Leaving
\nGoodbyes and hellos
\nWell wishes and bus rides
\nExcitement
\nFinally getting there
\nJet lag<\/p>\n
Gazing out bus windows,
\nPicturesque landscapes.
\nFlashbacks to past travels
\nTight, cobbled streets
\nBreathtakingly beautiful
\nBabas and stray cats<\/p>\n
Greeted with bread and the salt of life
\nSettling in and finding ground
\nTraditional architecture,
\nRomantic stone walls holding histories
\nRed roofs and red roses
\nGeranium leaves<\/p>\n
Venturing out to the
\nPirin mountains, a hike to crystal waters
\nSlippery rocks
\nA divine energy embracing us
\nEndless skies and endless love
\nExploration of God’s creation<\/p>\n
History lectures
\nSmoke clouded memories of
\nStories of empires and communism
\nIncredibly in depth
\nOn sight, hands deep learning<\/p>\n
Meals shared
\nFull of pastries and cheese
\nMeat and potatoes
\nPiping black coffee
\nJuicy fruit
\nEndless calories and conversation
\nnourished bodies, fed souls<\/p>\n
Roma day camp
\nSmiling faces
\nMusical exchanges: hymns and Bulgarian ballads
\nFlower crowns and sticky bouquets
\nTiny fingers clutching mine
\nHeavy hearts, but full embraces<\/p>\n
Sunday mornings,
\nSmiling translator
\nFamiliar melodies, sung in a different tongue
\nFlickering candles
\nBlessings to children
\nShining icons, gleaming gold<\/p>\n
Dance lessons
\nEdno, dve, tre–1,2,3
\nGendered dance off
\nJoy in mistakes
\nLaughter in learning<\/p>\n
Anticipation
\nContinued excitement
\nDeparture for Greece in the morning!<\/p>\n
In the past week and a half, we have been blessed with a multitude of experiences and sacred moments. It would be difficult to provide any concise and complete picture of our first steps into a semester of adventures. So, we provide what we can: fragments and phrases from a beautiful beginning. From our first departure, to day camps and dancing lessons, we have been richly fulfilled.<\/p>\n
-Hanna Heishman<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Leaving Goodbyes and hellos Well wishes and bus rides Excitement Finally getting there Jet lag Gazing out bus windows, Picturesque landscapes. Flashbacks to past travels Tight, cobbled streets Breathtakingly beautiful Babas and stray cats Greeted with bread and the salt of life Settling in and finding ground Traditional architecture, Romantic stone walls holding histories Red … Continue reading A beautiful beginning<\/span>