There actually was a lot more open that I expected. Most regular shops were closed, but places with food (restaurants, stores, etc) all seemed to be open, especially the closer to the center that you got. And, there were Romanian and EU flags everywhere. It was very nice.
Can you make out all the Romanian flags along the road?
I am pretty sure you can spot these flags!
At the Piata Unirri in the center of town, an ice skating rink is set up, along with a few booths with vin fiert (hot wine - like spiced wine or any of the other names and varieties seen across Europe in the winter season) and other tasty treats. There was even a creche with live sheep. I bet there were just there for the special opening evening and not every day. I hope so at least, otherwise I feel a little sorry for the sheep because it must be pretty boring!
The skating rink set up at the piata. Maybe I will go skating for the first time in Romania??
Welcome to the fair, says the snowman of lights.
As promised, the creche. Can you see the sheep huddling in the corner?
After wandering there for a bit, I decided to go to the bookstore to get a Bucharest map for my excursion this weekend. I went away with two, plus a little guide to Belgrade in case I make it to Serbia (I hope!!). As I was sitting reading for a while, Simona from the CIWC called to see if I was going to some of the things. She got me from the bookstore, and we walked over to another piata where there was some traditional singing and dancing.
Simona and I - eating kurtos and drinking vin fiert. I look pretty good for feeling so bad!
Walking over to the area for the traditional music concert. The street had been turned into a pedestrian way.
Standing there listening to it all and taking in the surroundings (with the suddenly lit Christmas lights - they look great!!) and looking at the huge Romanian flag hanging from the Casa de Cultura, it just hit me how crazy it is that I am actually in Romania. Just a year and a half ago, I never would have imagined being in Romania. It is a country that I never knew anything about (other than orphans, gymnasts, a rough life, etc). Other than that, I really never gave it a second thought, even after I knew I was coming here. Boy, was I wrong about everything! For one, I haven't met a single gymnast :) No, it really is interesting. I bet people from the U.S. or even from Western Europe would be completel shocked if they came here (at least to the citites) and realized just how not different it is. At the same time, it is wonderful to see on a day like today that it is still a place that uses the traditional song, dance, and costumes - holding on to those traditions is so important, I think.
The concert outside the casa de cultura, with its huge flag!
A stage and a big video screen. Quite a nice set-up!
After that presentation, we walked around for a little bit and then went to Cafe Agape (this Hungarian cafeteria with traditional food in crazy huge portions) to grab some food. I had enough to bring home for lunch tomorrow, which is perfect since I am running out a food and don't want to buy more since I will be out of town for 4 days. When we finished, I decided it was time to go home even though there was another concert and then some fireworks. I just couldn't handle being out anymore and was worried that too much time in the cold would bring all the "sickness" back in full force - not something I need or want!
No fireworks for me, but here are some of the lights that were turned on!
So, back home it was where I hunkered down to finish reading the two drafts that my students turned in (out of I think 6 that were due on Monday...sigh). One was a great paper and doesn't need too much more work. The other was a disaster. No topic, no points, plagiarism. Sheesh. Some of the stuff here with the classes and students just makes me so mad!!!! We will see what happens in class tomorrow. I think only one of the two will show up since I have never even seen one of those two students. A few students did make comments on the drafts, like they were supposed to. It isn't like I can chain them to the their desks/computers and force them to do work. Coming from the US, it is just a different world - and I have to remember that I cannot expect things to change just for me. Following those papers and combining that with not feeling to well, I have just been kind of annoyed. But, as someone from the CIWC said when she was here in 1979 during communism, it is important to remember what you are thankful for at the end of each day, so I will go ahead and do that:
- got an email from my mom today and that is always nice
- talked with my sister on skype, even though it wasn't for very long
- everything like heat and internet and tv working - yay!
- someone called and wanted to go to the national day festivities with me so I didn't have to go alone
...so even though I was annoyed with some things, I think it is okay. I just have to remember and focus on the other things!
And, now it is time for bed although I am a little scared that I will not be able to breath with I lie down :(
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