Blossoming Flower

This is what I worked on during my transit time. I did a bit of it in the Vienna airport watching two couples play Hearts at my table. It kept me awake. I'm still having problems with the directions, but what's new? Maybe I'll get more of the flower done this week.

Yesterday's Walk

We took a three hour walk yesterday from the flat to downtown (literally, down) Pristina and back. These stairs were the first part of the trip. We took them down, but took another way back. They're the shortcut from our hill to downtown. All in all, they're about a quarter mile of stairs.

This little goddess is what they're trying to make as one of the symbols of Kosovo. It's a neolithic find from somewhere around here. The provenance on the museum pieces left a -lot- to be desired. Anyway, she sits in the state museum toward the front. The first floor of the museum is archaeological propaganda. The second floor is an homage to the Kosovar Albanians who fought in the recent war. It'd be nice if at least the archaeological part wasn't so tainted with nationalism, but what do you expect from the national museum, I guess?

I was told this is the minaret to the oldest mosque in town. (And I was just corrected by the same person who told me so that it might not be; there is possibly one older.) Needless to say, the minaret's a rather new reconstruction. Looking through the windows to the entryway to the mosque, it looked shabby, as if neglected. Perhaps they will refurbish it when they become more integrated into the economy of Europe.

The Newborn sign sits right in front of a shopping center and next to the American school. It's covered in celebratory graffiti, and they're looking for a permanent home for it. The sculpture was unveiled when they declared independence in February.

Small Happy Dance

The third side is done! Only one more side to go, and a fair start on it already. It feels odd to still be working only on parts two and three when part ten? is out, but that's the way I go always. Maybe I'll pick up speed.

I had my first dinner out in Kosovo, at a restauraunt up the street from where I'm staying. It was a nice place and the balcony had an excellent view of the city. My companion, though, left his camera, so no pictures. We're going walking today, and I'll make certain he brings it this time, else I'll threaten to take photos with my phone. He'll be horrified.

Left At Home

I'm here in Kosovo now and it's a bright sunny day out. This piece, though, is languishing at home and missing me. I did some more on the flowers and such before I left, though.

Pink and Plaques

All the plaques are done and I'm thankful that I didn't work with just celedon this week. I added in some pink. I still plan on finishing this this summer, and it will probably be my big push project while I'm in Europe.

Blogging and Traveling at the Same Time

Still plugging along on the fourth corner. The top leg is about done and this is going in my carry on along with the dragonfly buckle. The top leg is only missing one color of blue and more gold now. Maybe I can find some time and lack of tiredness to work on it as I travel.

Yes, this is a pre-written blog entry. I'm writing it on Tuesday so it will publish on Thursday while I'm still somewhere over Europe or stuck in an airport, probably Vienna.

Hair and Face

This week I added more hair and face along with some more blue on the flag. Not as much done as usual, but it's been a busy busy week.