
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<br />
We did visit Gergeti Trinity Church and on our last day, we hiked up to a smaller church near our hotel.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1b5iYv0tlb5ZnlQq5pUK6-u4SXWiidczywABlm_gxEsii6nHijBSB36hIgjYQyQnXZTeJWqKdWdPGW722D3h4kGBGxJy4ABi67KWEPZjL50BW_1phJUVXMJy83GzRT25J748B0BOT9WWT/s1600/IMG_20180915_164341.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1272" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1b5iYv0tlb5ZnlQq5pUK6-u4SXWiidczywABlm_gxEsii6nHijBSB36hIgjYQyQnXZTeJWqKdWdPGW722D3h4kGBGxJy4ABi67KWEPZjL50BW_1phJUVXMJy83GzRT25J748B0BOT9WWT/s320/IMG_20180915_164341.jpg" width="254" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gergeti Trinity Church</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizh4rYEEzEo2bEf1OD0XzQvfJtEnSX86cv7gpVGwVvU2Pl7tbF2jjx6uq60MutkEfxyHgbAFisjiJ6cMwAn_Nb0aOQ9IRzqGC1FlOMLQivATKkUXZBnsfYKyHIpZFcZh9LGpwdxlafO3A1/s1600/IMG_20180916_144952.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizh4rYEEzEo2bEf1OD0XzQvfJtEnSX86cv7gpVGwVvU2Pl7tbF2jjx6uq60MutkEfxyHgbAFisjiJ6cMwAn_Nb0aOQ9IRzqGC1FlOMLQivATKkUXZBnsfYKyHIpZFcZh9LGpwdxlafO3A1/s320/IMG_20180916_144952.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ioane Natlismcemeli</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The same driver took us back to Tbilisi for two more nights before our departure for Armenia. We did a day tour of three attractions outside of Tbilisi, attended Yom Kippur services at the Great Synagogue, and continued to eat.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk5eSHHRnKWcE1RbGV9pZPuzg8Zc8jQOHal6YnLUWIELi5kKqyQccpQ3hnhlBFrGYe8zaS5ibsxY_qIUmv2rzSfc6yEcsjkBu7d2zrBJQqeoJe5wdaeVqHR5D4xNV_LDmLKhfHDCjtQxwN/s1600/20180918014848.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk5eSHHRnKWcE1RbGV9pZPuzg8Zc8jQOHal6YnLUWIELi5kKqyQccpQ3hnhlBFrGYe8zaS5ibsxY_qIUmv2rzSfc6yEcsjkBu7d2zrBJQqeoJe5wdaeVqHR5D4xNV_LDmLKhfHDCjtQxwN/s320/20180918014848.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mtskheta - Spiritual Capital of Georgia</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b><br /></b>
<b>Armenia</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
The night train to Armenia was supposed to be good but it wasn't. The car attendant yelled at us (and everybody else in our car) more than once but we did get to see Mount Ararat as we approached Yerevan.<br />
<br />
Armenia was wonderful and I wish we had spent more time there. Yerevan is much less hectic than Tbilisi. We saw amazing illuminated manuscripts at Matenadaran Library and then took a short taxi ride to the Armenian Genocide Memorial and Museum - a very powerful experience.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaJfHPjQfIySLINBG57TmEdCRjJjf4NSqltNAgrAfFq3d1CtSX3iUzO31vRuzNxcEgkc80W4MqWB7LPp6IvUDS774eYij1Iam3bAkMD1cV6MCS4tOOvDZnXVrsjxNBF-XT0pAWH9KNzhVs/s1600/IMG_20180920_152311.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1174" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaJfHPjQfIySLINBG57TmEdCRjJjf4NSqltNAgrAfFq3d1CtSX3iUzO31vRuzNxcEgkc80W4MqWB7LPp6IvUDS774eYij1Iam3bAkMD1cV6MCS4tOOvDZnXVrsjxNBF-XT0pAWH9KNzhVs/s320/IMG_20180920_152311.jpg" width="234" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Armenian Genocide Memorial</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Our last day in Yerevan was spent on a day tour to Garni Temple and Geghard Monastery. It was Armenian Independence Day and we spent the evening in Republic Square enjoying the festivities. There were lots of food vendors and activities for kids as well as music. Apparently there was a very short fireworks display at 11:00 - I was sound asleep.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGn8ipyJtwHkmXg4-Ue61TjGFRYxfSIgaoct9PZa35D0P4Z2RUSH4rd3FwxDrTfZyMz9NtTuZsPK-8ez_ubqa2qRsf6Fzl-nz6rI8Vh609b3xDnXiCQcsohNEu6yOsauYXFqwBHXMvTsE_/s1600/IMG_20180921_134713.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGn8ipyJtwHkmXg4-Ue61TjGFRYxfSIgaoct9PZa35D0P4Z2RUSH4rd3FwxDrTfZyMz9NtTuZsPK-8ez_ubqa2qRsf6Fzl-nz6rI8Vh609b3xDnXiCQcsohNEu6yOsauYXFqwBHXMvTsE_/s320/IMG_20180921_134713.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Geghard Monastary<br />
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</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhQ5s-mfGMlppbIQ3Sp7_ZkewywTKnUQBYjXRJtRvJ7X8MXGwiOo0A7EiS5rIqD48U14DvzDnyoaFNIcA4yKz2h2LsVkxcWcUDq7ZYUQ_eX3cescrnJEXe9gU6UxjPIBpGUEsPBljL_MG9/s320/IMG_20180921_194548.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="240" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vendor at Independence Day Celebration</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Our hostel in Yerevan won the award for worst accommodation so it was a relief to arrive at the Casanova Inn in Dilijan. Unfortunately, we arrived about ten days too early for peak color season but our accommodations were very nice. Our host happens to be a talented chef and the meals were amazing (I am doing a separate post on food). We spent our one day there visiting another monastery, walking half way around a lake, exploring the town, shopping, and relaxing. There were a lot of cows.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTLMaoD2A5MizAstyuFt1_rhzmk-mKEZWCJAYvFoHF0H1IAzToCK5QGJmHnvdIzbCg4Do-88IP4XPpZGgCgAeHILgyi03FMX74xte6OAgzco0uM79oBzhsGfXXxuqb7nBiG0DbpjL5AXKs/s1600/IMG_20180923_113658.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTLMaoD2A5MizAstyuFt1_rhzmk-mKEZWCJAYvFoHF0H1IAzToCK5QGJmHnvdIzbCg4Do-88IP4XPpZGgCgAeHILgyi03FMX74xte6OAgzco0uM79oBzhsGfXXxuqb7nBiG0DbpjL5AXKs/s320/IMG_20180923_113658.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Haghartsin Monastery</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I bought Bagratuni Elixir at the monastery which according to the literature "heals the heart and makes the spirit happy." It is also recommended for elderly people. I'll let you know how it works but based on what I have read, I am pretty sure it was a bargain at $5.<br />
<br />
We hired a car to take us back to Tbilisi for one night where we had yet another fantastic meal. The next day we set off for Telavi and the wine country. Our guest house arranged two great day trips. Our first day we visited three wineries (and two monasteries). We sampled some really great wine and bought a couple of bottles to take home. The wine is fermented in clay vessels which are buried in the ground and we learned all sorts of things about the process - the amount of time the wine is in contact with skins/seeds is very important - but overall, I preferred the wine made "European-style."<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjawwqM6EkFYAVhr7qINqiMvb3Q9l9RNp0YlkxbZGWl-HJ2wGX0Lyog-AsA7uWfrrIgZi2HpCNw_uP7vG8zqfJittHw3WIGzgL6U1dEy2A0dFcI79sxvRnzBVL46xveIn6-Cgba4F40EsCn/s1600/IMG_20180926_133357.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjawwqM6EkFYAVhr7qINqiMvb3Q9l9RNp0YlkxbZGWl-HJ2wGX0Lyog-AsA7uWfrrIgZi2HpCNw_uP7vG8zqfJittHw3WIGzgL6U1dEy2A0dFcI79sxvRnzBVL46xveIn6-Cgba4F40EsCn/s320/IMG_20180926_133357.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wine fermenting in a qveri (clay vessel) buried in the ground</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG2AVcnEz7uPfaO_5aCpN1Du7ITaYaUOlZCJ8TIzafpRqSAjPqAn56h8k_SjzAjasomYFb0qMyUf5WrkQDQNAKsqeVIU4F1WaTczT2z0ln_8BECqTxvpnfsn_XIATdqX_KKJ0m8LFUNPlM/s1600/IMG_20180925_143212.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG2AVcnEz7uPfaO_5aCpN1Du7ITaYaUOlZCJ8TIzafpRqSAjPqAn56h8k_SjzAjasomYFb0qMyUf5WrkQDQNAKsqeVIU4F1WaTczT2z0ln_8BECqTxvpnfsn_XIATdqX_KKJ0m8LFUNPlM/s320/IMG_20180925_143212.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not even Google Lens can figure out what this is</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The next day, we went to Sighnaghi where we had our only day of bad weather. We couldn't get a reservation at a restaurant we really wanted to try but we did visit the excellent local museum which had a wonderful exhibit of paintings by Niko Pirosmani. We also went to Bodbe Monastery which was beautiful even through the fog.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy1iw0MNYFTLtLQFhXWUw_fMwkMi7myJsdI8XIjvigT2NAmy1Gx7cQW15wy5pDviwh5VJDFxCIxHf10ETm2qbYiMNv4_Ls3k7VaYjpkMm3vXs9hDjj2FVZRChlQGUIkgstgbpmFXxATp2f/s1600/IMG_20180927_115553.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy1iw0MNYFTLtLQFhXWUw_fMwkMi7myJsdI8XIjvigT2NAmy1Gx7cQW15wy5pDviwh5VJDFxCIxHf10ETm2qbYiMNv4_Ls3k7VaYjpkMm3vXs9hDjj2FVZRChlQGUIkgstgbpmFXxATp2f/s320/IMG_20180927_115553.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bodbe Monastery - according to our guide, the weather was "not transparent"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
We then made our way back to Tbilisi for another fabulous meal and one more day trip - this time to the Davit Gareja cave monasteries. The roads were terrible and it was too hard for me to climb to the second monastery but it was beautiful and there was a gift shop. A great ending to our stay in Georgia.<br /><ul>
</ul>
<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnwy5GmyNrE8YfT_8M1wXvTem2j7omrmTvN49xUDst8wspeSzemmvUjuK4oiWAUA91pz68y973CdB-SPjkuE2OGBbMCI2uPsve5xcVKXPqnqcJUNYdIUrbXvUdEAHTqUZ3TZzo8m4iojAm/s1600/20180929060545.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1119" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnwy5GmyNrE8YfT_8M1wXvTem2j7omrmTvN49xUDst8wspeSzemmvUjuK4oiWAUA91pz68y973CdB-SPjkuE2OGBbMCI2uPsve5xcVKXPqnqcJUNYdIUrbXvUdEAHTqUZ3TZzo8m4iojAm/s320/20180929060545.JPG" width="223" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lavra Monastery</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Things I Learned:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>Georgians and Armenians are extremely proud of their respective countries.</li>
<li>Police stations in Georgia have glass walls to symbolize transparency.</li>
<li>Police cars in Georgia always have their lights and flashers on so everyone will know the police are there. </li>
<li>If someone hands you a wallet on a public bus, it is not an example of Georgian hospitality. You are supposed to touch the wallet to the fare box to register payment and then return the wallet.</li>
<li>I thought my Coke Zero had been poisoned but then the Internet told me that altitude sickness prevention medicine causes carbonated drinks to taste "unpleasant."</li>
</ul>
<br />
<div>
Bonus Pictures:</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjexAEbENu_vn8osq5KLtjCAHSafbXj_-vJRzONyY9ueHb_esxTg3h_BZT3pY0baXtM_-Taf2cVGto8crQTwcnaqJOVccpgLLCzVjuEMiych6g-RyFAdeVF8SjnbShyphenhyphen-TZ9OBGip1EI1o6Q/s1600/IMG_20180911_144818.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjexAEbENu_vn8osq5KLtjCAHSafbXj_-vJRzONyY9ueHb_esxTg3h_BZT3pY0baXtM_-Taf2cVGto8crQTwcnaqJOVccpgLLCzVjuEMiych6g-RyFAdeVF8SjnbShyphenhyphen-TZ9OBGip1EI1o6Q/s320/IMG_20180911_144818.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gabriadze Puppet Theater - Tbilisi</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgenWdlFRfFuQLr4G4hhUyHbO02TUxxhjkfP8PtbtvaAAI-eleuHNXTFiIRUOJRyKoGZsRenhB1Q5a0ZNP8shA2ZbqaZDkoyfLXBdAXMRnrucx_Q4c4iLIJWzAnyG5hgTanSA69xzEy2CRG/s1600/IMG_20180916_064939_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgenWdlFRfFuQLr4G4hhUyHbO02TUxxhjkfP8PtbtvaAAI-eleuHNXTFiIRUOJRyKoGZsRenhB1Q5a0ZNP8shA2ZbqaZDkoyfLXBdAXMRnrucx_Q4c4iLIJWzAnyG5hgTanSA69xzEy2CRG/s320/IMG_20180916_064939_1.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunrise over Mt. Kazbek (picture taken from our hotel room)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Terryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08243401127339944105noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4128833254970385939.post-31937880521257531942017-11-20T20:31:00.000-06:002017-11-20T21:01:35.645-06:00Random Thoughts and Summing Up<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJxyHT-0xRwSYKRIXL-asvHC-11gbLuJfbairgOCefv3djdUGmyX8xgZ-iQHvBXnBfLt2Qipa9aaHrD__P2imJbJTC4rBTxVsV9NZMHfi7m9V0GTBP4XSv_xh7hyTA_qirOitEJjxG4JaA/s1600/IMG_2620.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJxyHT-0xRwSYKRIXL-asvHC-11gbLuJfbairgOCefv3djdUGmyX8xgZ-iQHvBXnBfLt2Qipa9aaHrD__P2imJbJTC4rBTxVsV9NZMHfi7m9V0GTBP4XSv_xh7hyTA_qirOitEJjxG4JaA/s320/IMG_2620.JPG" width="320"></a></div>
<b><br></b>
<b>Buses</b><br>
<ul>
<li>Sometimes a bus, sometimes a minivan. Each bus has stickers on the back window showing which amenities are on the bus - television, movies, bathrooms, WiFi, etc. - none of those things are ever on the bus.</li>
<li>Buses in Albania and Kosovo have a conductor in addition to the driver. The conductor's job is to collect the fare, to let the driver know when to pull off the highway to pick up passengers and to make sure every one gets off at the correct stop - every conductor we had took his job very seriously. In Kosovo, the conductor had the additional responsibility of passing out delicious hard candy.</li>
<li>Sometimes there is only one bus station in a city (usually next to the train station) and sometimes there are several stations in one city - buses from the north station go north, buses from the south station go south, etc. Sometimes the bus stations are very nice with plenty of places to eat (Ruse, Bulgaria) and sometimes there are no bathrooms or ticket agents (Sibiu, Romania). Sometimes there are no stations - you are told to stand in front of a hotel and wait until someone calls out the name of the city you are traveling to. Sometimes the name of a bus station is helpful - south bus station - and sometimes the names are not helpful - Station Q7 in Sibiu and Stations Alpha and Beta in Cluj-Napoca.</li>
<li>Border crossings can be very long, especially if your bus has to go into a shed (complete with a German Shepard on a leash that is way too long) so the guards can check underneath the bus and inspect everyone's luggage. To make things even more difficult, there usually are no bathrooms available at border crossings.</li>
<li>It is good practice to ask the drivers if they are going to stop for a bathroom break before you board the bus.</li>
</ul>
</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPKtjoqQ4_FpQL2AC8mjRk_Hj6HRkytTz2jPYh-fP_2K08EigE192FuoubfuTn5EcIAjH9Fs5BusyYKPdq24e6rDoW4Pi69mFbJkgji5go1pF73_DZJ4K-CZ6qGtqT9jbMV2QCyjLr9CUn/s1600/IMG_20171008_065712.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1201" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPKtjoqQ4_FpQL2AC8mjRk_Hj6HRkytTz2jPYh-fP_2K08EigE192FuoubfuTn5EcIAjH9Fs5BusyYKPdq24e6rDoW4Pi69mFbJkgji5go1pF73_DZJ4K-CZ6qGtqT9jbMV2QCyjLr9CUn/s320/IMG_20171008_065712.jpg" width="240"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">7:30 am disco-themed minivan to Romania</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMhyphenhyphenumWJs-eUpjmnCdeaM-lIdOVNPgSWaSkQhqaKJ3wYf6Z2jc1uS61dQ6fKfVGULuNu2AwGczt4qxicyTE0M921HuIIbiKYFh5_bqPfNl8untoFwDbBvAUW8eOnVB9NehFsMq82izuK0P/s1600/IMG_0455.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMhyphenhyphenumWJs-eUpjmnCdeaM-lIdOVNPgSWaSkQhqaKJ3wYf6Z2jc1uS61dQ6fKfVGULuNu2AwGczt4qxicyTE0M921HuIIbiKYFh5_bqPfNl8untoFwDbBvAUW8eOnVB9NehFsMq82izuK0P/s320/IMG_0455.JPG" width="320"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bus Station Q7, Sibiu, Romania</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b><br></b>
<b>Hotels</b><br>
<ul>
<li>I am not a fan of pensions. I would much rather stay in a hotel or hostel with a reception desk. Pensions usually don't have breakfast and you have to set up a time to meet the owner to get your key. Then you are pretty much on your own; it is hard to meet other travelers. There are some exceptions - we stayed in a wonderful apartment in Lake Ohrid. The owners lived in the building and were available to answer questions and fix the WiFi.</li>
<li>I love staying in restored hotels, especially when the rooms have not been overly modernized (its OK if the bathroom has been overly modernized).</li>
