This was the first trip which I took on my own.  It was my third trip to Romania but the first with World Vision.  I was there about a month and worked in an orphanage and taught in a grade school.  My daughter, Attie, joined me about half way through and we traveled around some and had adventures.  It was an incredible trip and truly opened my heart to serving God more overseas.

From Romania, with love  |  October 17, 2007

Well, I am here and in fine fettle, if a bit weary.  The trip over went well, except for having to buy a third suitcase in Portland!  Too much stuff! – good  thing most of it will stay here.  I had a 12 hour layover in Frankfurt – plenty of time to go in and see a bit of the city so now I have officially been to Germany.  It was a gorgeous day so that really helped.  It was just a short train ride into the city – I just hung out in the old part of the city – a particularly lovely square and the area by the Rhine is very park like and great for walking.  There were some swans on the river and many beautiful old churches.  The only sad note there is that most of the churches are little used or are now really not much more than cultural museums.  I still loved them and sat down for a few minutes in one.  In typical God fashion, the organ started up and played for a bit – awesome, literally.

I ate a wonderful meal (who knows what it qualifies as, time being what it is!) in an old restaurant – sauerbraten and potato dumplings.  Midafternoon, I really started to fade so headed back to the airport and crashed a bit, but the time did drag.  I got to Bucharest midnight this time and all!! my luggage arrived.  I was met by a delightful young lady and her father and taken to my home for the next few weeks.  It is really like a dorm for this Christian institute but just fine.  Right to bed.  This morning is lovely so I’ve been out getting acquainted with the neighborhood.  More on that later.  It is good to be here, but I admit to a bit of homesickness as everything is so unfamiliar at this point.  It will be better very quickly, I know.  Thank you for your love and prayers – God certainly made the trip over easy and uneventful, in the negative sense!

PS After a few email hitches, I am sending this out.  Thanks again for your love and prayers – a request – heat for my room!  It’s not bad but just don’t want it to remain this way.  Thanks  Have also met some World Vision staff and all are so delightful – welcoming and helpful.

 

You Pray, God Listens  |  October 18, 2007

Boy – you guys are good! I asked for prayer for the  heat situation about 8pm here, and about midnight it came on! Well done – with you all behind me, all is most well. Today felt my first real day here since I was awake and got out to do things. Drove through Bucharest first thing to get to the orphanage – totally hair raising, if I had been driving.  Thankfully, I could just sit back and laugh. Horns are essential driving tools – the first one through the intersection has the right of way, if others let him – pedestrians are fair game. It was fun to see parts of the city – it is such a mix of old (think a run down Paris but still beautiful), new (mixed results there) and Communist deco (universally awful – big lumps of concrete) – very interesting. They are really trying to modernize, but it is an uphill battle.

The children were delightful, of course. The orphanage is quite nice and the children are well cared for – that said, it is still an orphanage and World Vision is working to get all the children either home or in other situations.  Mariana, the lovely World Vision woman who is with me most of the time, is so helpful. After the orphanage, like true women anywhere, we went shopping! We went to a wonderful open air market bought some things to for me to prepare food and then food to eat. Everything is fresh and great bakeries.  I’m usually doing my evening meals at the dorm or eating out.

Well – enough for this time.

 

 

Buna Ziua (Hello)  |  October 19, 2007

I am almost fluent by now! Really, I can say thank you, please, good bye, and couple of other very basic things. I hope to have a few more phrases down before I leave.

Thanks so to you who have already written – I am feeling very comfortable here but connections with home are always lovely.                                                                                                                                                              Today started with devotions at the World Vision National Headquarters. Another adventure in driving to get there but I almost laugh, at times, because the driving is so crazy! Two lane roads can become three or four lane, depending on how many cars can shove themselves in and if one wants to turn, just pull up around the other waiting cars and go for it!

The headquarters is located in a nicer part of town – we passed some lovely large buildings and homes on the way. The office is quite modern and very well-equipped. There was a staff of close to 30 and seem very professional. The director is very fluent in English so we had a good chat and then she translated for me. I enjoyed being with them and seeing the office. Then I traveled back to the orphanage and did many of the same things as yesterday with another class of children. As I said before, the children are well cared for and have teachers who do activities with them and give them time. There are toys, stuffed animals, puzzles etc. However, all the children have short hair, for cleanliness reasons, so it is hard to tell the girls from the boys. My first activity was to make name cards with them. Also, a few of the children seem delayed and there is not a great deal of help for that. They all love and crave attention and are very affectionate. I met a little boy today named Paul and of course he was delightful. He really was one of the brighter children and very quick to pick up the games.

