I've uploaded several photos over in the Photo Gallery (See the link on the left side of the page.) This gives you what was seen through the first few days of this vacation.
Yesterday, we had more troubles than we've had yet. We went to the People's Palace and found out we couldn't go in because they required Id. I'd usually carried my passport (and had a copy with me) but that wasn't enough, so we didn't get to see it. I did take photos of the outside, but not getting in turned out to be a blessing, as my camera died 3 photos into the day. We then went around to do some other things, and we were walking along, and you get used to people and things being nuts, but the police here in Bucharest apparently don't fine for running lights. I had a taxi screech to a stop a few feet away from me as I was crossing a street with a green cross light for pedestrians, not to mention they are supposed to yield to pedestrians anyhow. It's lucky for him my fist couldn't reach his hood or he'd have had something to remember the American he almost hit. Heather kept pulling me toward the other side of the street yelling something at him in Romanian. I don't know what she said, but I hope she told him off.
Then, it came time to exchange some more money. We went to a Western Union. The only thing you want to make sure over here is that you find a place that doesn't charge commission. Well, we walked in with a few people sitting in a waiting area in the chairs, and a worker standing at the counter waiting for apparently nothing. We stepped up and he told us to go wait in line. We both looked around and said we just needed to exchange money, and it shouldn't take long. However, he told us he would not help us, so we left. Wow, customer service!!! So we went to a bank, and it got worse. It took 15 minutes (compared to 3 when I exchanged money in Brasov)!!! Not to mention, the lady didn't know what she was doing, and even accused me of having a fake passport. Once Heather told her that we were actually Americans (which should have been a clue by the words United States of America on the front of the passport) she finished with what seemed like a begrudging attitude. It's not our fault she was incompentent. It was a fiasco at least, but I'll never set foot in that bank ever again! They apparently have no concept of what it would require to forge a passport anyhow. Well, time to head back out again today. Might get to go see the place where Romania's revolution against communism began, and hit a mall to see what that's like.
Friday, July 31, 2009
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Bună ziua
That is the Romanian greeting that is acceptable at any time through the day, so that's the one that I use, since I didn't have to learn the other three. They change, just like we do to say good morning, good afternoon, and good evening. I've learned a few phrases to help me survive. I can say "Excuse Me," "Thank You," "Breakfast was good," "You're Welcome," and "Water". Now, there are different kinds of water over here. So I order "Apa Plata" which is the type of water we drink from bottles in the US. The other is carbonated. I tried it, and it wasn't aweful, but I'd much rather just have the standard. Leave it to me like patterns, right?
The weather here has been HOT. Heather and I spent three days in Brasov which is by train 3+ hours into the mountain region. There it was beautiful and cool. We got a chance to stop and visit with Darin Wipf who is serving as a missionary here. It was a great time to spend an evening with someone from back home, and talk about all the things that happen there. It was quite encouraging for him, and it turned out the night we went out was his birthday!! We had a great evening and it was a major highlight so far.
Tuesday, we decided to hike to the top of the mountian that houses the Brasov letters that you see from the ground. The view was amazing, and worth the effort to get to the top. We also got a chance to get some things at the shops including a great picture. We wrapped up Tuesday by having supper with a director of Bucharest Christian Academy where Heather taught here for three years before coming to Mitchell. Another enjoyable evening spent speaking English, which is nice!!
Wednesday, we got a chance to go out and see Dracula's Castle, Bran. If you didn't know, the original stories of who Dracula really wasn't aren't true. Vlad the Impaler is actually who is protrayed by Dracula and this was his birthplace. It wasn't scary at all. We then caught the slow, hot train back to Burcharest. It wasn't like the nice one we took to Brasov, and I don't desire to be on that type of train again, ever!
I have some pictures to post later, so be looking for them soon! I'll be back with more updates.
The weather here has been HOT. Heather and I spent three days in Brasov which is by train 3+ hours into the mountain region. There it was beautiful and cool. We got a chance to stop and visit with Darin Wipf who is serving as a missionary here. It was a great time to spend an evening with someone from back home, and talk about all the things that happen there. It was quite encouraging for him, and it turned out the night we went out was his birthday!! We had a great evening and it was a major highlight so far.
Tuesday, we decided to hike to the top of the mountian that houses the Brasov letters that you see from the ground. The view was amazing, and worth the effort to get to the top. We also got a chance to get some things at the shops including a great picture. We wrapped up Tuesday by having supper with a director of Bucharest Christian Academy where Heather taught here for three years before coming to Mitchell. Another enjoyable evening spent speaking English, which is nice!!
