Recent experiences

Hey everyone!

Since the 8th, I have been on my "independent study" break for school.. but really it is just for travelling :p After a grueling week of mid-terms, I then hopped on a train to Romania. Not the first place most people would choose to go for Spring Break, but my experience there was wonderful! I went there to see a friend who is volunteering with a program called Veritos, in Sighisoura, Romania. As you may have read in my earlier blogs, I found that the people in Spain are very kind, and very welcoming. I found this to be true also in Romania. In fact, I think the Translyvanian people are the nicest Europeans I have met thus far.

As you may know, Romania has only been free of communist rule since their Revolution in 1989.. so the country is really in a poor economic state right now. Nevertheless, they are the most kind, most generous people you would ever meet. I suppose I do not know if all Romanians are that way, but in Sighisoura they are certainly wonderful. If you have the opportunity, I would recommend reading a book called "The Hole in the Flag" It is about an exiled Romanian who returns to his home after the revolution. It was amazing to have the opportunity to learn about recent Romanian history from the people. In my lifetime, Romania has gone through, and is still going through great political and economic changes due to the revolution- it is really fascinating.
I was very sad to be leaving Romania actually.. it just felt so welcoming.. and i regret leaving after just meeting so many kind people.

Now I am in Athens, Greece. Today we saw the Acropolis, a couple of historical museums, the Agora, and the church on Lycabetus Hill(the tallest point in Athens). The city is crazy though!! I swear.. people never learned to obey the rules of the road.. or they just do not think it matters, haha. It is a big change from Salzburg or Sighisoura; Athens is bustling to say the least. Tomorrow we (me and my friend Ryan) will be going to Delphi, and in the evening we will sail to Crete.

Peace!
-joe