Blogs from Oltenia, Romania, Europe

Mayday dawned without quite enough cash to pay the hotel bill so I left my stuff at the desk and went to take some money from a bank cash machine. It's the only way to travel as ong as you be sure to tell your bank your travel plans and dates so your card doesn't get locked down for out-of-pattern spending. It seems Mayday is enough of a holiday that the in-town train ticket agency was closed, as well as some shops. After securing the funds I hung out in the plaza in front of the Prefecture and people watched and had an ice cream cone. After a suitable pause and a stop at a supermarket for some on-train snacking, I settled the bill and took a taxi to the station. All went smooth with paying ... read more

The cool spring weather lingers on as I lament a slightly imperfect choice of clothing for my trip. My time in Craiova is of course lots of walking around and hanging out al fresco. G. had to return to her home town and passed me over to Otylia and her friend Mircea. The Easter docorations remain, as I am assuming they are honoring the "40 day" thing and not just being lazy. They do have some strange customs here in Craiova. The mayor (recently jailed on some corruption charges) has many civil buildings lit up with color-shifting lights. It's not all that attractive, but it certainly is distinctive. And the frogs!! There are frogs everywhere in the parks and not a duck in sight. And they speak Romanian Frog language. "Oac" (which sounds a bit like ... read more

Though we are of a similar age I still felt Peter's fatherly concern. He is also likely to be the last American I'll see for some time. After a quick run to the train station at quarter to 6, a re-purchase of the ticket and a race to the train I found a quite modern rail car. The car was not crowded and I was actually able to choose my own seat without objection from the conductor. It was very interesting to view the variety of countryside and marveling at example after example of Romania as "The Land of Good Enough and Also Not Quite." The highlight of the trip was when I woke up from a nod-off and couldn't find my mobile phone. Convinced someone had taken it out of my pocket as I dozed, ... read more