Ok, so lately I've really been thinking a lot about Romania, and my time there, and really missing it (could it possibly be b/c Dan and Mardie were recently here, and we were reminiscing??). So I went through my "Romania Folder/Journal" and I decided to share some of my famous, or perhaps infamous, "YOU KNOW YOUR...WHEN...", and "GUIDE TO..." lists with you. These are ALL based on my own experiences while I was there...

"YOU KNOW YOUR IN ROMANIA WHEN..."

1. All the samples in the frocery store include at least 20% alcohol
2. You mysteriously find that when the power goes out in your house, so do all the lights on your street...
3. Your walking and your forced to take the long way around for no other reason then there is a rather suspicious looking street dog blocking the other way.
4. Taking a taxi is strangely reminds you of a video game.
5. All the hospitals say that they are quarantined, and that no one is allowed in...except, of course, singing groups, and anyone else that has a relative, friend, or an acquaintance they are visiting.
6. You go into the "quarantined" hospital and you can go in if you trade your jacket in for a white cape that supposedly supernaturally protects you from any germs in the building, and upon contact immediately kills any harmful germs that may have attached themselves to your person.
7. You go to the grocery store, and when the item you are trying to purchase won't scan, the cashier looks at you as if to wonder why your standing there. The item won't scan, what do you expect her to do about it? Seriously!
8. You get so excited when you find outrageously expensive peanut butter, and rice crispies in the grocery store that you immediately have to call 5 people you know to tell them of the treasure you've discovered.
9. Upon taking public transportation, you realice your personal bubble no longer exists when you turn around and realixe that someone else's hand is in your pocket...
10. It's the beginning of January, approx. -5 degrees outside, and the hear in your house decides to go off and you ok with that b/c you have blankets and can make hot drinks and dress warm. No problem. Just when you've convinced yourself it's all good, and you can live with the fact that there's no heat, the power goes off as well! God bless Romania!!
11. You take a taxi and it's normal to be praying for safety the entire way to your destination.
12. You realive that the stray dog's street smarts even extends to using the crosswalks, and waiting for the crossing lights to allow them to cross the streets.
13. Your at the train station waiting for a train, in -10 degree weather, and to be able to wait inside the station, you have to actually pay money!!
14. When shopping, you discover that a toothpick would have better luck finding a pair of pants.
15. Someone tries to ask directions, or converse with you in Romanian, you try to explain to them that you don't speak Romanian. However, b/c you said this in Romanian, they don't believe you and continue trying to talk to you in Romanian, and then get frustrated and angry when you don't understand!
16. You count it a praise report when you go thru a day without your power going out.
17. You order a meal at a restaurant, and even though you ordered it, you have no idea what you'll be getting.
18. You have to take the stance of a line-backer when crossing the street.
19. To be able to get off the bus, you have to lunge yourself between the blosing doors, and jump
while the bus is still moving.
20. Your walking along with your roommates, and you all come to the conclusion that you exist for the general humor and entertainment of the Romanian public. :o)

Well there's one list. I'm not going to put the other one on this post b/c it'll be crazy long, but stay tuned to find out what you can expect when getting into a taxi in Romania's capital city!

Song of the Day: One Night Only - Jennifer Hudson from "Dreamgirls"

posted by Tennille @ 12:39 PM

3 Comments:

At 11:35 AM, Lana said…

sounds like an amazing time! Thanks for sharing
At 8:47 PM, Anonymous said…

I could complete that list with at least another 50 more! Ahhhh -- great times, eh? Where would we be without them?! Am heading back this July for a few weeks. Let me know if there's anything I can bring ya! Miss ya lots! (and so does dr. luca!!!)
At 9:12 PM, Anonymous said…

just skimming your blog and noticed your many settlers references, it is so nice that you have finally seen the light. We actually picked up a never before seen settlers card game for two on our honeymoon last year. Very cool but kind of complicated. We haven't played it a tonne but it is a nice addition to our settlers addiction. I mean collection :-)
jacquie!