Crazy Jewish exchange and ROMANIA!!!

First things first. We got to go to ROMANIA!!! I mean, really, who isn't excited for a new stamp in the old passport? The only bummer was that we actually didn't get anything that said we had been to Romania, just that we had departed and then returned to Silistra. Thank goodness our host Vesi is willing to feed into our traveling desires. The weather was yucky today...rainy, gray, not a fun day to be out exploring. But, like good Voyageurs, we had our infamous rain gear and were at the ready to start our day. We walked down to the customs station, with a stop along the way to go to the archeological museum (no pictures since we would have had to pay extra to take them). Once we got to customs, they were excited to see the Americans and wanted to know why we were in town, why would we want to go to Romania, and have we enjoyed their country. The customs agent was very nice. Since we were walking onto the ferry, it was free!!

Abers wasn't so sure of the boat when we got there, as it was really just a drive on barge and a tugboat. The big 18 wheeler that got on before us made quite a bit of racket and kind of scared him. We did make it on though and as we were standing there, a nice man, the vice mayor of a small village in Romania, got out of his car and invited us to sit in his car since it was warm and we had little ones. He had pretty good English and we carried on a nice conversation. He was even willing to take us into town if we wanted. The boys were pretty tired though, so we declined. Once across the river, we walked to the only restaurant near, and enjoyed a lunch of pike perch fish from the Danube and corn mush. The fish is SOOO tasty. As we got back to the ferry right before it left, our nice friend was there and once again invited us to his car. He even drove us across town to the bus stop after we were back on land. Vesi, needless to say, was very impressed with the type of experience we have had. I told her that is just the way it is, traveling with David, never a dull moment.

Now, to the OTHER story. As I said a few days ago, DB met a man named Auggie at the top of town and we were invited over to his house. The other English teacher Vesi went with us as our translator. This guy was SUPER excited to have us, talking the entire time. He showered us with gifts, some priceless, others nice. The only problem was that the one thing he had promised David, he didn't give us! So, Vesi was able to sneak a word in edgewise and get to the point. I guess, there was an ancient grave in town that we had to go to to get the mezzuzah. This meant we had to load the boys up, find a translator, call a cab, and get there. Luckily, host Vesi called today and the place was locked so she quickly ran up to get the goods before they closed. While we were at his house though, David had to talk to his niece in England, his rabbi in Sofia, and find a book for him. What a CRAZY evening. Like always though, as David's students would tell you, no Benson trip is complete until stuff like this happens.

It is late here and the little one is fussy. His belly is tired of foreign food and he is starting to teeth. I must go and pacify the little bugger. Tomorrow (Thursday), we head to the coast and kind of start the process of getting home...


Auggie, showing us where to hang the mezzuzah with a Hebrew blessing posted in his doorway.
Thank goodness for Kroger Creamy peanut butter!!
On the ferry to Romania. Needless to say, we were the only stroller!

The border crossing
More ferry pictures.
Lunch at the restaurant in Romania.
The big guys.
Trying to convince Abers of something from across the table.

The boat that pushes the ferry across.
The nice man that gave us a ride and warm car!
Vesi and her mom where we bought some wholesale goods.
Run Forest Run!