I am currently sitting in an airport, a location I didn't think I would find myself in for quite some time. Alas, here I am- headed to Connecticut for a job interview (!) and a fantastic weekend with great friends.
I'm bored, which is something I almost never experience. This trip will add three more airports to my list. And because I like lists, I will now commence listing all the airports I've experienced. Yeah, fun post for me... not so much for you.
Detroit, Michigan
Las Vegas, Nevada
Denver, Colorado
Durango, Colorado
Albuquerque, New Mexico (it took me about 60 seconds to spell that...)
Tampa, Florida
Chicago Midway, Chicago, Illinois
Chicago O'Hare, Chicago, Illinois
Baltimore, Maryland
Indianapolis, Indiana
Charlotte, North Carolina
Atlanta, Georgia
Marquette, Michigan
Toledo, Ohio
Dusseldorf, Germany
Budapest, Hungary
Frankfurt, Germany
Florence, Italy
Rome, Italy
Athens, Greece
Bratislava, Slovakia
Vienna, Austria
Zurich, Switzerland
Paris, France
Bucharest, Romania
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Dublin, Ireland
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
I'll be adding Hartford CT and Washington DC to this list by Monday.
Dude, I love flying. AND I love even numbers. AND I love the five pattern. An even number of airports with the five pattern (30)... this is clearly a sign.
Showing posts with label travel. Show all posts
Showing posts with label travel. Show all posts
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Sunday, June 5, 2011
Constanţa
I almost took a mountain bike this morning. The only consolation that I am repeating again and again is that maybe instead of falling and fracturing my ankle I would have gotten hit by a car or something. And then I would be dead or in the hospital instead of writing this blog. But then again, my ankle wouldn’t be aching inside of this cast either. It’s a toss-up, really. But then of course, the whole trip started on a bit of an odd trajectory. I should have guessed.
The city of Constanţa is really a lovely place. It’s a pretty big city (the third largest in Romania) and offers a very different landscape and culture than anywhere else I have traveled. It is located on the coast of the Black Sea, and is THE summer vacation destination for a lot of sea-going Romanians. The beaches are incredibly beautiful and the old part of the city is charming. The harbor is peaceful and there are a million little places around the city to visit. I love traveling to places that I can get to know in just a few hours.
I didn’t sleep at all on Friday night because my train was scheduled to leave quite early and I didn’t want to sleep for a few hours and then be totally exhausted. My logic is a mess, I know- but it works for me. I got to the station on Saturday morning and got on the rather modern (by Romanian standards) train, looking forward to going to sleep and waking up in Constanta. This plan went swimmingly until about 30 minutes into the journey, when we stopped. Now, I’ve sat in a train before and I wasn’t really too concerned… until about 30 minutes later. And then 45 minutes, and then 60 minutes… we just kept sitting. A little bit odd, but at least I am comfortable and cool, right? Nope. This is the part of the story where they turn the air conditioning off and we all suffocate. Slight exaggeration… instead of suffocating people just started taking their clothing off.
I'm too drugged (legit medicine from a doctor...) to continue this for now. More to come...
The city of Constanţa is really a lovely place. It’s a pretty big city (the third largest in Romania) and offers a very different landscape and culture than anywhere else I have traveled. It is located on the coast of the Black Sea, and is THE summer vacation destination for a lot of sea-going Romanians. The beaches are incredibly beautiful and the old part of the city is charming. The harbor is peaceful and there are a million little places around the city to visit. I love traveling to places that I can get to know in just a few hours.
I didn’t sleep at all on Friday night because my train was scheduled to leave quite early and I didn’t want to sleep for a few hours and then be totally exhausted. My logic is a mess, I know- but it works for me. I got to the station on Saturday morning and got on the rather modern (by Romanian standards) train, looking forward to going to sleep and waking up in Constanta. This plan went swimmingly until about 30 minutes into the journey, when we stopped. Now, I’ve sat in a train before and I wasn’t really too concerned… until about 30 minutes later. And then 45 minutes, and then 60 minutes… we just kept sitting. A little bit odd, but at least I am comfortable and cool, right? Nope. This is the part of the story where they turn the air conditioning off and we all suffocate. Slight exaggeration… instead of suffocating people just started taking their clothing off.
I'm too drugged (legit medicine from a doctor...) to continue this for now. More to come...
Thursday, May 19, 2011
A Whisper
One month from this exact moment in time I will be on an airplane. I hope it's a really big airplane and I hope I have an aisle seat. And I'll go ahead and hope that there is an 8 year old child sitting next to me, taking up an appropriate amount of space whilst keeping themselves (and me) duly entertained. I'll also hope that I'll find a baby to play with, perhaps across the aisle. I hope the food is good (no airplane fish) and if I get really lucky there will be a good movie playing. I hope the hours preceeding this flight won't be too stressful, and that I'll have been able to get my hockey bag of a suitcase to the airport by myself.
Most of all, I hope I'm not filled with the inexplicable sense of sadness that I feel when I think about one month from right now.
Most of all, I hope I'm not filled with the inexplicable sense of sadness that I feel when I think about one month from right now.
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Trip Log
8:00pm: The train just pulled out of Oradea and I have a sense that I’m leaving one of the few places on Earth where I can be truly happy. I’m in a nice compartment, about 10 times better than the train I was on from Cluj-Napoca. There are two people on the other side of the compartment and I have a lovely seat next to the window… number 56, the same seat I’ve had on 7 previous trips. I suppose there is a benefit to going early. I also very nearly lost my water bottle- about 5 minutes before the train pulled away I remembered that I had left it in the station. My poor friend looked so lonely when I ran in to grab him… and then chased the train a bit. Luckily I had at least grabbed my bag with wallet, passport, and phone. I'm not totally stupid.
9:00pm: I’ve not even finished “Driving Miss Daisy” and it’s already one of my favorite movies. I’m kind of dreading when one of them dies… I mean, one of them is going to die at some point. I hope they die together in a car crash. I’m alone in the compartment and taking advantage of it. I need to go to sleep soon and spread out across the seats so that people leave the compartment alone.
9:30pm: He is feeding her now. This is the best movie ever. No one dies.
