General Discussions

**andrei155** · 08-20-2008, 10:15 AM

I've been on vacation to Romania (Small country in Europe) for the past month or so. As a cause, I've been in and out of WT, not really participating much : (.

I just got home at about 3:00 am last night. I've had my share of sleep, and I'm ready to WT!

YAY

**KML9870** · 08-20-2008, 11:04 AM

Welcome back Andrei!! Was Romania everything you expected? What surprised you?

**andrei155** · 08-20-2008, 11:24 AM

Well, it's my birth country, and I haven't been there for a few years. I remember it being pretty bad ... however, it was really nice (much to my "surprise"). The people are great, and everyone greets you while you're walking down the street.

My grandparents own a farm, and I spent some time there, away from technology (almost). They have electricity, and a TV however you really don't feel like doing those things while your there. I spent 99% o the day outside. The community is great, and the fresh air was awesome!

However, nothing's better than home sweet home

.

**Moxxnixx** · 08-20-2008, 11:36 AM

Hey Andrei,
Sounds like you had a really great time. Glad to have you back.

**KML9870** · 08-20-2008, 12:04 PM

It's great that you were able to go visit and enjoy the different atmosphere. I live in Buffalo and my father lives in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. About 4 years ago my kids & I got to go up there and it was just gorgeous! I was very happ I could give my kids that experience.

**serandfae** · 08-20-2008, 10:48 PM

Welcome back, Andrei!

Where in Romania did you go? What was the most fun thing you did?

One of these days I hope to go back to Europe. Though I'm American, I grew up in Germany. I'd love to be able to go back there and see some other countries as well. I'd been mulling over the possibility of going on a work visa and doing a bike tour on my off time.

tim

**andrei155** · 08-20-2008, 11:20 PM

Well I traveled all around Romania. Did some sight seeing in the mountains, spent some time in the capital city, and a little bit in my childhood city Pitesti.

Europe is a great place, with lots of history and culture. I don't know if you still kept those German traditions while living in America, however it really is a great place to go somewhere where all of those same traditions are practiced by everyone. Not too many people in Canada are structured the same way my family is. It was really great to be with my "kind", so to say.

What you've mentioned would sure sound like an awesome adventure! What do you have to lose? : ).

**andrei155** · 08-20-2008, 11:42 PM

Here are those mountains : ).

**serandfae** · 08-21-2008, 12:08 AM

That's an awesome picture!

Quote:

Originally Posted by andrei155

Well I traveled all around Romania. Did some sight seeing in the mountains, spent some time in the capital city, and a little bit in my childhood city Pitesti.

Sounds like you had a great time. That picture reminds me of the Rhein valley and some of the areas around the Pyrennes.

Quote:

Originally Posted by andrei155

Europe is a great place, with lots of history and culture. I don't know if you still kept those German traditions while living in America, however it really is a great place to go somewhere where all of those same traditions are practiced by everyone. Not too many people in Canada are structured the same way my family is. It was really great to be with my "kind", so to say.

Since I traveled most of my life, my traditions have always been eclectic. And though I've been told I still have an accent from Hessen (around Frankfurt) when I speak German, since I don't have many opportunities to speak I'd really have to immerse myself in it again to regain fluency. I know native speakers with the same problem -- a decade of non-use will tell its tale. Do you still speak Romanian fairly well?

Quote:

Originally Posted by andrei155

What you've mentioned would sure sound like an awesome adventure! What do you have to lose? : ).

Not too much. Ann and I have been discussing a few possibilities now that the kids are going off to college.

tim

**andrei155** · 08-21-2008, 12:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by serandfae

That's an awesome picture!

Thanks, I took that myself : ). I also took the liberty of placing it as my desktop background. Thought I'd share it with you all, lol. It's really beautiful up there.

Quote:

Originally Posted by serandfae

Do you still speak Romanian fairly well?

Although I moved out of Romania to an English speaking nation at the age of six, we've spoken only Romanian at home. I've managed to stay fluent during this time. However I'm not used to the various speeds at which people talk, and I don't know any of the "slang" and swearing as I've only spoken it with my parents for the past 10 years.