I've made the comment from time-to-time: Who likes a showoff? Of course, if I'm the showman, then that's obviously different. Here I was preparing for a 3rd climb on the rungs, via ferrata, steadying myself and arguing internally with my cautious, negative id(iot)—Be a man, Jeffrey...well, at least try. Stop shaking and get on with it. I had a feeling, this being the 3rd time over the last ten days of undertaking the vertical climb (on our way home from a formal hike), maybe I'm pushing my luck. Then I had a better thought: 'Cut out the superstitious nonsense'. In fact, there is an old Jewish concept that when a person does something for a 3rd time, it becomes a habit. (Unfortunately, it works on negative behavior as well. Got a few of those, too.)
Lo and behold, my photographer had not taken her position at the mound opposite the cliff. Instead, I found her climbing the rungs, upstaging me. Heck, what's the world coming to? Can't a fellah have a bit of time on his own to put on a show. Apparently, not. Fortunately, after she had finished her upstage routine, she beckoned me to take over and continue. Obviously (rightfully) miffed, I resumed my routine of preparing for this exciting climb by brushing my hair, straightening my clothes, dusting off where my trousers had scraped a rock earlier, put some of Jenni's blush on my cheeks and set off to the reach the top. I needed to show my beloved how a real showoff operates. There are times when Jenni, as courageous and daring as she is, should stand aside and allow a master showoff to perform. Thank you!
'Fortunately', we are departing this location and so we will be taking a break from the cliff. Unfortunately, we'll miss Pamporovo and the Rhodopes, including our apartment, more than we ever envisaged. I can't believe how enjoyable the stay was. Perhaps this comment will explain it more effectively. We booked an initial stay in Devin for 7 days and extended for another three. We arrived in Pamporovo for 8 days and ended staying seventeen.
We include a handful of photographs from a day that proved quite spectacular in the sense we experienced some incredible scenes and reached a few highs. Here are a handful:
Showoff in training, obviously has a long way to go. Step 1: She needs to get rid of that charming disposition on the rungs.
A revisit to Canyon of Waterfalls after heavy rains.
One of the Smolyan lakes.
In the preceding blog posting, we mentioned the number of positions from which we observed Snezhanka Tower in Pamporovo. We even got a reflection on this one.
We interrupt the beauty of Bulgaria to bring some harsh reality, the less attractive specimens of life.
'Life is very narrow bridge...and slippery, too...but the main thing is not to fear.'
A golden nugget and a hint of a prism.
On the waterfalls' hike but preparing to ask the 'boss' about returning to 'via ferrata' for one last treat.
'Okay, if you must, then take a bow'. ('I hate this ongoing mid-life crisis,' remarked Jen.)
A gentle scene to restore tranquility.
And the end of autumn is nigh, if not already passed.
The large town of Smolyan from one our positions. (The autumn colors are fading quickly.)
Cheers,
Jenni and Jeffrey
'Please don't fence me in.'
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