My Room and Its Decorations

A Colorful Rug

The main decoration in my room was behind the bed. It was a brightly colored rug showing an Arab sheikh escaping with a beautiful woman. She was sitting on the horse’s neck, with her arms around her captor. In the background, there was an Eastern town full of mosques. The rug had as much art as the samplers that our grandmothers used to make, but it had a lot more color.

A Problematic French Door

The room also had a French door, but of course, it got stuck and wouldn’t open properly. The door led to a balcony that seemed so weak and unstable it looked like it could fall into the river below. But surprisingly, it didn’t fall, which puzzled me Ancient Bulgaria Tour.

A Quiet and Inexpensive Stay

I had definitely arrived in a quiet, out-of-the-way part of the world. For breakfast, I had six eggs, plenty of fresh butter, a plate of beans, and another plate of sliced tomatoes. I also had half a liter of wine and a cup of Turkish coffee. The total cost, including the meal for my driver, two glasses of brandy for him, and food for three horses, was just 1 shilling and 7½ pennies.

An Unpleasant Conversation

My conversation with the landlord, whose face looked sour, was short and not very helpful. But then, a cheerful and chubby little man appeared and excitedly said, “Me speak English!”

“Great,” I said, “Where did you learn it?”

“Me speak!” he repeated.

“Yes, I know,” I replied, “But where did you learn it? Did you learn in London?”

“No—small boy—ver’ small boy—two years—Australia; me Englishman; me speak eight languages. Me speak English good, eh?”

“Then can you please tell the landlord I want my room swept?”

“‘Swep’? Me no ‘stand swep’—me speak English, very good English, eh?” he answered.