Singing and more

Jill: our two day stop at the music school in Kotel was full of singing. In addition to group and private lessons, we had a meal on our own and a meal with our voice teachers. I'll let others talk about their experiences, but it was pretty awesome. 

This is the school Tzvetanka, Ivan and our Tedy all attended. The reunion with their teachers and now colleagues was heart- warming.  

Meredith and I had a funny experience at the first dinner. I don't want to steal her thunder but will share the joke with you. She ordered hot tea, scallops (thinking sea scallops) and chips to share with me, meaning French fries. This is what she was served: iced tea, pork scallopini, and potato chips. The chips were the highlight, freshly cut and fried with bits of creamy potato inside the crust. I think Joy of Cooking calls them Saratoga chips. They were amazing!

Here is a (very dark) photo of Desislava, my music teacher. It was her first time teaching! She sings soprano professionally with the Philip Koutev Ensemble, is married with a two year old daughter, speaks excellent English, and is simply delightful.

 

We all walked to the center of town for pizza. In the middle of dinner we broke into song to welcome Tedy's father. One thing led to another and we soon chased away the other diners. 

Ramona and I walked back and aha gave me a lesson in star-gazing. We were so high in the mountains and there was very little light pollution. I learned the location of Spica and some other stars. Ramona is a good teacher whether it's music or constellations. 

We stopped to buy milk for Jody and I simply had to have ice cream. It was too delicious, chocolaty and creamy in a cone shape held by the wrapper. I covered my face in melted chocolate down to my chin! Haven't done that since my second birthday party when I planted my face in the cake, thereby starting a lifelong obsession.

 Others will post more on their lesson experiences. Thank you Radost for helping to make this possible.