What a day!

Woke up in Prague, went to Slovakia, going to sleep in Budapest!

We were in three countries today!! Who does that?!

We are learning we need to be earlier to our buses. They leave RIGHT on time and it usually takes us longer to find them. We hopped on 30 seconds before it pulled away again.

Today I kept thinking about all the things I wished I left at home. My shoulders were aching from carrying my backpack all day.

We discovered another Christmas market in Bratislava!

“Where are you from?” (Keep walking maybe he will go away) “where are you from?” (dude get the hint, keep head down) “Excuse me, where are you from?” (Okay I give up)

I turn and face the sweetest little man. His smile touches the edges of his hat covering his ears. Okay, now I want to be your friend.

I tell him I am from the United States. He tells me that he has a friend from PA who just passed away. He shows me pictures of his friend. It’s only been two weeks. He shows me his paintings, he is doing portraits of people. He can finish it in 30 minutes. I want one so bad, but I have no room in my bag. He tells me that he is from Ukraine, but has citizenship in so many countries because he lived right on the border. I ask how his family is doing in Ukraine. “They are good, but it is really hard and not good.”

He tells me that he was an art teacher in Ukraine. I can see so much of his talent. He asks what nationality I am and before I can answer he asks, “German?” He hit it right in the nose. “How can you tell I ask?” It’s in the eyes and your face. I’ve never had anyone guess it right away without hearing my last name. Usually they say Irish. He says it’s all in the face, and he would know since he studies people faces doing portraits.

I desperately want to do something for him. What do I do? I can’t buy his painting. But I wish him well. His name is Joseph. I’ll remember that smile.