9:35pm: I’ve made a makeshift bed and I’m going to sleep. All the way to Bucureşti.
10:41pm: Hahahaha. Maybe not all the way to Bucureşti. Just to Cluj-Napoca, where a selfish person came into my compartment and took a seat NEXT to me. Was that really necessary, you prissy girl with the curled hair and the leggings? No.
1:30am: Just finished watching “Shakespeare in Love.” So cute…
4:52am: Dang it. That was a nice long nap. Welcome to Braşov… again. Really, guys? I know you love each other... but please stop sucking face in my train compartment. It isn't even 5am. And why do you need the light on? You don't. You don't need the light to be on at all.
5:45am: So sweaty.
5:47am: SOOOO sweaty.
5:54am: Why do I do this to myself?
6:30am: 3 hours to go, and I’m conking out… again.
8:30am: So sweaty and gross. I’ve been wearing the same clothes for 24 hours now. I need a shower. I need a bath. I need a better method of travel. I need money so that I can fly places. I need this train ride to be over.
9:27am: Ahh, home sweet Bucureşti. Gara de Nord. I’m off to buy more train tickets for this EXACT same journey in about 3 weeks
9:00pm: I’ve not even finished “Driving Miss Daisy” and it’s already one of my favorite movies. I’m kind of dreading when one of them dies… I mean, one of them is going to die at some point. I hope they die together in a car crash. I’m alone in the compartment and taking advantage of it. I need to go to sleep soon and spread out across the seats so that people leave the compartment alone.
9:30pm: He is feeding her now. This is the best movie ever. No one dies.
9:35pm: I’ve made a makeshift bed and I’m going to sleep. All the way to Bucureşti.
10:41pm: Hahahaha. Maybe not all the way to Bucureşti. Just to Cluj-Napoca, where a selfish person came into my compartment and took a seat NEXT to me. Was that really necessary, you prissy girl with the curled hair and the leggings? No.
1:30am: Just finished watching “Shakespeare in Love.” So cute…
4:52am: Dang it. That was a nice long nap. Welcome to Braşov… again. Really, guys? I know you love each other... but please stop sucking face in my train compartment. It isn't even 5am. And why do you need the light on? You don't. You don't need the light to be on at all.
5:45am: So sweaty.
5:47am: SOOOO sweaty.
5:54am: Why do I do this to myself?
6:30am: 3 hours to go, and I’m conking out… again.
8:30am: So sweaty and gross. I’ve been wearing the same clothes for 24 hours now. I need a shower. I need a bath. I need a better method of travel. I need money so that I can fly places. I need this train ride to be over.
9:27am: Ahh, home sweet Bucureşti. Gara de Nord. I’m off to buy more train tickets for this EXACT same journey in about 3 weeks
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Celebration of Death?
One of the main attractions in Maramureş is the Merry Cemetery located in the village of Săpânţa. It was created by a wood sculptor named Stan Pătraş in 1935. He started painting each cross blue because the sky is where souls go, and he inscribed a witty poem about the deceased person.
Each cross has a unique inscription on it that tells the story of the person's life. It is designed to honor the life of the person as well as bring a certain happiness to the occasion, rather than the traditional mourning. It is about celebrating the life of the deceased person rather than dwelling on their passing.
I'm not so sure this isn't the way to do it. In my lifetime I've been to many funerals, but the ones I remember most are those of my four grandparents. My Grandpa Bernie died in December of 1998, and the strongest memory I have of the event is standing at his coffin while my Dad's hand shook on my shoulder right before they closed the casket. My Grandpa Morris passed away in February of 2002 and the most salient memory is of my cousin Jason walking in a few minutes late in his dress uniform from the Marines, and my grandmother crying out. My Grandma Fern passed away in September of 2009, and I'm struck by the memory of my brothers as pall bearers and my cousin Elizabeth crying at the church. All of these funerals were incredibly sad and vaguely uncomfortable.
When my Grandma Mary died in June of 2008, it was certainly a sad time. However, it was a time of celebration and discovery for me, because I had a chance to grieve before she was gone. I spent nearly two weeks with her and got to know her as the woman behind my grandmother. She didn't want a funeral, and instead of a sad one-day event I spent the summer memorializing her life. I traveled to many of her favorite places in the Four Corners region, hiking the trails she took and reliving experiences in the places she held dear. It was an incredible way to celebrate her life and process her death.
Walking through the Merry Cemetery, I was struck by the backwards traditions we sometimes observe. We stop talking about the deceased person and completely avoid any reference to those flaws that made them both human and endearing. We cry for a few days and then we mourn in private, expected to move on and process the end of a life with relative reservation and composure.
What are we doing wrong?
Each cross has a unique inscription on it that tells the story of the person's life. It is designed to honor the life of the person as well as bring a certain happiness to the occasion, rather than the traditional mourning. It is about celebrating the life of the deceased person rather than dwelling on their passing.
I'm not so sure this isn't the way to do it. In my lifetime I've been to many funerals, but the ones I remember most are those of my four grandparents. My Grandpa Bernie died in December of 1998, and the strongest memory I have of the event is standing at his coffin while my Dad's hand shook on my shoulder right before they closed the casket. My Grandpa Morris passed away in February of 2002 and the most salient memory is of my cousin Jason walking in a few minutes late in his dress uniform from the Marines, and my grandmother crying out. My Grandma Fern passed away in September of 2009, and I'm struck by the memory of my brothers as pall bearers and my cousin Elizabeth crying at the church. All of these funerals were incredibly sad and vaguely uncomfortable.
When my Grandma Mary died in June of 2008, it was certainly a sad time. However, it was a time of celebration and discovery for me, because I had a chance to grieve before she was gone. I spent nearly two weeks with her and got to know her as the woman behind my grandmother. She didn't want a funeral, and instead of a sad one-day event I spent the summer memorializing her life. I traveled to many of her favorite places in the Four Corners region, hiking the trails she took and reliving experiences in the places she held dear. It was an incredible way to celebrate her life and process her death.
