We were able to visit local villagers and get a feel for rural life. We met a widowed woman named Maria and visited her in her home. All the houses of that era were built by the people that lived in them. Usually friends and family would help. She was a retired teacher and sometimes gets side work teaching needlepoint. She had three sons one is a doctor, one is mentally disabled and works with horses at a local farm and the other one builds houses. She has one granddaughter who is 8 and pretty darn cute. Our topics ranged from life under communism to how the Roma are treated to the reluctance to have children due to the very high cost associated with them. Leslie Vera and Jan got to go to a different house. They were award winning wine makers! Who got the better deal?
