Trip To Romania May 2009
Trip To Romania May 2009
The journey began at 10:30 pm outside the Parish Church with a group of 5 of us boarding a minibus, which would take us to Luton Airport for our early morning flight to Cluj in Romania. This is a relatively new connection to the country and means the journey is far shorter than previously. Everything went very smoothly and we were met at Cluj Airport by Ella, from the Casa Delureni where we would be staying.
We set off through the city of Cluj which is a mixture of old and new buildings, lots of churches everywhere, some with spires and quite a lot with domes. Lots of tall concrete structures, offices etc, much as you would see anywhere, and interspersed with these were lots of small one story dwellings. These were mostly old, quite square in design and seem to be built without much cement holding them together! Most of them have a small courtyard and a type of pergola with vines growing on them, this was the same wherever we went. Every now and then we would see a very modern shopping area but generally the shops were small with little on display. I noticed 2 women, very dark, swarthy looking, with bright yellow vests on. They were walking along with a barrow and besom brooms….street sweepers I think!
We were soon out of the city and travelling through the foothills (Romania is very mountainous), passing through lots of villages. Most of these have a shop a garage of sorts and occasionally street market type stalls selling things to visitors, hand made goods like baskets, traditional needlework and so on. All along the route we passed people working small plots of land, all ages, some very elderly, sometimes whole families, they were tilling the soil as if getting ready to sow something. They seem to be using all the land at the foot of the hills, even going up the hills at times, and it looks like a sort of strip system though I really couldn’t work out how it was organised!
Sometimes there was a cow or two and people mostly got about by horse and cart. Once we were at our village I realised that most families have a cow, chickens and a cockerel, often a horse and cart and sometimes a pig; they do live a life that we haven’t seen in our country for a very long time, growing their own produce and feeding themselves. Everywhere you look you see these mini haystacks, they are built around a central pole and go up into a point, they are everywhere and when they start to use the hay it looks like a giant apple core with someone nibbling away at it! We did manage to have a quick stop en route for a welcome snack; it was a surprisingly modern hotel right on the edge of a village. Ella popped across the road to get a flat tyre mended, at what was a “sort of” garage, it was done right away with no problems..!
We were very glad to arrive at the Casa Delureni feeling hot and travel weary, and what a wonderful spot it is. Situated on the edge of Beznea, it reminded me of a large Swiss chalet with smaller chalets in the grounds, everyone else was in the larger building but I was in one of the smaller ones as it catered for disabilities. It was really delightful, well appointed with a downstairs bedroom complete with a comfortable lounge area, and a modern bathroom with shower etc. I wasn’t far from the main house but as I listened to the sounds of the countryside that surrounded me, wonderful birdsong (I’m not good at identifying them), the crickets, humming bees and farm animals, especially cockerels, I felt such peace stealing over me.
Over in the main house which is modern and very pleasant we sat down to our first evening meal in the large light and airy dining room. The views are wonderful, great swathes of untouched meadows which go on to meet land which is being worked as described previously. Then it goes on to the distant mountains which, as we watched, displayed a colourful sunset, something we had each evening we were there. The food was very good, always three courses and plentiful, in fact we were looked after very well with regard to our meals and were often served by some of the orphans who were rescued as abandoned children. Oh! What a delight those young people are! They are so pleased we are there, they always smile broadly, want to talk with you and often hold your arm or hand, I found them quite wonderful.
I slept so well in my little chalet and was awoken by a veritable chorus of cockerels, I think everyone has got one! After an excellent breakfast we got together in a lounge where Helen and Olive led us in worship, music, dance and prayers. We did this in the morning and again in the evening each day and it was a good way to draw close to the Lord, I know I found it a very special part of this holiday – not only having time with the Lord but also being able to share in such close fellowship.
We did go on several trips out whist we were there. We visited the youngsters on two of the three farms which they manage with the help of house mothers. That was great fun as they excitedly took us all round to show off their animals and where they are growing things, we were taken to their bedrooms to admire work they had done and they enjoyed time with us in their living quarters. All in all they seem very happy and healthy, a far cry from their original circumstances.
We visited a wonderful monastery with the most beautiful gardens (why is it that their roses do not have a single greenfly?), the original wooden church and the much newer one which is fantastically decorated with paintings. Inside they are of the New Testament whilst outside is all the Creation and Old Testament. Amazing! We went to Baile Felix where there is a spa complex with lots of different pools to swim in; this is natural hot spring water and after a reluctant start we all went in. It was wonderful and I for one was very sorry to leave! We visited the Bear Caves, quite a long journey but on the way I saw two – yes, two! – storks settling in their huge nest balanced on the top of a telegraph pole! I also saw a group of brown woolly coated pigs – I had no idea there were such things! On the way up the mountain to the caves we found it was lined with lots and lots of stalls all selling rather rubbishy tourist type things, the vendors all trying to get us to buy. The caves were fascinating: full of stalagmites and stalactites of all shapes and sizes, and at the end of a long winding path are the remains, in perfectly preserved form, of a large female bear. This country had lots of bears at one time, though I don’t think there are many left now.
We did get down into the village for the market and to visit the old and new church; the old wooden churches are delightful, so simple and feeling full of peace, I could just imagine folk gathering to worship. Unfortunately as we weren’t there for a Sunday we weren’t able to join them for a service, something I would really have liked to do.
Our last evening was great fun as several of the children came over to the Casa to serve us at dinner and then to entertain us with local dancing, I don’t know who enjoyed it more, or who was the more exhausted! We shared a final service together and got ready to have a rest before we set off for the journey home, we were leaving on an early morning flight which would get us to Luton quite early. It all went very smoothly and here I am at home once more, re-living the trip by writing about it for you. I had a wonderful time in Romania, enjoying every part of the holiday, people, places, fellowship, food, and peace and quiet: I can absolutely recommend it as a holiday destination. You won’t be disappointed.
July 2009
Ed: This year (2009) sees the 20th anniversary of the Romanian Revolution. The website of the Guest House – shows its history but also the facilities available for holidays, retreats, etc. This is run for the ongoing care and long term support for the abandoned orphans after their traumatising start in life; though now adult, their need for love and encouragement continues.