Walking through the Merry Cemetery, I was struck by the backwards traditions we sometimes observe. We stop talking about the deceased person and completely avoid any reference to those flaws that made them both human and endearing. We cry for a few days and then we mourn in private, expected to move on and process the end of a life with relative reservation and composure.
What are we doing wrong?
Saturday, April 16, 2011
Train Diary
It took me two tries to successfully purchase a reservation on a sleeper car to travel to Sighetu Maramaţei in Maramureş. The first time I went to Gara de Nord in Bucureşti I was met at the ticket window by a very hostile woman who wasn’t very interested in me from the moment I said “I’m sorry, I only speak a little Romanian.” I showed her my accurately translated ticket and reservation requests, and she immediately began shaking her head at me. She sent me away, and I went to another window where the woman was friendlier but the result was the same- it seemed I could not purchase my tickets. Confused but short on time, I ran to catch my train, resolved that I would return another time.
The next time I tried, I found an agent who admitted to speaking a little bit of English, and discovered that while I could purchase all of the other tickets and reservations for my trip from her; I had to go somewhere special for the ticket on the sleeper car. I wasn’t at all concerned as I set off bolstered by her helpfulness, looking for window 809. Friends… I wandered around that station for about 45 minutes. Walking back and forth, up and down, entirely around the outside and into every little room I could find. No one knew where window 809 might be. Exhausted, I was nearly ready to go back and just book a regular seat on the SIXTEEN hour journey, when I had a stroke of luck. I saw two people walking together, speaking in English. This isn’t entirely uncommon at Gara de Nord in Bucareşti, as it is where many international travelers enter the country. What made this couple different was the fluid Romanian they spoke with service personnel outside the main entrance. Yes, eavesdropping sometimes pays off.
To their credit, they only laughed a little bit when they explained that I could buy my ticket and reservation from window 8 OR 9.
So here I am, about three hours into this journey, and incredibly thankful for a few things. Firstly, that I booked a reservation that doesn’t involve me sitting in a regular seat right now. For one thing, it is crowded- I wanted to see where exactly I would have been slumming it. For another, I’ve already taken a nap on the bed that is even more comfortable than my futon. My first night on spring break in relative luxury, compliments of CFR. Secondly, I am thankful that I have the bottom bunk in this cabin. The reservation said that there were four beds in a cabin; actually, there are three. And they are stacked one on top of another. The nosebleed bed is way up at the top of the cabin, naturally, and if I got up there in Bucureşti, it might be difficult to get back down before arriving in Sighet. I’m sharing a cabin with a grandmother and her two grandsons. Dan is 15 years old and speaks English pretty well, and his younger brother Cristian is 8 and filled with energy. I thought I was going to go crazy on this trip- I have no idea how he is going to survive. Maybe they’ll drug him in a few hours.
It is relatively quiet in the cabin, but the train noises are ever present and make me thankful for my iPod and noise-canceling earphones. I should be able to sleep tonight fairly easily, which will go a long way to making my first day in Maramureş enjoyable. For those of you who know me, I operate under a constant fear that I won’t have water to drink, and this trip is no exception. With the recent demise of Mr. Purple Nalgene (don’t worry, he came along for day trips) I had to rely on purchasing bottled water from the station and bringing it aboard with me. Now, I understand that this is a little bit maniacal, but I’m currently worried that the FOUR liters of water won’t be enough. I mean, I understand on an intellectual level that an entire village in Africa could probably survive on this much water for the trip if necessary, or that I actually could go 16 hours without drinking any water if it came to that. But my heart is still concerned, so much so that I’m going to hop off in Brasov and buy some more water.
*Update* I bought more water and ended up leaving about 3 liters on the train.
That brings me to the last thought for this blog posting- Braşov. I never thought I would find myself complaining about a trip through the mountains, but I’m getting tired of this ride. It’s terrible and horrendously ungrateful, I know. But I have been on these tracks quite a few times since my arrival in Romania. There was the first actual trip to Braşov and return to Bucureşti- 2 trips. Then, the trip to Braşov with my Dad made 3. The return from Sibiu made 4, the return from Sighişoara 5, and traveling to Maramureş makes 6. It is a bit different this time though- nothing like a thick layer of snow on the 15th of April to remind you that you are in the mountains. It is rather beautiful if not the best start to a spring break trip, and it makes me worried that I didn’t pack enough warm clothing. For all the improvement I’ve made on shoving 10 days worth of clothing into a backpack, they never seem to be the RIGHT ones.
One more thing I’m thankful for at the moment- power plug-ins. I’m going to watch a movie in the bottom bunk of a sleeper cabin in a sleeper car in ROMANIA. My life is awesome sometimes.
The next time I tried, I found an agent who admitted to speaking a little bit of English, and discovered that while I could purchase all of the other tickets and reservations for my trip from her; I had to go somewhere special for the ticket on the sleeper car. I wasn’t at all concerned as I set off bolstered by her helpfulness, looking for window 809. Friends… I wandered around that station for about 45 minutes. Walking back and forth, up and down, entirely around the outside and into every little room I could find. No one knew where window 809 might be. Exhausted, I was nearly ready to go back and just book a regular seat on the SIXTEEN hour journey, when I had a stroke of luck. I saw two people walking together, speaking in English. This isn’t entirely uncommon at Gara de Nord in Bucareşti, as it is where many international travelers enter the country. What made this couple different was the fluid Romanian they spoke with service personnel outside the main entrance. Yes, eavesdropping sometimes pays off.
To their credit, they only laughed a little bit when they explained that I could buy my ticket and reservation from window 8 OR 9.
So here I am, about three hours into this journey, and incredibly thankful for a few things. Firstly, that I booked a reservation that doesn’t involve me sitting in a regular seat right now. For one thing, it is crowded- I wanted to see where exactly I would have been slumming it. For another, I’ve already taken a nap on the bed that is even more comfortable than my futon. My first night on spring break in relative luxury, compliments of CFR. Secondly, I am thankful that I have the bottom bunk in this cabin. The reservation said that there were four beds in a cabin; actually, there are three. And they are stacked one on top of another. The nosebleed bed is way up at the top of the cabin, naturally, and if I got up there in Bucureşti, it might be difficult to get back down before arriving in Sighet. I’m sharing a cabin with a grandmother and her two grandsons. Dan is 15 years old and speaks English pretty well, and his younger brother Cristian is 8 and filled with energy. I thought I was going to go crazy on this trip- I have no idea how he is going to survive. Maybe they’ll drug him in a few hours.
