Hi my friends and readers,
This time, the update reaches you from the middle of nowhere. More exactly, from the very isolated center of the middle of nowhere. It is the best kept secret of Romania. The region I am currently staying in is called Bukovina (for any of my Romanian friends who might read this: Please do not be offended by me violating the spelling of your language, I am merely trying to find ways of writing down the sounds that I hear).
This time of year, is celebrated as the orthodox Easter. For this reason pretty much everyone I know has left Bucharest in order to celebrate with their families. My colleague and friend Iulian has offered me the great opportunity to celebrate Easter with his family.
“I will tell you what you are enrolling for: No warm water, no shower, 20k from the next city and a bathroom outside the house – bucket technology...” - “Sure, sounds great!”
After that, it was just hopping on the rail (another 7 hours of travelling for about 15Eur) and we were there.
This family is really cool. They have their own chickens, a cow and two mad dogs. Unfortunately, Iulia is the only one I can really communicate with. This is why I am taking the role of an observer, trying to find anything nice and unique.
I goes without saying that the people here are very open and interested. After having introduced myself, it was decided that I would be responsible for dinner that night. So we made Onigiri. First time ever for them to eat Japanese. I think they liked the change and this is what was important to me, as Romanians do not seem to experiment a lot with food. One of the reasons could be that extraordinary ingredients are quite high in price.
Father and son have taken me to see a couple of very cool! Monasteries. Very nice. Just Google for “Putna” and you should find a lot of pictures.
Also, last night, I had the chance to take part in the traditional ceremony which started at 11 and seemingly went on until 0600 or so. We went for the lighting of the candles. (Priests run around the perimeter and everyone lights a candle) A very magic moment so to say. This morning than, we had breakfast (Chicken, Liverballs, Cornpie, Eggs, Bread, Vodka and wine). Sunday is the end of a time of non-eating for the orthodox community.
Two very cool customs in order to end this update in a cultural educational fashion:
On Easter you wash your face with a red egg and a coin (washing means gently rubbing your cheeks). Egg stands for health and luck, while the coin stands for prosperity. If you do so, you are supposed to achieve both during the following year.
Second cool custom is that at the breakfast table and it seems in the days to come, you can indentify people you will meet in the afterlife. It goes like this: While congratulating each other and wishing luck, you gently smack two hard boiled and colored chicken eggs again each other. When two eggs meet (it doesn’t matter if you win or loose) you will meet again after part of your existence has been put a few feet under ground. Some people count how many eggs they can break before their champion egg breaks.
(I am merely observing and taling to people. Unfortunatly not many of them can explain their customs in detail. If you have any comment or correction, please tell me)
With this I will end this update with the most important word this morning:
“Noroc”
Urs
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Monday, April 6, 2009
Update 4.4.2009 - And so it begins
The journey begins,
The first two weeks have been passed like two seconds. This has been due to a schedule that is packed with a lot of stuff. For example; after arriving in Bucharest, I was picked up from the Airport. Banesa is a really cute airport ^^. I moved into an apartment for 2 days and having discussions. I met my team. They seem very nice. Next morning, we went off to the national congress 2009 of AIESEC in Romania.
People say that the journey is the goal. I certainly know tat the trip there and back again was one of the Highlights. It took us 8 hours to get there (300km). All our luggage was on top of a car (apart from my guitar) secured only by loosely tightened rubber straps and a hammock (Haengematte, I am not sure of how to spell this). Beldy, the driver impressed me most, as we arrived on site with our luggage still tied on top of the car.
But this is Romania. Things just work somehow. The conference itself was quite great. Very emotional and sweet. I will never forget a part of the speech:
“Being elected means that you are given a suit. A suit that seems always too big for you.... Now, the time has come and I will give you your suit. ... Here are the votes that elected you.” Mihai Tica (MCP Takeover speech)
This person has impressed me with every day that we interact and I am truly glad to be able to meet him and spend time with him. Mihai, If you ever read this: Thank you.
