Week 2 We arrived in Romania

The flight to Romania was 9 hours from Salt Lake City to Amsterdam.  We traveled with 3 other missionary couples two of which were headed to South Africa.  The other couple, the Leavitts, were going to Bucharest, Romania with us.  The airline was called KLM, royal dutch airline.  They kept us pretty full of snacks and treats, but no peanuts.  They made an announcement that there would no peanuts served because someone onboard was allergic and they asked that if anyone onboard had peanuts, they should not eat them while on the plane. 

Brent kept himself entertained with many games of Texas Hold Em and Black Jack.  Jamie watched Moana, LaLaLand and 4 episodes of Fixer Upper.   We were happy to land in Amsterdam and be able to walk around a bit.  Sadly we were not able to see much of the famous tulip field.  We could see a few from the plane window.  The fields appeared as patches of bright color on the ground. 

Soon we were in the air again without the South African missionaries headed for Romania. 

We were met at the airport by President and Sister Ivory and the office Senior Elder Marjoram.  They helped us with our bags and loaded us in two cars.  We headed into Bucharest where we stopped at the beautiful city park where the mission was dedicated.  We each took turns reading the dedicatory prayer.  We have been taught that Romania is in it's "Nauvoo" Phase.  The numbers of members is growing very slowly right now.  We were delivered to the Bucharest Ramada Inn which is close to the Ivory's mission home.  We were told to rest a bit for an hour until President Ivory would come and walk us to his home for dinner.  

Their home was a 3 story townhome squished in among the other buildings. Sister Ivory fed us chicken schnitzel with traditional flat bread and pasta followed by yummy banana cake.  Lots of small talk and then we went upstairs with Pres. Ivory to receive our assignments.  We were assigned to the Arad District.  Brent will be serving as Branch President. We had a hunch that would be it.  The Leavitts will be staying in Bucharest to help with the young adult programs. Off we go to our hotel and much needed bedtime. 

Tuesday morning we went down to the continental breakfast. Beautiful breakfast was spread before us. Jamie had eggs benedict and oatmeal with raisins.  Brent found some breakfast meat and scrambled eggs. 

The office Elders came to our hotel to deliver us to the mission office.  We loaded in the Leavitt's luggage, the four of us greenies and the two office Elders.  At the office we were trained on the use of the church cars.  It put fear into our hearts.  And then they gave us the keys and said, "Go drive".  The rules of Bucharest traffic seemed impossible and scary.  Lots of honking and driving anywhere you want without regard to the road signs.  Look at this crazy parking, right up next to the store on the sidewalk. 

The scary driver training was followed by yummy lunch at a place called "OSHO".  Here is a picture of my lunch. 

And here are Brent and the office elders. 

Thursday was the day of the Elders Conference.  President Ivory booked the JW Marriot and threw a big corporate style day for the senior and young Elders.  They listened to some speakers including the President's wife, Sora Ivory who spoke to them about "Maning Up" when they leave their missions. 

Sora Leavitt and I met up with two other Senior sisters, Sora Winder and Sora Shurtleff for some shopping.  It was a bit tough on my little toe that I had stubbed a few days before, on Brent's suitcase, but we made it. We visited a Huge store like a Porters or toy store on steroids.  It was like IKEA, once you get in the maze, you can't get out without going all the way to the end. I was happy to see some things I recognized.

We enjoyed dinner that night by a park with 3 other missionary couples. More yummy food. On the end of the table you see a pizza. 

Friday morning we headed to Arad for our assignment.  Brent loaded all of our luggage onto a hotel cart to get them to the car. 

 It was an 8- hour drive through cities and countryside.  In Bucharest we saw flowers everywhere.  Those shown below are planted in a grassy strip along the road.  Beautiful to see. 

We saw one of the old horse carts that are seen in Romanian tourist photos right off the bat.  We saw 5 of them total along the way. We also saw many Gypsy or Roma.  I am a little hesitant to take photos as they have been known to ask for money if they see you take the picture. 

When we arrived in Arad, we were greeted by a "heart attack" on our apartment door left by the Sister missionaries. 

The apartment was is good shape.  Luckily the former seniors, the Browns left many of the incidentals we needed, like sugar, salt, spices and such. We went to the store and tried to find cereal and milk.  Everything had a different name and comes in wierd packaging.  Who would think?  Baking powder comes in a little envelope kinda like Koolaid only smaller.