After the orphanage time, Mariana, needed to return to headquarters so I took the Metro (the subway) part of the way by myself! It really isn’t a big deal once one gets used to the names. I am feeling very comfortable with getting about my general neighborhood and should be even better when Attie comes. I spent the late afternoon and evening with a delightful young lady who took me to the art museum and then we had a pizza together. We hit it off right away and I so enjoyed her. Tomorrow is Sat. and Mariana will show me around old Bucharest – looking forward to that.

If you’ve gotten this far, have a great weekend and love you all.

Your Weekend Update-Dateline:  Bucharest  |  October 20, 2007

Visited an open market – food and crafts so shopped, of course! Toured old Bucharest – the Paris comparison is r-e-a-l-l-y pushing it but the old buildings are lovely, if rather worn at the heels. Much work is happening to fix things up and they are closing some streets to make open walkways, which is very nice. Saw an old man painstakingly repainting a small, lovely Orthodox church – just sitting up high on a scaffolding – and it was a bit breezy and cold.  Very detailed beautiful painting – then we went to Mariana’s mother’s “house” for dinner at 2 – what a delight to eat with them – Romanian food and mostly Romanian language but Mariana translated and we had a lot of fun. A real privilege. But, oh, we are so spoiled. These folks are very average and the place is tiny – clean and well kept but very basic with the added luxuries of a microwave, washer, and TV. The building is among many others like it – several stories high and concrete. So stark and yet Mariana talked of growing up here and liking the neighborhood and feeling safe.  Such a sharp contrast to our taken-for-granted prosperity!

Some Ramblings  |  October 24, 2007

I am really using these emails as a journel of the trip so just skim if they get too long for you! Or go straight to delete.

Mass transit – very good but incredibly crowded most times – the literal sardine effect – not for the claustrophobic!  Most of the Metro trains are clean and new but a few of the older ones are almost entirely covered with grafitti – it’s everywhere and looks the same everywhere, as well. And some words need no translation! Today, the first Metro I rode was so crowded, I didn’t even need to hold on. I couldn’t have fallen down if I had wanted to.

Hair color – red is in – from strawberry blonde to the darkest burgundy – a color never found in nature, at least on hair. In between are various shades of often virulent red! And this is not just on the young and punk but anyone of any age – certainly women who should know better!

Environment – I am falling off the wagon, not by desire but there is no recycling here and everything is plastic! I am trying to reuse my water bottles and my bags when I shop but that is about as far as it goes. There are many people out sweeping the sidewalks and curbs but somehow there is always trash about. This city has the densest population in Europe so I shudder to think about the air quality. Ah well – I’m sure a month won’t hurt me! Up the side, there is not nearly so much packaging so that helps. I buy fresh rolls every morning from a little bakery and just eat them.

Technology – everywhere – everyone seems to have a cell phone or two! I see many iPod type players around, but those do seem to be the provence of the young. People have computers, but I have seem very few internet cafes, none near me. Nothing like Bulgaria where there was at least one in even the smallest of towns. I am so glad I brought my computer and that my room has access. A true answer to prayer. I am not at all lonely or homesick but it is wonderful to keep up with home. (Maybe that is why I am doing so well -thanks to all of you!)

My abode – I am staying in the dorm of a Christian institute – rather basic but just fine. I bought a yellow mum to cheer things up and today I put up some of the children’s drawings – very cheery. I am on the third floor which means 3 floors up from the ground floor – which we count as one. There are no lifts and I climb a half flight of stairs just to get to the ground floor. Needless to say, I am getting my Stairmaster workout everyday. This trip is very good for my fitness as we also walk a great deal, which I really enjoy. Walking is often faster than driving – the traffic is so bad in places.                                                                                       About walking – lots of people about. Crossing a street is exciting – there are crossing lights occasionally but two adages apply – strength in numbers and survival of the fittest! The cars are also supposed to stop at crosswalks but that is not a given. Today I dodged a car on the sidewalk – going very slowly – no danger, just funny. Given all that, and the crazy driving, I have seen no incidents at all! A true miracle.

Weather is bizarre – it has either been sunny and almost balmy, or cold, rainy and so windy you can just forget an umbrella. I am the only person in Bucharest who wears sunglasses.

Ethnic diversity – none! Everyone is Romanian or Roma (gypsies) and I can’t really tell them apart except all the very poor are almost always Roma. I met a wonderful African-American woman today who lives here and her work ties in with WV at points. It was wonderful to see a dark face. Attie will create her own minority as most of the Roma are not as beautifully dark as she is.

