Ruby is Distracted in Poland

The search for Hoardica continues,

although there are bound to be distractions.

Ruby writes (to herself):

Hoardica's trail has run cold in Poland, but that doesn't stop me from exploring.

Took in some vintage cinema.  A Cybulski film fest.

He was the Polish James Dean. *swoon*.

The guys here are very friendly. 

As soon as they hear my American accent, they offer to buy me drinks. 

Wish it was so easy to find dates at home!

Here, I have already refused 3 marriage offers.

Will Ruby find romance before she finds Hoardica?

Ruby's Turn (in England)

Since receiving Hoardica's alarmingly brief postcard,

Ruby managed to close The Pigeon Hole (hopefully only temporarily), drain her savings and has flown off to search for Hoardica, fearing the worst.

The authorities could tell her nothing in New Zealand.  There were no recent unknown persons admitted to any local hospital.  It was as if Hoardica had never been to the country.

****************

In Bulgaria, Ruby began to hear the stories.

Of a woman who gave generously to their churches as she visited each one and admired their icons and other sacred art.  An orphange reported that this same woman provided socks for all of the orphans and new pajamas.  A few weeks after she left, a case of chocolates and tinned milk appeared on their front step.  They could only assume that it was a gift was from "Aunt Hoardica".

*****************

In Africa, Ruby learned that a woman had provided malaria nets for all of the children and elders in a village.  Whatever need there was, Hoardica seemed to know where there was an amazing resource to meet the need generously.  In Africa they called her "Ma Ordeeka"

*****************

Now in England, Ruby did not search for Hoardica as much as the stories about her.

The stories gave Ruby comfort.

She also started to write postcards "home" to document her trip.

Ruby writes:

"No glimpse of H, although her reputation greets me even here. 

HRH wants to meet her and recognize H for her good works. 

 I had no idea that my employer had a secret life as a do gooder.

For myself, England is a second home.

I especially like tea here.

A tradition I plan to bring home. Along with Mrs. Twiggle's scone recipe. ha!

Might have to expand the shop to accomodate a tea room!"

Ruby sighs, "I hope Hoardica invites me along

when she gets an audience with The Queen!"

Of course, Hoardica has to be found first!

Norway and New Zealand

A rather depressing looking postcard from Hoardica this week!

Ruby was hoping for a lovely scene of one the famous fjords of Norway.

Hoardica writes:

"Dear Ruby, Seeing Edvard Munch's paintings was incredibly thrilling and I understood how he captured human suffering as I attempted (badly) a small study of his painting,

"Death in the Sickroom".

I was incredibly ill soon after from some bad fish I had for dinner.

Two days of misery!

I cannot look at Munch's work now without feeling queasy.

Norway has not been a happy time for me.

I am thinking of coming home.

-Hoardica"

"Poor Hoardica," thinks Ruby.

"But if she is coming home, maybe I can take up where she left off!"

This gloomy cloud, suddenly has a silver lining.

Ruby makes a mental note to find her passport!

But there is another card.

A tattoo-ed kiwi?

Hoardica is coming home via New Zealand?

"Hmmm," muses Ruby.

Apparently she's recovered from food poisoning and is in no hurry to rush back to Cooter, MO.

Can't say that I blame her," sighs Ruby.

"When there is the whole world to explore, why would you stay in Cooter?"

Hoardica's postcard scribble is very brief.

Too brief.

"Dear Ruby,

New Zealand is a beautiful and fascinating country. I-"

The note abruptly ended.

"That's it?!" thinks Ruby with annoyance.

She looked forward to Hoardica's cards as a relief from the daily, boring routine of
running a shop in the middle of nowhere,
living vicariously through Hoardica's travels.
This card was a major disappointment!

But then Ruby is alarmed.

Maybe something happened to her employer!

Kidnapping?

A stroke?

Spontaneous combustion?

(Hoardica could be volatile.)
The stamp was missing too.
Was it a sign?
"What do I do? What do I DO?"
Ruby wails in panic.
What can be done?!

Peace in Bucharest

Hoardica's postcards and packages have become scarce.

Ruby will go weeks without hearing from Hoardica and is becoming concerned.

Is the life of a gypsy becoming too much for her employer?

Is Hoardica becoming travel weary?

Hoardica writes:

"Dear Ruby, I was travel weary but found rest in Bucharest.

The churches here have revived my dragging spirit.

I made it my goal to visit each one.

I found peace.

Thesaurum Humilia.

-Hoardica"

"Well!" thinks Ruby.

"What do you know about that?

First she calls me 'Dear' and then she uses my full name, instead of an initial!

And then she signs her full name!

"Well!"

Ruby says out loud this time.

Whatever this 'Thesaurum Humilia' is, it seems to be good for her."

Ruby likes the kinder, softer, Hoardica and hopes this card is not an anomaly.

She also makes a mental note to find out what the scrap of Latin means.

Might be important.

Singapore Noodles

Hoardica is enjoying Singapore this week.

Seems Italy is not the only place known for it's pasta, er noodles. Ha!

Hoardica writes:

-R. I wish you could taste the noodles here!

They are nothing like Ramen.

[Hoardica refers to the cheap, dry packets of Asian noodles sold in America]

I am eating noodles 3x a day (tossed with scrambled eggs for breakfast!)

SO THANKFUL for A/C here. The heat and humidity is worst than Missouri's.

I hope you are keeping the stamps I send from each contry I visit!

They are great collage material!

-H.

Ruby thinks to herself,

"Well, of course I am!

Doesn't she know me better than that?"

 

"Hoardica must think I am the back end of this operation!"

Too Busy in the Netherlands

Hoardica is far too busy in Holland to dash off even a small note to Ruby.

More on that in a minute.

But there is still something in this week's mail.

Apparently plastering postage all over the postcard did nothing to speed up Canadian mail service.

Hoardica's note to Ruby still took an extra week to arrive.

The late card reads,

"R-F, Enjoying Ottawa (Quebec) immensely. I do love a bilingual country!

Esp. when the second language is FRENCH.

Saw 3 white doves in the park today among the drab pigeons.

Another mysterious sign?
-H."

Is it coincidence or is Someone trying to get Hoardica's attention?

Time will tell.

*******************************

If you are wondering why Hoardica is so busy,

look here.

She might be field sketching with Marjolein Bastin.

On this trip, anything is possible!

Switzy Scenery

A little bit of help from non- Swiss postage to frame some scenery in the Alps.

But then Hoardica has never claimed to be a follower of convention,

nor has she ever been accused of being a purist.

Even the chocolate wrappers reflect the surroundings!

Hoardica is gorging on chocolate just for the collage potential of the pretty papers.

Good thing there are plenty of mountain trails to hike and burn off the calories!

She writes Ruby:

"R. F. - Staying in a Chalet in Adelboden.

This morning I stepped outside for some fresh MOUNTAIN air & was greeted by a cow.

My hosts have their own fresh milk source!

The views are amazing whichever way I look.

Including the chocolate wrappers!

The Swiss know how to merchandise their scenery!

Also I saw 3 WHITE RABBITS behind the Chalet.

A "sign"? But if what? -H."

Hmmm. Mysterious.