Wednesday, we got a chance to go out and see Dracula's Castle, Bran. If you didn't know, the original stories of who Dracula really wasn't aren't true. Vlad the Impaler is actually who is protrayed by Dracula and this was his birthplace. It wasn't scary at all. We then caught the slow, hot train back to Burcharest. It wasn't like the nice one we took to Brasov, and I don't desire to be on that type of train again, ever!
I have some pictures to post later, so be looking for them soon! I'll be back with more updates.
Sunday, July 26, 2009
The World Traveller has Landed!
Well, maybe world traveller is a bit over stated, but at least traveller along long ways away from home the correct statement. I arrived in Romania last night around 7:30pm local time which is 11:30am central time, and was quickly processed through and out the doors. Came here to the place I'm staying and worked on seeing how to beat jetlag. I'm tired today, however, I just have to survive a few more hours before sleep will come and I think my clock will be re-oriented. I hope it doesn't take long when I get back because that could be a problem.'
On the schedule so far for the time here is a trip to Brasov to visit a missionary that my home church supports. There are alot of people that I'll be visiting also, and there are trips up to the mountains and the Black Sea currently, and I might venture to one of the bordering countries, we'll see if we have time. That's all for now, I plan to keep this updated someone regularly and we'll see if we get a image gallery going for it.
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
One Strange Little Worker
Yesterday I talked about the the girl at the coffee shop, and today I went back there to enjoy another cup of coffee and some breakfast. Since I really don't know her name, I'll just stick with "the Second Worker." So, the Second Worker was operating the cash register in full tilt this morning. I got there around 7:30 and joined the line that had formed. So, I got in line,and there wasn't a place in the coffee shop where you cannot her this worker's voice. She is far from quiet, we'll just say that.
One gentlemen steps up, and begins her new piece for the day, "Sir, would you like to win a chance at a free breakfast sandwich. All you have to do is recite the pledge of allegience and you can put your name in." It was alightly odd, but he declined. I also did not do this, because a breakfast sandwich doensn't mean much when you're not going back there that often. So, I ordered and sat down to wait. She kept asking away and some people would step up, and give it a shot. After the first couple failed, I was slightly alarmed. I watched 25 people come through the line while I was there, and 3 of them made it through without requiring help. 3, out of 25 did not know the pledge of allegiance. It now makes sense where this girl didn't know where South Dakota was, the Iowa education system apparently doesn't teach the pledge of allegiance either.
The Second Worker was asked by someone how they picked this way to give away a breakfast sandwich, and here was the Second Worker's explaination. "Well, I was lying in bed last night and suddenly thought that I should recite the pledge of allegience. I tried to remember it, but couldn't. It kept me up for a long time last night trying to think of how it went. So, when I got out of bed, i looked it up and thought that it'd be a great way to see how many others know it, and you can win free food!" All that, and this is where this giveaway came from. One person trying to recite it got stuck, and the Second Worker tried to help, and they both then got messed up, and the other lady that had started left before they'd figured it out. Even after looking it up, and listening to the people that knew it saying it, she still didn't get it right. I left with less faith in her, and the Iowa education system than I came in with.
One gentlemen steps up, and begins her new piece for the day, "Sir, would you like to win a chance at a free breakfast sandwich. All you have to do is recite the pledge of allegience and you can put your name in." It was alightly odd, but he declined. I also did not do this, because a breakfast sandwich doensn't mean much when you're not going back there that often. So, I ordered and sat down to wait. She kept asking away and some people would step up, and give it a shot. After the first couple failed, I was slightly alarmed. I watched 25 people come through the line while I was there, and 3 of them made it through without requiring help. 3, out of 25 did not know the pledge of allegiance. It now makes sense where this girl didn't know where South Dakota was, the Iowa education system apparently doesn't teach the pledge of allegiance either.
The Second Worker was asked by someone how they picked this way to give away a breakfast sandwich, and here was the Second Worker's explaination. "Well, I was lying in bed last night and suddenly thought that I should recite the pledge of allegience. I tried to remember it, but couldn't. It kept me up for a long time last night trying to think of how it went. So, when I got out of bed, i looked it up and thought that it'd be a great way to see how many others know it, and you can win free food!" All that, and this is where this giveaway came from. One person trying to recite it got stuck, and the Second Worker tried to help, and they both then got messed up, and the other lady that had started left before they'd figured it out. Even after looking it up, and listening to the people that knew it saying it, she still didn't get it right. I left with less faith in her, and the Iowa education system than I came in with.