I finished at the orphanage today – more on that another time – Tomorrow (Thurs) I am taking the train up north to Cluj to visit my sponsored family. I am staying with an American couple so that worked out splendidly! I come back Sat. night and meet At on Sunday – can’t wait. I am looking forward to getting out of the city for a little bit but will be glad to come back to get to work at the school.

Well – this is more than long enough! Love to you all. Thank you, so much, for praying. I can tell you are because everything is going so well and I am valuing my time here so much.

God’s Grace Abounds!  |  October 27, 2007

As I type this, I am sitting in a very comfortable bed with covers lightly embroidered in pastel flowers. Yesterday I took the train from Bucharest to Cluj, further north. An American couple from Colorado, who live here and work for WV, are hosting me for the two days I am here. Their home is so beautiful – it is in such stark contrast to so much of what I have seen so far. It is spacious, uncrowded, and so lovely. It will be a little hard to go back to my dorm room! But it is a real treat for now.                                                                    The train ride was delightful – first, though, I had to lug my big heavy suitcase (mainly gifts for my Romanian family) down the three floors of stairs, over to the Metro station, onto the Metro to the trainstation – up stairs to get outside and then to the station. (It really wasn’t that bad – just written for effect!) Here’s where the story gets good – I went to sit and wait for the train by the line I thought was correct. I sat by this elderly lady and she was so lovely and sweet – very classic Romanian peasant woman – yes I took a picture and showed her. She loved it. Then I showed her a picture of the family and said that Attie was Roma. She exclaimed and started to kiss my hand! It was so sweet. As I was sitting there, I heard my name. A bit of a surprise but here came the pastor from church on Sunday, seeing his sister off to Cluj. We had met briefly on Sunday and he remembered me! He helped me onto the train and got my suitcase up in the rack – wonderful! But the best part is that I was sitting on the wrong side of the line – lines 8 and 9 are just opposite sides of the same narrow platform. So I was watching 8 when I needed 9! God’s grace again!                                                   The ride up was absolutely beautiful – the fall countryside – little villages, horse drawn carts, churches with their steeples being the highest point in town – very meaningful. I also had delightful compartment companions – a couple from Mexico and a beautiful young Romanian girl. She spoke some Spanish and English so we all had a great 3 way conversation!                                                                                                                                Arrived at 8 in the evening and was met by Kitty Ehret. A great dinner at a Romanian restaurant – thenback to bed – in luxury.  The next day was glorious – first devotions with the Cluj WV staff – then headed out to see my family with Chipre – a 29 old WV man who works with sponsorship. Mr. Tomas, the ag person, also came along but he speaks no English so we didn’t communicate much. Chipre is an absolute delight – we became friends very quickly – committed to his work and takes pride in it – great sense of humor – kind – and an aggressive driver! My kind of guy-such fun. The one hour drive out was again stunning – then we arrived in the village and met my family in the village school – such a joy – they were very quiet and reserved but it was so great to see them all – a family of 6 – three boys and a girl – sound familiar? We ate some snacks, had presents, and “talked” for a while – then some pics and we headed back to Cluj, via a beautiful monastery and a different route, going by small lakes. Dinner with Kitty and Bob – steak! Next morning Kitty and I did a walking tour of Cluj – the town is a mix of Hungarian, German and Romanian influences – and then of course the requisite Communist diasters. The old town is wonderful (I need a new list of superlatives!) classic old Europe. After a quick lunch, I hopped back on the train and back to deary Bucharest. It was a bit hard to come back but Attie arrives in just a few hours so that makes it all great!                                                                                                                             My traveling companions this time were not so delightful – two rather disreputable men who became increasingly drunk as the journey continued – I eventually left the compartment and then had a great conversation with a Romanian professor – ask for details later – just another God note.

Sorry this is so long but these days were just packed with precious times, sensory overload, beauty and the richness of being with God’s people in another place. I am feeling particularly rich and blessed today.

