Bulgaria Miracle List

• Taxi for ET, Bruce, Ellie, Kimberlee and Laura arrived early. ET made it to his flight as they were saying last call. All went smoothly for ride to hotel in Plovdiv. When Laura had left her phone in a grocery store, Bruce happened to go in and for something and found it. Couldn’t find the restaurants we were looking for and ended up having a great night with Ivan at the restaurant across the street.
• Wednesday two-hour ride on very curvy mountain road. No one threw up! Beautiful Bavarian hotel/spa. Took taxi to Waterfall Hike and even though steep climbs no one got hurt. Laura, Bruce, and Kimberlee all able to get signed up for massages. Fun girls’ night while Bruce got massage.
• Thursday morning very relaxing with massages for Kimberlee and Laura. Great chance for Bruce and Ellie to enjoy simple forest hike. Before transfer to Shoraka Lakka resort Bruce had left wallet in his robe. He found it by accident before we left. Arrived in new location and had the afternoon to poke around town. Found great restaurant. Only time it drizzled when it really didn’t matter. Perfect rainy afternoon. Bruce found 2 liter beer for $2
• Friday we were the only ones in the hotel. Had breakfast with menus and real lattes. Did last long hike in the forest and beautiful mountains. Kimberlee had left her sunglasses at place we stopped to rest and realized when only a short distance away. Amazing weather. Facials for Ellie and Laura.
• Saturday morning another special meal with Alex our personal waiter. Kimberlee had a massage. Bruce and Ellie went for forest hike in the morning. Bruce thought we would need to turn around but we found an outhouse in the woods so we could keep hiking. Another easy transfer to Devin and another plush hotel/spa. Found great restaurant.
• Sunday there was an amazing breakfast buffet complete with desserts! Made wise decision to take taxi to start of hike. Were able to be alone for the first part of the hike and have quiet meditations at top of mountain and at waterfall before crowds arrived. Amazing engineering of walkways over the river. Beautiful roses on walk back into town.
• Monday there was another long windy, mountain ride back to Plovdiv and no one got sick. Arrived at the Roman stadium in perfect timing to see the movie. Able to explore all the fun sights we wanted to see. We were the only people in the ancient basilica.
• Found the Cat and Mouse Brew House for Bruce. Met another Angel (3 years old) and his father helped us place an order at confusing fast-food place. Other angels working at the place helped Laura get the order correctly to us. When we needed a receipt that no one had, Ellie found it lying on the ground.
• Tuesday another easy transfer to Sofia. Amazingly Bruce helped smooth things over with an unfriendly doorman and we were able to leave our bags inside. The owners of the Airbnb arrived and we were able to get in several hours earlier than stated. Another perfect location to explore the city. Found another great outdoor restaurant.
• Wednesday a slow but beautiful day. Bakery just around the corner. Relaxing day of wandering the city. Perfectly timed dinner to get to see the lights come on all the building.
• Thursday again our driver arrived early and got us to the airport in plenty of time to enjoy the lounge. Flight to Munich smooth and easy. Laura and Kimberlee’s flight delayed and had to stay overnight in Chicago. They had each other and found ways to embrace it. Bruce and Ellie made it home. Perfect Tao Te Ching reading for Ellie on teaching.
• Friday Kimberlee and Laura arrived home. Kimberlee found out surgery not recommended but longer time in brace and then physical therapy.
• So grateful for all the ways we were cared for throughout the trip. So much beauty and abundance. Also, so grateful for the gifts each of us brought to the trip and the patience and good spirits that made the trip so special.