Greetings from Romania!

After a full day of international flights, layovers, and then a drive to Tutova, I successfully made it to my destination without any problems.  No flight delays, no security pat-downs needed, no immigration issues, and to put a cherry on top, I easily found Dan, one of the Global Volunteer Romanian team leaders, waiting for me in the Bucharest Otopeni Airport.  Please take a minute to applaud me for not getting lost during my first European excursion.

Upon stepping out of the Bucharest airport, I was surprised at how “warm” it was outside.  Coming from 0 degree F winter temperatures and the blizzard snows of Chicago, I will take the 45 degree temperatures and howling winds instead any day. 

                                                                     Left this behind in Chicago....

                                        

                             For the village fields of Tutova (yes, those are a swarm of crows pictured below)!!

I do not think jet lag of any sort has set in yet, but it might be a different story tomorrow.  I plan on sleeping like a king here at the Raluca motel in Tutova.  Since I am the only male clinic volunteer on this team of five, I get my own room – lucky me! 

                                       My quite colorful and new humble abode - Pensiunea Raluca

I’ll leave you with a few observations for the day, so I can catch up on some sleep:

1)      International meals on flights are surprisingly edible.

2)      Romanians drive on the right side of the road.  I thought all Europeans drove on the left.  I guess not!

3)      Stray dogs populate the streets as a result of the Communist regime knocking down properties long ago.  The people were forced to move to apartments, while the dogs remained & exponentially reproduced. 

                      We were even given a kind welcome by a group of 3 pups at the inn. 

                             Supposedly, even the hospital has a group of "resident" dogs.

4)      You will find an occasional horse and buggy cruising alongside traffic, as it is still a common mode of transportation.  It's almost like a fun game - how long until the next horse comes along?

5)      McDonald’s (our 1^st official meal in Romania) has different menu items in Romania.  They like to hide things from us Americans.

Orientation day and non-fast food is on the schedule for tomorrow, so we will see how it goes!

-Steve