Rila National Park-Wed, July 2

Submitted by Heather Bartlett

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In the Influence of Shakespeare - "Hamlet" A.K.A July 2nd

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To hike, or not to hike: that is the question

Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to spend time reading or shopping spending outrageous fortune,

Or to take the chance against ticks and snake troubles.

And by choosing we define or end.

To hike, to nap, to shop, no more.

And by a hike to say we end the heat and the sweat of a thousand Bulgarian July days.

That the mountains is the source of all wonders.

Devoutly to be majestic.

To hike, to shop, to nap:

To nap: perchance to dream: ay, there's the effects of jet lag,heat, and Kosovar block party

For in our naps of exhaustion what rest may come

When we have suffer the heat due to day shopping (Kristen's new dress),

Must give our money a pause: there's the respect for the journey that makes Ann Marie's computer problem of AUBG so long.

For who would bear the burden and the backwardness of a Bulgarian tech department.

The markets' sales, the enthusiastic park ranger, the pains of heat, the law of supply and demand, the hair pin/switch back turns and the beauty all around us.

That patient merits to the Bulgarian people with our language exchange,

When they enthusiastically greet us or give the Bulgarian finger shake with the nodding of "yes" which means "no".

With backpacks and shopping bags to carry.

To grunt and sweat under the Bulgarian sun.

But the countryside and mountain up the road, the undiscovered country from whose majesty no traveler can debate, and puzzles at the will of the people in their efforts to make their country their own.

We know not what the correct choice be told but conscience does make journeymen of us all:

And thus the native hue of resolution is celebrator with the effects of our choices.

And with great friends and great fun we regard our choices well.

Softly now we go!

To the mountains, to the stores, or to the beds.

Be fair Stefan, the park ranger,

Be all your words remembered.