</ul>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7z3qtFP8knvZ3F8G7B_12KbYuajXsQH6bYw3GsQHCOHctRwibQgwuvcIDXyOVp6zBDNFerHaVYoOCcRX0gJqb93aaIT6UMw_zzeRKrNbA89_oFx8UEl10tMtI5X0VV4FKTGkPaxonN2Te/s1600/IMG_20170925_183452.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7z3qtFP8knvZ3F8G7B_12KbYuajXsQH6bYw3GsQHCOHctRwibQgwuvcIDXyOVp6zBDNFerHaVYoOCcRX0gJqb93aaIT6UMw_zzeRKrNbA89_oFx8UEl10tMtI5X0VV4FKTGkPaxonN2Te/s320/IMG_20170925_183452.jpg" width="240"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jovanovic Guest House</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span id="goog_1559214156"></span><span id="goog_1559214157"></span><br></div>
<b>Great Ideas (all from Romania)</b><br>
<div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiad_jupdHYAK6amDwsH5RDCtfkGoqawHci8V0Itxf1Fx52s1dEThhQbI52o7AGzAXPrggeLY4pl7V24wj6w9JDQZNy9IIyYKA336tv1iILuFtB5siAIAh3DubzfT7Ezo6_pFGD2XIXyG45/s1600/IMG_20171018_164737.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1201" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiad_jupdHYAK6amDwsH5RDCtfkGoqawHci8V0Itxf1Fx52s1dEThhQbI52o7AGzAXPrggeLY4pl7V24wj6w9JDQZNy9IIyYKA336tv1iILuFtB5siAIAh3DubzfT7Ezo6_pFGD2XIXyG45/s320/IMG_20171018_164737.jpg" width="240"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Book vending machine</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvyn38sVqvsaZznn6exIJwjlpchiipKtvZtkwyaK8c4_D05jZNMotz1ydI3QhGUvXJS0HevGq2CiIovqsfZf5w_B-amD30qT_ZlZV46gz6RLMQ-Qvc-pw0tRlUCpOYy9LNRW9MD3pZR3ki/s1600/IMG_20171015_113523.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="989" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvyn38sVqvsaZznn6exIJwjlpchiipKtvZtkwyaK8c4_D05jZNMotz1ydI3QhGUvXJS0HevGq2CiIovqsfZf5w_B-amD30qT_ZlZV46gz6RLMQ-Qvc-pw0tRlUCpOYy9LNRW9MD3pZR3ki/s320/IMG_20171015_113523.jpg" width="197"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Egg vending machine</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikDmynak5BKpkGkzi-azbHJgrJwo_rikeYJVi0Pdn-oQLDRno_Fi3PXqh-leY8W2IZBVcRZzz9tgGB9N0Ny7VLP2wPz4pcgXk6Hqvwfl9rcsosjUhtbQo8Fo10W2jm4AxplD0gstb5iCsv/s1600/IMG_0030+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1058" data-original-width="1600" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikDmynak5BKpkGkzi-azbHJgrJwo_rikeYJVi0Pdn-oQLDRno_Fi3PXqh-leY8W2IZBVcRZzz9tgGB9N0Ny7VLP2wPz4pcgXk6Hqvwfl9rcsosjUhtbQo8Fo10W2jm4AxplD0gstb5iCsv/s320/IMG_0030+%25282%2529.JPG" width="320"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some sort of machine that disinfects bathroom door handles</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<b><br></b>
<b>Favorites</b><br>
<ul>
<li>Places - I absolutely loved Albania and I am making plans to return to Shkodra to take the boat ride we missed due to the weather. I would also like to see more of southern Macedonia. I am looking forward to my third visit to Bulgaria and Romania.</li>
<li>Hotels - Jovanovic Guest House, Tradita G&T (also has my favorite restaurant), Hotel Evmolpia, Gurko Hotel </li>
<li>Food - burek, now and forever</li>
</ul>
<br><ul>
</ul>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM5Pp49fOGy8WSIHwpWeR72Xr3Q9j3MJIEhG9Blq4qGqu8yecVtYIvQrY3hi9Xj7s4Scvw0BuHdBVIDnqqhlXA7pSgYjcVyxXIFlsJzc9RbJ_kLiyBZwHkbV4HkZigJMSpER6VgQ5MswB8/s1600/IMG_0202.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1144" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM5Pp49fOGy8WSIHwpWeR72Xr3Q9j3MJIEhG9Blq4qGqu8yecVtYIvQrY3hi9Xj7s4Scvw0BuHdBVIDnqqhlXA7pSgYjcVyxXIFlsJzc9RbJ_kLiyBZwHkbV4HkZigJMSpER6VgQ5MswB8/s320/IMG_0202.JPG" width="228"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Victims of Communism Memorial - Bunk'Art 2, Tirana, Albania</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<b><br></b></div>
<div>
<b>Biggest Disappointments</b></div>
<ul>
<li>Plum dumplings in Brasov. I was looking forward to having these again but they were horrible.</li>
<li>The Holocaust Museum in Skopje and the Holocaust Museum, Jewish Museum and Great Synagogue in Bucharest were all closed for various reasons.</li>
<li>When we crossed a border, all the passports were collected by the bus driver who took them to the border agent. When we were cleared, the driver would choose one passenger to return the passports to the other passengers. Despite my best efforts to look like a responsible bus rider, I was never picked. </li>
</ul>
<b>What I Learned</b><br>
<ul>
<li>If you are in a city with a US Embassy or consulate, you can get a new passport in 24 hours or less.</li>
<li>People in Albania are really nice. We got a free taxi ride in Berat and the city bus in Tirana made an unscheduled stop for us so we wouldn't have to find our way to a museum. </li>
<li>Most people in Kosovo love Americans. A store owner in Pristina refused to let me pay for a couple of apples when he found out I was from the USA.</li>
<li>My new favorite adjective/noun combination is "lobby bar."</li>
<li>Never go hiking without hiking poles.</li>
</ul>
<div>
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Terryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08243401127339944105noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4128833254970385939.post-4320829177574406262017-11-09T18:04:00.000-06:002017-11-10T22:15:24.875-06:00Romania Part 2During the last week of the trip I revisited Sibiu, Sighisoara, Brasov, Bucharest, and Csíkszentsimon, the village where I volunteered as a teacher in 2015. It was sunny and around 72 degrees every day so we did some hiking and really enjoyed each city. Sibiu, Sighisoara and Brasov are great towns to just walk around and explore; there are not many must-see sights, just charming streets, great shops, and amazing food. <br />
<br />
Sibiu is beautiful and we stayed in yet another 14th Century guest house. Unfortunately the interior had been renovated with vinyl flooring, generic furniture and an almost unworkable lock - the location was great, however. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_WN_DtVYVQTQhlNPEMGFNLNBjbfKO2abAuama8sGzuudcD04mKU708HIjsADbRlY7j1Gcq2LOb_7LdO37BByrex_qnf7VlCKAp13Pr_jAH7BsA6Sx_beZ-X0W-yqD9JcMWaZoaVJyNXQt/s1600/IMG_0414+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_WN_DtVYVQTQhlNPEMGFNLNBjbfKO2abAuama8sGzuudcD04mKU708HIjsADbRlY7j1Gcq2LOb_7LdO37BByrex_qnf7VlCKAp13Pr_jAH7BsA6Sx_beZ-X0W-yqD9JcMWaZoaVJyNXQt/s320/IMG_0414+%25282%2529.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lots of cabbage at the Sibiu Market</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZis0PkW0TdwwCK9YCRE1AJmJZT87tUtpH7jFYdJX6wDwivBRcfvQZET56Gzb0XOZCpVEIUo7YChk0a0FZaoCiJoylP_kZNkcMUtxhWsFkqrojx6u8mxfwnPwFXAy6JaNIDo4-lRO-Qzfr/s1600/IMG_0440.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZis0PkW0TdwwCK9YCRE1AJmJZT87tUtpH7jFYdJX6wDwivBRcfvQZET56Gzb0XOZCpVEIUo7YChk0a0FZaoCiJoylP_kZNkcMUtxhWsFkqrojx6u8mxfwnPwFXAy6JaNIDo4-lRO-Qzfr/s320/IMG_0440.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sibiu</td></tr>
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<div>
Sighisoara, also known the cutest town in the world, requires a lot of climbing to get anywhere. I think the best way to describe the city is "atmospheric" (Lonely Planet calls it "fairytale-like"). In addition to wandering around (uphill) and visiting the sites, we hiked up to the Breite Ancient Oak Forest. I wimped out on going all the way to the top so I am not sure we saw any actual ancient oaks. Sighisoara also has my favorite gift shop and cafe.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNzHHdi9exyBBeMmkW0bJWsCbCTydvy1302J817O6DkPcQFHDFRUxwh-pzEh6UsL5DXhawYdSBjE_vKeirGogZ3Lk2ZwQxD-ZJ7JYrprtdG6tIrHxbkJ3nWpDWI_QxbuXerpIHtxTKIblr/s1600/IMG_20171016_102831.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNzHHdi9exyBBeMmkW0bJWsCbCTydvy1302J817O6DkPcQFHDFRUxwh-pzEh6UsL5DXhawYdSBjE_vKeirGogZ3Lk2ZwQxD-ZJ7JYrprtdG6tIrHxbkJ3nWpDWI_QxbuXerpIHtxTKIblr/s320/IMG_20171016_102831.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sighisoara watchtower</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb8T-x9HubTIoOUaSPcjBQCIY71CV2EYM_-krZ_ptN9HC_YYOcGLbK6_7dkGOBnrQfNqTzMILj8oN-1AmLAuaycLqrT-NQ11AlaDDQnmaoqbiZgFy4RlQlbcG5oHu6Dnoj26whwBPhPl5y/s1600/20171016_170339.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb8T-x9HubTIoOUaSPcjBQCIY71CV2EYM_-krZ_ptN9HC_YYOcGLbK6_7dkGOBnrQfNqTzMILj8oN-1AmLAuaycLqrT-NQ11AlaDDQnmaoqbiZgFy4RlQlbcG5oHu6Dnoj26whwBPhPl5y/s320/20171016_170339.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Atmospheric Sighisoara street</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Breite Forest - halfway up</td></tr>
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We took our last bus ride to Brasov. While Susie did the Transylvania castle tour, I took the train up to Miercurea Ciuc and had a wonderful meal with one of the teachers at the village school and her family. I spent the next day visiting the school, helping in a couple of classrooms and walking around the village trying to take pictures through the fog. I also got to meet Ivan, a very cute baby. After a mad scramble across the railroad tracks, I caught the train back to Brasov -- beautiful scenery both ways.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wooden gate in the village</td></tr>
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Brasov was as fun as I remembered and it was nice to be in a real hotel after spending so many days in guesthouses. Our last hike involved taking the telecabina (cable car) up Mt. Tampa and then walking back down on the "serpentine path" which took forever. The views and scenery made it all worthwhile.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black Church</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from the top of Mt. Tampa.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4h7Sxt4Z9QKlcu9Xwld5BlB_mzok54SlKm8JA4ekIXF-px48S-uHSFj5xB4JVck_FhzZXmtXVoYcX6mY20XxtV_9oYKzi5Hr5LXytqt27i7eMWXOSwQbRNL3Yq8qg6TIzMjJ8821FiW55/s1600/IMG_20171019_180900_358.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4h7Sxt4Z9QKlcu9Xwld5BlB_mzok54SlKm8JA4ekIXF-px48S-uHSFj5xB4JVck_FhzZXmtXVoYcX6mY20XxtV_9oYKzi5Hr5LXytqt27i7eMWXOSwQbRNL3Yq8qg6TIzMjJ8821FiW55/s320/IMG_20171019_180900_358.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Halfway down Mt. Tampa</td></tr>
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Our last stop was Bucharest, a city I didn't love on my last visit, probably because the weather was awful and I hated my hotel and its location. This time we stayed in a great place in Old Town. It was warm enough to sit outside and eat and we had two full days to walk around. We visited a wonderful gift shop at the Museum of the Romanian Peasant, tried to visit a Jewish cemetery (it was closed), went to one last outdoor market, and hung out in a beautiful park. On our last day we were able to see the Choral Temple which has been recently restored and is absolutely beautiful. The Jewish Museum, Holocaust Museum, and Great Synagogue were all closed for a special event -- my second visit to Bucharest and I still have not been able visit them because they were also closed last time. We visited the surprisingly wonderful Kitsch Museum and spent time sampling craft beer and wine.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVhHd6NhmfTv7URaaiyB9ERs3km_EP2Z4gqu6G-rRjOvkxHyW3C0_ayHNiso2kyUDc8yNE3DLzk4tOZLYtxOn-nZK_g08LrV2sL7scLPUpmFvIu8nmMptuUnrJCK8qTpDH7Y2RQZg7ILE7/s1600/IMG_20171018_185922.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1149" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVhHd6NhmfTv7URaaiyB9ERs3km_EP2Z4gqu6G-rRjOvkxHyW3C0_ayHNiso2kyUDc8yNE3DLzk4tOZLYtxOn-nZK_g08LrV2sL7scLPUpmFvIu8nmMptuUnrJCK8qTpDH7Y2RQZg7ILE7/s320/IMG_20171018_185922.jpg" width="229" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fabrica de Bere Buna (Romanian Craft Brew Bar)</td></tr>
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What I Learned:<br />
<ul>
<li>That white cheese on the breakfast platter could actually be lard. It is used as a substitute for butter and it tastes awful. Fortunately, I didn't swallow it.</li>
<li>I could live in Bucharest, Brasov, or Miercurea Ciuc.</li>
<li>There is a lot of great beer and wine in Romania and we brought back a couple of nice bottles of wine.</li>
<li>I once again proved I could live on gogosi (doughnuts with fruit or cheese) and covrigi (pretzels).</li>
<li>Romania is a beautiful country and there are a lot more places I need to visit.</li>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzxa_Zt0xTjOBulLels7kWJqll0F-tY-KGfgYze9nOyR9X1hMqM83UmnnyUZOhk8UZvdWcvCAlmoeI5yYgdLvoALcaKAlUcft7Ly5xcTrKkKhhNjN03nG9iIrgHxlFQvYmw6rzNXGunkDO/s1600/20171021141615.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzxa_Zt0xTjOBulLels7kWJqll0F-tY-KGfgYze9nOyR9X1hMqM83UmnnyUZOhk8UZvdWcvCAlmoeI5yYgdLvoALcaKAlUcft7Ly5xcTrKkKhhNjN03nG9iIrgHxlFQvYmw6rzNXGunkDO/s320/20171021141615.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chisignu Park - there is a place for me on that bench</td></tr>
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Terryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08243401127339944105noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4128833254970385939.post-13478830587913895102017-10-31T21:21:00.002-05:002017-10-31T21:21:15.574-05:00Romania - Part OneOur last two weeks were spent in Romania and after a very early bus to Ruse, Bulgaria and a very long layover at the Ruse bus station, we arrived in Bucharest. After an evening wandering around Old Town and we caught the train the next day for Suceava in northern Romania. We spent three days touring Bucovina and Maramures - this was the only part of the trip that was a structured tour. Andre was our wonderful guide/driver and because we stayed at one of the tour company's apartments, he picked us up at the train station (getting from train or bus stations to hotels is not always easy so this was a real treat).<br />
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Bucovina is famous for its painted monasteries, each distinguished by a representative color. We visited four and they were incredible. The frescoes were painted to teach bible stories to the illiterate peasants and Andre was a wonderful guide - by the time we left, we could interpret the frescoes all by ourselves.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sucevita Monastery - representative color is green</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Voronet Monastery - detail from the Last Judgement</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7QgiRqDvu1xeC5aXi9GUsYe95SWzDNYCB_ow00pIKVlnBxBQj_cjkIyodEiI70TgToWscSe9zfC2qYAIEsKJfEfLkL2SwQwjmVngdvtmKucya-Of1DQ2fzFdeILFW73QCIkQxcuNp__ny/s1600/IMG_20171010_103702.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7QgiRqDvu1xeC5aXi9GUsYe95SWzDNYCB_ow00pIKVlnBxBQj_cjkIyodEiI70TgToWscSe9zfC2qYAIEsKJfEfLkL2SwQwjmVngdvtmKucya-Of1DQ2fzFdeILFW73QCIkQxcuNp__ny/s320/IMG_20171010_103702.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Voronet Monastery - look carefully and you will see </span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">a soul leaving the body. Representative color is blue.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEindOLrX-J0XvEBFZyDBl_cEgsJKvUszoHm1wcXN8Dgpj1H0T2_50LsW5mSo_rDTKm9bsPZlQTfoU3efDAjjIsccmRjWAbpTBUSVEoGeTbmomRVfVTPyi5Enet3Z7fLt1-fvc8lBtj7ACpP/s1600/IMG_3249.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEindOLrX-J0XvEBFZyDBl_cEgsJKvUszoHm1wcXN8Dgpj1H0T2_50LsW5mSo_rDTKm9bsPZlQTfoU3efDAjjIsccmRjWAbpTBUSVEoGeTbmomRVfVTPyi5Enet3Z7fLt1-fvc8lBtj7ACpP/s320/IMG_3249.JPEG" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Moldovita Monastery - look carefully and</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"> you will see Moses receiving the Ten</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"> Commandments. I am in the picture too. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Representative color is yellow.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
