We are spending the night at Rila Monastery in Bulgaria. When it was first built, it housed about 600 monks. Now, there are fewer than twenty. Many pilgrims stay here around Easter, and around the Assumption of Mary into Heaven (August 15th).

The main gates close at 9 pm. There’s a third bed in the room. It’s a private room. There are also larger shared hostel-type rooms. The bathroom is much better than we expected. The walls are thins. The guest next door was whistling as he aimed for the toilet bowl. We know it’s a guest because the monks are in a different section. For 50 Bulgarian Leva (USD $30.50), this is one priceless experience.

We didn’t ask, but we also didn’t expect WiFi. Hence, the shadow puppet of a mythical animal that swallowed a melon. Kenric was very happy when I joked that I would observe a vow of silence. We have to return the room key at the monastery museum by 10 am, so goodnight. May the world be a better place for all very soon.