Cruising the Danube Delta
I have been taking an extended illegal peace corps holiday visiting friends around the country. SSSSShhh, if you don't tell neither will I. Today is the Romanian Orthodox Easter and I am in coastal city of Tulcea which lies quietly on the delta right before the mighty blue Danube dumps into the much polluted and considerably blacker Black Sea. Tulcea is known for its birds this time of year of which I have unfortunately seen few of. But this ancient city is also hosts a swarm of "may bugs" that are the size of birds. Though the city seems to be more of a final resting place than vacation spot for the special insects. The sidewalks are a mine field of bug carcass and beetle juice. Makes for a yummy picture doesn't it. Besides the bugs it's still beautiful. There is a marina with huge cargo ships and for a second if I squinted, focused on the water and forgot that the Danube was a river than I felt like I was a home. Just a little.
For easter the Romanian tradition is a midnight mass. Literally the entire town leaves home at 11pm and walks to church. People spill out of all the churches into the streets and the air is silent except for the chanting priests and snifling noses. During the service the congregants "take the light," meaning each person lights their neighbor's candle. The first candle is lit by the priest and it follows in a chain until the whole congregation ripples aglow with "the light". The moment all the candles are lit the crowd repeats a prayer with the priest. Hristos a inviat. Adeverat s-a inviat (I think). The translation is "Christ has risen ( I think), True he has risen." It was chilling and chilly as the window blew off the Danube.
I leave the Delta tomorrow and move on the Timisoara. I fear that I am going to need a vacation from my vacation. No worries...only six weeks left of school until summer!!!!
ps. i think that i am getting used to the hair. still don't like it though. o well, life goes on and on and on...