Bulgaria
On 8-18 August 2017, I went to Bulgaria to visit my brother Greg and his
family. As their children begin to spread their wings and set off on life's
journey, opportunities for the whole family to be together will become
increasingly rare. Gregory was about to leave for America to begin studying
at Brown University in Rhode Island. Joyce is in her last year at the
English National Ballet Academy in London, and was in Prague for a masters'
class and a chance to meet representatives of a number of ballet companies.
Mina still has two years at the Townshend School in the Czech Republic where
Greg and Emi are now living.
After a night in Sofia, we drove to the Black Sea coast north of Burgos,
where Greg and Emi have an apartment in a beachside holiday development
called "The Garden of Eden" (although I could not find an apple tree with a
snake in it). We relaxed on the beach and at poolside, and swam a bit,
although I also painted the apartment's balcony railing. We then returned to
Sofia for a night to pick up Joyce at the airport, and after some morning
shopping and medical appointments, drove down to Emi's home village of
Krupnik, beyond Blagoevgrad, for four nights in their house there with Emi's
mother. The orchards were laden with peaches, apples and other fruits, and
the garden provided fresh vegetables, so we experienced the benefits of
village life.
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With the Dahl family; two brothers; Mina, Gregory and Emi
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View from the apartment on the Black Sea; Emi and Greg at home in
Krupnik
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Hiking in the forested hills behind Krupnik; their dog wallowed in a
muddy stream, and then rolled in ashes, turning from light brown to black
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Many hillsides were planted in conifers a half century ago; the river
in the valley below the village
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Family portrait; with Gregory's friend Merla
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The busy street in front of their house; the morning rush hour, also
recycling any garden waste left along the street
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The Bulgarian countryside; view of Blagoevgrad