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
An Iowa Story
A South Dakotan walks into a coffee shop in Iowa and orders a beverage. The first worker at the coffee shop takes his order, and begins working on it. A second worker comes in and begins to operate the cash register.
"Do you have our punch card?" the second worker asks.
"No, I do not. I am not from here, so I am not in need of a punch card," the South Dakotan replies.
"Ohhh, well what brings you to our fine town?" the second worker responds.
"Well, I'm here on business working for the local phone company."
"Ohhh, well, where are you from then?" the second worker asks?
"I came from South Dakota."
"Really!! Where is South Dakota?"
'Seriously? Did that just come from her mouth?' the South Dakotan wonders. 'Certainly she is joking. However, judging by the look on her face, she legitimately has no idea where this place is.'
"Well," the South Dakotan answers, "South Dakota actually touches the north west corner of Iowa. It's a neighboring state."
Suddenly, with no warning, a third worker joins the conversation. "Yes! I've heard of this place."
'Thank Goodness,' the South Dakotan thinks to himself. 'There is some sanity here.' However, this is short lived as the thought is interrupted by the continued utterance of the third worker.
"I've heard it's increadibly cold there!!"
'Well, so much for sanity," the South Dakotan thinks. 'I wonder where the Iowa education system went wrong.'
"Actually," the South Dakotan replies, "South Dakota's weather is almost exactly the same as it is here."
Now, it's both of the coffee shop employees who are stunned. The stare off into space thinking of this new, mysterious land with the funny name. "South Dakota!"
****Unfortunately, this is a completely true story.
Only the names have been left out to protect the stupid Iowans.****
"Do you have our punch card?" the second worker asks.
"No, I do not. I am not from here, so I am not in need of a punch card," the South Dakotan replies.
"Ohhh, well what brings you to our fine town?" the second worker responds.
"Well, I'm here on business working for the local phone company."
"Ohhh, well, where are you from then?" the second worker asks?
"I came from South Dakota."
"Really!! Where is South Dakota?"
'Seriously? Did that just come from her mouth?' the South Dakotan wonders. 'Certainly she is joking. However, judging by the look on her face, she legitimately has no idea where this place is.'
"Well," the South Dakotan answers, "South Dakota actually touches the north west corner of Iowa. It's a neighboring state."
Suddenly, with no warning, a third worker joins the conversation. "Yes! I've heard of this place."
'Thank Goodness,' the South Dakotan thinks to himself. 'There is some sanity here.' However, this is short lived as the thought is interrupted by the continued utterance of the third worker.
"I've heard it's increadibly cold there!!"
'Well, so much for sanity," the South Dakotan thinks. 'I wonder where the Iowa education system went wrong.'
"Actually," the South Dakotan replies, "South Dakota's weather is almost exactly the same as it is here."
Now, it's both of the coffee shop employees who are stunned. The stare off into space thinking of this new, mysterious land with the funny name. "South Dakota!"
Only the names have been left out to protect the stupid Iowans.****
Monday, July 20, 2009
Life on the Road
Hello from cloudy Cedar Rapids, IA. I'm on the road this week leading some training sessions down here for a new client. I had to laugh at a facebook post from a buddy making sure that I was properly vaccinated so that I didn't catch and nasty Iowa diseases. I'm fully vaccinated and should be just fine.
I'm working in a corner of downtown here that is quite a nice building. I'm working out of the 5th floor, and part of our discussion today we talked about what life was like here 1 year ago. We do alot more than just train. We spend time connecting and building relationships that we can work off of. Learning how that downtown area looked 1 year ago when it was covered in water is quite something. Things here have re-opened for the most part, however there are some areas of town that are still in pretty crummy shape from the flooding. The building I'm had one floor that totally under water. They said the water at this building was around 8-9 feet underwater. Nothing happened down here, because there was no way to get here with all the water. Some of the one story buildings people could drive right over with their boats to get around. I'm quite surprised actaully that in a year's time, they have this much rebuilt already. The building I'm working in looks brand new, which it is obviously because everything had to be replaced, but it's good to see the recovery happen. It was labeled as flooding so bad, Iowa probably won't see another one like that in the next 1000 years.