We had a wonderful two days in Maramures which is known for its wooden churches and according to Lonely Planet, this part of Romania is the home of the last peasant culture in Europe. We arrived towards the end of the peak fall color season and the scenery was amazing.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZblBUM-05Ma1kcjVglGuTlAdiPpaWC4W_DXhnkmAYnWD3odPJNLXwAcDh4K3F9tJztq8VyfWN6a5xmoZuhZsoz7_4XRmDmtstmlWll8rpTkZlHW0HiuUPd_U1Qi-uivcL3LWlzyF91DZk/s1600/IMG_20171010_124725.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZblBUM-05Ma1kcjVglGuTlAdiPpaWC4W_DXhnkmAYnWD3odPJNLXwAcDh4K3F9tJztq8VyfWN6a5xmoZuhZsoz7_4XRmDmtstmlWll8rpTkZlHW0HiuUPd_U1Qi-uivcL3LWlzyF91DZk/s320/IMG_20171010_124725.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKJD-JIInr40oTafX5hQI6rdkk9OqC2fjDD83uO6KAl0AuwXYF4hxEj7RqaHZ1PdFgn9DkqpG6WLv_q8o72SKoiAsd1oNIWi67H4OGW2faAZvv1w1mpZYmGDTaORwsLZVfUZQLeHG2SGDS/s1600/IMG_20171012_154307.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1276" data-original-width="1600" height="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKJD-JIInr40oTafX5hQI6rdkk9OqC2fjDD83uO6KAl0AuwXYF4hxEj7RqaHZ1PdFgn9DkqpG6WLv_q8o72SKoiAsd1oNIWi67H4OGW2faAZvv1w1mpZYmGDTaORwsLZVfUZQLeHG2SGDS/s320/IMG_20171012_154307.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-jV8ydWJiDtyJLYp8Yve269NVx8lXGYlNbF0GBs9ecHOOUvHPVFa4W2JfQxqVBSpblka6ZXRa0WbIXpbqmbZqaipGKn8PR-oRpoJRBEVS-S4EH5UECydBGt0tPREgW8ppSLqlJiboKBEL/s1600/20171012102203.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1083" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-jV8ydWJiDtyJLYp8Yve269NVx8lXGYlNbF0GBs9ecHOOUvHPVFa4W2JfQxqVBSpblka6ZXRa0WbIXpbqmbZqaipGKn8PR-oRpoJRBEVS-S4EH5UECydBGt0tPREgW8ppSLqlJiboKBEL/s320/20171012102203.JPG" width="216" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Making palinka (brandy)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOeexpFclTakQzMqFe6YP2va4ktqnaC0QCCBKi5N-xxfnfb0EM8k7hlVa2lH9-skx4MFVltZkSy8ObsloUSOokLkOJMZnnW6hrEicnbb__frzJRmNfAEEIOGzF0mjnxrIKYfOENO7ZO9jD/s1600/IMG_20171011_150505.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1258" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOeexpFclTakQzMqFe6YP2va4ktqnaC0QCCBKi5N-xxfnfb0EM8k7hlVa2lH9-skx4MFVltZkSy8ObsloUSOokLkOJMZnnW6hrEicnbb__frzJRmNfAEEIOGzF0mjnxrIKYfOENO7ZO9jD/s320/IMG_20171011_150505.jpg" width="251" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wooden church</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd2MUI5FYoO-6TL1J02SjaQHRsYX08eXELPZpIkYhlngE33dUWV6SgdSG60_xcgXryHqHh8tIsVGWeDXQaOEEcPFy4589nYxgJDoF3fBkQ-0QnQ65NmJXdIR9AZsOLQuTMivQtd3oaq1vl/s1600/IMG_3303.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd2MUI5FYoO-6TL1J02SjaQHRsYX08eXELPZpIkYhlngE33dUWV6SgdSG60_xcgXryHqHh8tIsVGWeDXQaOEEcPFy4589nYxgJDoF3fBkQ-0QnQ65NmJXdIR9AZsOLQuTMivQtd3oaq1vl/s320/IMG_3303.JPEG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Washing a rug in a river with a stick</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
We also visited<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi63aOVslWBmDDBhgS28-JhpOnxr5lWWkFmp3-fMiljHudU5KQP1v__WDFPf5kej10IwebB4qH2uJHl6GsVAsAy-KQ9nq9lidIRTBA4HYGkYoiqtbzQSNCDmnsSd7z51e4GwS6agHmBCiH4/s1600/IMG_20171012_093828.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1216" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi63aOVslWBmDDBhgS28-JhpOnxr5lWWkFmp3-fMiljHudU5KQP1v__WDFPf5kej10IwebB4qH2uJHl6GsVAsAy-KQ9nq9lidIRTBA4HYGkYoiqtbzQSNCDmnsSd7z51e4GwS6agHmBCiH4/s320/IMG_20171012_093828.jpg" width="243" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Merry Cemetery - famous for colorful tombstones with<br />
illustrated life stories of the deceased, Sapanta<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
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</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiur_BLsDISyTlm7myeAjq41libgkf0-dBuGYHSvVj3XOdKaqxCzD5vOMQXUlSXw_advXEhSIcVesbd_LhB06Hp1bEnZDg5DKwa7npiiAPo8q7EqShFnRlKJWZTDXeyz0Fl6Hu4P8cBOPrf/s1600/20171012095138.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1513" data-original-width="1135" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiur_BLsDISyTlm7myeAjq41libgkf0-dBuGYHSvVj3XOdKaqxCzD5vOMQXUlSXw_advXEhSIcVesbd_LhB06Hp1bEnZDg5DKwa7npiiAPo8q7EqShFnRlKJWZTDXeyz0Fl6Hu4P8cBOPrf/s320/20171012095138.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Home of Elie Wiesel, which has been<br />turned into a museum of<br />Jewish culture, Sighetu Marmatiei</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br />
Things I Learned:<br />
<ul>
<li>This dessert is really good</li>
</ul>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNLMvvHAYSDPmdNWgDXri5jJCEXV2sBS7Vy3pkoLKr37CCf3vDD8t2_qJyFULboAjybJtxHqgoPcFykQFc3mrA_AnulIewHhkYCahAHuxT4sYZLfCRSy858GJAbNjCGTwJTvJoM892CShj/s1600/IMG_20171012_205155.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1294" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNLMvvHAYSDPmdNWgDXri5jJCEXV2sBS7Vy3pkoLKr37CCf3vDD8t2_qJyFULboAjybJtxHqgoPcFykQFc3mrA_AnulIewHhkYCahAHuxT4sYZLfCRSy858GJAbNjCGTwJTvJoM892CShj/s320/IMG_20171012_205155.jpg" width="258" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chestnut puree from Cafe Bulgakov, Cluj-Napoca</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<ul>
<li>This dessert is really good</li>
</ul>
<div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEuvNnHo9KNLCHh9aae4YVDKVBO-rQ2eTnfKbM5jQW7cEDFB4rh4lc6HVCVS4vm_BX4Jx8KPyUG1zDxTxx_dcdBlK6Kkbs-92LQUGyEQkBljtkaf0LG-ot6bJYrgfR6tlnI0fsnmHZrAD3/s1600/IMG_20171022_204647_410.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEuvNnHo9KNLCHh9aae4YVDKVBO-rQ2eTnfKbM5jQW7cEDFB4rh4lc6HVCVS4vm_BX4Jx8KPyUG1zDxTxx_dcdBlK6Kkbs-92LQUGyEQkBljtkaf0LG-ot6bJYrgfR6tlnI0fsnmHZrAD3/s320/IMG_20171022_204647_410.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Papanasi- fried pastry with sweetened cheese and cherries</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<ul>
<li>This is an idea for my tombstone</li>
</ul>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggjmA6OCIq8JTAKFPyxp0yWdqpYunx79i0vptWgyfea6rkZaYDIdq3K7VClIy8RgghrzQ9ZuMfi7n-WkOZSwqKmiv_BGyxeIqms1gHaPILg607-tD2740DX6fPN8ypjzbVvPqbHmIcTUmE/s1600/IMG_20171012_093622.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1130" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggjmA6OCIq8JTAKFPyxp0yWdqpYunx79i0vptWgyfea6rkZaYDIdq3K7VClIy8RgghrzQ9ZuMfi7n-WkOZSwqKmiv_BGyxeIqms1gHaPILg607-tD2740DX6fPN8ypjzbVvPqbHmIcTUmE/s320/IMG_20171012_093622.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
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Terryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08243401127339944105noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4128833254970385939.post-16697569786842635142017-10-18T23:58:00.000-05:002017-10-19T01:26:11.707-05:00Bulgaria<div dir="ltr">
Bulgaria won my 2015 award for most surprisingly wonderful country and I couldn't wait to return. The first stop was Sophia and we immediately went to H&M to buy some warmer clothes. We visited the major attractions and went on the very interesting and very, very, very long Communist walking tour. The next day we took a trip to Rila Monastery, which was one of the highlights of my previous visit - it was just as wonderful the second time. There was enough time before the bus ride to Plovdiv to visit the Museum of Communist Art - all of Sophia's statutes from the Communist era and a big red star have been relocated to a sculpture park in the suburbs and there is a small museum showing propaganda films.</div>
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<b><br></b></div>
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<b>Sophia Synagogue</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZndBWaj-bBvBzp-dzpV2mMXVwVjEGROPwFMXwA52k2RdR0gh8GPzy3oKhu7u9P4xIwYvqX0btH53ZeA-I4iOvDIJaeDd0KkCsWLyIkRI7TmEvm4MMnH7DLMe_dPowLx_CFp8dbqzRmy25/s1600/IMG_20171002_101924.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1254" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZndBWaj-bBvBzp-dzpV2mMXVwVjEGROPwFMXwA52k2RdR0gh8GPzy3oKhu7u9P4xIwYvqX0btH53ZeA-I4iOvDIJaeDd0KkCsWLyIkRI7TmEvm4MMnH7DLMe_dPowLx_CFp8dbqzRmy25/s320/IMG_20171002_101924.jpg" width="250"></a></div>
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<br></div>
<div dir="ltr">
<b>Rila Monestary</b></div>
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<b><br></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP8I5KjJXmsOd9WyxAaMc5rJEwCddDWsLWa65FTOoG1TCIm1P6behwLIUiTd5LxecP5W9gloA-T9bSmAbW2ecjhI8hcPB7_J5DfMJqeAHO3xJXF5nC9fC2bQXuJvrjWHzS-kOTfHFMPwdy/s1600/IMG_3023.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP8I5KjJXmsOd9WyxAaMc5rJEwCddDWsLWa65FTOoG1TCIm1P6behwLIUiTd5LxecP5W9gloA-T9bSmAbW2ecjhI8hcPB7_J5DfMJqeAHO3xJXF5nC9fC2bQXuJvrjWHzS-kOTfHFMPwdy/s320/IMG_3023.JPEG" width="180"></a></div>
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<b><br></b></div>
<div dir="ltr">
<b>Figure it Out</b></div>
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<b><br></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div dir="ltr">
Plovdiv is the perfect place to just walk around and the weather was wonderful. We happened to be there on the first Thursday of the month which meant we could take advantage of "old people admitted to (almost) everything free" day. This allowed us to see the 3D (more like 2.5D) movie about Plovdiv's Roman stadium and walk around the inside of the Roman ampitheater. On our last morning we visited a church with beautiful Old Testament frescos.</div>
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<i><br></i></div>
<div dir="ltr">
<b>Example of Bulgarian National Revival mansion</b></div>
<div dir="ltr">
<b><br></b>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDtjGdXPr84gCqPwFnQODR3ryOjmJcjH9DFsX-ZOzzDSiND3Eu4ay-0JBr76fKG065mUeZ_1we-8X22SV2J-2GrOXEOoRgTOIm5miXU2X3Kz2l_RNpACg_sigm2f5qGSAO5HKvmfK5au7u/s1600/IMG_20171005_103502.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1149" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDtjGdXPr84gCqPwFnQODR3ryOjmJcjH9DFsX-ZOzzDSiND3Eu4ay-0JBr76fKG065mUeZ_1we-8X22SV2J-2GrOXEOoRgTOIm5miXU2X3Kz2l_RNpACg_sigm2f5qGSAO5HKvmfK5au7u/s320/IMG_20171005_103502.jpg" width="229"></a></div>
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<b>Sveta Marina Church frescos</b><br>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Wi9EsruiAHQyCg5HlRQSgHztuxEoJl_WsmbCrTehsIXYNoOc62cdWgjEzu0cV3v6opt_YtZ2paGIqnKEUji5nS72bkhyphenhyphennRakpKSbYZ4DMHyxUzAs7V3fbJwX0KaRm9HRJ-rWCzV_yKys/s1600/IMG_20171006_210902_906.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1206" data-original-width="1600" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Wi9EsruiAHQyCg5HlRQSgHztuxEoJl_WsmbCrTehsIXYNoOc62cdWgjEzu0cV3v6opt_YtZ2paGIqnKEUji5nS72bkhyphenhyphennRakpKSbYZ4DMHyxUzAs7V3fbJwX0KaRm9HRJ-rWCzV_yKys/s320/IMG_20171006_210902_906.jpg" width="320"></a></div>
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Our final stop in Bulgaria was Veliko Tarnovo, one of Bulgaria's s oldest cities. Unfortunately, it rained all day and we had to hang out in our hotel. We were able to do some shopping and take short walks but we missed seeing the fortress. Luckily, we had a beautiful room at a wonderful hotel with a nice lobby for sitting and reading.</div>
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<b>View from the Junior Suite, Hotel-Mehana Gurko</b><br>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRURQpwiXYT3v2b1QfwPh24VuGEiLkGgdfpI0DlXwQ4af_IStZwBNFUnvXWsY1x6qHcBOqmjQoZWBjTiJJBW26Dj2krbnyoK3NOOsCeDKSqlXxlc1CcEYToz3wI8eO0Ol7J4AWwRLkY1TX/s1600/IMG_20171006_174337.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1265" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRURQpwiXYT3v2b1QfwPh24VuGEiLkGgdfpI0DlXwQ4af_IStZwBNFUnvXWsY1x6qHcBOqmjQoZWBjTiJJBW26Dj2krbnyoK3NOOsCeDKSqlXxlc1CcEYToz3wI8eO0Ol7J4AWwRLkY1TX/s320/IMG_20171006_174337.jpg" width="252"></a></div>
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Things I Learned</div>
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<ul>
<li>Sophia has really great food. We had three wonderful meals, including burgers (veggie for me) at this place.</li>
</ul>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGSNtUWg2cZLxdksGg28O0QQXFjEZi3ED9eXY7tTx3kUaOP5MfoYCIQANAEPptntIrpSY_0KgJa_ZvFuOpurYxsqv9yVTWqexckxwu02pjVndFkCEiIXTK79p4F6FRp1eZlI9IxxXEmM_X/s1600/IMG_20171002_193051.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGSNtUWg2cZLxdksGg28O0QQXFjEZi3ED9eXY7tTx3kUaOP5MfoYCIQANAEPptntIrpSY_0KgJa_ZvFuOpurYxsqv9yVTWqexckxwu02pjVndFkCEiIXTK79p4F6FRp1eZlI9IxxXEmM_X/s320/IMG_20171002_193051.jpg" width="320"></a></div>
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<ul>
<li>There is always a line at Alex's in Plovdiv. Awesome chicken shawarma - two locations!</li>
</ul>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqFKIH5yJ1cOwHpOTkp9Xoatw4SoekLolONOl-VPo0OG6_2izRkJ5p7fmjnMPxWrs31E_DCk5mVAI8i0U3hJYiTJ0FF9iTodS86b3FtmpH5LEUKxrqyii9diHoZvz5EH1coaZ_NdVI9hiC/s1600/20171005114307.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1015" data-original-width="1485" height="218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqFKIH5yJ1cOwHpOTkp9Xoatw4SoekLolONOl-VPo0OG6_2izRkJ5p7fmjnMPxWrs31E_DCk5mVAI8i0U3hJYiTJ0FF9iTodS86b3FtmpH5LEUKxrqyii9diHoZvz5EH1coaZ_NdVI9hiC/s320/20171005114307.JPG" width="320"></a></div>
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<br>
<ul>
<li>I want to move to Sophia or Plovdiv or maybe to a small village outside of Veliko Tarnovo.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>There are always new things to see and do in a place you have previously visited.</li>
</ul>
</div>
Terryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08243401127339944105noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4128833254970385939.post-41598848309851054272017-10-07T05:22:00.001-05:002017-10-07T05:51:58.124-05:00Macedonia and Kosovo There is no direct route to Lake Ohrid, Macedonia from Tirana so we took a bus to a town just over the border and got a taxi to the lake - turned out to be easier than I thought. After our challenging hotel experience in Tirana it was nice to stay at a wonderful guest house complete with a terrace overlooking an 11th century church and the lake. The weather wasn't great so we skipped the boat ride and explored the town. Lots of interesting streets and churches to explore and a great dinner of freshly caught fish - a beautiful place to spend a couple of days.<br>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0-O1RnCOaIBHun6ghyphenhyphenQEKSNmpf8IoQICQlUi5hTovmj5FXC9MSErM-7Yoe3aOL6txiL2gV27s30gYYjdG5KNrl0Ykrl-lgIGhQmvWLVecnPS5IjzpKNnfLxWYJgRNPR9iskFcDhUsRKLn/s1600/IMG_20170924_155851.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="910" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0-O1RnCOaIBHun6ghyphenhyphenQEKSNmpf8IoQICQlUi5hTovmj5FXC9MSErM-7Yoe3aOL6txiL2gV27s30gYYjdG5KNrl0Ykrl-lgIGhQmvWLVecnPS5IjzpKNnfLxWYJgRNPR9iskFcDhUsRKLn/s320/IMG_20170924_155851.jpg" width="182"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Church of Sveti Jovan at Kaneo - everybody takes this picture</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq2hCasCIulwFeCummzz04NFHubhC5idTC9DxgTokRdCamimfl__nenYazN4qh5oOm0nS1w0c1AVP-Om8O2lKZp66gXH7w2dcPuuN0ZoPm5escoh2Khv6XkmLSOnSh4uVXTVamFn3hkEvn/s1600/IMG_20170925_140327.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq2hCasCIulwFeCummzz04NFHubhC5idTC9DxgTokRdCamimfl__nenYazN4qh5oOm0nS1w0c1AVP-Om8O2lKZp66gXH7w2dcPuuN0ZoPm5escoh2Khv6XkmLSOnSh4uVXTVamFn3hkEvn/s320/IMG_20170925_140327.jpg" width="320"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> View from Jovanovic Guesthouse</td></tr>
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Then it was off to Skopje, which thanks to the Skopje 2014 project, has tons of over-the-top statues, plazas, fountains, newly constructed building facades, etc. It is difficult to explain or show in photographs. We had to do the very long but very fun walking tour in order to begin to understand it all.<br>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4zMgW9h8udQEJnjZMRhTIF_tTwF_9ZbnNgmhTE7Auu9l6vSlfHOxx2AqmjrQZc2MdSAThDNAzB9a-lCMfCGA7coGMN7DR0WMzsxNARmqzZv5HQm0BqSnrC55PGZL0nbeSzqDkK5FugU7J/s1600/IMG_20170930_175129.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4zMgW9h8udQEJnjZMRhTIF_tTwF_9ZbnNgmhTE7Auu9l6vSlfHOxx2AqmjrQZc2MdSAThDNAzB9a-lCMfCGA7coGMN7DR0WMzsxNARmqzZv5HQm0BqSnrC55PGZL0nbeSzqDkK5FugU7J/s320/IMG_20170930_175129.jpg" width="213"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The official name of this statue is "Warrior on a Horse"</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizrHn7-A5RsjYgPnw2aOZHtN-Eyk0-8UgBrbK3qkGd_luJiaTbQ_gBdlJyjFSQstHCVY-ElcpvG-ZlDnNEpG6AcFPLL6cirkcj9AjKyDU_WAtAGK2kQOSYalwb7IkYCuznhFFSByi6xmAV/s1600/20170930173649.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1472" data-original-width="1050" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizrHn7-A5RsjYgPnw2aOZHtN-Eyk0-8UgBrbK3qkGd_luJiaTbQ_gBdlJyjFSQstHCVY-ElcpvG-ZlDnNEpG6AcFPLL6cirkcj9AjKyDU_WAtAGK2kQOSYalwb7IkYCuznhFFSByi6xmAV/s320/20170930173649.JPG" width="228"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Father of Warrior on a Horse"</td></tr>
