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Published: August 2nd 2008
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Happy Saturday!!
Ioana had to go into her other office today for a bit so I hopped a bus to the downtown area and gave myself a tour. It's really interesting what you can do when personal survival is of a concern. I managed to come out unscathed and much more informed so I'd say it was successful. Where to start:
I bought my bus pass (in Romanian thank you very much) and waited for the 27 train which was to take me to the History Museum. I didn't see any signs for the 27 but I did see one for the 25 and I figured it was close enough so I got on. The bus ended up dropping me off on the complete other side of town after I saw the stop I was supposed to get off at pass by. While on the bus though a car side-swiped it causing a bit of morning excitement, certainly woke me up for the day to come. I got off at the stop after the one I probably should have and attempted to find my way.
Apparently, there is about 5 different streets that start with the word Constantine so I took
Appeals Court
and it's PINK! the first one I saw thinking I had found it super easy. Of course life is never that easy and I walked about a half- mile before I realized that wasn't the right Constantine Street. So I headed back towards all the signs that said "Centru" or center of town. I then walked past the Orthodox Church and decided to wait until I had someone who knew more about it to go in. Going on, I saw the building for the Court of Appeals which was pink!! I always knew I loved the legal system and now they made it pretty too!!
I meandered around and found the University which apparently is a Jesuit School!! How cool is that, Santa Clara and the University here are simliar. I looked and looked but couldn't find any sort of bookstore to get a t-shirt or sweatshirt in. Drats. Cruising around the campus, because thats what us academics tend to do, I found the Church which had a wedding going on so I didn't go in, but the outside was pretty.
I then found something I can recognize in any language..."Mall". I browsed and ended up in the Pajama store. It was so
Jesuit University
I'm not sure what the details are but I saw Scholars of Jesus and thats where the Jesuits come into play. great. However, Bank of America didn't put the international unlock thing on my card so I went to the bank and all by myself was able to cash american dollers into the Romanian Lei. I thought I was pretty cool for that.
After my little shopping excursion... I traveled along and passed by the National Theater and some cool statues. I stumbled across the Art Museum so went on in. I'm really not philisophical enough to appreciate all but it was pretty cool. I then walked into the big Catholic church in the middle of town. I've never actually seen a real old gothic style church so this one was cool. I then saw a sign for the Botanical Gardens and decided to follow it. Little did I know that mean a really long walk uphill. Thanks metric system. I was super excited to see the Psychology house though for the university. It's so very quaint. I also made another kitty friend there so it was twice the fun. I went into the botanical gardens which were labled a 'must' by alot of people but honestly think I could see the same plants in Golden Gate Park. Not that it
University Church
Not the Santa Clara Mission but still lovely. wasn't amazing but the best was yet to come, for me at least. After stoppping for some water because I was totally parched I managed to cruise a bit longer.
After an hour or so of just wondering and taking in the city (okay I got a little lost too) I happened to look up and find the Ethnography Museum. This was awesome! I saw old tools and clothes of traditional Romanian culture dating as far back as the 16th century. I spent a good 2 hours looking through the museum alone. Then it was onto the gift shop. Ohhhh the shopping!
By now it was a million degrees outside so I walked until I found a bus stop. Apparently the 25 bus lets everyone off at the end of the line and then you have to cross the street and wait for the 25 to come that way. So I learned that simply by playing sociologist and watching the crowd. I finally got back to the school and was so tired I don't remember falling asleep. I left this morning at about 9 and didn't get back until about 3 so I say I had quite the outing. I
The Opera Sign
and a nice view of the city. didn't speak English once and survived a strange new world. Needless to say I'm pretty excited and feelingt great about my trip thus far.
I never did find that History Museum but I'll try again tomorrow.
I'll be in touch!
Va Iubesc!!
J
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