I Am a Great Teacher!  |  October 31, 2007

Back in Bucharest after my lovely weekend. This week I have gotten to work in the school – it has been such a delight. Monday was just to see the school, which is very nice, by the way, and get set up for the teaching. Tuesday I met with one class of 6th graders – they did so well – it puts us to shame for not starting languages earlier for our kids. Many kids are also taking German or Spanish. Everyone gets English. Today, Wed., I had two classes – a 6th and a 7th – again great. The classes are about 50 minutes long – I first introduce myself in Romanian, which always gets a big grin, if not out loud laughing – always a good start. Then I show a 20″ or so power point presentation about the US and a bit about Oregon and my family. They recognize some of the famous places like the Statue of Liberty or Mt. Rushmore – very fun. Then we do some activities and I have been amazed at their level of comprehension. The reason for the subject line above is that I give them a series of directions and one of them is to say, “Mrs. Sherman, you are a great teacher!” Laughs all around on that! Today was Halloween so we handed out Halloween napkins and candy corn, brought from home. The teachers at the school are a delight and are quite fluent in English – also a joy. I am truly loving this – doing something I know about and getting such a positive reaction. People I have met are just wonderful – such a privilege. Attie is coming along with me and is my power point clicker, candy hander outer, and game leader. She is very effective! We have also done some sightseeing – into the old part of Bucharest, which is really quite cool. It is wonderful to have her here. Tonight we went back there and had dinner at the greatest restaurant – rather Gothic and wooden – painted walls and ceilings all around. It was great and the food was marvelous. Then some Romanian dancers came out – such a treat! We saw them twice, in different costumes and doing different dances. God continues to bless in mighty ways and is giving us the richest time.

Tomorrow will be a bit crazy – I am helping with a WV presentation in the morning and teaching 5, yes 5!, classes in the afternoon. I will finish at 6 o’clock and it takes an hour or so to get back to our room. Finally, I am earning my keep! I will have taught 20 classes in 2 weeks, when I am done. I know you fulltime teachers are going “BIG DEAL!” but I am an old retired teacher so send some thoughts my way!

All is most well here – we would love to hear from you. On Saturday, At and I will take the train north to Sinaia just for the day. It is a charming town with an amazingly cool castle. Luke and I saw it last time I was here but I want to go back and have At see  it.

Time for some lesson plans

Out of The Classroom  |  November 2, 2007

Today is Friday and the end of my first week in the classroom. Last email covered quite a bit about what I did in each class. Thursday was my full day of classes – the same as before except for the two 5th grade classes – I modified things a bit for them. The day was long but went very well. In the morning was a WV presentation celebrating the end of a 15 year work in one sector of the city. City officials were there and have been in partnership with WV and now are taking over. It was very moving to hear two women talk who were beneficiaries of the programs. One mother has autistic twins, if you imagine! I can’t. And the treatment they received has made all the difference – she was very moving. The other was a young 20 year old single mom and she was very dear, too. I spoke briefly about sponsorship and volunteerism. Such an honor to be a part of this. I finished teaching at 6 in the evening and it takes close to an hour to get back to the room. Herein lies a tale! My usual friend had to leave and couldn’t go back with me. She had asked another older woman, who speaks not a word of English to accompany me. Well, this dear lady moves rather slowly but seemed to have made me her mission. We got on this absolutely packed bus, with a gregarious old guy regaling some teenage girls – we were on the bus for over an hour as the traffic was so horrific. I finally decided to get off the bus and walk, as I knew where I was and that a Metro station was coming up. I tried to tell the lady I could go it alone but she absolutely refused. We trudged slowly through the mist and dark, avoiding cars on the sidewalk trying to get around the traffic! We got to a Metro and again, I knew where to go but she insisted on coming along. At one station we needed to go outside to make the transfer but it was too far for her to walk. So back to the previous station and make the switch there – finally I was on the Metro that would take me back! She accompanied me to that station and I thought would walk me to my door, even tho’ she didn’t know where it was and I did! Thankfully, she stayed at the station and I hussled home. It took almost two and a half hours to get back! I got a bit frustrated but really, it was very funny.

Today was devotions with WV staff again – most in English so a blessing. Then I led an hour round table time with some of the teachers at the school – a great time for me! The principal of the school unexpectedly brought me some flowers so that was very sweet. He is a very nice and competent man. After pizza with our WV friends, we headed home. Attie kept Mariana’s 10 year old daughter entertained for most of the day – great with kids as always! On the Metro ride back, At and I were sitting and two beggars got on the train. One was a young woman and the other was a beautiful little girl – a dark haired, dark skinned, cross-eyed little one and she came to us asking for money. We gave her some, of course, but all At and I could do was look at each other – there but for the grace of God. A heart-rending and teary moment – it still lingers and will. At still makes all this possible for me – such an overwhelming gift.

