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Travelogue: An Artist's Journey Robin Ann Walker's Trip to Eastern Europe, October 2003 - Page 2. |
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| The next two months were filled
with travel research, buying tickets, arranging schedules, managing
finances, and updating all important personal papers. You never know what
can happen when you are out of the country traveling in a little-known area
for a long time. And I am well past the adventurous age of youth when you
throw a few clothes together and fly stand-by. I planned everything this
time, down to travel insurance and food. I bought a backpack - my first! And
a laptop so I could keep in touch. I started exercising. And best of all I
convinced my best friend in Phoenix to fly to Istanbul to meet me after the
plenary, so we could travel Eastern Europe together for two more weeks. We
planned our itinerary, and my trip turned into a 30 day adventure. |
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| I had a test run when I spent 10
days in NYC. I took my backpack, loaded up my laptop and packed good walking
shoes. I got valuable information from that trip. One, the backpack worked
great. I loved wearing it, and it alleviated back pain that I am used to
getting after walking. The laptop was great, and I had time to load programs
that I thought I might need on my big trip. Walking everyday taught me how
important good shoes are, and I learned to wrap my toes with cloth bandaids
to prevent blisters. September 2003
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 Me and my artist friend Anna West, in front of Lady Liberty |
| I immediately broke my rule
about packing. I had planned to take the backpack and one carry-on. Ha! I
ended up with my large suitcase, the backpack, and a purse. Those protein
bars are heavy! I had to add different clothes for the second half of
the trip. The journey begins.
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 waving goodbye at DFW airport, 9/29/2003 |
| Sofia, Bulgaria Sofia is the capital city, populated with over a million citizens. The country has had a democratic government in place for only 10 years, and the city shows that economic recovery has not been forthcoming. I found the city and it's people to be sad. The buildings are crumbling, there are large public sculptures from the Communist era that are falling apart, and the city struggles to stay alive. Horses and carts share the streets with trams and automobiles. I have arrived a few days early, and joined Judy and Nancy in Sofia. One day is enough for us here, and we make plans to travel to Plovdiv, where Valeri and Momchil, his son, will meet us. They are the organizers of the plenary.
October 1, 2003
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| Plovdiv, Bulgaria We were taken aback when our route into town took us through an area of abject poverty. Our mood instantly changed when we stopped at our destination and finally met Momchil and Valeri. Hugs all around! We were led to the third floor apartment where we would spend the night and stayed there long enough to drop off our bags. I was already regretting bringing that big heavy suitcase! We headed out for a long walking tour of the city. Plovdiv is a city of 360,000 residents, much smaller than Sofia, but it is recognized as the cultural center of the country. The city is divided into two distinct areas, the cobbled streets (read "ankle-turning) of old town and the lower town which is predominately modern with a sprinkling of Turkish and Roman relics. Speaking as an American, there is nothing new or "modern" here. Those terms are relative, as I am visiting an area with a history beginning in the seventh century AD.
all photos October 2, 2003 |
 L-R, Momchil, Judy Greff, Nancy Lindsey, and Valeri. Behind us are the architectural Roman amphitheater ruins seen below.
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 Valeri helps Judy make a rubbing in the street - yes, that's a street, and a tree growing in it. This area was not built for cars, and they have a hard time navigating here. It was much easier for us to go "by feet". |
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 The pedestrian shopping district in the "modern" part of Plovdiv. In the evenings, everyone comes out to walk and this becomes the social promenade. |
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