It is relatively quiet in the cabin, but the train noises are ever present and make me thankful for my iPod and noise-canceling earphones. I should be able to sleep tonight fairly easily, which will go a long way to making my first day in Maramureş enjoyable. For those of you who know me, I operate under a constant fear that I won’t have water to drink, and this trip is no exception. With the recent demise of Mr. Purple Nalgene (don’t worry, he came along for day trips) I had to rely on purchasing bottled water from the station and bringing it aboard with me. Now, I understand that this is a little bit maniacal, but I’m currently worried that the FOUR liters of water won’t be enough. I mean, I understand on an intellectual level that an entire village in Africa could probably survive on this much water for the trip if necessary, or that I actually could go 16 hours without drinking any water if it came to that. But my heart is still concerned, so much so that I’m going to hop off in Brasov and buy some more water.
*Update* I bought more water and ended up leaving about 3 liters on the train.
That brings me to the last thought for this blog posting- Braşov. I never thought I would find myself complaining about a trip through the mountains, but I’m getting tired of this ride. It’s terrible and horrendously ungrateful, I know. But I have been on these tracks quite a few times since my arrival in Romania. There was the first actual trip to Braşov and return to Bucureşti- 2 trips. Then, the trip to Braşov with my Dad made 3. The return from Sibiu made 4, the return from Sighişoara 5, and traveling to Maramureş makes 6. It is a bit different this time though- nothing like a thick layer of snow on the 15th of April to remind you that you are in the mountains. It is rather beautiful if not the best start to a spring break trip, and it makes me worried that I didn’t pack enough warm clothing. For all the improvement I’ve made on shoving 10 days worth of clothing into a backpack, they never seem to be the RIGHT ones.
One more thing I’m thankful for at the moment- power plug-ins. I’m going to watch a movie in the bottom bunk of a sleeper cabin in a sleeper car in ROMANIA. My life is awesome sometimes.
Monday, April 4, 2011
Sighişoara
It's a cool city, a beautiful city, an OLD city. It was an absolutely wonderful and relaxing weekend. Let's take it step by step...
I got to the hostel after a rather interesting train ride. 5:00 is early, and 6:00 on a train isn't too much better. I was able to sleep for about 3 hours or so. However, it was super hot, so I actually took a shower and nap for about 2 hours before heading back out again. The hostel was nice, located in the citadel itself, really accessible and friendly. What they DON'T tell you is that there are about 3 total ways to get into this citadel... located on a hill... and you might climb nearly 200 stairs to find that you can't actually get in. And then you might do that again. So the third time you do it, you are REALLY hoping that there is an actual gate there, and really wishing you hadn't actually packed a thing because you've carried it up nearly 600 stairs at this point. Combined with the train ride...
I met a really funny guy on the train, until he turned weird. We chatted for a long time in broken English (his, not mine ;) about Romania and stuff, and he asked me who punished me and made me teach here. It got weird when he talked about how Romania is "picante" (spicy) and how he likes some spicy food, but the thing he really likes to be spicy is sex. "Ummm... no, thank you, I have somewhere to stay. No really, I have a reservation. Yeah, it's in the citadel. No, I don't think I should tell you the name of the place."Anyway...
The rest of the weekend was filled with wandering and picture taking and reading at cafes and enjoying the sun and feeling like I was in a fairytale.
My final misaventure occured while leaving the city. On my way to the train station I stumbled a bit and skinned my knee, while carrying all of my things of course. It was an absolutely beautiful day and I was sad to be leaving... so I did what I sometimes do. I talked to myself.
So standing at a crossroads with a bloody knee and a backpack on my back and a daypack on my front and a canvas tote bag, I started speaking. "I don't want to leave. I don't want to get on this train and leave this place. I don't want the week to start. I want to stay here forever. You can't make me leave. You can't make me. You can't make me leave."
Well, I thought I was alone... until the man behind me cleared his throat. The...um... gorgeous man (as most Romanian men are)... just staring open-mouthed at me. I give a half-smile and a bit of a chuckle, and then he speaks. "Ma'am, would you like me to call you a doctor?"
Great. Not only did he hear me, he is one of the people in this city who speaks English. Really just... super.
What I was most struck by, however, was the juxtaposition of sensation I experienced. In one way, being in a place so incredibly old, with such a full and rich history, gives a feeling of inconsequence. How could I matter when I think about the thousands of people, across entire centuries, who touched that very stone I walked across? Their lives, just as full of joy and heartache, love and despair... and mine, clashing together in one place, at one moment. Who experienced what emotion in this church, at this corner, in this archway? I felt small and uninfluential.
And then the incredible connection hit me. I am small... but we all are. Because my emotions and experiences and opportunities aren't small to me, just in the grand scheme of the world. And maybe... all of our inconsequential emotions and little experiences and tiny opportunities are actually what allow us to be... people. And then to somehow make an impression on the face of this very old and very connected world.
It was a GREAT weekend :)
I got to the hostel after a rather interesting train ride. 5:00 is early, and 6:00 on a train isn't too much better. I was able to sleep for about 3 hours or so. However, it was super hot, so I actually took a shower and nap for about 2 hours before heading back out again. The hostel was nice, located in the citadel itself, really accessible and friendly. What they DON'T tell you is that there are about 3 total ways to get into this citadel... located on a hill... and you might climb nearly 200 stairs to find that you can't actually get in. And then you might do that again. So the third time you do it, you are REALLY hoping that there is an actual gate there, and really wishing you hadn't actually packed a thing because you've carried it up nearly 600 stairs at this point. Combined with the train ride...
I met a really funny guy on the train, until he turned weird. We chatted for a long time in broken English (his, not mine ;) about Romania and stuff, and he asked me who punished me and made me teach here. It got weird when he talked about how Romania is "picante" (spicy) and how he likes some spicy food, but the thing he really likes to be spicy is sex. "Ummm... no, thank you, I have somewhere to stay. No really, I have a reservation. Yeah, it's in the citadel. No, I don't think I should tell you the name of the place."Anyway...
