My American Vacation...I mean, My Timisoara Vacation

After the last blog I posted, I bet you were all wondering what happened during the REST of my vacation.  Oops.  I left Miercurea Ciuc Friday night and after 14 hours, 4 trains, 2 terrible children, and 1 lost tooth I made it safely to Sara’s site in Recas.  The lost tooth was not mine, nor were the two children.  They were just the product of an eventful wait at the Brasov train station at 9 pm. 

Saturday was a fairly laid back day…as you can imagine.  Sara and I napped, saw the town, ate some food, napped, ate some more food, saw some things that she probably doesn’t want  me to post in a public location, watched some horror movies, scared ourselves half to death, and slept some more.  I should have taken this day as a sign.  A sign of the awesomeness that is a Freya/Sara vacation.  We kind of rock.

Rom. Orthodox Church and Revolution Memorial

Sunday we woke up early and took a train into Timisoara where we froze our butts off touring parts of the city…ate some McDonald’s at 10:30 am just to warm up…froze some more…and then spent one awesome afternoon at the home of one of Sara’s colleague’s.  She provided us with some amazing food, especially a chocolate caramel cake that produced sounds of angels singing.  Still waiting on that recipe, by the way.  At the same time, her father provided some insightful Romanian conversation.  After that afternoon of merrymaking we headed back to Recas for a nap, Black Swan, another nap, and a 2 am Pro Bowl viewing with a side of chicken wings.  Mmmhmm, we know how to live.

Favorite dog ever at our Sunday lunch

Enjoying  wings and football!

Monday, I got to sleep in a little before we went back into Timisoara for the partaking in such American traditions as mall shopping, spending way too much money, eating a disgustingly large amount of popcorn and drinking fountain Coca-Cola at the movies, and drinking over-priced Starbucks.  All in all, a lot was accomplished.

I go to the mall normal, and I come back a French high-schooler

Our early departure to Arad

Tuesday we woke up early and threw on our packs for our mini-trip to Arad to visit volunteers there.  After we dropped our packs off, we headed out to see the town.  It was cold and snowy, but Sara and I still managed to have a blast.  We stopped at McDonald’s for lunch where our personal space was invaded many, many times.  Poor Sara.

Catholic church in Arad

Arad-ean shenanigans

A snowy day in Oradea

Wednesday we woke up early again to head to Oradea, this time we were joined be Elizabeth.  Oradea was even colder and snowier, but awesome in its own way.  After a little more sight-seeing and shopping we took the train back to Arad for the night.

Warming up at an Irish Pub

Thursday Sara and I left Elizabeth’s and spent some more time at the mall.  Hey, who knows the next time I’m in a fairly Westernized place, I had to get my fix in. Don’t judge.  As we left Arad the whole “Ooops, we got on the wrong train” thing happened.  Read my previous blog if you are confused.

Sara and me out for a night on the town

Friday we slept in and I packed up my stuff.  We headed back into Timisoara to hang out with Sara’s counterpart…who is amazing by the way.  After dropping our stuff off at his place we headed…yep, back to the mall.  I had some last minute things to buy…that’s what I tell myself anyway.  After a delightful meal of KFC chicken, we went back to Sara’s counterpart and headed to a birthday party.  I got to see a little more of the city and we got free drinks and food…good night, I’d say.

Saturday we woke up EARLY.  Sara headed back to her site, and I got on my first of many trains.  14 hours later I was back at my site safe and sound!!!!!

8 hours on one train really does something to you

Something really cool that I have yet to figure out.

So that was my vacation.  Short and sweet.  The blog, not the vacation.  That was sweet, not so short.  Sara and I realized that the only way to vacation is with each other…obviously.  Get ready for our next adventures!