On Vay-cay

Two Christmases passed in Orthodox lands. On Orthodox Calendars, you can basically write off December and January as hol-luh-day. There are numerous Saints' Days according to your surname. But guess what, your neighbor and in-laws have different Saints to celebrate, so basically you go-on over to the neighbors and to the Drago-this and Dragan-vic that and "sample" everyone's backyard brew, Slivo, and eat Sunka (piggie) all day long. Akin to the holiday party hop in the West, but we relegate (and dread) our social time outside of working hours.

Ours involved a fake plastic tree and lots of miniature presents that come all the way from Macedonia-- wow!

The real turtle dove was a month off. The first leg was spent, as my Dad noted, way, way out behind the curtain. (Romania, Bulgaria, Serbia.) After exploring the Balkan periphery, which was exceptional and will be elaborated on, the second leg has been spent and spent in the Queen's many Commons, Heaths, and free galleries of London town...

So now it is winding down. To your concern and mine, I am lacing up for Round 2 in the unknown state of Srpska. Should you object, please write your local ambassador ...