The rest of the weekend was filled with wandering and picture taking and reading at cafes and enjoying the sun and feeling like I was in a fairytale.
My final misaventure occured while leaving the city. On my way to the train station I stumbled a bit and skinned my knee, while carrying all of my things of course. It was an absolutely beautiful day and I was sad to be leaving... so I did what I sometimes do. I talked to myself.
So standing at a crossroads with a bloody knee and a backpack on my back and a daypack on my front and a canvas tote bag, I started speaking. "I don't want to leave. I don't want to get on this train and leave this place. I don't want the week to start. I want to stay here forever. You can't make me leave. You can't make me. You can't make me leave."
Well, I thought I was alone... until the man behind me cleared his throat. The...um... gorgeous man (as most Romanian men are)... just staring open-mouthed at me. I give a half-smile and a bit of a chuckle, and then he speaks. "Ma'am, would you like me to call you a doctor?"
Great. Not only did he hear me, he is one of the people in this city who speaks English. Really just... super.
What I was most struck by, however, was the juxtaposition of sensation I experienced. In one way, being in a place so incredibly old, with such a full and rich history, gives a feeling of inconsequence. How could I matter when I think about the thousands of people, across entire centuries, who touched that very stone I walked across? Their lives, just as full of joy and heartache, love and despair... and mine, clashing together in one place, at one moment. Who experienced what emotion in this church, at this corner, in this archway? I felt small and uninfluential.
And then the incredible connection hit me. I am small... but we all are. Because my emotions and experiences and opportunities aren't small to me, just in the grand scheme of the world. And maybe... all of our inconsequential emotions and little experiences and tiny opportunities are actually what allow us to be... people. And then to somehow make an impression on the face of this very old and very connected world.
It was a GREAT weekend :)
Thursday, March 31, 2011
The Sorely Needed Update
For those of you who enjoy my blogging in list format, here goes... I know that I have been terrible about this, and there really are a few things going on in my life.
1. I journeyed to Sibiu, a Saxon settlement in Transylvania. It was a really lovely weekend, and a good time to get away. The journey there wasn't awful- as is usually the case on a Friday evening, the train gets less and less crowded the closer you come to the destination. I arrived at about 9:00 in the evening and found my way to the hostel quickly, then ventured out a bit for a walk around the three interlocking squares. It was amazing, kind of a pedestrian center and recently renovated, so the streets are clean and the pavement isn't treacherous. Though it rained nearly the entire weekend, it didn't prevent me from walking what felt like a million miles and climbing a ton of stairs and loving the experience.
2. I had an interview the following Wednesday for a position in Connecticut as a Residential Counselor for a summer program. I wasn't nearly as excited about the position going into the interview as I should have been, but 45 minutes later, I was sold. The man I interviewed with sounded like an amazing boss, and the job just seemed incredible. We agreed to speak sometime the following week regarding the position. He sent out reference forms the next morning, and called on Skype later that night to offer me the position. Friends, I'm moving to Middletown, Connecticut at the end of June, and I really couldn't be more excited.
3. I mailed some things at the post office the next day, and nearly 40 minutes later I sent off my two cards. Watch for a follow-up posting on the Romanian Postal Service...
4. I got a package on Tuesday from my amazing parents. It was filled with amazing goodies like onion soup mix and Kraft Macaroni and Cheese and Jolly Ranchers and tea and honey and multivitamins and Crystal Light. Amazing...
5. I am headed to the town of Sighişoara this weekend, and really excited. Providing the money holds out, I will be traveling every other weekend until I leave. This is nuts. Sighişoara is another Saxon settlement in Transylvania, and is said to be the best preserved inhabited citadel in Europe. It is a much smaller town than those I've been to before, but that should mean I can really explore the whole town. I'm not leaving until Saturday morning to save on lodging costs, which makes for a long weekend on the train, but I don't mind. Because there will be mountains, and I like mountains :)
6. There is a lot more to blog about and I promise I will be getting around to it soon...
1. I journeyed to Sibiu, a Saxon settlement in Transylvania. It was a really lovely weekend, and a good time to get away. The journey there wasn't awful- as is usually the case on a Friday evening, the train gets less and less crowded the closer you come to the destination. I arrived at about 9:00 in the evening and found my way to the hostel quickly, then ventured out a bit for a walk around the three interlocking squares. It was amazing, kind of a pedestrian center and recently renovated, so the streets are clean and the pavement isn't treacherous. Though it rained nearly the entire weekend, it didn't prevent me from walking what felt like a million miles and climbing a ton of stairs and loving the experience.
2. I had an interview the following Wednesday for a position in Connecticut as a Residential Counselor for a summer program. I wasn't nearly as excited about the position going into the interview as I should have been, but 45 minutes later, I was sold. The man I interviewed with sounded like an amazing boss, and the job just seemed incredible. We agreed to speak sometime the following week regarding the position. He sent out reference forms the next morning, and called on Skype later that night to offer me the position. Friends, I'm moving to Middletown, Connecticut at the end of June, and I really couldn't be more excited.
3. I mailed some things at the post office the next day, and nearly 40 minutes later I sent off my two cards. Watch for a follow-up posting on the Romanian Postal Service...
4. I got a package on Tuesday from my amazing parents. It was filled with amazing goodies like onion soup mix and Kraft Macaroni and Cheese and Jolly Ranchers and tea and honey and multivitamins and Crystal Light. Amazing...
5. I am headed to the town of Sighişoara this weekend, and really excited. Providing the money holds out, I will be traveling every other weekend until I leave. This is nuts. Sighişoara is another Saxon settlement in Transylvania, and is said to be the best preserved inhabited citadel in Europe. It is a much smaller town than those I've been to before, but that should mean I can really explore the whole town. I'm not leaving until Saturday morning to save on lodging costs, which makes for a long weekend on the train, but I don't mind. Because there will be mountains, and I like mountains :)
6. There is a lot more to blog about and I promise I will be getting around to it soon...
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Happenings
There has been a LOT going on in the past week or so, but I'm going to focus on the future. I have a few things to say.
