More about Romania

Training
It is the second week of training and so far my Romanian is still horrible but as all the trainees keep saying, it will come in time. All of us have our good days and our bad days. Some are lucky to have some past foreign language learning, though this does not always help. The saying that your third language is always easer to learn is not always the case. We are also learning about the Romanian school system. We have been observing the Romanian schools here. After today I am thankful that I brought so many movies, music, my poetry books as well as a few other books.

A Word on the Food
I once thought I liked bland food then I had actual bland food. In Romania few spices are used, though salt is popular as is dill. I have heard that garlic is used but have yet to see it. Bread comes with every meal; cheese and soup are popular as are potatoes. I have a feeling that after 27 months I will never want to see a potato again. A bland corn meal dish is also popular and is in my opinion disgusting. Chicken is also a common food and is served mostly on the bone. One of the good things about the food here is the sugar is real and the food is as fresh as it comes. However, don’t drink the tap water or the fresh milk and never eat duck eggs. Another warning is that the food protection Americans take for granted in the states is virtually non-extent here so be careful eating at fast food restaurants.

A Message for PC Romania Group 27
Wheeling duffel bags are not necessarily a good idea but bringing toilet paper is. I am not joking if you are studying at the same place we are you should know that the bathrooms in the building have no seats and the toilet paper is provide by the PCT staff. It will get hot and wet if you are here during the summer so be prepared for the heat, humidity and large mosquitoes. On the up side you will be with a group of people that are going through the same things you are and a staff that has dealt with PCT many times. Don’t count on the computers working all the time or your Gazda having Internet access.