DAy 10 and 11: Show Prep and Opening

Day 10

AB got up at 6:00 to get ready to make her 7:00 interview. It was a morning show that carried a television feed, ala Howard Stern. We’re hoping to get a tape/copy of the show. She said she thinks it went well, BK said it went well, and BC saw it on t.v. when he was flipping channels this morning. When she returned we went to have cappuccinos with Z and BC at the Hotel Podgorica. Sat on the back terrace, which over looked the river. Went back to the apartment to pick up the kids and drove to Masha to meet with someone from the American Embassy in charge of cultural affairs. NM watched the kids, and was joined by Z and BC, while we had our meeting. B joined us and we discussed issues surrounding both of our shows. There was a considerable amount of discussion about the Caravaggio show that pushed our event back. Still trying to figure out a way to get to that one. Will look into flights from rome on the 18th. NM, Z and BC took the kids to the park, and after the representative left AB ordered a salad (her favorite from the first visit) and I had the chocolate cake, which was seven layers of ganache and light, spongy, cake. Might go back for another before we leave. Met everyone in the park and walked over to see the Narcisso painting again. That room was a welcome relief, so climate controlled, an oasis on a brutally hot day.

Drove BK escorted Z and BC back to the hotel and I drove everyone else home. Ran some errands with BK, hoping to get my phone set up for Europe. Took G to the city center to look for more playing cards, evidently everyone needs their own set now. The kids are shuffling away. Went to Carine for the internet. Picked up Z and BC, and relaxed at the house in the late afternoon. N was happy because he had some people to play table tennis with. PI played chess with Z. Hung out with NM in the studio, and had a generally pleasant afternoon. Turkish coffee, bread and cheese, some Nik’s.

Went to the gallery to set up the show. The frames were all done, and the pieces looked great. Helped AB lay everything out, there was just the right amount of work. Left her there to finish up for the night and drove NM, M, and BK home. Picked up some pastries on the way back, settled on the cheese and apple. Went to look for Z and BC in the center, was a little late meeting them at the appointed spot. No sign of them, but who could blame them. Lots for both of them to see. First time since they came in that the lack of phone communication proved to be an issue. Brought AB the pastries and went home to our neglected children. It’s hard to give them the full attention when the show is the priority at the moment. P was asleep, and G was reading the out loud book to himself. AB came home about an hour later, almost finished.

Day 11

AB had to be ready by 9:15, two interviews this morning, one at 9:30 and one at 10;00.
The 9:30 was canceled after they arrived due to internal issues at the studio, the second interview went off fine. G and P and I went to Hotel Podgorica to watch them on T.V., BC and Z had cable. We were unaware of the cancellation for the first one and surfed the channels for a half an hour. Saw the second one. We may have a copy to post of it in the future. AB did well, but made it difficult for BK by answering the questions in multiple sentences. He did what he could to translate.

Lunch with BC, Z, and AB at Masha around noon. It was along lunch, longer then we wanted, and AB was late getting to the gallery. She was chastised for it. BC and Z walked to the gallery, a long hot walk, with a less than ideal view of the city. AB hung the rest of the work and I ran an errand with BK and B. Drove BC and Z back to the hotel, and AB and I went home to see to the children, it had been four hours since we left them at the house. NM had fed them, although P had eaten very little. Charged our computers and took them to Carine to use the internet, and get P some food. Pizza of course. I picked up the phones, supposedly they are ready to go, just need the SIM cards. Hung out at the café for a while. Repeatedly panhandled by gypsies. That’s what we get for sitting on the perimeter.

Shuttled AB and P to the show, came back at got G. The opening went well. AB was introduced by a representative from the US Embassy. She had to say a few words, and NM translated for her. Good sized crowd, even with the World Cup starting this evening. It was hot, very hot, in the gallery with all the people. Drinks were served, a wide range of alcoholic beverages, had a straight vodka with BC and Z. AB was interviewed by a woman for the radio. All in all a good evening. Late night dinner at the Hotel Podgorica with BC and Z. AB had the vegetable risotto, I had the penne with porcini and truffle. Just the right amount. Tomorrow, a drive to the coast with BC, Z. and G. Possible snorkeling. AB is going to take it easy.

Pictures to be downloaded soon.