1. I am traveling to Sibiu this coming weekend and I am incredibly excited. The more I read, I become more and more convinced that I really need a weekend away in a place described as so charming.
2. I am traveling to Sighişoara the first weekend in April, and then I have a long trip planned for spring break (including Maramureş, Cluj-Napoca, and Oradea). The second weekend in May is set aside for a visit to Timişoara, and the last weekend in May is reserved for Constanţa. I will be visiting Iaşi the first weekend in June, and flying home to the States sometime after June 17. Now... the challenge is just to find funds all of these adventures :)
3. My 5A class is working on a project that they will present next week- a travel poster on different major cities in Romania. No joke- what I've seen so far is incredibly impressive. I'm very excited- pictures to come, of course.
4. I'll be featuring some of the best "Social Problems" compositions of my 6A class in the coming days- look out for some amazing writers.
5. I got a package in the mail today from my dear friend Lori. A while ago I mentioned to her that I missed having something to cuddle. Check out what I found at the post office today:
And with that, have a lovely week!
1. I am traveling to Sibiu this coming weekend and I am incredibly excited. The more I read, I become more and more convinced that I really need a weekend away in a place described as so charming.
2. I am traveling to Sighişoara the first weekend in April, and then I have a long trip planned for spring break (including Maramureş, Cluj-Napoca, and Oradea). The second weekend in May is set aside for a visit to Timişoara, and the last weekend in May is reserved for Constanţa. I will be visiting Iaşi the first weekend in June, and flying home to the States sometime after June 17. Now... the challenge is just to find funds all of these adventures :)
3. My 5A class is working on a project that they will present next week- a travel poster on different major cities in Romania. No joke- what I've seen so far is incredibly impressive. I'm very excited- pictures to come, of course.
4. I'll be featuring some of the best "Social Problems" compositions of my 6A class in the coming days- look out for some amazing writers.
5. I got a package in the mail today from my dear friend Lori. A while ago I mentioned to her that I missed having something to cuddle. Check out what I found at the post office today:
And with that, have a lovely week!
Saturday, February 5, 2011
One Recollection- A Royal Visit
Written by Mike:
Once upon a time there was a little princess in a small part of Romania. Her father the King was in a distant land. When he came back his daughter the princess had gathered all the peasants. They had a huge celebration. And the King declared that he and his daughter the princess would travel the countryside. And thus it began.
They left the King’s fortress in the largest town (Bucuresti) and traveled early in the morning to a very old area of the countryside so the King could show his princess their history. They passed beautiful countryside of rolling hills and jagged mountains covered with ice. When they reached the town (Brasov) the King left his daughter the princess to go out amongst the villagers whilst she recovered from her journey. The King enjoyed his time with his subjects enough that he returned to his daughter to bring her out with him the following day. Together they traveled the local countryside to ancient ruins, and the King told his daughter the history of their heritage. That night, they snuck away so as not to be noticed by the adoring subjects, for the King did not want a big fanfare. They journeyed to another town in the northern cold land and arrived at dawn in the city of Cluj-Napoca. The princess awakened at the beauty and magnificence of the city and the King was elated. Weary as they were from a night of travel, they took rest. In the early afternoon the King brought his princess to his magical garden, which appeared to be a winter wonderland. The princess was in awe. After meeting a charming dignitary for an evening meal, she proposed that the King and princess travel to a foreign land as a diplomatic act. And thus, they made ready to leave on their journey on the morrow.
Traveling to a neighboring kingdom, the King and his princess were met by wonderful fanfare and they were housed in the kingdom’s finest palace available. The King and his princess were in awe of the beauty and splendor of the sights of the village and the furnishings of the palace. The following day the King and his princess were escorted as diplomats to tour the village and see all that it had to offer. Upon awakening the King and his weary princess disguised themselves as commoners so as not to be recognized as diplomats to go amongst the people. They traveled to the thermal baths and to the Central Market Place, where they dined on the local fare and marveled at the hand crafts of the local people. Still in disguise the King suggested that they sneak away back to their kingdom during the night, and this pleased the princess. They arrived after a painful journey to Timisoara, where they had a late-night stroll through the town squares before retiring for the night.
Upon awakening and eating a breakfast feast fit for the King and his princess (complete with Nutella), they again proceeded into the square where subjects were happy to see them. Happy to be amongst his loyal subjects the King and princess met and talked with several of their countrymen, and even dined with one man. However, all good stories must come to an end, and it was time for the King and his princess to return to the fortress far far away. They left, heading east in the daylight, and it would be late in the night before they returned to the town they left a short 6 days previous.
Once upon a time there was a little princess in a small part of Romania. Her father the King was in a distant land. When he came back his daughter the princess had gathered all the peasants. They had a huge celebration. And the King declared that he and his daughter the princess would travel the countryside. And thus it began.
They left the King’s fortress in the largest town (Bucuresti) and traveled early in the morning to a very old area of the countryside so the King could show his princess their history. They passed beautiful countryside of rolling hills and jagged mountains covered with ice. When they reached the town (Brasov) the King left his daughter the princess to go out amongst the villagers whilst she recovered from her journey. The King enjoyed his time with his subjects enough that he returned to his daughter to bring her out with him the following day. Together they traveled the local countryside to ancient ruins, and the King told his daughter the history of their heritage. That night, they snuck away so as not to be noticed by the adoring subjects, for the King did not want a big fanfare. They journeyed to another town in the northern cold land and arrived at dawn in the city of Cluj-Napoca. The princess awakened at the beauty and magnificence of the city and the King was elated. Weary as they were from a night of travel, they took rest. In the early afternoon the King brought his princess to his magical garden, which appeared to be a winter wonderland. The princess was in awe. After meeting a charming dignitary for an evening meal, she proposed that the King and princess travel to a foreign land as a diplomatic act. And thus, they made ready to leave on their journey on the morrow.