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Kosovo was always on our itinerary but after reading this article <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2016/09/18/travel/the-medieval-monasteries-of-kosovo.html" target="_blank">https://www.nytimes.com/2016/09/18/travel/the-medieval-monasteries-of-kosovo.html</a><br>
we decided to visit both monasteries and skip the day trip to Prizren. We were able to take a taxi to Gracanica and we took two buses (and walked a total of two miles) to get to Visoki Decani. Both monasteries lived up to expectations. The frescos were amazing (no pictures allowed inside) and the settings were spectacular.<br>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7p0mE0xE8SbWGgKuTgEbYNJrvtel6em9s97S_JRgM70K4JOwqg8uJimia5Aqhk7y7jCo1AUe2sh1xp-GRFi3G8lKGEIf6peJJA66Pt7R97-9h4BLieR60TTG2jvMgfyIJj049UWkUoD9l/s1600/IMG_20170928_143911.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1150" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7p0mE0xE8SbWGgKuTgEbYNJrvtel6em9s97S_JRgM70K4JOwqg8uJimia5Aqhk7y7jCo1AUe2sh1xp-GRFi3G8lKGEIf6peJJA66Pt7R97-9h4BLieR60TTG2jvMgfyIJj049UWkUoD9l/s320/IMG_20170928_143911.jpg" width="230"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gracanica</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil9VIOQDOCTiZ1zVg012ZgFto4hLOsWGBu_ZVynx_juN3BhhBC7u3ONCZ2xv_m6jooZwqDtf4CFLI9q8qXM5Pz8QOgn56ISso4iVgufm9DYJ5rRyOHhAIWXkggqNE1oclizWuNNRJqhjbw/s1600/IMG_20170929_121803.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil9VIOQDOCTiZ1zVg012ZgFto4hLOsWGBu_ZVynx_juN3BhhBC7u3ONCZ2xv_m6jooZwqDtf4CFLI9q8qXM5Pz8QOgn56ISso4iVgufm9DYJ5rRyOHhAIWXkggqNE1oclizWuNNRJqhjbw/s320/IMG_20170929_121803.jpg" width="240"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Visoki Decani</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLSInC7eUWnk0_OTwqNhAqlB-naaotApIm8LZOyY5WPwwUBMrM_fE9l92CxxQvFwFlCZuTW3C5OxMEG74drLZX_SKPgRFXWJMAJVWzzVHc9ddj3wqz8aK0f4_8HoxAhne3WVLIaS9ss3s4/s1600/20170929135233.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1070" data-original-width="1087" height="314" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLSInC7eUWnk0_OTwqNhAqlB-naaotApIm8LZOyY5WPwwUBMrM_fE9l92CxxQvFwFlCZuTW3C5OxMEG74drLZX_SKPgRFXWJMAJVWzzVHc9ddj3wqz8aK0f4_8HoxAhne3WVLIaS9ss3s4/s320/20170929135233.JPG" width="320"></a></div>
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Visoki Decani</div>
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We spent our last morning in Kosovo at the Jewish Cemetery and then caught a bus back to Skopje for one more night and one more delicious meal.<br>
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Things I Learned:<br>
<ul>
<li>It is pronounced "Sko-pee-a"</li>
<li>The official name of Macedonia is the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.</li>
<li>The unofficial names of "Warrior on a Horse" and "Father of Warrior on a Horse".</li>
<li>I want to move to Peja, Kosovo.</li>
<li>Another term for sequins is sparkling elements (I actually learned that in Albania.)</li>
<li>Ajvar is really good.</li>
</ul>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2tdJu8eAzNz032j_KM_pK0KUlR_wCMRFXcnFZg_uengLpX0jTTL8HKJMTRz4Gpo5fX7JrW-TLiYSngZBfQ1GhlyOUNL4SdXiu-UhEuu8B-Ia-VeX6QN3GU_8LI1kJWubsIw1hEl8JdbvM/s1600/20170930095025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2tdJu8eAzNz032j_KM_pK0KUlR_wCMRFXcnFZg_uengLpX0jTTL8HKJMTRz4Gpo5fX7JrW-TLiYSngZBfQ1GhlyOUNL4SdXiu-UhEuu8B-Ia-VeX6QN3GU_8LI1kJWubsIw1hEl8JdbvM/s320/20170930095025.JPG" width="240"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Peppers for making ajvar<br><br></td></tr>
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Terryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08243401127339944105noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4128833254970385939.post-84330058911132978752017-09-28T08:58:00.000-05:002017-09-28T13:26:35.894-05:00AlbaniaI had no idea what to expect in Albania. I knew it was developing as a tourist destination, primarily for outdoor activities. I looked into hikes and treks in the Accursed Mountains (too many days, too difficult logistically, the name) and finally settled on a route that would take us from Montenegro to Shkoder, Albania and then on to the capital, Tirana.<br />
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Going through Shkoder was the easiest way to take a boat ride on Lake Komani, one of the most beautiful boat rides in either Europe or the world, depending upon which travel book you are reading. Of course it rained and the trip was cancelled. We spent the day exploring the city, visiting the tourist information office (at least three times), and hanging out at our incredible hotel. We visited Rozafa Fortress for a view of the city and the Site of Witness and Memory, an excellent museum depicting crimes committed by the Communist government.<br />
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Then it was off to Tirana for a couple of days. We took a day trip to Berat which is a UNESCO World Heritage site and walked around the neighborhood inside the castle walls before going into town for yet another burek at a beautiful restaurant on the river.<br />
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Highlights of our last day in Tirana:<br />
<ul>
<li>Bunk'Art 1, the largest anti-nuclear bunker built by the Communists, which has been turned into an excellent museum. We also visited Bunk'Art 2.</li>
<li>Exploring the city parks and neighborhoods and finding some weird traffic lights.</li>
<li>Realizing we only had to survive one more night at our hotel.</li>
</ul>
What I Learned:<br />
<ul>
<li>Having a spare tire is important but you also need the equipment necessary to remove the flat tire and put on the new one.</li>
<li>There are an incredible number of car washes and furniture stores in Albania.</li>
<li>When reviews of a hotel only mention how helpful and nice the owner is, there is probably something wrong with the rooms.</li>
</ul>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jail cells at the Site of Witness and Memory</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitnx3LfeG_fgp19UEhfbZtc6LCyM1h93QoQnI6lMzwzbfqyXLn52eV4DNJ3HiV9nej91ykK2C0OuegVgq57IYNkH4RXlh9gbUw_Y0UYVA9_6FxsqDtSAk85xn3guQ4ixWZZkPHzsCKduxL/s1600/IMG_20170921_203953_211.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1428" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitnx3LfeG_fgp19UEhfbZtc6LCyM1h93QoQnI6lMzwzbfqyXLn52eV4DNJ3HiV9nej91ykK2C0OuegVgq57IYNkH4RXlh9gbUw_Y0UYVA9_6FxsqDtSAk85xn3guQ4ixWZZkPHzsCKduxL/s320/IMG_20170921_203953_211.jpg" width="285" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Skanderbeg</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib7OrbXz-qhqFV8ssgcu3qUUfEzBqWx8LU4fibC-XzQfuXP5dSSZL1ITDOIx5zQRuAxNPo5VnkU9zzKwXN6Em7ZVUP0wcc_C9h51Tu6NYXuuhizAtYws83YBjjQnyD25ToJLL_EZaxyWUT/s1600/IMG_2729.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="947" data-original-width="1600" height="189" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib7OrbXz-qhqFV8ssgcu3qUUfEzBqWx8LU4fibC-XzQfuXP5dSSZL1ITDOIx5zQRuAxNPo5VnkU9zzKwXN6Em7ZVUP0wcc_C9h51Tu6NYXuuhizAtYws83YBjjQnyD25ToJLL_EZaxyWUT/s320/IMG_2729.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Walking around the castle in Berat</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdn6-dqqC7cnvuSTVCuCqaFWyQ0i-0HPHsDghHACreWD4B-lWvKPxEler_2nIV3eNyl0Qxx0xBCX8FrYfagVOLWnYWU2lwCsk6ED21v98sDOdCoXoGgYdTqZEgiZ2SevNonyA_rPBJfVvY/s1600/20170922122034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdn6-dqqC7cnvuSTVCuCqaFWyQ0i-0HPHsDghHACreWD4B-lWvKPxEler_2nIV3eNyl0Qxx0xBCX8FrYfagVOLWnYWU2lwCsk6ED21v98sDOdCoXoGgYdTqZEgiZ2SevNonyA_rPBJfVvY/s320/20170922122034.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Berat</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinTDV30Aflt-U1sE5gUmbDnxk81_Dxco2NUgd5d46zTYVh95nqxz2jcH2f9cySDma0GYIVw8WO4y-RkjSj3QaxOFH-vQ4XGJnnoNN8CXyZa0cexk-qRgbjTvTnPR50xoI-TeVrC899nGML/s1600/IMG_20170923_112836.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinTDV30Aflt-U1sE5gUmbDnxk81_Dxco2NUgd5d46zTYVh95nqxz2jcH2f9cySDma0GYIVw8WO4y-RkjSj3QaxOFH-vQ4XGJnnoNN8CXyZa0cexk-qRgbjTvTnPR50xoI-TeVrC899nGML/s320/IMG_20170923_112836.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bunk'Art 1</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0H_ypFzO1DLZnqColNIQYBfV1z7xVEGAtFk56W571hISuGKH7aMC9piHtlPt5zzXbVoyAbqIfu3fQ85b9RfgRBVM_kL-mRhhu8Dh7-Q5-GQNCQG8mb8B79kvYk8GTN06Ood5Afx7pGRZ1/s1600/VID_20170920_192123.mp4" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0H_ypFzO1DLZnqColNIQYBfV1z7xVEGAtFk56W571hISuGKH7aMC9piHtlPt5zzXbVoyAbqIfu3fQ85b9RfgRBVM_kL-mRhhu8Dh7-Q5-GQNCQG8mb8B79kvYk8GTN06Ood5Afx7pGRZ1/s320/VID_20170920_192123.mp4" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I could eat this every day for the rest of my life.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Terryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08243401127339944105noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4128833254970385939.post-54676672047227511222017-09-19T10:21:00.000-05:002017-09-19T10:28:28.142-05:00Bosnia and Montenegro<div dir="ltr">
No rain in Sarajevo this trip so I really got to enjoy the city. The first morning we met up with a street art photographer. We saw some amazing art, visited some unusual buildings, and heard wonderful stories about the artists and the city. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr">
We also took a day trip to Sutjeska National Park and hiked five hours (round trip) to Lake Trnovacko. The scenery was magnificent but the hike was not easy - narrow paths with steep drop-offs, huge loose rocks, etc. I am still having trouble believing I made it the whole way without falling.</div>
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<br /></div>
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For logistical reasons we decided to go from Sarajevo to Montenegro through Mostar. It gave us a chance to take a fabulous train ride on a brand new train (outlets, WiFi and movies!) and make our second visit to Mostar's famous bridge. The train ride was fantastic but Mostar was absolutely packed with people attending a Red Bull diving contest. We couldn't wait to leave.<br />
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Our base in Montenegro was Kotor. We spent three days wandering around the old cities of Kotor, Perast, and Budva. The fresh fish was delicious and the scenery was incredible.<br />
<br />
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<b>What I Learned</b></div>
<div dir="ltr">
Follow travel advice. For example, always keep an extra credit card in your main suitcase, never put your wallet in the outside pocket of your backpack, and take special care when traveling on public transportation. If you don't, a really creepy guy might bump into you on the tram and steal your wallet on the <b>first</b> day of your vacation. Then you would have to visit the US Embassy to start the paperwork to get a new passport, cancel your credit cards (and not have a spare) and deal with the police. If you are lucky you might get an email like this:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLzKaLlyHynCUtc5SL0TVsDB5xCsUCZNqzKg62HmwqmYdrsdND6NnJpKaKCTygazKQX3b_ZhTdwLBY2B3m99Ji9rt_Ap6IsblFFmYIDJJslPSj5stbLVLNDYIE_JF7XaaogPqdwmWe1t6w/s1600/Screenshot_20170916-221541.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="497" data-original-width="1440" height="110" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLzKaLlyHynCUtc5SL0TVsDB5xCsUCZNqzKg62HmwqmYdrsdND6NnJpKaKCTygazKQX3b_ZhTdwLBY2B3m99Ji9rt_Ap6IsblFFmYIDJJslPSj5stbLVLNDYIE_JF7XaaogPqdwmWe1t6w/s320/Screenshot_20170916-221541.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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I got back everything but the cash but unfortunately all of the credit cards had been cancelled. My sister Susan is now paying for everything and hoping I pay her back when we get home.</div>
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Buregdzinica Bosna still has the best burek in Bosnia and perhaps the world.</div>
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When you are 65, a hike rated as moderate is not.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwxaKjmdYTOOLdKH0zKNEhN0tjIFGTtv-4gCue8qfqhfkUloSw_0kDaDRdIWQBCsFiayPFWnUpZozHlnu99BDn-D2TusMkh2PmbjbxitzaQ3zZjNN_lziZqc47468WNQXRamn4JUgnY2vM/s1600/20170911100803.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1412" data-original-width="1008" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwxaKjmdYTOOLdKH0zKNEhN0tjIFGTtv-4gCue8qfqhfkUloSw_0kDaDRdIWQBCsFiayPFWnUpZozHlnu99BDn-D2TusMkh2PmbjbxitzaQ3zZjNN_lziZqc47468WNQXRamn4JUgnY2vM/s320/20170911100803.JPG" width="228" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sarajevo street art<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-pKsrv27dJLB0GMbOmB-fYj2L67XlDdKcvTx8naLKTYYgWRLde3WhA1JcqUO5Rimuf7tvFY4eyD2b9oZgZjj-h7rFZd3mklrVoNVjRevfLGFZqA5S8UrjEuJXRxp1oc0OJ6pUtBpFfMfg/s1600/FullSizeRender.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1001" data-original-width="1009" height="317" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-pKsrv27dJLB0GMbOmB-fYj2L67XlDdKcvTx8naLKTYYgWRLde3WhA1JcqUO5Rimuf7tvFY4eyD2b9oZgZjj-h7rFZd3mklrVoNVjRevfLGFZqA5S8UrjEuJXRxp1oc0OJ6pUtBpFfMfg/s320/FullSizeRender.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Hiking</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQQ8SVmtaqg4xYnkF9MxSVNab9Fj5U9NHVm2jSeCZkmE2xcPBfMKPz4BflO2h6VU-yIRAS-xVYr4cXZBFEVpQ8kd1m4xL05FhzbOib77MJIAi7J0wPJawO0VQrOqDOOpk_Ywy60-e0jY9O/s1600/IMG_20170917_105632.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1419" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQQ8SVmtaqg4xYnkF9MxSVNab9Fj5U9NHVm2jSeCZkmE2xcPBfMKPz4BflO2h6VU-yIRAS-xVYr4cXZBFEVpQ8kd1m4xL05FhzbOib77MJIAi7J0wPJawO0VQrOqDOOpk_Ywy60-e0jY9O/s320/IMG_20170917_105632.jpg" width="283" /></a></div>
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Perast and Budva</div>
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Terryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08243401127339944105noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4128833254970385939.post-19920596864899779772017-09-08T18:13:00.000-05:002017-09-10T03:40:59.977-05:00Retirement<div dir="ltr">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">To
commemorate my semi-retirement, I prepared this handy summary chart
of how my life has changed.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br></span></div>
<table border="1" bordercolor="#000000" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" style="width: 100%px;">
<colgroup><col width="128*">
<col width="128*">
</colgroup><tbody>
<tr valign="TOP">
<td width="50%"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Pre-Retirement</b></span></span></td>
<td width="50%"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Post-Retirement</b></span></span></td>
</tr>
<tr valign="TOP">
<td width="50%"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Spent
hours researching school supply ads from Walmart and Target and
planning multiple shopping trips to each store, based on perceived
need, price, and convenience all while factoring in Dollar Tree
alternatives. </span></span>
</span></td>
<td width="50%"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I went to Target twice and did not visit Wal Mart.</span></td>
</tr>
<tr valign="TOP">