One thing I do like about being out here is trying to hit some of the local hot spots, for food that is. I've already gotten advice from the locals on good places to eat, so I should be set now for the next three nights when I still have to provide food for myself here. I better stock up, because I'm not sure how many good meals I can get over in Romania. It was kind of interesting where I've set my email reception to my work account to my not being back in the office until August 4. So far though, alot of people have said they are glad I can get some vacation time in. Frankly, I've not had a good vacation since Belize in 2004, and even that was still a missions trip, so it wasn't all vacation, but the closest thing I've had, until Friday evening when I board the planes for my "real vacation!"
I'm working in a corner of downtown here that is quite a nice building. I'm working out of the 5th floor, and part of our discussion today we talked about what life was like here 1 year ago. We do alot more than just train. We spend time connecting and building relationships that we can work off of. Learning how that downtown area looked 1 year ago when it was covered in water is quite something. Things here have re-opened for the most part, however there are some areas of town that are still in pretty crummy shape from the flooding. The building I'm had one floor that totally under water. They said the water at this building was around 8-9 feet underwater. Nothing happened down here, because there was no way to get here with all the water. Some of the one story buildings people could drive right over with their boats to get around. I'm quite surprised actaully that in a year's time, they have this much rebuilt already. The building I'm working in looks brand new, which it is obviously because everything had to be replaced, but it's good to see the recovery happen. It was labeled as flooding so bad, Iowa probably won't see another one like that in the next 1000 years.
One thing I do like about being out here is trying to hit some of the local hot spots, for food that is. I've already gotten advice from the locals on good places to eat, so I should be set now for the next three nights when I still have to provide food for myself here. I better stock up, because I'm not sure how many good meals I can get over in Romania. It was kind of interesting where I've set my email reception to my work account to my not being back in the office until August 4. So far though, alot of people have said they are glad I can get some vacation time in. Frankly, I've not had a good vacation since Belize in 2004, and even that was still a missions trip, so it wasn't all vacation, but the closest thing I've had, until Friday evening when I board the planes for my "real vacation!"
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Wrapping up softball
Well, it's already time for me to wrap up softball season. There are two weeks left for the season, then the tournament. I'm kind of surprised. In Huron, we played until the Middle of September, here we'll be done the first week of August. I'll be on the road next week, and in Europe the following week. I'll get in on the post season action. The stint on the DL really cuts into the season though. So, summer is already winding down. I'm guessing it's about a month until schools will be ready to be back in session. That's hard to believe. Tonight's games were pretty good. We had a 16-0 shutout in our first game that only lasted 3 innings. The second game was 1-0 into the 4th inning, and we ended up giving up three runs in the top of the seventh and losing 8-5. That one was tough, but not much you can do about it. Our record this season is something like 5-13. Winning hasn't really been our style.
Winning hasn't been my style this week either. Something bad has happened to me each day this week. Monday there was a little bumper car action with my car and a vehicle that inexplicably stopped in the Taco Johns Drive Thru, so I tapped her and now she has a "sore neck." The cop that did the research on it wasn't too impressed by her reporting it hours later, and then there being exactly $0 in damage to either vehicle. Just dumb. Yesterday, someone got away with my iPod. Very inopportune timing with the big trips coming up. It's been replaced though by the new improved touch model. Didn't want to pay for one terribly bad, but my 11 hour return flight from Europe decided otherwise for me. Today was just a tough day all around at work. Tomorrow, who know, and Friday and Saturday are get ready for departure days, and Sunday I begin the transition to life on the road. In many ways, I'm really looking forward to it.
Winning hasn't been my style this week either. Something bad has happened to me each day this week. Monday there was a little bumper car action with my car and a vehicle that inexplicably stopped in the Taco Johns Drive Thru, so I tapped her and now she has a "sore neck." The cop that did the research on it wasn't too impressed by her reporting it hours later, and then there being exactly $0 in damage to either vehicle. Just dumb. Yesterday, someone got away with my iPod. Very inopportune timing with the big trips coming up. It's been replaced though by the new improved touch model. Didn't want to pay for one terribly bad, but my 11 hour return flight from Europe decided otherwise for me. Today was just a tough day all around at work. Tomorrow, who know, and Friday and Saturday are get ready for departure days, and Sunday I begin the transition to life on the road. In many ways, I'm really looking forward to it.
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