Thirteen ambassadors traveled to Romania on a long-awaited journey.
We started in Bucharest with sidewalk cafes, Revolution Square and the People’s Palace. A seven-day tour of the country included mountai
ns and plains, castles and wineries, cities and villages. We learned so much about the history and culture of the country, invasions by various empires over the centuries and the importance of the Orthodox Church. Romania refers to Communisim and the revolution of 1989 as its “before and after” turning point. We saw fairytale castles from the Romantic age and “real” castles dating back to the 14th century, fortified churches and beautiful countryside. And yes, we saw horse-drawn wagons trotting through villages and cows freely walking the street going home for milking!
Our homestay began in Sibiu where we were welcomed by our hosts, treated to a feast of traditional Romanian food, and enjoyed a day in the mountains. The center of Sibiu with its fortified walls and centuries old buildings dates back to medieval times, and is noted for rooftop windows shaped like eyes. We visited an old salt mine, now converted to an indoor amusement park with a Ferris wheel and row boating on an underground lake. Sibiu’s outdoor museum of old wood homes, barns and shops gathered from around the country gives glimpses of life in early Romania. We also enjoyed a Lipizzaner horse breeding facility, but mostly we enjoyed the warm ho
spitality of our hosts and nurtured friendships we hope to continue.
Five of our group returned home after Sibiu and eight continued to Budapest, Hungary where we enjoyed a two-day guided tour of the city. It has a very different ‘feel’ from Romania, but is very beautiful. Hungary also endured invasions and occupations through the centuries, suffered a significant loss of land and resources after WWI and the tragedy of the Holocaust in WWII. But we ended on a happy note, buying paprika in the Market!
We are all glad to be home but thankful for yet another great Friendship Force experience!
—Susan Harvey, Journey Coordinator
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