This update is short and is only to show you a few of the things going on here. Sofia is an interesting mix of towering Soviet architecture with columns of marble on the main drag. Just one block behind this facade are crumbling concrete tenements. Few of the pictures are interesting, except of the ones from the Rila monestary, which I won’t even bother to show here. But I will show the people that have been making this the trip of a lifetime for me.
This picture is of the dutch chicks that I spent one night and one day with this week. We’re being driven to the Rila monestary there with our crazy/stupid taxi driver. Barbara and Astrid were the girls’ names. But the latter name was absolutely unpronouncable to Americans.
I took this picture on the way back from the Rila monestary. Sorry for shamelessly ripping you off, Brian.
Last night Grant and partied pretty hard one more time as you can tell from our idiotic expressions and profuse amounts of sweat in this series of pictures. First, he and I. Second, me with Sarah, the unrequited love of my life. And third, Sarah by herself.
Also, John Cusack was walking around Sofia last night. Sarah got pictures. I didn’t.
CHIP ..
OK, How did you take the inside-the-taxi photo?
Luv & hugs!
-Annette
Annette, and anyone else that cares, I took that picture with my very wide angle lens (10 mm). I decreased the aperture so that all of us would be in focus, set the timer, and put the camera on the dash board. It took me two tries, as on the first attempt my camera metered the outside of the car and provided only silhouettes for the passengers.
JOHN CUSACK? I love him. Did you see him? If you see him again during your travels, ask him if he will marry me. HA!
Oh yeah, cool pics by the way…Sarah is beautiful.
I’m flattered Scott. Very nice shot! Glad to hear that you’re having a great time… makes me want to ditch grad school and travel. I would say don’t do anything I wouldn’t do, but it’s too late for that.
Wow Chip! I am following your trip on a map. I love your stories! Stay safe and continue having fun.
Yes, Nicole, John Cusack. I was actually somewhat surprised by how bad his skin was in person. But, then again, people get paid tens of thousands of dollars to make actors look good. I surpressed the desire to say to him, “Charlie, you bitch! Let’s work it out!”
Things are much safer in Belgrade than I expected. Buildings have been bombed-out, for sure, but not as bad as I expect them to be in Serajevo. I will soon descend into the mouth of the beast, where they hate Serbs more than anything. When I come out the other side, I will be in the breathtakking and tourist-infested zones of western Europe.
You’re sweaty.