Traveling to a neighboring kingdom, the King and his princess were met by wonderful fanfare and they were housed in the kingdom’s finest palace available. The King and his princess were in awe of the beauty and splendor of the sights of the village and the furnishings of the palace. The following day the King and his princess were escorted as diplomats to tour the village and see all that it had to offer. Upon awakening the King and his weary princess disguised themselves as commoners so as not to be recognized as diplomats to go amongst the people. They traveled to the thermal baths and to the Central Market Place, where they dined on the local fare and marveled at the hand crafts of the local people. Still in disguise the King suggested that they sneak away back to their kingdom during the night, and this pleased the princess. They arrived after a painful journey to Timisoara, where they had a late-night stroll through the town squares before retiring for the night.
Upon awakening and eating a breakfast feast fit for the King and his princess (complete with Nutella), they again proceeded into the square where subjects were happy to see them. Happy to be amongst his loyal subjects the King and princess met and talked with several of their countrymen, and even dined with one man. However, all good stories must come to an end, and it was time for the King and his princess to return to the fortress far far away. They left, heading east in the daylight, and it would be late in the night before they returned to the town they left a short 6 days previous.
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Events
Since my last post...
1. I didn't actually have any classes to teach on Friday. No one told me this of course, but my break actually started on Thursday afternoon.
2. I started feeling sick.
3. I picked my dad up from the airport, and we journeyed back to my neighborhood to get groceries, and then out for dinner at a traditional place in Lipscani. We had ţuica- ohhhh, man.
4. I got more sick.
5. We left really early in the morning to catch the train to Braşov.
6. I got more sick.
7. I spent about 20 hours laying in a bed, sending my dad out on the town.
8. I feel less sick and now I am writing this.
Hoping that these next 24 hours are better than the last, because we'll be in Cluj-Napoca in just 21 hours :)
1. I didn't actually have any classes to teach on Friday. No one told me this of course, but my break actually started on Thursday afternoon.
2. I started feeling sick.
3. I picked my dad up from the airport, and we journeyed back to my neighborhood to get groceries, and then out for dinner at a traditional place in Lipscani. We had ţuica- ohhhh, man.
4. I got more sick.
5. We left really early in the morning to catch the train to Braşov.
6. I got more sick.
7. I spent about 20 hours laying in a bed, sending my dad out on the town.
8. I feel less sick and now I am writing this.
Hoping that these next 24 hours are better than the last, because we'll be in Cluj-Napoca in just 21 hours :)
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Tatăl Meu
My father leaves tomorrow to fly to EUROPE.
EUROPE is where I live!!!
We've got big plans, really. Nights in hostels and days in beautiful towns and train trips and time. We'll be going to Braşov and Cluj-Napoca and Budapest and Timişoara.
But most of all, I think... my dad is going to show me this country again. And I'm going to look with new eyes upon this beautiful place where I am so lucky to live.
EUROPE is where I live!!!
We've got big plans, really. Nights in hostels and days in beautiful towns and train trips and time. We'll be going to Braşov and Cluj-Napoca and Budapest and Timişoara.
But most of all, I think... my dad is going to show me this country again. And I'm going to look with new eyes upon this beautiful place where I am so lucky to live.
Monday, December 6, 2010
Holiday Plans
Some of you who have been reading this blog from the beginning can probably skip through my introduction here, because it really just is going to be repetitive.
Friends, I'm a planner. I plan things- I plan my life and my career and my day. I can change my plans, certainly (HELLO, Romania) but I like to know what is going on a decent amount of time before it happens.
I've recently had someone stumble into my life who has helped me relax a bit in this way, and I'll forever be thankful for that influence- but I'm still a planner at heart.
Now is an acceptable time to post about my plans for the holiday, yeah?
First of all, I'd like to say that I just have an incredible amount of wonderful people in my life. Here we go.
December 23- Leave my apartment in Bucharest at around 6:30 in the morning, and arrive in Detroit that night around 5:30, helped in part by the 7 hour time difference, involving the rotation of the earth on it's axis and other things I don't quite understand. I'm going to be exhausted.
December 24- Bake goodies all day long, as this is primarily what I have to offer the various groups of people I will be seeing over the next 9 days. I could bring things home from Romania, but Bucharest doesn't really have special things like that- and who doesn't want some cookies baked with love? Hang out with the H~ family, something I am probably more excited about than I should be. All of them, too- M~ included!
December 25- I think this day has some sort of special meaning.
December 26- Leave for western Michigan (not to be confused with Western Michigan, though I WILL pass that on the way to my destination in western Michigan) for the start of what I'm sure will be a wonderful trip. Meeting new people is rather exciting for me.
December 27- Hang out in Holland with a group of people who help me to keep breathing sometimes- P~ and R~ and C~ and C~ and A~ and L~ all in one lovely cottage, eating goodies and sharing love.
December 28- Leave early in the morning and drive to Aunt D~ and Uncle G~ house just south of Chicago. Happy holidays, family! Meet my family there (J~ included) and then go to our hotel in the Loop. Eat loads of food (see previous blog) and have fun in the Chicago Winter Wonderland.
December 29- Eat breakfast at Lou Mitchells and then leave the city, headed for Granger Indiana and the home of G~, M~, L~, M~ and C~. Spend time with them talking and laughing and playing games (I'm sure).
December 30- Wrestling invitational at Comstock. Joy of my heart, but at least I'll get to see E~ wrestle once this year. Plus, I was really starting to miss the smell of adolescent boy sweat that has permeated those mats. Delicious.
December 31- Spend a quiet evening with my dear L~ watching movies and talking and toasting the new year.
January 1- WOW... I have no idea what I'm going to do on this day. Probably take my lovely mother out for her Christmas present (if she reads this far in the blog she'll probably have an idea of what she is getting) and then maybe go and see a movie with my brothers C~ and E~ because we all know I'm the coolest and they love me the most. If they don't share this sentiment I'll guilt them somehow- the "I live in Romania" card is predicted to appear.
January 2- Get on a plane in Detroit at 9:30 in the evening.
I'm a planner, and I've got mad plans. This is going to be the best Christmas Vacation EVER. I'm determined.