We are now looking forward to a good weekend – an early train to catch tomorrow morning but back the same day. Then an orthodox service with Mariana on Sunday. The time continues to be so full and rich – blessing upon blessing. I really could stay here quite a bit longer – good thing I have my return ticket already and family and the holidays beckon.

Thank you for all your prayers – you are my partners  in this adventure.

The Romanian Chronicles – The Castle, the Church, and the Village   |  November 4, 2007

It is Sunday evening here and Attie and I have had a lovely weekend. Saturday we got up early and caught a train to a beautiful village on the edge of Transylvania. It was a pleasure to again get out of Bucharest and see the colors and the countryside. As we approached Sinaia (named for Sinai), there was snow on the mountains. We arrived about 9 and hiked a bit up to the castle there – it is set in the woody hills and is so beautiful – true fairy tale stuff – turrets and all. It was built by King Carol I during the later half of the 19th century. We joined an English speaking tour and went through several of the beautiful rooms – a great deal of German influence so carved wood, rich carpets but there were also rooms with a Turkish theme and a Moorish one – such fun. After the tour, we strolled the grounds but didn’t linger as it was a brisk day. Heading back down to the village, we ran the gauntlet of little booths selling sweaters,  linens, dishes, carved things, and a great deal of junk! Actually, we got a few things and were quite happy with our purchases. On the way back we made a quick visit to the monastery and lit our three candles. I really find that meaningful. After a nice lunch and a little more poking around, we caught the train back to Bucharest – I slept most of the way so it was a very short trip!

Sunday saw us with Mariana at an Orthodox service. It was as worshipful as it could be given we didn’t know the language or the liturgy. It was a beautiful little building and most of us stood throughout the service. Chanting, responses, prayers, blessings with the incense and a short talk. There were many nice things about it. The church is on the grounds of a large complex of old buildings which used to house over 850 babies and small children during the bad old days. They are now used for programs to help little ones and we visited the shelter for mothers and babies where women can stay for 6 months and are helped with education and jobs. It was quite nice and clean and I got to hold a sweet baby. After lunch with Mariana at a funky rustic restaurant, Attie and I headed to the Village Museum. It is the Greenfield Village of Bucharest. Typical homes and buildings from all over Romania have been brought here and set up in a village. It was absolutely charming – one of the coolest things. Of course, my list of cool things is quite lengthy so maybe that isn’t saying much! But we loved it and got great pictures.

After a visit to our favorite restaurant for apple struedel and coffee, we headed back to our room and got ready for Monday. This week I will be teaching grade schoolers so that will really be fun. A bit of a stretch for the old girl!

Well friends, again I have rambled on – have a good  week one and all.

 

Mrs Jill   |  November 10, 2007

My teaching time has ended here – rather bittersweet. This week I taught the younger students, 1st, 3rd and 4th graders. I never did figure out why we didn’t have 2nd! It was great fun to work with the younger ones – they are so responsive. The format was different from the week before – after my intro, I asked each one, in turn, “What is your name?” and they needed to answer, in English, “My name is . . .” They liked the individual attention. Then the much abbreviated powerpoint made a short appearance with time for translation. It was such fun to watch their faces as they recognized a few places or were surprised at something. We then played a game with colors and shapes, read a brief story from “Little Bear” where I held up cards for key words and they helped me with it. If time, we did a color page of a letter and some words from the alphabet and finished with a rousing version of Hokey-Pokey! What a hit that always was! Even the most serious kids got into it and At and I had such fun leading it and watching their faces. I highly recommend the Hokey-Pokey for any ground breaking activities. We may start all our future parties with it! Tuesday, we observed a German class where the teacher used an idea from the Round Table so I was thrilled by that.

We had our afternoons and evenings so we went out and had our big meal midafternoon at some very fun restaurants, shopped or poked around and then retired to our room to relax and prep for the next day. Finding gifts for all our friends here and then the wrapping paper to go with them has been a quest but we achieved it!

It has been a most unusual teaching time for me as the teachers are so nice and thankful and we are such a novelty. It is very strange to be so appreciated for what we consider normal classroom time. One class even brought me 5 bunches of flowers and one class wanted our autographs! – made me grateful that I am not famous! The time has been enormously gratifying but has a true sense of unreality about it. I realize how privileged, again, we are in the US in our school facilities and curriculum. It is also very, very humbling – to see God work. It’s a good thing I am no longer teaching at home as I have been absolutely spoiled here! Wed evening we had dinner at the WV director’s home – she and her husband are from the Netherlands and are wonderful to talk with. There was another guest – the general auditor for this area and he is from Costa Rica – a very international evening. It was lovely to again be in a warm and beautiful flat – Attie couldn’t quite get over it as she has pretty much only seen our room!

