It is difficult to even put into words how wonderful an experience that we had in Fiumefreddo Bruzio. We stayed with family of Hannah’s cousin, Claire. Denise and her daughter Monica made us feel very comfortable and relaxed the entire stay. Their hospitality and generosity were some of the best I have ever experienced. Denise’s … Continue reading Fiumefreddo Bruzio, Italy
At one point, a tow truck with a small excavator had to squeeze by the bus in the opposite direction. We got as close to the guardrail as possible. I was sitting on the window side and looked down to hardly see any road, only craggy cliff face and lemon trees below. Suddenly, Hannah started laughing. The drivers had high-fived out of their windows as they passed each other, with mere inches to spare! Nevertheless, it was a good experience.
And just because laundry is included doesn't mean you wont be using a hair dryer or hanging it on the window to dry it.
Day 3/Palm Sunday I woke up sicker than the prior day but wanted to at least leave the Airbnb for a bit. We decided to walk down to Vatican City to meet Hannah’s cousin Claire at Palm Sunday Mass in Vatican Square. The square was not as packed as I had expected. There were 2 … Continue reading Rome, Italy: Part 2
Outside Vatican square, we passed a large fortress and castle. Beside it, the rounded arches of 3 separate bridges skipped across the murky, opaque green of the river running beneath them. The bridge held a gaggle of merchants selling wares and beggars seeking charity, just as they would have in centuries past.
It was directly reminiscent of the Muslim 3PM call to prayer that we experienced in Skopje, Macedonia. This time, white clothed nuns in hair covered habits made their way through the maze of churches, just as the Muslim women in their flowing black draping traversed the Bazaar. This reflection made me draw pause, perhaps we aren’t as different as we have been led to believe.
Hannah and I booked a flight to Milan from Bucharest because the price was excellent and it dropped us into northern Italy in time to explore a bit before making our way south for Easter with her cousin Claire and her family. Little did we know, accommodation in Milan would be a nightmare. The average … Continue reading Milan, Italy
When I walked into Hanul lui Manuc, I became lost in thought back to a long forgotten history lesson. It described the Western concept of time and how we see it as a linear function, on a straight line continuing into perpetuity. This lesson described the differentiation of the Eastern concept of time, redoubling back on itself like a loop or a cursive letter "e", written over and over and over. That concept seemed apparent to me as I watched the curved arches of Hanul lui Manuc on several floors continue onward as if to infinity. While no longer serving its original purpose as a caravanserai for protection and shelter, it was still repeating history, providing a hearth, community, and a meal for 3 weary travelers.
Brasov is in central Romania about 2.5 hours by train north of Bucharest. We decided to take 3 days here and regroup a bit since our 2:45AM bus ride was eventful and exhausting. We had taken a 9am train. It wound its way through tall firs, thick spruce, and bristly pines. Evidence of a higher … Continue reading Brasov/Bran/Siniai, Romania
Hannah originally chose Veliko Tarnovo as a stopover on our way to Bucharest, Romania. I didn’t know much about it, but I am very glad she did. Veliko Tarnovo is a much smaller city than Sofia; it fits more the definition of a “town”. Veliko Tarnovo is a getaway for Bulgarians, as well. There are … Continue reading Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria
It's A Ritch Life 