Roman ruins

Perperikon is the site of ancient ruins in south-western Bulgaria, not too far from Turkey, where I took some really amazing photos and learned that civilization existed here 8000 years ago. Check out http://www.perperikon.bg/

But its at the top of a very loooong climb!

I made it up with my camera bag, huffing and puffing, feeling old and out of shape. All after about 8 hours in a bus, with no food, a couple of coffees and a heck of a lot of noise- 80 students in a bus will do that.

The day was overcast, perfect for slides, and I managed to get up there before most of my students and got some great shots without a hundred people marching through them. I also shot a bunch of 120 black and while and hope to make massive enlargements once I have my darkroom set-up again. Oh when will that be? I wonder if there is even paper still available or has it all gone digital in my three year absence from Photogrpahy.

I got to see another side of my students and colleagues, being outside the school perimeters, but by far what was the saddest thing for me about this trip was seeing all these students smoking! I mean they are 16 and 17. Am I so old that this is uncool to me now? I confiscated quite a number of packs, and am happy to say my star students weren't smoking at all, but the rest, SHAME ON YOU!

There was also the usual drama with students misbehaving, a couple of drunks etc. but that is normal and all in all I'd say it was a well managed group. Or perhaps I have blinders on, which is entirely possible too.

Overall the trip was badly organized but fun. I was glad to spend the time with my kids but mostly glad to be with my teaching partner Albena who I will miss working with. She s a gem and she needs to hear it more I think.

YOU'RE A GEM LADY!