The last day teaching was difficult as we had to say goodbye to some favorite teachers, the principal, who is a lovely man, and the darling kids. All in all, it was such a gratifying experience. But the reality of home will be a good check to the rather heady atmosphere here. I could almost think I was quite special listening to all the generous and delightful people here. Good thing my verse for here and really always is Ps. 115:1 – “Not to us, O Lord, not to us but to your name be the glory for your great love and faithfulness.”

Tomorrow Attie and I will visit the orphanage briefly and then head north again, for the weekend. We are very excited as we have a ride both ways so that is great. I will fill you in on the adventures there when we return. Just one backtracking note – last Friday evening we had dinner with an amazing family. One of the daughters works for WV and has been a great help to us. She invited us to her parents’ home – 11 children, 3 married so their spouses and 1 grand baby plus grandpa! It was incredible. They are strong Christians, one and all and sang a couple of songs for us before dinner – they were as good as many choirs.  It was a great evening and we felt privileged to be there.

OK! Enough! We are most well and find it hard to believe we will be home next week at this time – it has a bittersweet ring to it. God continues to be in everything but I never get used to it. What a  blessing it all is.

We Only Go To Cities That Begin With S   |  November 11, 2007

Well, the journey is nearly over.  Attie and I have just returned from our last weekend jaunt, will have two days at the orphanage and then off very early Wed morning.  We’ll be back in Oregon about noon the same day we leave!  Yeah for those time differences!                                                                                                           This weekend we first headed to Sibiu where Luke and I had stayed when we were here.  We very very fortunate in that one of the WV staff was driving north to visit family and so gave us a ride in his brand new car – a great delight.  We arrived about 4:30 Friday afternoon and headed into town.  It was much as I remembered, which is lovely.  Old Sibiu is built around three adjoining squares – wonderful old architecture and cobbled streets.  It was cleaner than I remembered as it is now a European Cultural City so needs must put on a pretty face.  The old grey hotel we had stayed in is now spruced up and gleaming.                           After strolling around some – dark and lit streets – very lovely – we found the pizza place which Luke and I had enjoyed so ate there.  It was a real triumph for me – Miss I Get Lost in My Own Backyard – to find this place after nine years!  Then we passed this huge tent with music coming out.  We decided to check it out – it seemed like there were gatekeepers but they didn’t pay any attention to us so we went in. People were in business dress and it seemed to be a sponsored corporate event and here we were – 2 little Americans in jeans.  There were huge tables of food so Attie dug in, after being “stuffed” with pizza.  Then we saw people dancing in one of those large circle dances so we decided to join in for a few minutes.  No one kicked us out so we had a great time – both laughing so hard we nearly embarrassed ourselves!                                                   The next morning we poked around the sites of Sibiu and both loved it.  We caught a train at one and headed to Sighisoara (sigh-shore-a) – a medieval fortified city which is still inhabited.  The trains (we had to switch) were a bit sketchy but we got there.  Our hotel was right in the citadel – a rather darling garret type room but very cozy with a splendid bathroom and huge tub.  I took a leisurely bath the next morning – unlimited hot water!  That morning I woke up and peeked out our little window – over some of the town roofs – and there was snow!  It was so incredibly beautiful and magical – I was transported back to an older time.                     We headed out, after breakfast, and climbed 172 steps up this very cool covered stairway to the church at the top.  Amazing views and so gorgeous with the snow.  Then we toured the various guild towers – the best is the clock tower with moving figures – we climbed that one.  After lunch at the Vlad restaurant – (we didn’t eat anything bloody!) our friend picked us up and we headed back to Bucharest – about 6 hours through mountains and quaint towns but also with stop and go traffic in the strangest places.  Romania only has about 100 miles of actual freeway – there are other 4 lane sections but they go through towns or abruptly change to 2 very bumpy lanes.  We arrived quite safely and ate a little supper in and I started organizing things a bit.  There is quite a bit less to bring back but still I have shopped!                                                             A rather sad note – we noticed more beggars on this trip and were asked for money several times – they were always Roma.  There also seems to be a much larger Roma population here in Romania than in Bulgaria.  We see them everywhere and things seem to be going badly for them.  Fortunately, Attie does not seem to identify so is not bothered anymore than normal.                                                                                                            Thank you again for all your prayers – it will be hard to leave – it has been a wonderful trip and God has been so generous and evident.