Work has been so awesome these past few weeks. I have worked my way up to sitting in on group advising sessions to conducting them all by myself. Last Tuesday I conducted a 2-hour session on successful case stories of Romanian students that had been admitted to many universities. It is quite fun hearing all the questions the students have and being able to describe different tricks for admissions and how American college life is really like. They are always so interested in what I have to say and after the advising session there is a group of students who stay after to walk me to the subway, only to ask many more questions of me. I do not mind one bit though, they are all very nice and they give me tips on Bucharest and places I should visit in Romania.
Gabriel came back a couple days ago from the other side of Romania where he was getting his teeth fixed and we have been going out with my new friends here. Last night we went to tea and sat on the terrace for 2 hours with my colleague and her boyfriend. It was quite fun.
Last weekend I was by myself and decided to tour Bucharest a little. In the morning, I went to a coffee place that I have seen recommended in many guide books and websites called Cafe & Lattes. It was nice but very smoky. Restaurants here still allow smoking inside so coffee places especially can fill up quick with smoke. The coffee place was right next to a park and I decided to take a stroll after the coffee. It was beautiful! There was a lake in the middle of the park where people were renting paddle boats and cruising along. There are many winding paths and you can just get lost in the park, it was great fun. I got myself lost and then all of a sudden entered out to a flower festival where there were tents set up everywhere and villagers had come from all over with their different types of flowers.
Today, at 3pm, Gabe and I leave for Athens! I am thrilled. We are going to do it like true budgeter travelers and we will be taking a bus to the airport in Bucharest and then figuring out the bus system in Greece. The metro to the airport in Greece is under construction so we will have to figure out the bus routes at 10pm. Then, when we finally get in the city (1-1.5 hours) we have to find the metro and catch it by the last time of 12:20am to get to our hostel. It will be quite an experience and I will update the blog with pictures when I get back.
Until then…..
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Monday, March 30, 2009
After all the travelling in Romania from the cities of Oradea and Timisoara to the villages of Secusigiu I have finally reached my long term destination of Bucharest, Romania. It is beautiful. It is quite funny because I had so many warnings on why Bucharest is such a horrid place and it turns out; it is by far my favorite place in Romania.Before I took the 5am 8 hour train ride here my last words of advice from a resident Romanian was "Watch your back, the Bucharesti's are no good, don't trust anyone, even those you become close to." Of course it was in the Romanian language, something I am not exactly learning considering I have used Gabe as my translator the entire time.
Gabe left me two nights ago and now I am on my own. The first day he left me I stayed cooped up in the house the majority of the time. I was too nervous to go test my language ability with real Bucharesti's, not to mention the fear most Romanian's had put into me that if I were to walk in the streets alone I would probably get mugged for everything I had. Around the time my stomach started screaming at me, I decided to make a beeline for the store for some bread (paine) and salami (salame) two things I could actually say.Luckily, I went the correct way and arrived directly at the store and you can guess what happened...I chickened out. I say these words all the time to Gabe and his family but for the life of me I couldn't spit them out at the deli counter. The woman behind the counter must have thought I was planning a salame heist. I kept slowly walking by, taking baby steps then giant steps then halting all together, then scurrying quickly down another aisle only to reappear to try to work up a nerve. Along with the fact that I looked like an idiot, I swear my stomach was making noises that were not made for the average ear.I left the store with vodka, berry juice and water. At least the vodka would take away the hunger pains.
The next morning I started work. It is wonderful. One of my co-workers so graciously met me right out of my metro stop in order to walk me to work. It wasn't too difficult but it's always nice to have someone who knows what they are doing when every step you take is in a mine field. I received a tour of my new home for the next 3 months and both of my co-workers are gems. I even got to help out a bit in the office on my first day, making flyers of information.After work I attempted the bread store which is much smaller than the original grocery store I went to. I managed to slur out the words "yo vreau un paine." (I want one bread). I think the girl understood only my pointing finger and the word un but it worked and I am no longer starving.
Besides the stray dogs, Bucharest could not be better. It is a beautiful city with rich history in the buildings and the people. I have had several conversations with people who lived during Ceausescu's Communist's rule and what it was like. I am so amazed the people talk about this with such ease. It is like everyone who experienced that ruling is so happy and excited about what Romania is becoming. It is a beautiful place with friendly people and I do not think I could have chosen a richer environment.
