Saturday in Cluj-Napoca

Capital of Transilvania, the city of Cluj is old, has cobblestone streets, lots of statues, and today, a loss of power. I observed to my travel companions Tori and Amanda that it was rather difficult to tell which shops were open and which weren't from the general lack of light emanating through sidewalk windows. Rain isn't easily avoided when you don't have an umbrella and free-pedestrian-shelter (otherwise known as eaves) don't exist. We did discover, however that coffee at McCafe comes with quality art and approximates to barely $2; free heating was also apprciated. There's no shortage of drugs here; chemists (Farmacie) as a general rule, are every 3rd shop you see and are always landmarked by a flashing neon green cross. As for nutrition, every 4th shop sells Paine (bread). It's very cold and the sun goes down at 4.30 in the afternoon, making one tempted to adopt granny bed times. Makes me think it'll be interesting starting work shifts that don't finish til at least 5pm.

Union Square, Cluj Napoca

Amanda, Tori, and myself - 3 excited paramedic students!

Thanks Mum for the jacket - you've saved me from being surely frozen!

Following our morning wander around Cluj, our roadtrip introduced us to gypsy houses, a surprising proportion of green and pink houses, houses with very steep roofs, trees laden with snow, grape vines in every second front lawn, and in the middle, gulash: a traditional Hungarian stew of potato and pork. The hearty meal did indeed satisfy some very growly stomachs and as I anticipate the experience will be repeated, I'll capture a more visual description soon! Erno, our in-country program co-ordinator along with our Hungarian taxi driver guided us safely to our ultimate destination, all the while orienting us to our temporary new home and its history, and more than once jovially apologising that us Aussies will just have to get used to what is the right side of the road!

View of  "gypsy dwellings"

And here is the view I get to enjoy for the next 3 weeks: the city of Targu Mures.

I am so grateful to God for safe flights and very pleasant experiences with everyone. Now I'm just incredibly excited to embark on the project at SMURD on Monday - the reason I'm here! Stay tuned :)