<td width="50%"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Cleaned my
city-supplied garbage cans once in a while or at the first sign of
maggots.</span></td>
<td width="50%"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Cleaned my
city-supplied garbage cans every other week.</span></td>
</tr>
<tr valign="TOP">
<td width="50%"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Spent a lot of
time sitting on my porch reading in between bouts of gardening and
cleaning.</span></td>
<td width="50%"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Spent a lot of
time sitting on my porch reading in between bouts of gardening,
cleaning, and trip planning.</span></td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I
have been planning a trip to Eastern and Southern Europe (using the
United Nations definitions) or Eastern Europe (using almost everyone
else's definition). This time I will be traveling with my sister. I
am returning to Romania and Bulgaria, two of the places I went to in
2015, and visiting countries I missed on the first trip. </span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I
have made changes:</span></span></div>
<ul>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Convertible
wheeled backpack</b> - My beautiful, four-wheeled French suitcase is
staying home - it is way too heavy and hard to maneuver on
cobblestone streets.</span></span></div>
</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Hiking
poles – </b>hopefully these will
reduce the chance of ankle breakage.</span></div>
</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Allrounders</b>
– A birthday present from my cousins David and Shirley - perfect
for hiking.</span></div>
</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Belt
- </b>Although my Bulgarian and Romanian language skills range from
poor to non-existent, I am fairly certain I heard people saying
“Don't they sell belts in the United States?” when I would pass
them in the street.</span></div>
</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Everlast
Notebook – </b>This is a
notebook with erasable pages. Once the notebook is full, I can use
an app to scan the pages and send them to Google Drive, Gmail,
Evernote, etc. Beside the fact that I won't have to worry about
losing my trip notebook, I can use different colored inks, always a
plus. I realize this sounds overally complicated but I find it hard
to resist Indiegogo.</span></div>
</li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I will be posting as I go -- thanks for reading (sorry about the font issues).</span><br>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br></span>
<br>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIBUcCbp-OgHt6fi_6CZQm8Cw35eJhi-GFbMex-az_OE1elr137oCtbJSonoOt1UlvcmMqwdloEkMuJby2waHd2zm1Ky_R3tjGiUCz2aJt4-j78GcHYMQQLS4qcLdoW2BXKTEtyMKFjfTg/s1600/IMG_20170907_165940.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1245" data-original-width="1600" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIBUcCbp-OgHt6fi_6CZQm8Cw35eJhi-GFbMex-az_OE1elr137oCtbJSonoOt1UlvcmMqwdloEkMuJby2waHd2zm1Ky_R3tjGiUCz2aJt4-j78GcHYMQQLS4qcLdoW2BXKTEtyMKFjfTg/s320/IMG_20170907_165940.jpg" width="320"></span></a></div>
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Terryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08243401127339944105noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4128833254970385939.post-82571510875591334162016-12-13T20:02:00.000-06:002016-12-13T20:11:50.592-06:00Iceland<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Iceland!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">On a family member's bucket list - the Northern Lights. Iceland is a great place to see the Northern Lights and Icelandair has some really affordable package tours. I had a break in my school schedule so I invited myself to go along with two family members and a family friend.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Our package tour included a Northern Lights boat ride and a trip to the Blue Lagoon. We added a Northern Lights "hunt" by van and a trip to the Golden Circle. </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">You have to be very lucky to see the Northern Lights and we were able to see them on our first night (they were not visible the other nights we were there).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">My sister took these pictures. The camera captures much more color than you can actually see - the lights looked white to me. The stars were incredible too - an amazing night.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I almost sat out the Blue Lagoon - something about the combination of wearing a bathing suit, darkness, cold, and freezing rain made me want to stay inside but I am really glad I went in the water. It was warm once you got in and being able to drink a beer while "bathing" was a nice touch. Fortunately the rumors about communal showering and cleanliness inspections are not true. (No cameras so there is no visual record of my visit.)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The worst weather of the trip was on the day of our Golden Circle tour. There are three main stops on the tour -</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Thingvellir National Park - two of us took a short hike up to a small waterfall.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Geysir -- all of us got to see Geysir erupt (sort of)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Gullfoss Waterfall</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">It was a fun day despite the weather and we were probably better off taking a tour than staying in town and being confined to our hotel rooms. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Other activities included lots of shopping (very few purchases because of the prices) and a visit to the Reykjavik Art Museum where we saw a very entertaining exhibit by Yoko Ono. My sister and I also went to see Bjork's virtual reality exhibition at the Harpa Concert Hall, a really amazing building. Our final stop was the Icelandic Phallological Museum. Google it if you want more information.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Iceland is:</span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Only a six hour non-stop flight from Chicago.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Affordable if you don't eat anything other than the free breakfast at your hotel. We heard the food was expensive but it is <u>really</u> expensive. It is hard to have lunch for under $25 per person and the large two topping, vegetarian pizza we had for our Thanksgiving dinner was $34. The best bargain - $8.80 for two beers during happy hour at our hotel bar. The food is really good and we had fantastic fish at the Fishmarket and at Sea Baron. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The most organized place I have ever visited - there are lots of tourists everywhere but all of the major attractions are well-run and everything is very efficient.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Very dark in the winter. We averaged about five and a half hours of daylight during the five days we were there - I don't know how I would be able to handle it if I spent the entire winter there. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Not too cold and snowy, at least in Reykjavik, but we had a lot of wind, rain, and sleet almost everyday -- I would love to go back in the spring or summer and see more of the country.</span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<ul>
</ul>
<br />Terryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08243401127339944105noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4128833254970385939.post-55093641242966035922016-07-19T19:02:00.000-05:002022-07-25T05:56:36.415-05:00New England<div style="text-align: center;">
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I had a meeting in New England and decided to combine it with a visit to family, some hiking, and a trip to Boston. I also tried out some new travel clothes in preparation for my next trip to Europe (I decided to stick with ExOfficio and Helly Hansen).</div>
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<b>Northampton, Massachusetts</b><br>
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I had a wonderful visit with my cousin in Northampton. I spent a day exploring the town, shopping, and eating at every local bakery. A great way to start my vacation, topped off with a trip to Fenway Park to see the White Sox play the Red Sox. The best part of the four and a half hour White Sox loss was this (which as far as I know is only available at Fenway Park):<br>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Popcorn with Cheetos flavoring mixed with Cheetos</td></tr>
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<b>North Woodstock, New Hampshire (White Mountains)</b><br>
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Family visit aside, my trip to the White Mountains was the best part of my vacation. I stayed at the Notch Hostel, a fantastic place which caters to hikers on the Appalachian Trail. I went on a couple of beautiful hikes, visited the Flume George, and spent my evenings learning about hiking on the AT from Magoo and MR (not their real names - AT hikers adopt trail names). Other than my visit to Polly's Pancakes, I didn't pay for a meal because departing hikers had left behind an amazing amount of uneaten food and leftover beer.<br>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cascade Park - North Woodstock, New Hampshire</td></tr>
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Polly's Pancake Parlor (Sugar Hill, New Hampshire) was another highlight. I ordered a sampler of six pancakes - you get to mix and match the batter and add-ins. The best part is that they cook the first three and when you've finished, they cook the next three so nothing gets cold. Great food.<br>
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<b>Portland, Maine</b><br>
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The old port section of town is pretty nice and I found this wonderful museum. I've heard the seafood is outstanding. <br>
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<b><br></b>
<b>Boston</b><br>
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I attended summer school in Boston 46 years ago. The only places that looked familiar were Fenway Park, my dorm, Harvard Square, Harvard Yard, and this place - the first bar I ever visited.<br>
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I spent two days walking around the city eating and wishing I had gone to New York. <br>
<b><br></b>
<b>Other Outstanding Food</b><br>
<ul>
<li>Doughnuts at Tart Bakery, Northampton</li>
<li>Herrell's Ice Cream, Northampton</li>
<li>Beer selection at Jacob Wirth, Boston</li>
<li>Cannoli at Bova's Bakery, Boston</li>
<li>Gelato at Gorgeous Gelato, Portland</li>
</ul>
<b>Things I Learned</b><br>
<ul>
<li>I never need to return to Boston.</li>
<li>I think I could handle hiking the Appalachian Trail for a couple of days if I don't have to pick a trail name.</li>
</ul>
Terryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08243401127339944105noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4128833254970385939.post-31078065827019450852016-01-03T16:22:00.000-06:002022-07-25T05:56:41.938-05:00By the Numbers/Summing It Up<div dir="ltr">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This is the final blog post for this trip - thanks for reading.</span><br>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Countries Visited:</span></b><br>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Germany (transit only)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Slovenia </span><br>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Croatia </span><br>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Italy (24 hours)</span><br>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Hungary (24 hours)</span><br>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Romania</span><br>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Serbia</span><br>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Bosnia and Herzegovina </span><br>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Bulgaria</span><br>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Turkey </span><br>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Israel</span><br>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Jordan </span><br>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Things Lost:</span></b><br>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Two pairs of Target earrings</span><br>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">One bottle of contact lens solution </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br></span>
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Miscellaneous:</span></b><br>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Number of days traveling - 121</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Amount of time lost to illness - four hours</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Best hostels - Hostel Bongo (Belgrade, Serbia) and Hostel Old Plovdiv (Plovdiv, Bulgaria)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Nicest and most helpful hostel staff - Hostel Tivoli (Ljubljana, Slovenia) and Hostel Franz Ferdinand - Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Most interesting city - Sarajevo</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Most surprisingly wonderful city - Rovinj, Croatia</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Most surprisingly wonderful country - Bulgaria</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Country I would move to tomorrow - Turkey</span></li>
</ul>
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Transportation:</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">11 trains</span><br>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">11 buses</span><br>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Five minivans</span><br>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Nine flights (total minutes late - 65, total minutes early - 66)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>I should have:</b></span><br>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Given up on my plan to only use public transportation and rented a car in Romania.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Not brought so much stuff. I had a complete first aid kit (including syringes, cloth bandages, athletic tape, 100 alcohol wipes, etc.) which stayed in my suitcase the entire time. I could have bought anything I needed.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Found another volunteer opportunity. I was very tired at the end of my trip and I think I would have benefited from spending more time in one location.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Not gone back to work so soon after I returned.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Brought more Pepto Bismol</span></li>
</ul>
<b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I never thought the following words would ever come out of my mouth:</b><br>
