Christmas in the Mountains
24-26 December 2003
Christmas by Bulgarian tradition is very much a family holiday, and thus normally a melancholy time for our orphans. So this year we were committed to making it a positive experience for our Dupnitza orphans, and were able to do so thanks to two generous donors who funded a Christmas trip for our kids to a lodge in the mountains, and to all of the kids' sponsors who provided wonderful gifts.
Christmas Eve
At 2:00 in the afternoon on Christmas Eve, 15 excited kids boarded two mini-busses for the 45-minute trip to Temenuga Lodge at Panichishte, high on Rila Mountain about an hour from Dupnitza. It was extremely windy, cold, and snowy on the mountain, but a warm fire awaited the kids in the lodge. They spent the remainder of the afternoon setting up and decorating our Christmas tree, and then anxiously perused all of the gifts that magically appeared underneath. The lodge staff prepared an extraordinary dinner for the kids and contributed to make the occasion very special. After dinner, by insurrection, the children opened all their gifts, and afterwards played and ate goodies until they all fell asleep.
Christmas Day
On Christmas morning, the kids slept in as late as they wanted, which for most of them was pretty late. After breakfast, they played games and watched television. After a big lunch, we ventured outdoors with those willing to brave the cold. The kids enjoyed playing in the snow with some fantastic views of the surrounding mountains. After dinner our kids joined the other guests at the lodge for a Bulgarian "disco" that lasted until well after midnight. They slept in late again, of course, and we all headed back to Dupnitza Friday afternoon.
