The Last Days

I've combined yesterday with most of today because yesterday was actually pretty uneventful (driving back from Varna). Here goes:

     With our tour completed, today we drive back to Sofia (and back to our first hotel, hurrah!). Our final meal in the Grand Hotel Varna was met with about as much enthusiasm as the others, though the reassurance that it would be the last was comforting. Afterward, we packed up our junk and checked out of the hotel. Our return trip to Sofia went uninterrupted for about an hour when we ran into rain. Although far from a rainstorm, it was enough to make running from the bus into a convenience store mildly irritating for those who dislike rain. We stopped for lunch in a city that we passed on our way to Varna, Veliko Tarnovo. We ate lunch in a hotel restaurant, which was quite enjoyable. An assortment of hot soups, some more interesting vegetable dishes, and baked potato halves constituted this meal. Small groups of people headed off to the attached gift shop which was very cramped and contained lots of body lotions, perfumes, and other such products made from Bulgaria's trademark rose oil. The group was organized into our chaperone groups, and we headed a short way into town for some more official shopping. We visited a handful of shops and souvenirs for friends, family, and ourselves. Some of these souvenirs were absolute bargains while others seemed strangely overpriced.
     With our tourist nature appeased for the day, we got back on the buses to finish our long bus ride. A few hours later, we made it back to out beloved Kempinski Hotel, and green apple juice has never sounded better. After dinner, we were told that we had free time until curfew at 11:00. Several people promptly made for the pool, others to the gym, and others for their rooms. Ironically enough, the pool and gym closed about 10 minutes after dinner got out, so those activities went out the door. Instead, most people either went to the lobby or to hotel rooms and played card games.

Next morning...

    For our last full day in Bulgaria, we visited the Rila Monestrary, hidden high upon Rila Mountain. This morning was pretty standard (besides everyone's heightened satisfaction for the food after our Varna experience). At 8:30, the buses departed for the short two and a half hour drive to Rila. (After a trans-Atlantic flight and a bus ride to Varna, two and a half hours was nothing). When we arrived, camera's whipped out of pouches and purses to capture the stunning beauty of the main courtyard. The dormitories went up about four stories, encircling the main church building. Within this main sanctuary was a massive gold-leafed altar which covered the entire back wall. While inside, we also saw the current resting place for the Bulgarian King Boris' heart. Our guide told us the story behind King Boris and why only his heart was buried in the monestary. Outside, high arches covered in iconography depicted various Biblical scenes. Overall, the experience was quite awe-inspiring.
     Afterwards, we headed a short ways down the mountain and stopped at a restaurant for lunch. Here we ate the usual tomato and cucumber salad, grilled chicken or fish, and an interesting pastry-like dessert. We were shocked when we saw a plate going out with a full fish on it, head and all. Apparently, the fish were local trout probably caught in the stream adjacent to the restaurant which were then cooked and served whole. Pretty nasty stuff. The chicken, on the other hand, was quite appetizing as were the potatoes that came with it.
     After lunch, we loaded back onto the buses and headed back to Sofia. The staff had arranged for dinner to effectively be a surprise party for Mrs. Stahr. All the students signed a violin provided by Maxim's father (like, signed with a pen on the wood O_O). A brass fanfare announced the VIP's arrival and, after a few speeches and ovations, we ate dinner. The hotel even provided a special strawberry cake so we could celebrate the Fourth of July. Our wind players played a few patriotic pieces, and a smaller group played some jazz pieces arranged by one of our saxophone players. After the celebrations were over, Melissa announced the evenings arrangements, and then let us loose. We're now waiting for our bus for the airport, which is coming in six hours Those of us who get the 6:00 AM flight are being encouraged to just stay up all night as to avoid an unnecessarily short and painful sleep. I'll hopefully post some more when we get to the airport or something.

-Philip