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<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I don't think I'm getting enough sleep.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I don't think I'm eating enough.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Where is the H&M store?</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Can I get that without the cheese?</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I like staying in hostels.</span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Some pictures from the village of Csikszentsimon, Romania where I volunteered at a local school:</span><br>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpQf9wAclTQzZtadnczQ-AOJj-0_34BoNk2He-zhn8BcM1iBrhZJyPuJj7ZW7Nfx0ip52p-xYEfK0mpnk5C-Rvp4-wPzwAZnRhZyuZ7cYsCTwrNhTwSqLZ6umIOBuX3_SuZDkDWktjanVi/s1600/20150930_131511.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpQf9wAclTQzZtadnczQ-AOJj-0_34BoNk2He-zhn8BcM1iBrhZJyPuJj7ZW7Nfx0ip52p-xYEfK0mpnk5C-Rvp4-wPzwAZnRhZyuZ7cYsCTwrNhTwSqLZ6umIOBuX3_SuZDkDWktjanVi/s400/20150930_131511.jpg" width="225"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">(Full disclosure - this picture was taken in a different village)</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">In addition to learning about the US flag, we made hand turkeys.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjiCmXMeccC-S9vT5cid4FQjAcs3fWY3KY-9djDFaOiiePcon5PW8xJgeH9enP6IGY1fkYwPXR4wq3pi2R566e6QtlNozXj47j1TSFQ28NTGgM08EnmmYJY1C6Y8rOdXVMbY5w62mEwpRQ/s1600/IMG_0482+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjiCmXMeccC-S9vT5cid4FQjAcs3fWY3KY-9djDFaOiiePcon5PW8xJgeH9enP6IGY1fkYwPXR4wq3pi2R566e6QtlNozXj47j1TSFQ28NTGgM08EnmmYJY1C6Y8rOdXVMbY5w62mEwpRQ/s320/IMG_0482+%25282%2529.jpg" width="320"></a> <br>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I laughed every time I saw one of these lights - watch until the end. </span><br>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/yckOJPjyZzI/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/yckOJPjyZzI?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe><br>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">One more from Wadi Rum, Jordan</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Finally, thanks to the many, many people who helped me with my suitcase.</span><br>
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Terryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08243401127339944105noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4128833254970385939.post-35440374777848889372015-12-15T19:33:00.001-06:002015-12-15T19:34:29.511-06:00Food<div dir="ltr">
I wrote down pretty much everything I ate during my trip. Some highlights.<br />
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Pancakes with mountain berry jam (Ljubljana, Slovenia).</div>
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A slice of authentic Bled cream cake - don't be fooled by imitations (Park Restaurant and Cafe in Lake Bled, Slovenia).</div>
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Small plates at Male Madlane, a restaurant located in an apartment overlooking the Adriatic Sea (Rovinj, Croatia).</div>
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Plum dumplings (Brasov, Romania)</div>
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Covrigi - pretzels sprinkled with sesame or poppy seeds. There are places selling these everywhere Romania, along with gogosi, doughnuts stuffed with various sweet and savory fillings. Covrigi and gogosi stuffed with cheese were the mainstays of my diet in Romania (Gare du Nord, Bucharest, Romania). </div>
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Cheese wrapped in tree bark (Farmers' market in Sibiu, Romania).</div>
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Cheese burek with yogurt. I ate burek in every country and I ate it at least four times a week. This was the best (Buregdzinica Bosna Restaurant in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina).</div>
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Popcorn and corn in a cup are available everywhere in Serbia and Bulgaria (Varna, Bulgaria).</div>
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There are coffee machines on every block in the Balkans and the coffee is surprisingly good</div>
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(Varna, Bulgaria).</div>
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Shopska salad, the national dish of Bulgaria - feta-like cheese (and lots of it), tomatoes, cucumbers, and onions (Dayana Restaurant in Plovdiv, Bulgaria).</div>
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Fresh squeezed pomegranate juice (Goreme, Turkey)</div>
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Gozleme - pancakes filled with cheese (Nazar Borek and Cafe in Goreme, Turkey).</div>
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Katmer - griddled pastry filled with kaymak (similar to clotted cream) and sprinkled with pistachios (Serger Bakery in Istanbul, Turkey).</div>
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I first tried khachapuri, a pastry filled with white Georgian cheese, in Uzbekistan and I loved this version (Khachapuria Bakery in Jerusalem, Israel).</div>
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A wonderful meal of katayef - pancakes stuffed with white cheese or walnuts and cinnamon (Dewan al-Saraya Old City Abu Ashraf Restaurant in Nazareth, Israel)</div>
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Sabich - an absolutely fantastic sandwich invented in Israel. Lightly fried eggplant, chopped hardboiled eggs and all sorts of spreads and seasonings (near the Mahane Yehuda Market in Jerusalem, Israel).</div>
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Terryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08243401127339944105noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4128833254970385939.post-11589782947148029672015-12-02T19:32:00.001-06:002015-12-02T20:02:44.040-06:00Israel and Jordan <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Israel was a last minute addition to my itinerary so I hadn't done any planning or research. I decided to base myself in Jerusalem and take advantage of the great tours offered by my otherwise horrible hostel. I had six full days in Jerusalem and I spent a lot of time in the Old City -- shopping and eating in the Muslim Quarter (I was turned away from the Temple Mount*), touring the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in the Christian Quarter, and visiting the Western Wall in the Jewish Quarter. The Israel Museum was wonderful - a building devoted to archaeological history, a series of aluminum sculptures depicting events in human history, amazing art, a sculpture garden and the Dead Sea scrolls. I also found time to visit the Holocaust Museum twice, walk around Machane Yehuda Market, and explore some of Jerusalem's neighborhoods.</div>
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Since Israel is so small, I was able to see a lot of the country on day trips. One day I visited Masada at sunrise, hiked in the Ein Gedi nature reserve, and then went for a swim in the Dead Sea. Another day I visited Nazareth and the impressive Church of the Annunciation and Caesarea, the ruins of a city built by Herod on the Mediterranean Sea. We ended the day with a visit to the Jordan River and what may have been the site of the baptism of Jesus (there are several places along the Jordan River in both Israel and Jordan that claim to be the site).</div>
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In the middle of all the sightseeing in Israel, I took a three day trip to Jordan. The ancient city of Petra is the main attraction but my tour also included the ruins of Jerash, the Amman citadel, and a truck tour of Wadi Rum, the desert made famous by Lawrence of Arabia. Jordan was amazing and well worth a second visit - its hard not to feel rushed in Petra, especially on a tour, and it would have been awesome to spend the night in Wadi Rum. I would love to go back.<br />
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* I had some safety concerns but I never felt unsafe. There was very heavy, very visible security in Jerusalem and frequent checkpoints along the highways in Israel and Jordan. Although Jordan has not had any recent terrorism incidents, we were accompanied by an armed policeman wherever we went.<br />
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Things I Learned<br />
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<ul>
<li>Cell phones in the Middle East do not have vibrate or mute functions.</li>
<li>Nigerians are the friendliest tourists in the whole world.</li>
<li>Israel and Jordan are very expensive. My food costs quadrupled.</li>
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Israel Museum - aluminum sculptures by Zadok Ben-David from "Evolution and Theory"</div>
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Hiking in Ein-Gedi</div>
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Military band in Jerash, Jordan</div>
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Jerash</div>
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Citadel in Amman, Jordan </div>
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Petra - the Treasury</div>
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Wadi Rum - <i>The Martian</i> was filmed here</div>
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When I was little I brought a dime to Sunday school each week so that I could plant a tree in Israel. This is the tree I planted! Although you can't see it, there is a plaque on the tree trunk with my name on it.</div>
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Petra in the movies</div>
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Terryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08243401127339944105noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4128833254970385939.post-35915164859019421772015-11-09T11:53:00.001-06:002015-11-23T12:54:38.354-06:00Turkey <p dir="ltr"><br>
I was told I would love Turkey and I really, really did. I'm already planning my next trip. </p>
<p dir="ltr">Istanbul was amazing. I saw the major attractions - Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace, Aya Sofya, Basilica Cistern, Suleymaniye Mosque - as well as two museums I probably would not have visited if I hadn't wanted to get the most out of my Istanbul museum card.* The Great Place Mosaic Museum and the Archeology Museum were wonderful and I am now obsessed with mosaics (and the wooden houses on Buyukada Island and other areas of Istanbul).</p>
<p dir="ltr">In addition to the tourist attractions, Istanbul is a really fun city to explore. There are great neighborhoods full of shops and cafes and public transportation is easy and inexpensive. My cousin Rachel gave me a tour of the Grand Bazaar and helped me buy a couple of things.** I could have spent a week just walking around.</p>
<p dir="ltr">On top of all that there is the food. My cousins took me to a meyhane (Turkish tavern) for a delicious dinner and I tried raki, similar to ouzo but much more refreshing, melon with white cheese, mezes, and perfectly grilled fish. The food is freshly prepared and inexpensive and I tried pretty much everything that didn't have red meat or pork. Stay tuned for a separate blog post devoted to food.</p>
<p dir="ltr">After a week in Istanbul, I flew to Cappadocia and spent almost four days exploring. Cappadocia has beautiful landscapes, underground cities, rock-cut churches, and pigeon houses. I went on a balloon ride (without pharmaceutical assistance!), hiked, ate, shopped, enjoyed a traditional Turkish bath, and hung out at my fantastic cave hotel.</p><p dir="ltr">-------------------------------</p><p dir="ltr">*Thriftiness pays!</p><p dir="ltr">
** I am so bad at bargaining that my picture is posted all over India with the caption "Charge her as much as you want, she'll pay."</p>
<p dir="ltr">Things I Learned</p>
<p dir="ltr">• The number one attraction in Istanbul is my cousin Baby Esther. Thanks to Esther and her parents for hosting me and putting up with me.<br>
• The correct way to drink raki - fill your raki glass half way with raki. Add cold water and an ice cube. Enjoy!<br>
• Pigeon droppings make excellent fertilizer.<br>
• In almost every country I've visited kindergarten students are called zeros, i.e., "What grade do you teach? " "I teach the zeros."</p><p dir="ltr"> Aya Sofya</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_heHOjWQsamsxXC8azE4GItv_zdGvtLBLURLQYLRRPq4db5xuHwZrIjNcDIGdO5cClIhNI9t97WbcxcvNKP5XSJx0TRk5xIxfPvef1SsVL2vErSJylb7C_pELdT6pNIhjviW4eI-sLz2n/s1600/20151027124743.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_heHOjWQsamsxXC8azE4GItv_zdGvtLBLURLQYLRRPq4db5xuHwZrIjNcDIGdO5cClIhNI9t97WbcxcvNKP5XSJx0TRk5xIxfPvef1SsVL2vErSJylb7C_pELdT6pNIhjviW4eI-sLz2n/s640/20151027124743.JPG"> </a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Mosaic from the floor of the Great Palace</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPqkNZvK3CH5qnxif_yNXNaxOTgc-XK-b9pINX4GOPGVczhNQcfamPjpaI6yZI7mHcM9Zc366yQ81bTL6vQbBiKCE54wpLx0DP1vkXCaoQ3Miu0zn1jflhLhyphenhypheny4xPK4uvUG2-zXVVPfr3X/s1600/20151030103031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; 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text-align: center;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">My room is the one on the bottom</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz9Sv6__9NTtjo7PfZQ4wfG2xrucX2DRnONyShwkZjBc1A1X9CLXOo0l5TGxmnYXzANC5C7CZq-LTcI5aEs2s8dJMuWmIqV5bjp2n0VQlmw_yEjEui0-38TZvIggKnS664uaAbE0-vXBZy/s1600/20151123_163905.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz9Sv6__9NTtjo7PfZQ4wfG2xrucX2DRnONyShwkZjBc1A1X9CLXOo0l5TGxmnYXzANC5C7CZq-LTcI5aEs2s8dJMuWmIqV5bjp2n0VQlmw_yEjEui0-38TZvIggKnS664uaAbE0-vXBZy/s640/20151123_163905.jpg"> </a> </div>Terryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08243401127339944105noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4128833254970385939.post-21655108436619051772015-11-04T09:16:00.001-06:002015-11-04T09:16:27.428-06:00Bulgaria <div dir="ltr">
Just before I left, I decided to skip Albania and Macedonia and go to Israel instead. That meant I didn't have to rush through Bulgaria to get to Turkey. My main objective in Bulgaria was to visit the Rila Monastery outside of Sofia and it was one of the highlights of my trip. Sofia was nice but in retrospect I should have done a hiking trip around the Monastery instead of spending three days in the city. </div>
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My next stop was Plovdiv and even though I had to drag my ridiculous suitcase up a steep hill on the most cobblestoned street in the world, the minute I walked into the hostel I decided to extend my stay. Plovdiv is full of craft shops, art gallaries, beautifully restored homes, and Roman ruins. My hostel was located in a renovated house built in 1868 and it was one of my favorite hostels.</div>
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My last night in Plovdiv I heard about the "UFO", an abandoned communist structure built in 1981 as a monument/meeting facility. My hostel in Veliko Tarnovo (also located in an 1860's rennovated building) organized trips to the UFO so I signed up and hoped that enough other people would want to go. In the meantime I explored Veliko Tarnovo which was an ancient capitol of Bulgaria. Another city built on hills with a wonderful fortress which was fun to explore even in the rain. The murals in the main church were fantastic. </div>
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The hostel was unable to organize the UFO trip so four of us got together and rented a car. It was so foggy and rainy we almost drove right by the building. It is forbidden to enter the structure but there is a small opening in the fence that a person can climb through to gain access. The structure has not been maintained and the interior mosaics of the faces of various Communist leaders have deteriorated. Most of the marble has also been removed and there are holes in the roof. It was absolutely amazing and I am glad I got to see it before it totally falls apart. <br /></div>
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My last stop in Bulgaria was Varna, a city located on the Black Sea with great bus access to Istanbul. The beach and parks were really beautiful and it was a great place to relax before going to Turkey.</div>
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Things I Learned</div>
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• Bulgaria doesn't use the Russian alphabet - Russia uses the Bulgarian alphabet. <br />
• Pepto Bismol is not sold in Europe. <br />
• It is much better to take the train in Bulgaria.</div>
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More information the UFO:</div>
