I kissed a gypsy and I liked it

Last Saturday night I crashed a local gypsy's bday party. Don't ask me whose it was, I never figured that out, but I definitely got a flavour of gypsy social life - finally! Besides dancing a storm up to a traditional gypsy music (check out http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0IT87-MvBKE for an example of what I'm talking about), a highlight was definitely the arrival of an ambulance. Not to take an injured drunk man away from a fight, but a pregnant woman in labour. Ha! Baby-making factories...

When all 3 of us girls walked to the local hall in the pouring rain, the first person we met (luckily) was the good shepherd boy with his friends. You could see in his eyes he couldn't believe we came. The Swedish girls didn't feel comfortable going in, having been given a talking-to by the boss' wife about watching their association with the gypsies, so I strode in arm in arm with shepherd boy playing the ignorant card should any problems arise at a later date. I had had no such talking-to.

We walked in and his friends all looked in disbelief at their mate who had just walked outside a few seconds earlier then returned with this girl who clearly was not local but still friendly and familiar with him. I just laughed. We sat ourselves in the corner of one of the long tables and after feeling uneasy from all the stares for a little while, just thought fuck it and grabbed Chippy, the 13 year old boy with a growth disorder who looks about 5, for a boogie. He was well into it and even the other young'uns joined the cirlce. I got the reluctant shepherd boy up for a dance and it was quite entertaining.

Then came the other gypsy workers... a few beers down of course. All asking for dances while their patient partners waited in the background. Awkward much? You bet ya. So I carefully chose who to throw some (Romanian) shapes with and hopefully didn't piss anyone off. I even had a dance with the cook at one stage! She loved it.

Then they passed a basket around and all put money in, I assume for the bday girl (or boy, who really knows?!) as an MC shouting out how much each person contributed. It looked like some kind of tradition and I kinda sunk into the corner cos I had no wallet on me... cheapskate!! At first I thought they were auctioning off people and I SWEAR I heard my name, so I kinda freaked out and started working out in my head how many people I had to pass on the way to the exit and if it was possible to do without arousing suspicion... anyway, I was freaking out for no good reason in the end.

A few shots of rakiyo (hideous alcohol which actually was weaker than normal at this party, or I was drunker) and an unforgettable trip to the 'toilet' (hole in ground surrounded by chicken and cow poo out the back *vomit*) later, I saw that it was time to leave... but not before bowing to temptation and actually kissing the shepherd boy. Even after I learned he was only 18. What have I become. I told him, in no uncertain terms, that this was to be a secret kept from everyone and here's to hoping he keeps his mouth shut.

I am bored. I need entertainment. And this is as good as any. Anyway, I've only got a few days before I leave to make sure I properly break his little untainted heart.

Shepherd stations and killer mozzies

Well, I know I haven't written in the last 5 or so days but I have been quite busy with the guests so do accept my apologies. While the boss was away with the guests on a trek on Wednesday, I rode Myastoza again with L which was good. We went on a trail that ended up taking longer than expected, and on the way back our horses took their sweet-ass time getting home because we were riding away from the herd. Meanwhile, we were getting bitten ALIVE by mozzies and I was about to actually go insane before L had the idea of trotting past n making my horse go faster. It was horrid.

Anyway, when we got back they'd almost finished dinner so we hurried through and then retired to bed. The food is delicious here, B is an amazing cook it's like being in a restaurant every night. Can't argue with that.

The next day L set out with the guests and E, the shepherd boy and I went on a short ride on Myastoza, E on Vivke bareback cos of saddle sores and shepherd boy on Camilla (or Camillo), a beautiful bay stallion. I was quietly surprised at how well behaved he was (the stallion more than the shepherd boy, who was blabbering incoherent sounds at the back most of the time just cos he could) and there were no bucking or rearing scenes. Bummer. I'll post a photo of the 2 after this.

On our return, we packed the car for the next night of camping out - this time at a shepherd station with the shepherds, their multitude of dogs, a herd of sheep and the shepherd man who looked 24 (but was actually 18) and had a 13 YEAR OLD girlfriend!!! What a life she has mapped out for her... pregnant by 14 methinks. With H in a shitty mood from a painful shoulder and arm, I was expecting guns fired when he arrived and realised I'd forgotten all the most important things but it turns out I hadn't done too badly and the thing I'd forgotten - which was the most important since apparently it was payment for staying at the station - was the rakiyo (ie hideous clear alcohol of about 45%). And that was fetched by the worker while we relaxed with all the things I hadn't forgotten to bring. I still woke up the next day with a head full of little things I realised I hadn't packed though...