Gabe left me two nights ago and now I am on my own. The first day he left me I stayed cooped up in the house the majority of the time. I was too nervous to go test my language ability with real Bucharesti's, not to mention the fear most Romanian's had put into me that if I were to walk in the streets alone I would probably get mugged for everything I had. Around the time my stomach started screaming at me, I decided to make a beeline for the store for some bread (paine) and salami (salame) two things I could actually say.Luckily, I went the correct way and arrived directly at the store and you can guess what happened...I chickened out. I say these words all the time to Gabe and his family but for the life of me I couldn't spit them out at the deli counter. The woman behind the counter must have thought I was planning a salame heist. I kept slowly walking by, taking baby steps then giant steps then halting all together, then scurrying quickly down another aisle only to reappear to try to work up a nerve. Along with the fact that I looked like an idiot, I swear my stomach was making noises that were not made for the average ear.I left the store with vodka, berry juice and water. At least the vodka would take away the hunger pains.
The next morning I started work. It is wonderful. One of my co-workers so graciously met me right out of my metro stop in order to walk me to work. It wasn't too difficult but it's always nice to have someone who knows what they are doing when every step you take is in a mine field. I received a tour of my new home for the next 3 months and both of my co-workers are gems. I even got to help out a bit in the office on my first day, making flyers of information.After work I attempted the bread store which is much smaller than the original grocery store I went to. I managed to slur out the words "yo vreau un paine." (I want one bread). I think the girl understood only my pointing finger and the word un but it worked and I am no longer starving.
Besides the stray dogs, Bucharest could not be better. It is a beautiful city with rich history in the buildings and the people. I have had several conversations with people who lived during Ceausescu's Communist's rule and what it was like. I am so amazed the people talk about this with such ease. It is like everyone who experienced that ruling is so happy and excited about what Romania is becoming. It is a beautiful place with friendly people and I do not think I could have chosen a richer environment.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Day before Departure
Today is my very last day of classes for my B.S. EVER!!! I have one more presentation to attend to and two more papers to turn in for my last quarter of school.
In 15 hours, Gabe and I will be departing at 3am to start our last international trip together as an unmarried couple. We will be stopping in New York for 3 days to visit a family friend of Gabe's and Trangy. Of course Gabe wants to go see the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, the Empire State building and all the "touristy" stuff.
I suggested we take it easy and try out the restaurants and wine selection of New York but apparently Gabe has a different idea on how to travel in New York. He'll be the one with the fanny pack, juggling his video camera, still camera, and shouting directions of where I need to stand for the best light in Times Square with all the other tourists. Hopefully, Trang and I will have some alone time sometime in the 3 day period to explore a different scene:)
After our 3 day stint in NYC we will be departing America on March 15th for Timisoara, Romania and I will not return to my homeland for 3 months. Although I have done this many times before, it is one last adventure before we start a family and I have to actually participate in this concept called stability.
I am hoping to keep this blog updated as much as possible and upload many photos of the adventures to come. Of course, at the same time, I will want to be participating every chance I get to be in the Romanian culture and way of life. So I will try my best to keep this updated for everyone back home. Best of luck to everyone on everything they are doing while I am gone, take care and I will be in contact!!
In 15 hours, Gabe and I will be departing at 3am to start our last international trip together as an unmarried couple. We will be stopping in New York for 3 days to visit a family friend of Gabe's and Trangy. Of course Gabe wants to go see the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, the Empire State building and all the "touristy" stuff.
I suggested we take it easy and try out the restaurants and wine selection of New York but apparently Gabe has a different idea on how to travel in New York. He'll be the one with the fanny pack, juggling his video camera, still camera, and shouting directions of where I need to stand for the best light in Times Square with all the other tourists. Hopefully, Trang and I will have some alone time sometime in the 3 day period to explore a different scene:)
After our 3 day stint in NYC we will be departing America on March 15th for Timisoara, Romania and I will not return to my homeland for 3 months. Although I have done this many times before, it is one last adventure before we start a family and I have to actually participate in this concept called stability.
I am hoping to keep this blog updated as much as possible and upload many photos of the adventures to come. Of course, at the same time, I will want to be participating every chance I get to be in the Romanian culture and way of life. So I will try my best to keep this updated for everyone back home. Best of luck to everyone on everything they are doing while I am gone, take care and I will be in contact!!
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