After the National Congress, we drove back home. This trip also was extraordinary, especially the sights on the way. There seems to be an industry that is part of a service provision to tourists that has the goal of providing everyone that is driving through the deepest forests of the country with countless opportunities to buy Gartenzwerge (garden midgets) and large tin and iron cans, as well as a wide assortment of swimming towels showing naked women. Once I find out why these shops are located in the forests in the mountains where there is absolutely no one to buy these things, I will certainly tell you. I talked to Romanian about this and they have started to wonder was well.
After arriving back in Bucharest I was give the opportunity to be the chairperson for an event of the committee of Bucharest. People remembered me. I felt very welcome, especially as I was officially adopted. I am allowed to go to there delegation meetings and call myself a part of AIESEC BU. I feel this is great honor.
The day after, the transition period really started and I have been working, learning and having meetings all day. I really like being part of something of which the idea I truly regard as relevant.
I am starting to meet my team of vice presidents, the national exchange support team, and the national trainers team. Life is going to be very exciting.
We (eight people) moved into a new apartment. An apartment which is only going to be temporary for one month, but just too cool to be true. A penthouse suite with a large kitchen and 3 rooms. 2 of us sleep on the couch, 2 on an air mattress and another 4 people in two rooms. We are budgeting, as our salary will have to be cut a little due to the crises that is effecting Romania a lot. With about 30% less revenues from corporate relations, we will be facing serious challenges on all levels.
I am looking forward to it while I start getting acquainted with the culture and language. The next time I will write, I will have started to learn Romanian.

Until the next time,
Urs
The first two weeks have been passed like two seconds. This has been due to a schedule that is packed with a lot of stuff. For example; after arriving in Bucharest, I was picked up from the Airport. Banesa is a really cute airport ^^. I moved into an apartment for 2 days and having discussions. I met my team. They seem very nice. Next morning, we went off to the national congress 2009 of AIESEC in Romania.
People say that the journey is the goal. I certainly know tat the trip there and back again was one of the Highlights. It took us 8 hours to get there (300km). All our luggage was on top of a car (apart from my guitar) secured only by loosely tightened rubber straps and a hammock (Haengematte, I am not sure of how to spell this). Beldy, the driver impressed me most, as we arrived on site with our luggage still tied on top of the car.
But this is Romania. Things just work somehow. The conference itself was quite great. Very emotional and sweet. I will never forget a part of the speech:
“Being elected means that you are given a suit. A suit that seems always too big for you.... Now, the time has come and I will give you your suit. ... Here are the votes that elected you.” Mihai Tica (MCP Takeover speech)
This person has impressed me with every day that we interact and I am truly glad to be able to meet him and spend time with him. Mihai, If you ever read this: Thank you.
After the National Congress, we drove back home. This trip also was extraordinary, especially the sights on the way. There seems to be an industry that is part of a service provision to tourists that has the goal of providing everyone that is driving through the deepest forests of the country with countless opportunities to buy Gartenzwerge (garden midgets) and large tin and iron cans, as well as a wide assortment of swimming towels showing naked women. Once I find out why these shops are located in the forests in the mountains where there is absolutely no one to buy these things, I will certainly tell you. I talked to Romanian about this and they have started to wonder was well.
After arriving back in Bucharest I was give the opportunity to be the chairperson for an event of the committee of Bucharest. People remembered me. I felt very welcome, especially as I was officially adopted. I am allowed to go to there delegation meetings and call myself a part of AIESEC BU. I feel this is great honor.
The day after, the transition period really started and I have been working, learning and having meetings all day. I really like being part of something of which the idea I truly regard as relevant.
I am starting to meet my team of vice presidents, the national exchange support team, and the national trainers team. Life is going to be very exciting.
We (eight people) moved into a new apartment. An apartment which is only going to be temporary for one month, but just too cool to be true. A penthouse suite with a large kitchen and 3 rooms. 2 of us sleep on the couch, 2 on an air mattress and another 4 people in two rooms. We are budgeting, as our salary will have to be cut a little due to the crises that is effecting Romania a lot. With about 30% less revenues from corporate relations, we will be facing serious challenges on all levels.
I am looking forward to it while I start getting acquainted with the culture and language. The next time I will write, I will have started to learn Romanian.

Until the next time,
Urs
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