Seriously though- even if things don't work out quite as well as I have planned for, I still have an incredible week filled with people who help me to find beauty and joy and humor and love and hope when I need it most. Who could ask for more than that, and in all honestly, isn't this what Christmas is about?
Friends, I'm a planner. I plan things- I plan my life and my career and my day. I can change my plans, certainly (HELLO, Romania) but I like to know what is going on a decent amount of time before it happens.
I've recently had someone stumble into my life who has helped me relax a bit in this way, and I'll forever be thankful for that influence- but I'm still a planner at heart.
Now is an acceptable time to post about my plans for the holiday, yeah?
First of all, I'd like to say that I just have an incredible amount of wonderful people in my life. Here we go.
December 23- Leave my apartment in Bucharest at around 6:30 in the morning, and arrive in Detroit that night around 5:30, helped in part by the 7 hour time difference, involving the rotation of the earth on it's axis and other things I don't quite understand. I'm going to be exhausted.
December 24- Bake goodies all day long, as this is primarily what I have to offer the various groups of people I will be seeing over the next 9 days. I could bring things home from Romania, but Bucharest doesn't really have special things like that- and who doesn't want some cookies baked with love? Hang out with the H~ family, something I am probably more excited about than I should be. All of them, too- M~ included!
December 25- I think this day has some sort of special meaning.
December 26- Leave for western Michigan (not to be confused with Western Michigan, though I WILL pass that on the way to my destination in western Michigan) for the start of what I'm sure will be a wonderful trip. Meeting new people is rather exciting for me.
December 27- Hang out in Holland with a group of people who help me to keep breathing sometimes- P~ and R~ and C~ and C~ and A~ and L~ all in one lovely cottage, eating goodies and sharing love.
December 28- Leave early in the morning and drive to Aunt D~ and Uncle G~ house just south of Chicago. Happy holidays, family! Meet my family there (J~ included) and then go to our hotel in the Loop. Eat loads of food (see previous blog) and have fun in the Chicago Winter Wonderland.
December 29- Eat breakfast at Lou Mitchells and then leave the city, headed for Granger Indiana and the home of G~, M~, L~, M~ and C~. Spend time with them talking and laughing and playing games (I'm sure).
December 30- Wrestling invitational at Comstock. Joy of my heart, but at least I'll get to see E~ wrestle once this year. Plus, I was really starting to miss the smell of adolescent boy sweat that has permeated those mats. Delicious.
December 31- Spend a quiet evening with my dear L~ watching movies and talking and toasting the new year.
January 1- WOW... I have no idea what I'm going to do on this day. Probably take my lovely mother out for her Christmas present (if she reads this far in the blog she'll probably have an idea of what she is getting) and then maybe go and see a movie with my brothers C~ and E~ because we all know I'm the coolest and they love me the most. If they don't share this sentiment I'll guilt them somehow- the "I live in Romania" card is predicted to appear.
January 2- Get on a plane in Detroit at 9:30 in the evening.
I'm a planner, and I've got mad plans. This is going to be the best Christmas Vacation EVER. I'm determined.
Seriously though- even if things don't work out quite as well as I have planned for, I still have an incredible week filled with people who help me to find beauty and joy and humor and love and hope when I need it most. Who could ask for more than that, and in all honestly, isn't this what Christmas is about?
Sunday, October 31, 2010
I Lied...
I'll get to my lie a little later in the post.
Bran is (to be completely honest) rather disappointing. It is certainly a HUGE tourist attraction, but the castle itself isn't amazing. Regardless, for the rest of my life I will be able to say that I spent Halloween 2010 at Dracula's Castle. Honestly, what else in life IS there? 
To begin, travel is magic. Traveling alone is magic as well, and I wasn't so sure this would be the case.
I arrived in Brasov on Friday, and ended up talking until after 3 in the morning, just soaking in the comfortable English conversation with new friends J~, S~, and T~ from Brunei and New Zealand. I got up on Saturday morning and went for a hike up Tampa Mountain- literally one of those experiences you remember forever- the ones that, in a really odd sort of way, define you. It was about 75 minutes up the mountain with all the switchbacks, and I got to the top right as the sun was peaking over the edge. I just stood with my hands outstretched and breathed and screamed and cried because of all the beauty and blessing in my life. See, there are benefits to traveling alone!
The rest of the day was spent exploring the remainder of the center of Brasov- it is an adorable, beautiful, amazing city. The center is so untouched by the Communist influences (bloc apartments, etc...) that seem to be everywhere else in Romania. It was just pure and clean and friendly and warm. The weather was absolutely perfect- the most wonderful autumn weekend. I got moved with my newfound friend J~ to an apartment because the hostel was booked out, and we had dinner at a local restaurant with Romanian specialties. Including the "grilled pig brain." Yes, friends- I at BRAIN! It was rather mushy, but actually rather tasty. We then went out with the two guys from New Zealand in the city center- near Piata Sfatului. It was a magical kind of day.
J~ was supposed to leave in the morning for the next leg of her journey, but she ended up delaying it a day so she could stay and go to Bran with me. THIS was my lie. In the last post, I said that I was not going to Dracula's castle- we did, in fact, go to Dracula's castle at Bran. It is about a half hour bus trip from Brasov, and we (with the help of two Serbian girls H~ and N~) flagged down the bus from the side of the road and made the trek.
Bran is (to be completely honest) rather disappointing. It is certainly a HUGE tourist attraction, but the castle itself isn't amazing. Regardless, for the rest of my life I will be able to say that I spent Halloween 2010 at Dracula's Castle. Honestly, what else in life IS there?
My return home was late (as trains usually are) but rather comfortable. I enjoyed part of the journey in a compartment with a music teacher, an old woman, a man who just kept muttering "frumosa" (meaning "beautiful") to himself, and a three year old child. Around the halfway point my compartment emptied out and I was joined by two men who were- to put it mildly- Romanian gods. They are volleyball coaches. Mhhmmm.
Bucuresti was waiting for me in all its glory. It always amazed me that not only my apartment, but my metro station and my street and my city are all the same when I return. I come back with an entire weekend full of new experiences and memories and friends and thoughts and emotions- and everything here is the same.
It is like magic.
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