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<a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3064172/Eerie-drone-footage-captures-Bulgaria-s-UFO-shaped-Buzludzha-Monument.html#v-4208559572001">http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3064172/Eerie-drone-footage-captures-Bulgaria-s-UFO-shaped-Buzludzha-Monument.html#v-4208559572001</a></div>
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Rila Monastery</div>
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Frescos - Rila Monastery</div>
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Roman Amphitheatre - Plovdiv </div>
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19th Century Baroque House - Plovdiv</div>
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Church Mural - Veliko Tarnovo</div>
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UFO (since it is forbidden to enter the building, I used my imagination to take these pictures)</div>
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Black Sea - Varna</div>
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Terryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08243401127339944105noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4128833254970385939.post-6099800121433636092015-10-11T05:40:00.001-05:002015-10-22T09:34:29.334-05:00Belgrade and Sarajevo <br /><div dir="ltr">
Sarajevo was on my "must see" list but it is difficult to get there from Romania and complicated* to get from Sarajevo to Sofia, Bulgaria, my next stop. I decided it was easier to go Belgrade-Sarajevo-Belgrade and then catch the night train to Sofia. Public transportation between Belgrade and Sarajevo is also complicated and most people take a shared minivan. It is more expensive but quicker (it is still a five-six hour drive) and you get picked up and dropped off at your hotel. The only bad part was the ride back from Sarajevo at night in the pouring rain.</div>
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Belgrade is known for being a big party city but I skipped the partying and visited the Kalemegdan Citadel and the Tesla Museum. The weather was awful but I managed to do a lot of walking and window shopping in the "hip and historic" neighborhoods.</div>
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Sarajevo was fantastic. It is a city with a lot of history and understandably most museums and tours focus on the 1992-1996 siege and the Srebencia genocide. All my guides and most of the local people I met lived through the siege and their personal stories were very moving.</div>
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The National Museum had just reopened after being closed for three years due to lack of an agreement on funding and I was lucky to get a chance to see the famous Sarajevo Haggadah, even if it was through a locked glass door.**</div>
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* Complicated is defined as (i) one or more bus changes and/or (ii) leaving in the middle of the night. </div>
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** The Sarajevo Haggadah has a fascinating history. Read more about it here <a href="http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2007/12/03/the-book-of-exodus">www.newyorker.com/magazine/2007/12/03/the-book-of-exodus</a></div>
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Things I Learned:</div>
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● There is no such thing as being too close to the car in front of you. </div>
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● The warp and weft process in weaving is considered to be the first binary code and an argument can be made that the machine used to create Jacquard cloth was the first computer. </div>
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● Always carry Euros in case you arrive in a country and VISA decides to cut off all your cards for no apparent reason. </div>
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● When researching "night train from Belgrade to Sofia" remember that online reviews tend to be negative - people don't usually post about positive experiences.</div>
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● Don't research "night train from Belgrade to Sofia" 30 minutes before your train leaves.</div>
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Kalemegdan Citadel</div>
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"Golden orb" containing the ashes of Nikola Tesla</div>
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Skadarska, Belgrade's Montmartre</div>
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Sarajevo Haggadah (look closely)</div>
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Tunnel of Hope - used to transport people and supplies during the Sarajevo seige<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl5dFle0jTCpil4nHwpPS6Lw_UWAL1fI_ev49Z_BWc0KGdLXFlhirQlaMSglNLwSgU4de3Uu_9Y_fsC9pSdltlqD48ElyEQR1L-uji-jdnuKvkmcCRRiT9w9vR6MgYm5WfYsx3KVRuIEX-/s1600/20151009112727.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl5dFle0jTCpil4nHwpPS6Lw_UWAL1fI_ev49Z_BWc0KGdLXFlhirQlaMSglNLwSgU4de3Uu_9Y_fsC9pSdltlqD48ElyEQR1L-uji-jdnuKvkmcCRRiT9w9vR6MgYm5WfYsx3KVRuIEX-/s640/20151009112727.JPG" /> </a> </div>
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Sarajevo Rose - shell crater filled with red resin as a memorial </div>
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Terryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08243401127339944105noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4128833254970385939.post-2801670358569973012015-09-27T13:07:00.001-05:002015-10-05T15:00:07.311-05:00Romania<p dir="ltr">I spent two weeks volunteering at a school in Csikszentsimon, Romania. If anyone is interested in reading about my experience, I will post a link to my entry on the organization's blog as soon as I finish writing it. </p>
<p dir="ltr">My original plan was to visit northeastern Romania after I finished teaching. I wanted to visit the painted monestaries of Bucovina and then take a tour of the villages in Maramures. When I realized it would take about 20 hours to get there and back, that I would have to hire a car and driver, and that it was in the opposite direction of where I needed to be in October, I decided to visit Brasov, Sighisoara, and Sibiu - the three major cities in Transylvania - instead.</p>
<p dir="ltr">I was in Brasov for two weekends.<br>
I spent one day with a group from my hostel visiting Bran Castle, Rashnov Fortress, and Peles Castle. Bran Castle markets itself as Dracula's Castle* and there are an overwhelming number of souvenir shops and restaurants. There were so many people it was difficult to see anything inside and what I did see was not that impressive. Peles Castle on the other hand was absolutely fantastic - one of the highlights of my trip. Since I spent the Jewish holidays in the village, I went to services at Brasov's synagogue on a Saturday morning and managed to visit two craft fairs and do some hiking when it wasn't raining.</p>
<p dir="ltr">My next stop was Sighisoara - a beautiful town with the best preserved citadel in Europe. I stayed inside the citadel walls at a really nice bed and breakfast. Unfortunately, it was cold and raining but the clock tower and history museum were great and it was interesting to walk around and see the buildings and houses. </p>
<p dir="ltr">Sibiu was the European Capital of Culture in 2007 and there is a music or art festival almost every weekend. I was there for the Opera Festival and saw the Sound of Music as performed by a Romanian opera company. I'm not a huge fan of the Sound of Music but it was a wonderful production and as always, Gretl stole the show. Sibiu is a great city for walking and the weather was beautiful - I got to put away my down jacket and really enjoy the city.</p><p dir="ltr">The easiest way to get to Sarajevo is to go from Belgrade and the easiest way to get to Belgrade is to go through Timisoara, Romania. Timisoara is a beautiful city with lots of parks and a fantastic art museum. Timisoara has submitted a bid to be the European Capital of Culture in 2021 and two of the three largest squares are in the process of being torn up, renovated, and re-cobblestoned. My hostel was located on the square that was not being renovated and I spent a lot of time people watching by the fountains. </p><p dir="ltr">
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*Bran Castle supposedly looks most like the castle described in Bram Stoker's Dracula. Stoker never visited Romania.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Things I Learned:</p><p dir="ltr">• One bathroom is not enough for a hostel with 12 beds.</p><p dir="ltr">• Romania has tons of bakeries that sell a wide variety of covrigi, thin pretzels with sesame, poppy seed, or pumpkin seeds, and gogosi, donuts filled with everything from chocolate to feta cheese. The most expensive varieties cost 75 cents.</p><p dir="ltr">• I really dislike pigeons, especially when they are inside the same building as my hostel and I have to walk around them when I'm using the stairwell.</p><p dir="ltr">•It is possible for human beings to survive on a diet of covrigi and gogosi.</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Black Church, Brasov</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNhD1CPIWBl19ZTPYJdI-DdUKByPLip6JNIdHEM-6HnyVSmkK6S7h799qYGk5fXJXCNR1KjQ7ZJBOPpgoOW2Y2bM3YvreeolQA1T8B8JVkdzgTGpvHmoi6wMwUmEu4RL2cRq_0APwh9H-y/s1600/20150927135614.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNhD1CPIWBl19ZTPYJdI-DdUKByPLip6JNIdHEM-6HnyVSmkK6S7h799qYGk5fXJXCNR1KjQ7ZJBOPpgoOW2Y2bM3YvreeolQA1T8B8JVkdzgTGpvHmoi6wMwUmEu4RL2cRq_0APwh9H-y/s640/20150927135614.JPG"></a><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Bran Castle</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ1uoRMu1umf3ZZGZNp8IofUNy7gL3ECPnIp0CzKiibrHnLlFWdiEZ8WxhDYGcyK5_zAcAcjCNjKqcwm05Ozs29MJ1vxSFQSr8W0WfsW8KcwljDAb0HxkYWuJDj-CCeHk6DVPo5udaM3Ci/s1600/20150919114732.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ1uoRMu1umf3ZZGZNp8IofUNy7gL3ECPnIp0CzKiibrHnLlFWdiEZ8WxhDYGcyK5_zAcAcjCNjKqcwm05Ozs29MJ1vxSFQSr8W0WfsW8KcwljDAb0HxkYWuJDj-CCeHk6DVPo5udaM3Ci/s640/20150919114732.JPG"> </a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Peles Castle</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipkVLHO4GZdQUXTB2c6vEL1HEi9QwvUFBEA27oTGFfgpMHuqyL9vLROmjW5grdhrpaG-0N9h1YPS6n5nuFaFEQ6_uzXWusra7hrIY47wkon6nVxqTlgGVkW3ckDIMyVRCXM-zOMNSh1LCL/s1600/20150919141534.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipkVLHO4GZdQUXTB2c6vEL1HEi9QwvUFBEA27oTGFfgpMHuqyL9vLROmjW5grdhrpaG-0N9h1YPS6n5nuFaFEQ6_uzXWusra7hrIY47wkon6nVxqTlgGVkW3ckDIMyVRCXM-zOMNSh1LCL/s640/20150919141534.JPG"> </a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Clock Tower, Sighisoara </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5aQK59_dX184Sc-Gz-WQ-__2iyppfaOw9rA3RFevVLlpZT8No9oPPzsg7_SYxTkPF80z5p2d9CI0iqyVlOtkRccjxQq9JgUL0du8XfiM2lDuxLGBn3L0yNueQIezRTsDkTZGte32FFvnK/s1600/20150930090345.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5aQK59_dX184Sc-Gz-WQ-__2iyppfaOw9rA3RFevVLlpZT8No9oPPzsg7_SYxTkPF80z5p2d9CI0iqyVlOtkRccjxQq9JgUL0du8XfiM2lDuxLGBn3L0yNueQIezRTsDkTZGte32FFvnK/s640/20150930090345.JPG"> </a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Sighisoara </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL2tl68zfOwqziNR8e2jJOoZJD02RwadKl7TdI5JL8AjMLZoHAVypgIrKyJzj93w-MkCngWSE9kiVossVzyEmcjPJ-yrKVXDLMAlvKyD1Im24hx_4fhjck8JZqGk1ajgFQsAn8UWVz5zFT/s1600/IMG_20150928_175821.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL2tl68zfOwqziNR8e2jJOoZJD02RwadKl7TdI5JL8AjMLZoHAVypgIrKyJzj93w-MkCngWSE9kiVossVzyEmcjPJ-yrKVXDLMAlvKyD1Im24hx_4fhjck8JZqGk1ajgFQsAn8UWVz5zFT/s640/IMG_20150928_175821.jpg"> </a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Liars Bridge, Sibiu (if you tell a lie the bridge will creak)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinWkr2Ad-jOLcF1YgL23d1My_-fp64MOPbE8WEcVYqmqVJBPnhtzbCO-t7YN-3W3IADlMWJ5YpLJZbYgMtvvrtrbmGAicYvScRSpgF7_GQ4oXR2irrz28WcZUc464qfc64_F-uvtN9a0DF/s1600/20151001164846.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinWkr2Ad-jOLcF1YgL23d1My_-fp64MOPbE8WEcVYqmqVJBPnhtzbCO-t7YN-3W3IADlMWJ5YpLJZbYgMtvvrtrbmGAicYvScRSpgF7_GQ4oXR2irrz28WcZUc464qfc64_F-uvtN9a0DF/s640/20151001164846.JPG"> </a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Main square, Sibiu</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2eTipjARF8XGXWCOXWUj9n8Xqam0bP877Zn1ZSCT6wWRjvU9IvYVs62Zx3-XcIs8ZDJKP2h6IgFna9d8KNPYHkFLlvuAH87baOv98N6qUnZhew1cjCyyiA1kYA1vfDKFWJJkcWATk-3ex/s1600/20151001105002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2eTipjARF8XGXWCOXWUj9n8Xqam0bP877Zn1ZSCT6wWRjvU9IvYVs62Zx3-XcIs8ZDJKP2h6IgFna9d8KNPYHkFLlvuAH87baOv98N6qUnZhew1cjCyyiA1kYA1vfDKFWJJkcWATk-3ex/s640/20151001105002.JPG"> </a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Piata Victoriei, Timisoara </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi21thrzTsIVJt7y7-hdQkGc6notuDr8jgE71amERSZLCn4DkP0kf-WSgmuZVTBI5JxdNaLNJm25sLhLMxeeObXkFYjzmbHi2eJN71WW7ECEaUDUsj91Fm225hj74X_yuci-b-pPP3swL-F/s1600/20151003_175737.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi21thrzTsIVJt7y7-hdQkGc6notuDr8jgE71amERSZLCn4DkP0kf-WSgmuZVTBI5JxdNaLNJm25sLhLMxeeObXkFYjzmbHi2eJN71WW7ECEaUDUsj91Fm225hj74X_yuci-b-pPP3swL-F/s640/20151003_175737.jpg"> </a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Branza in coaja de brad - cheese wrapped in tree bark</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg34nZvDoaBp0wXIc-aMdQEPg3qhBbv3A0CJ5PAGoFk_RszrU5Aczi5tZtFwsCFXVEmgcxUeFqXhuSE07Q9wntRuIlddxHLnq_ifqt8n_EDWS9RtOZcV2VnE-rok1hIvWfPrbB00t3haeYX/s1600/20151002_151044.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg34nZvDoaBp0wXIc-aMdQEPg3qhBbv3A0CJ5PAGoFk_RszrU5Aczi5tZtFwsCFXVEmgcxUeFqXhuSE07Q9wntRuIlddxHLnq_ifqt8n_EDWS9RtOZcV2VnE-rok1hIvWfPrbB00t3haeYX/s640/20151002_151044.jpg"> </a> </div>Terryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08243401127339944105noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4128833254970385939.post-74819891545751483042015-09-09T07:21:00.001-05:002015-09-12T10:52:01.888-05:00Istria, Piran, and Trieste<p dir="ltr">My sister Susan joined me in Ljubljana and after a quick trip to Lake Bled, we took a bus to the Istrian peninsula in Croatia. Istria is often compared with Italy (but cheaper!) and it is famous for truffles, wine, and olive oil. We based ourselves on the coast in Rovinj which was surprisingly wonderful for tourist town on the beach. We had a lot of great fish but one of our best meals was at a restaurant located inside a woman's house. She has set up tables in her living room (which overlooks the Adriatic) and she makes wonderful tapas in a very tiny kitchen. We spent a day exploring Rovinj and also traveled to Pula to see the first century Roman amphitheater. </p>
<p dir="ltr">The interior of Istria has a lot of small medieval towns and beautiful scenery so we rented a car and spent two days exploring. The distances between the towns are small but the roads are narrow (lots of one lane roads) so we didn't get to as many places as we had planned. What we did see was pretty spectacular. We walked on the Motovun town walls, saw Hum, with 23 residents the smallest town in the world*, and visited Oprtalj where it seemed most of the town's housing was either falling down or in the process of being renovated. The next day we visited two more towns - Svetvincenat and Vodnjan. Vodnjan is mostly famous for St. Blaise's church which contains the mummified remains of saints who died hundreds of years ago - their bodies have mysteriously failed to decompose. We became good friends with the parish priest mainly because of our shared love of Robin Williams and the fact that we were dressed appropriately. He even dragged my sister out of the church to show her to a group of inappropriately dressed tourists who he had refused to admit. We left the church with a lovely gift and memories that will last a lifetime.</p>
<p dir="ltr">We spent the an afternoon and night in a wonderful hotel in Bale (a medieval town made entirely out of stone) before heading to Piran, on the Slovenian coast, and Trieste (another wonderful hotel) on the Italian coast.</p><p dir="ltr">
