Clear morning with low humidity today. The descent from Ray Hut followed the same route up yesterday. We breakfasted with the Belgian couple from yesterday, and bid them farewell. The descent from Ray Hut followed the same route we took up yesterday. Everyone on the trail (which was much busier today on a Saturday) was friendly, with a hearty "zdravete" or "dobre den."
After the small uphill section on the descent (about 300 feet), I said "next stop vending machines." Searching for shade at the vending machines, a group of three beckoned us to share a picnic table under the awning of the vending truck and offered to share their egg tarts (1). She had spend a summer working in Ocean City, Maryland, her partner was Romanian, and they all spoke English well. He offered some suggestion for the Romanian leg of our trip.
Nearing the bottom, a larger group asked "are there really vending machines on the trail?" Yes. "What kind of beer do they have?' That, we did not know.
After the drive back to Sofia, we dropped the car off and had time to hop the Metro to the hotel. After scrubbing the trail dust off, we headed to Lake Poncharevo, home of the national rowing center and Sofia Ballet and Opera's summer festival: Муэи на Еэеро (Muses at the Lake) (2). Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake was on offer tonight. While I was a little disappointed the music was recorded, the trumpet told the story well through their dance. A remote control swan boat trailing 6 small swan boats puttered by on the lake at particular moments (3), adding a Whimsical touch.
(1) The mama dog from the hut had walked here (more than halfway down) as well and gobbled up an egg tart. We had seen her on the trail, and assumed she was with a particular group, which was not here. I presume she will walk back to the hut later in the day following (or leading) some other group.
(2) We had been warned by the family at the trailside vending machines about the mosquitos at the festival. Thankfully, the swallows and a light southeast wind kept them away this evening.
(3) One pass of the boat was after sunset; the boats were lit up and were designed to distract the audience during a costume change.
Morning at the hut. The blue sheets are hanging to dry.
Old growth beech
Swan Lake
Lighted swan boats during costume change
Final bows
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