In Cluj-Napoca, Romania a big college town in the NW. Taking the night train to Budapest tomorrow with a kiwi friend (that's New Zealand for those not in the know).
Damn my poor health, need to quit smoking. Romania has not been good for my body, but excellent for the mind. Was up coughing all night last night, think I have bronchitis now....sounds like a walking nightmare, huh? First sinus shit, then stomach problems, now this. Well I said to hell with it and went to the emergency clinic. They were nice, spoke very little english though. Gave me a shot of something (asked what it was but didn't understand). Then they gave me a prescription for 4 different medicines. They gave me Cipro, which in the US is VERY expensive but was really cheap here (no generic).
Yesterday I went to the National Transylvanian History Museum. It was very interesting. They had 3 really old skeletons in situ (meaning when they found the skeletons, they dug up a huge square around them and brought the dirt and all), and they even had a real egyptian mummy (don't ask why). Nothing was in english, but it was still nice.
Today I napped a lot, but ended up trying to go to the pharmacy museum, but it was closed. So I went to the botanical garden. It was quite impressive. Got caught in the rain and had to wait in a gazebo for 45 minutes.
Forgot to tell you guys about my first theft (i wasn't doing the stealing, someone stole from me). It happened in Brasov a the hostel while i was out. Some one stole my deodorant. Of all thing, why? And who would want to use someone else's deodorant?!!?!?! That's not nearly as bad as some of the stories I have heard. Passports, credit cards, phones...it's crazy. I have a money belt thingy, which you wear under your clothes, so that if someone steals any of my bags I'll be ok because I keep all my money, credit cards, passport, and railpass in there. So if anyone goes traveling I highly suggest it. And I never take it off (it smells pretty funky right now!). I take it in the shower with me too.
Romania is one of the poorest countries in Europe. I feel bad for some of the people here. Everywhere you look there are these poor old ladies trying to sell wildflower bouquets. I was walking down the street yesterday and this little girl came up to me and was asking for money (now, I would probably give her a little money but I this girl told me that she did that once and a whole swarm of kids came up to here digging in her bag and pockets!). I told her I didn't have any and she kept on following me. I was drinking a coke and she wanted me to give that to her, so I felt bad and gave it up. Those poor kids. Maybe things will change when they join the EU. I think they might be up in 2007.
Another thing about Romania, many poor people that don't have cars still drive horse drawn carriages. It is crazy, you see them everywhere. I guess it makes sense though, horses breed and its easier to have one than a car. Some of those horses look really pathetic, you can see their ribs!
Anyways, that's all for now!
Damn my poor health, need to quit smoking. Romania has not been good for my body, but excellent for the mind. Was up coughing all night last night, think I have bronchitis now....sounds like a walking nightmare, huh? First sinus shit, then stomach problems, now this. Well I said to hell with it and went to the emergency clinic. They were nice, spoke very little english though. Gave me a shot of something (asked what it was but didn't understand). Then they gave me a prescription for 4 different medicines. They gave me Cipro, which in the US is VERY expensive but was really cheap here (no generic).
Yesterday I went to the National Transylvanian History Museum. It was very interesting. They had 3 really old skeletons in situ (meaning when they found the skeletons, they dug up a huge square around them and brought the dirt and all), and they even had a real egyptian mummy (don't ask why). Nothing was in english, but it was still nice.
Today I napped a lot, but ended up trying to go to the pharmacy museum, but it was closed. So I went to the botanical garden. It was quite impressive. Got caught in the rain and had to wait in a gazebo for 45 minutes.
Forgot to tell you guys about my first theft (i wasn't doing the stealing, someone stole from me). It happened in Brasov a the hostel while i was out. Some one stole my deodorant. Of all thing, why? And who would want to use someone else's deodorant?!!?!?! That's not nearly as bad as some of the stories I have heard. Passports, credit cards, phones...it's crazy. I have a money belt thingy, which you wear under your clothes, so that if someone steals any of my bags I'll be ok because I keep all my money, credit cards, passport, and railpass in there. So if anyone goes traveling I highly suggest it. And I never take it off (it smells pretty funky right now!). I take it in the shower with me too.
Romania is one of the poorest countries in Europe. I feel bad for some of the people here. Everywhere you look there are these poor old ladies trying to sell wildflower bouquets. I was walking down the street yesterday and this little girl came up to me and was asking for money (now, I would probably give her a little money but I this girl told me that she did that once and a whole swarm of kids came up to here digging in her bag and pockets!). I told her I didn't have any and she kept on following me. I was drinking a coke and she wanted me to give that to her, so I felt bad and gave it up. Those poor kids. Maybe things will change when they join the EU. I think they might be up in 2007.
Another thing about Romania, many poor people that don't have cars still drive horse drawn carriages. It is crazy, you see them everywhere. I guess it makes sense though, horses breed and its easier to have one than a car. Some of those horses look really pathetic, you can see their ribs!
Anyways, that's all for now!
VIEW 9 of 9 COMMENTS
i'm waiting for you, and call me. i go on vacation end of july.
enjoy your trip and get ready for france!
have a nice one mon amie!
added you as a friend, but i have to admit that sometimes i'm not good about updating or visiting friends' journals. but happy to know you and see what you're up to.