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*It is the smallest town with a mayor. </p>
<p dir="ltr">Things I Learned </p><p dir="ltr">
• If you park in a space with blue lines, you have to pay for parking. </p><p dir="ltr">• I know how to use a ticket machine to pay for parking, a self-service gas station, and the automated check out at the grocery store. </p><p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: sans-serif;">•In</span><span style="font-family: sans-serif;"> Croatia you can bet on all major sporting events including every MLB game.</span></p><p dir="ltr">• I love Slovenia. </p><p dir="ltr">
• If you want to visit Vodnjan, dress appropriately! </p><p dir="ltr">--------------------</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Salmon mousse, tuna wrapped in zucchini, and mushroom salad - tapas at Male Madlene, Rovinj </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOOrPwCYbfQ-pFyoDq21Xn0WLzAGgsZE8QXIFslusOyLyWrt9Ej5rvkR5tl89dc3ptLO2gG7omUnAyFZ7My3YrxSh4Xdf4LKNltaQVO9yV_YT_V0LyH5VYe6RuMKsew23l74c0OchbKr1J/s1600/20150909_192232.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOOrPwCYbfQ-pFyoDq21Xn0WLzAGgsZE8QXIFslusOyLyWrt9Ej5rvkR5tl89dc3ptLO2gG7omUnAyFZ7My3YrxSh4Xdf4LKNltaQVO9yV_YT_V0LyH5VYe6RuMKsew23l74c0OchbKr1J/s640/20150909_192232.jpg"></a><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">View from hotel room - Piran, Slovenia</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrpSuPtaSoi_skThGn5rJJ15KvETtzzA0PpuY7-vxPphUzmXDoaJOXC0o7EW48_2Rl6hRb7P8deWcBULcI0eF6y4VKqZthwJK5zy5BpGTbkSsX7nRuzfCUA0LvdB9LEzMal3y-2my4MQNi/s1600/20150906_190537.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrpSuPtaSoi_skThGn5rJJ15KvETtzzA0PpuY7-vxPphUzmXDoaJOXC0o7EW48_2Rl6hRb7P8deWcBULcI0eF6y4VKqZthwJK5zy5BpGTbkSsX7nRuzfCUA0LvdB9LEzMal3y-2my4MQNi/s640/20150906_190537.jpg"> </a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">More from Piran</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvP6KnOvedLaOyAoMirZb-Xhl3kLJpfa5ZcRTP2Hfnk2wv5eWQIC1_ePARC6S4-Xtz9SLDMakAQ1ILOOvhg9R8BHOB1PMthDiJQnCY4bXUEcAcIZzYNgdL8Pka7q51PaUEnvr9RSbpYAMn/s1600/20150907184519.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvP6KnOvedLaOyAoMirZb-Xhl3kLJpfa5ZcRTP2Hfnk2wv5eWQIC1_ePARC6S4-Xtz9SLDMakAQ1ILOOvhg9R8BHOB1PMthDiJQnCY4bXUEcAcIZzYNgdL8Pka7q51PaUEnvr9RSbpYAMn/s640/20150907184519.JPG"> </a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgujPT7kB4vooyF4m48uJK-nn63eoTJFuD5hFEX29fLldvRJ6ql_tnQPSoUPr_GmdHWnaA0wvfikDGG5F2srKJhaPE7qXAe9SZm5Q34Kn2Ho2PLxf4FnCnhlTTSc0RiNjx7fUJvXYIXKTKH/s1600/20150907184911.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgujPT7kB4vooyF4m48uJK-nn63eoTJFuD5hFEX29fLldvRJ6ql_tnQPSoUPr_GmdHWnaA0wvfikDGG5F2srKJhaPE7qXAe9SZm5Q34Kn2Ho2PLxf4FnCnhlTTSc0RiNjx7fUJvXYIXKTKH/s640/20150907184911.JPG"> </a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Mosaic inside St. Giusto Church - Trieste, Italy </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVn9hY6yhupe6lsFxg8P4M2xeTkIIofjM6rWg4i7D7XMa92Sdtoexx-1Jn3Nj2fFLMRcVpN7vJkwUYFd5OwlmamcWRHLRHIa_6ub7WxKolJTti7SfyeN1rmGmDmS0GSXKwQ0g0oPp3yDu-/s1600/20150908135921.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVn9hY6yhupe6lsFxg8P4M2xeTkIIofjM6rWg4i7D7XMa92Sdtoexx-1Jn3Nj2fFLMRcVpN7vJkwUYFd5OwlmamcWRHLRHIa_6ub7WxKolJTti7SfyeN1rmGmDmS0GSXKwQ0g0oPp3yDu-/s640/20150908135921.JPG"> </a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Roman amphitheater in Pula, Croatia </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDWkUb9ZhO-_YeUPfTmHDH54Noym9B_oEBcUMSMmOleSlmUXKuh_RXgjXkEjKJawBsR_PulvuN15Kcx_bEc466zf8QO4CNsIpOVKwwvqca5QPpqdxIiNHwJ7mROxznbhkF0QV1eubZWIZD/s1600/IMG_20150903_212248.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDWkUb9ZhO-_YeUPfTmHDH54Noym9B_oEBcUMSMmOleSlmUXKuh_RXgjXkEjKJawBsR_PulvuN15Kcx_bEc466zf8QO4CNsIpOVKwwvqca5QPpqdxIiNHwJ7mROxznbhkF0QV1eubZWIZD/s640/IMG_20150903_212248.jpg"> </a> </div>Terryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08243401127339944105noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4128833254970385939.post-30551965330337289752015-08-30T09:17:00.001-05:002015-09-02T14:31:25.656-05:00Last Week in Ljubljana <p dir="ltr">I had a week in Ljubljana before leaving for Croatia so I took advantage of the time to see everything that was still on my list and do laundry. </p>
<p dir="ltr">I took a day trip to Lake Bohinj, commonly referred to as the "other lake." It is much less developed than Lake Bled and there was a great hiking trail. I managed to hike three quarters of the way around the lake and then I took a boat back to where I started.</p>
<p dir="ltr">There are two major caves in Slovenia and I chose to visit Skojan which is a UNESCO world heritage sight. It is a little difficult to get to so it is less crowded than the other cave. I had never been to a cave before so I can't compare it to anything but it was beautiful - huge caverns, a wooden bridge over the largest cavern, stalagmites and stalactites, and lots of stairs.</p>
<p dir="ltr">I was lucky to be in town for the Ljubljana Under the Stars festival - Indonesian shadow puppets, flamenco dancing, an East- West fusion band, "astronomic" poetry, and a really good Dixieland jazz band. The weekend finished with Medieval Days, an art fair, a flea market, and one more soccer game. </p><p dir="ltr">Things I Learned:</p><p dir="ltr">● "Library Under the Trees" is a fantastic thing. During the summer, crates of books and lawn chairs are brought to various locations around Ljubljana and everyone is invited to grab a book and sit and read for as long as they want.</p><p dir="ltr">● On the first day of school, the letter "f", zig zag lines, and other designs are drawn (with markers) on the faces and arms of students entering middle school for the first time. This is a tradition much loved by the older students. </p><p dir="ltr"> Lake Bohinj<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkONZb6QfNTOHv6QhqFBOzGw7R9-un-aj8GlPkaz8DSfklE-pARkDJfNlQmUyMi0jxVlkZXF2HakpO54Bpe4HeSQ68nHmcRa7LekHp7GcYoQxcX0YqPL1b_q0ihrn-beGvETWk8UjRmt71/s1600/20150827172131.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="text-align: center; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkONZb6QfNTOHv6QhqFBOzGw7R9-un-aj8GlPkaz8DSfklE-pARkDJfNlQmUyMi0jxVlkZXF2HakpO54Bpe4HeSQ68nHmcRa7LekHp7GcYoQxcX0YqPL1b_q0ihrn-beGvETWk8UjRmt71/s640/20150827172131.JPG"></a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0kIB1jwJQjByUCvRkKhIzYHI3ld7R-yLSGNGD6zxxP-Yv28IAZvud82sJR4Ij91WGsSJ5OV-p7PnBvcjiwaZn_BgD2vb97urGkJsZvucGNLwqWzenQTjTeJyIbd-rrd7qA2nHHIOq2Ldo/s1600/20150827113210.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0kIB1jwJQjByUCvRkKhIzYHI3ld7R-yLSGNGD6zxxP-Yv28IAZvud82sJR4Ij91WGsSJ5OV-p7PnBvcjiwaZn_BgD2vb97urGkJsZvucGNLwqWzenQTjTeJyIbd-rrd7qA2nHHIOq2Ldo/s640/20150827113210.JPG"> </a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi20NJUjbdcslDtgKCAadqm7Q4V231k6kwR1ZE2Fv6X-dTnvM1vYVn96N9uo_zNGf9hiUC7UBZvVhXxn4lL7Ry1qTTCCsA1_KHWWc8f3CFPohZuTXavsv9Pg7duZAuhLg0G2YRqgSXDQS-Z/s1600/20150827121455.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi20NJUjbdcslDtgKCAadqm7Q4V231k6kwR1ZE2Fv6X-dTnvM1vYVn96N9uo_zNGf9hiUC7UBZvVhXxn4lL7Ry1qTTCCsA1_KHWWc8f3CFPohZuTXavsv9Pg7duZAuhLg0G2YRqgSXDQS-Z/s640/20150827121455.JPG"> </a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Picture taking is forbidden in the caves so this is one from the outside</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtjpx3tuwScD4f58DUT4q49FhRxCz8OYVdcrPVi2mfxVsduDfAgB3YE42TtsQSE0Bx_8bfemdAaZL1NqyTp9jC4CWPmzOh-ELaVdW5rPOMzdoKGTQaxTNR3Qb6EGExiE4e-ExWQoDdj5A4/s1600/20150826_203906.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtjpx3tuwScD4f58DUT4q49FhRxCz8OYVdcrPVi2mfxVsduDfAgB3YE42TtsQSE0Bx_8bfemdAaZL1NqyTp9jC4CWPmzOh-ELaVdW5rPOMzdoKGTQaxTNR3Qb6EGExiE4e-ExWQoDdj5A4/s640/20150826_203906.jpg"> </a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Ljubljana Under the Stars</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxVOSwvYjnX42aI1D9NJeIh39O34kF1wjULfcBsfQeIM-OlzzP9EbfjP6nUAl_YPWZ46aZDPjahqa8bPQapz9iY02CTLkutcTRB_YsZ0q0In6YY-ZcuTffKwlUoYZyQZ3D7F6J7byrcPn1/s1600/20150902_204318.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxVOSwvYjnX42aI1D9NJeIh39O34kF1wjULfcBsfQeIM-OlzzP9EbfjP6nUAl_YPWZ46aZDPjahqa8bPQapz9iY02CTLkutcTRB_YsZ0q0In6YY-ZcuTffKwlUoYZyQZ3D7F6J7byrcPn1/s640/20150902_204318.jpg"> </a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7womCNi6SyhXVNWxiRG7Hf-HT33TTGrTm73qi-E1OAB5TMLhipBO22ksYilNMtAV3FJXAwWkl4QI47wUHNDzplJe1lGCUBHibN8Uzrk2cqSATsq02fwKDjhj7zjtkG1qXBzIVDI01U734/s1600/IMG_20150829_215526.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7womCNi6SyhXVNWxiRG7Hf-HT33TTGrTm73qi-E1OAB5TMLhipBO22ksYilNMtAV3FJXAwWkl4QI47wUHNDzplJe1lGCUBHibN8Uzrk2cqSATsq02fwKDjhj7zjtkG1qXBzIVDI01U734/s640/IMG_20150829_215526.jpg"> </a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Metelkova area of Ljubljana </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXxmOr3K9mpdOgzS_4AqgiF5yVIcbn1x8vmvdfB3mvMLuXYXG5__AfbcoUHUFsEgnRlvdocn1gQ1M4ttcXlrZTc79sglAWnx75ky85o_36_h7zD_F8QZ9wcbHB_HU8HxWlnmhG9onx8IgS/s1600/IMG_20150831_164123.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXxmOr3K9mpdOgzS_4AqgiF5yVIcbn1x8vmvdfB3mvMLuXYXG5__AfbcoUHUFsEgnRlvdocn1gQ1M4ttcXlrZTc79sglAWnx75ky85o_36_h7zD_F8QZ9wcbHB_HU8HxWlnmhG9onx8IgS/s640/IMG_20150831_164123.jpg"> </a> </div>Terryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08243401127339944105noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4128833254970385939.post-55922625465991876182015-08-25T12:07:00.000-05:002015-08-25T14:09:02.528-05:00Lake Bled and Bovec<p dir="ltr">Lake Bled is the most popular tourist destination in Slovenia and rather than do a day trip from Ljubljana, I decided to stay three nights at a small village half way between the lake and Radlovjica. The weather was bad on the first day so I took the bus to Radlovjica which is famous for its square (old medieval homes) and the Beekeeping Museum*. The museum exhibits were really interesting and there was a collection of wooden beehives and beehive panels.** I also got to see a rehearsal for a concert that was being held as part of Radlovjica's ancient classical music festival.</p>
<p dir="ltr">The next day I went to Lake Bled which is absolutely gorgeous. I walked around the lake and then hiked up to a viewpoint with two people who were as confused as I was about the trail. I finished with a piece of Bled's famous cream cake purchased. I'll be returning to Lake Bled with my sister so I'll visit Lake Bled's other tourist attractions when she gets here. </p><p dir="ltr">After Bled I travelled to the town of Bovec in the Julian Alps. We went through the Vrsic Pass which was built by Russian prisoners of war during World War I. There are 50 hairpin turns and it was really beautiful (but impossible to photograph). My first day I went on a great hike along (and over) the Soca River and the next day I walked a couple of trails outside of town and visited an outdoor World War I museum. I was supposed to visit another town in the area but once again I ran into problems with the bus schedule. Bovec is a fun town -- one night the museum put on a play and the next night there was traditional folk dancing and singing in the town square. A beautiful place; I would have been happy sitting and staring at the mountains for two days.</p><p dir="ltr">
Things I Learned:<br>● The vegetarian burrito served at the widly popular Mexican restaurant in Lesce, Slovenia consists of tomato sauce, cucumbers and onions stuffed into a tortilla - no beans, rice, or cheese.</p><p dir="ltr"> ● Cleveland, Ohio has the largest population of people of Slovenian ancestry in the United States.</p><p dir="ltr">● I will always pack too much stuff and have the wrong suitcase.</p><p dir="ltr">● It is hard to type on a German keyboard. </p><p dir="ltr">-------------------------</p>
<p dir="ltr">* Radlovjica also has a gingerbread museum but I didn't spend too much time there.</p><p dir="ltr">** I've become obsessed with beehive panels and I'll be bringing home a reproduction or two. </p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Beehive panel</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigaVcTLylIcGDFnTGeplwNRrQyuvhc3ZL3mH_87qJRFOHCu8oziMRvo3uSq__ceLAjT4Aqh9D17mUHA-AvluULHhEh_v6K00oksnkpkHsXFVEDlk1TFkS8hS-PAocAHB-iCaUKxNd9Cohc/s1600/20150824_204952.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigaVcTLylIcGDFnTGeplwNRrQyuvhc3ZL3mH_87qJRFOHCu8oziMRvo3uSq__ceLAjT4Aqh9D17mUHA-AvluULHhEh_v6K00oksnkpkHsXFVEDlk1TFkS8hS-PAocAHB-iCaUKxNd9Cohc/s640/20150824_204952.png"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Wooden beehive</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmdBpGY9TjNh2hePMO03A44JhQXSIBOV9aSRMsQaNCq6-Rpm6mQFKBOaRbhWNo7_XoE9fbcCTd1U48anwmiOSW5iB74WJNopsJqlikmYVBHZzVWVvqfX1kwtGmzMRFE_utC5jzw0ifuzlT/s1600/20150819113449.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmdBpGY9TjNh2hePMO03A44JhQXSIBOV9aSRMsQaNCq6-Rpm6mQFKBOaRbhWNo7_XoE9fbcCTd1U48anwmiOSW5iB74WJNopsJqlikmYVBHZzVWVvqfX1kwtGmzMRFE_utC5jzw0ifuzlT/s640/20150819113449.JPG"> </a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Lake Bled</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDoF6_hKVZ2IT9snqjlfUuYvBhI5mnF-MRgfSKzn4-cFrl3QfDjHKbzUovjFTz8mQSRm0ZNFPke19_F2dNKxlwnvnS97x4fpEBTB7oFcX_U6WRoQA-qpSsyEZPzxVRLg7bzd-_R0CZr4Te/s1600/20150825_171752.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDoF6_hKVZ2IT9snqjlfUuYvBhI5mnF-MRgfSKzn4-cFrl3QfDjHKbzUovjFTz8mQSRm0ZNFPke19_F2dNKxlwnvnS97x4fpEBTB7oFcX_U6WRoQA-qpSsyEZPzxVRLg7bzd-_R0CZr4Te/s640/20150825_171752.jpg"> </a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Bled Castle</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOHJHTNDDvo0-1JbkszrSs87221oIgvjeVTT9FGzO5zJgdJNjzXWmk2hitKjqAG5rptynoDo4Nln6LSVILpFAlokBwJ_ZJuR-g3EyfyJuy8arKIXRSaxObuKeA1OMtVMzIls4SLIrY7EbB/s1600/20150825_170928.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOHJHTNDDvo0-1JbkszrSs87221oIgvjeVTT9FGzO5zJgdJNjzXWmk2hitKjqAG5rptynoDo4Nln6LSVILpFAlokBwJ_ZJuR-g3EyfyJuy8arKIXRSaxObuKeA1OMtVMzIls4SLIrY7EbB/s640/20150825_170928.jpg"> </a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Famous Bled Cream Cake</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDQ6trJNHfsD6Rlbh92W7E15aeLYvFFDzhudb30S_wWXPFdZ5hQ8cPPj3NC8cYBYJ05cLPrjqyZ1x2nX8MjcoogRxyBDBqbZ9dyyeEczgDFu0Zp_8PN2wJA4i2Dt1zJQ6RSckqO2Z7uel3/s1600/20150820_142325.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDQ6trJNHfsD6Rlbh92W7E15aeLYvFFDzhudb30S_wWXPFdZ5hQ8cPPj3NC8cYBYJ05cLPrjqyZ1x2nX8MjcoogRxyBDBqbZ9dyyeEczgDFu0Zp_8PN2wJA4i2Dt1zJQ6RSckqO2Z7uel3/s640/20150820_142325.jpg"> </a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Along the Soca River</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg30-zpTNjliCWgKWXiEF39jbdJMZ1T4MRkFtBg7lAfnNzvzNLqyQ9SyqatDmJdb0pN-0BX6eGF-cW3wkw-NAM5qkZ3zFNvtiiILI8k_wg3UGWFZnvi5cloBufsS2a1b-qUMqOrG_3kXZeZ/s1600/20150822111435.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg30-zpTNjliCWgKWXiEF39jbdJMZ1T4MRkFtBg7lAfnNzvzNLqyQ9SyqatDmJdb0pN-0BX6eGF-cW3wkw-NAM5qkZ3zFNvtiiILI8k_wg3UGWFZnvi5cloBufsS2a1b-qUMqOrG_3kXZeZ/s640/20150822111435.JPG"> </a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP3EMKsbzkc0ZO5PLOn4Zdq28VsM16G4XXFn0FUJbas1AI1ccL0qOVQOSCBQ_-a67D9thTFeglwLBJfDVk4pFilVg19697ScYDHXBjM8foyf7YWRlF5fNYomIo4kFxgTJhTp_TCslDblFN/s1600/20150825_170047.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP3EMKsbzkc0ZO5PLOn4Zdq28VsM16G4XXFn0FUJbas1AI1ccL0qOVQOSCBQ_-a67D9thTFeglwLBJfDVk4pFilVg19697ScYDHXBjM8foyf7YWRlF5fNYomIo4kFxgTJhTp_TCslDblFN/s640/20150825_170047.jpg"> </a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMQL_WwyFoLwXpFaNngyeUNJ002pTHaBgFr6INTLgm4W2EV7_dCw6IW8ZUf2lmNeL2TftWvqJSywn-CZM-LN-zNnbrN8Rk5YQ8FzBDE0oFUENvNwbhV4SAQAgF4gAidT9sEos_j8jTI07j/s1600/20150823114746.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMQL_WwyFoLwXpFaNngyeUNJ002pTHaBgFr6INTLgm4W2EV7_dCw6IW8ZUf2lmNeL2TftWvqJSywn-CZM-LN-zNnbrN8Rk5YQ8FzBDE0oFUENvNwbhV4SAQAgF4gAidT9sEos_j8jTI07j/s640/20150823114746.JPG"> </a> </div>Terryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08243401127339944105noreply@blogger.com0