Timisoara to Criscior to Cluj-Napoca

Right now, I am sprawled out in a bed, in a loft, in an apartment overlooking the city of Cluj.

Today's view.  I love Airbnb!

But let's catch up on the last several days:

On Monday, I decided not to take any chances on city busses, and made the trek to the bus station on foot.  It was long but mostly pleasant, and allowed me to experience Timisoara just a little bit more before heading out of town.

Next on the journey was a trip to Casa Emanuel, the children's home where I visited in 2005, 2006, and 2007.  I was super excited on the bus ride there - I felt very comfortable on the bus, enjoyed just being a passenger and being able to see beautiful things while resting my feet, and loved listening to Romanian radio with occasional songs from home.  I was also glad that I would be able to recognize my stop because I've been there before, unlike any of the train stations where I'd had to get off before.  (Train and bus stops are not announced here, you just have to pay really close attention and hope you see a clear sign). 

Little did I know that I was the only passenger on my bus getting off in the village of Criscior, and that the driver was waiting for me to tell him where to stop.  I realized this too late,  and was 90% sure we'd passed where I wanted to be, so I awkwardly asked the driver to let me off.  So I got off the bus on the main road in a tiny town in the middle of Romania, with no wi-fi and no phone number of anyone in that town.  It was a little terrifying.  While I texted with a friend back home to try to help me, I started walking in what I hoped was the right direction, and then confirmed with some neighbors along the way.  I was quite a spectacle, rolling my suitcase past quiet little homes in this peaceful little town.  I was SO excited when I saw a tiny little museum that I recognized, and started walking a little more confidently.  What a relief when I saw the building and the giant tree in the courtyard of Casa Emanuel!  I was immediately welcomed, was fed a tremendous amount of delicious home-cooked food, and started playing Uno with the kids, who were surprised I knew my colors in Romanian!

Hanging out with some of the older "kids." 

My time at the orphanage was a basket full of emotions.  It was a thrill to be back there, but awkward to just sort of show up in the middle of their normal lives.  I was shocked when one of the kids, Delia, who'd been really little when I came before and is now a teenager, immediately pulled out a picture of me with the kids that she's had all these years, and started to sing a song I'd sung in front of their church in 2007 and asked me to sing it again because she remembered.  She remembered!  I couldn't believe it!

with Delia - all grown up!

This picture sort of captures a moment of my total exasperation
with rowdy boys and a bossy teenager :)

Yesterday was mostly just spent hanging out at the house.  The smaller kids, who were all "new" to me, were all home sick from school, but still eager to play and sing and spend time with me.  I spent hours with them, then actually played soccer (yes, me!) with one of the kids, then went for a walk in the late afternoon with Delia.  It's so interesting to know her as a teenager now - we had some definite power struggles even in the very short time I was there.  I'm glad to know how to pray for those kids, and it was so sweet to see so many on the staff there that were there in each of my visits before - what faithful service!  It was also both a blessing and a challenge that nobody there was fluent in English - with several of them, our knowledge of each other's languages was  about equal. I was able to really practice speaking Romanian, and was glad at what I was able to communicate, though there were  still plenty of times I  started blankly at people :-)

A panoramic view of Criscior, taken during my walk w/Delia

I think these boots were happy to walk on grassy
hills instead of hard city pavement for a change

This morning, I felt exceedingly well-cared for.  One of the workers and two of the kids met me downstairs at 6:30 and walked me to the bus stop, where they waited with me for the bus.  They packed me some sandwiches for the ride, too, which was such a blessing! The bus ride was amazingly beautiful, again, and my arrival in the city of Cluj was far more successful than my arrival in Criscior.  Cluj is a beautiful city, and super busy! There are so many people everywhere and so much going on.  I can't get over how many old, historic buildings are just part of the landscape in these cities. 

my early morning escorts to the bus stop

My biggest accomplishment today is that, unlike in Timisoara, I actually found the coffee shop I'd read about, and it was even better than I'd imagined.  I felt very much like Krista, reading a book while drinking an iced latte.  Then I wandered the city and took loads of pictures, then came back to my Airbnb, where I have a hammock and a loft and a spectacular view of the city. 

Tonight, I get to act like a true European and eat a late dinner out on the town.  My Airbnb host, Ana, asked if I'd like to do dinner/drinks, and I was happy to take her up on the offer!  It's nice to have a built-in friend in this city and to therefore be able to go out after dark and not be nervous!  I don't think I'll sleep very long tonight, since I have to catch a train in the morning, but at least I have a 7-hour train ride ahead of me tomorrow- I should be able to sleep then.

Ok, sorry so long, I tried to be as concise as I could be after two nights of not blogging!  Tomorrow, Brasov!