Well, I arrived in Lupeni on Thursday night at about 10:30. My plane rides were very long, but pleasantly uneventful, except that the flight attendant on the way from Munich to Bucharest had an awesome fauxhalk! When I arrived in Bucharest, I gathered my bags and went out to the international arrivals exit, and immediately I saw a guy smiling holding a sign that said “welcome Davia!” I couldn’t help but grin and wave. He said he knew me because our director had said to look for someone with a big backpack. The young man’s name is George Ionascu, as his last name will be pertinent later on. George and I hit it off immediately- joking and laughing. His English is foarte bine- very good, and he is very easy going. I expected someone in their early thirties, but he is 24, so this was a surprise. Our taxi driver was very crazy, but skilled. It was so exciting to watch this European countryside fly by.

We went to the hotel in Bucharest. Bucharest is not like any city I have ever seen. It is hard to describe, it feels so old and cultured…and rich, but not wealthy. Certainly not wealthy. George checked out every detail of the hotel and made me promise not to leave the hotel after he had left for his home in Bucharest. Soon I was alone in the small hotel room. It was weird at first, because it was still light out, and everything in me wants to explore anything new right away…I love walking and discovering. But it wouldn’t be right, so I sat down and thought about what to do, realizing this must be what participants on solo feel like. After some thinking I turned on the TV to find Law and Order in English! (But it turned out to be an episode I had already seen- gofigure) I fell asleep quickly, since I had been awake for about 30 hours at this point- ugh.

In the morning we went to the train station, bought tickets and had to wait about 4 hours at McDonalds until our train came. We got to talk and show each other pictures and it was fun. We caught the train and settled down for our 6 hour ride. This is probably the most humorous part. I have prepared myself for Romanians to be quite cold and closed. But the train compartment we were in must have been filled with the friendliest Romanians ever. There was myself and George, Mr. Metricul and a woman with an older woman. The all seemed very friendly, especially Mr. Metricul. Now at this point I had not spoken a word of Romanian to George, even though I know quite a bit of the simple stuff. I get nervous about speaking even languages that I know and love. I discovered quickly that if I pretended that I didn’t know any Romanian, I could listen to some of the things that were said in the traincar and no one would know. George translated a lot, but there were things I picked up on that I don’t think he realized I did.

The people in the car assumed that George was paying me to take him to the States to be my husband. George corrected them. (This part he translated) But then Mr. Metricul went on to say perhaps there was still hope. George laughed but did not protest. For the rest of the train ride, no one knew that I knew George’s last name or the word for Mrs, but they called me Mrs Ionascu. Very funny. Also, George asked the younger lady if she was pregnant. I was shocked and old him in America, you never ever ever ever ask THAT question. (So how’s the baaaaaaaby…panda) Hahaha

Dana drove us the last 20 minutes to Lupeni. My apartment is small and I have 5 roommates right now. Katie, Carity and I are the Americani girls, and we share a room, but Charity is only here a week longer. Diana and Andreea are Romanians. And Andrew is Americani, but leaving in June. The apartment is quite messy, though I think that is on account of the Americanis, because Diana and Andreea’s rooms are neat. I hope our organization improves because it is trying on me right now. One issue is that there is nowhere to put anything- no shelves or closets or anything. I hope to build something VERY soon- my brain is too disorganized for my things not to be.

Yesterday was my first day at the office for the Fundatia (foundation). It is a quick walk down the street. Dana said I could chill, but I was bored so I started reading the enormous manual for the Impact clubs. I really wish I could express all that I have thought today while reading the introduction. Their theories and models are really mind-blowing. Their theology is so sound and the outworking of it is amazing. I cannot wait to delve into this. There will definitely be more thoughts on this later.

Today all the Americanis went to the Piata- open air market and bought food and lilacs for the kitchen. Lilacs remind me of home, so the fragrance everywhere is a blessing. The piata was fun. All the old ladys with skirts and kerchiefs like to grab my arms and smile saying: Romaneste? (I reply nu, with a smile, and before I can go on…) Italiano? Hungari? (nu nu, Americani) They smile at Americani and ask me how I like Romania- is it beautiful? Da, I say, frumoasa. They are delighted with my approval. I look more Romanian than the other girls, so they grab me more J.

I want to describe the town and surrounding area, because it is SO unique, for now I will be vague because I think I will be able to describe it more clearly when I have experienced it more. For now I will tell you that it is a blast from the past. Picture the opening scenes of Beauty and the Beast, but dirtier. There are markets everywhere and abandoned run down buildings, but if look just beyond the farms and dirty children, foothills loom, still a bit snowcapped and just accessible enough that they make you want to climb them RIGHT NOW. I am excited to start really learning Romanian, and Dana is going to get me a tutor for it. I am catching on quickly with the basics, and the people at the Fundatia are very encouraging.

Tmorrow is the Orthodox Chrismation for the Bates, so we and the Romanians are going to party like its 1999 (except in Romania, it really is like its 1999)

I have moments of missing you all like crazy, but I have been able to distract myself from them for now., though it does not diminish my love.