The clue should be in the very high embankments on each side of every ditch and river. Plus the fact that the countryside is so incredibly green and things seem to grow right in front of your very eyes. The sporadic, but intense, thunderstorms were replaced by constant torrential rain for the whole weekend (I exaggerate - it eased off a bit on Sunday). I had planned to go to Sibiu and/or Medias over the weekend, but didn't. So this blog consists of a few old photos that I haven't used yet, some pictures of plants and a video of Olivia being sweet.
Next week should include a report on a concert I am going to in Sibiu. I am very excited about this. A phenomenally talented and prolific artist - brilliant fun too.
Green stuff
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| Apparently, these little green dots will turn into grapes which can be eaten or turned into wine. Massive vine in the front garden. |
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| Do you recognise any of this stuff? sweetcorn? lettuce? beans? Back garden |
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| Countryside. Mostly green. |
Hospital and Club news
You have possibly noticed by now that I often do not refer directly to some events or aspects of the hospital. This is a public blog for friends, relatives, anyone else interested in the charity http://www.vfmh.org.uk/ and, well, anyone else really. It is important to keep a positive relationship going with the hospital, so I don't want to use this blog as a medium to rant on about things. Therefore, you will need to read between the lines a bit (if you haven't already).
They have a legal situation in many 'Eastern' countries, including Romania, called guardianship. This is a controversial measure whereby a persons legal and human rights can be signed way through a very non-transparent court process - you become a non-person; invisible. An organisation called Mental Disability Advocacy Centre (MDAC) has recently (April 2011) been instrumental (after a 5 year campaign) in getting the guardianship laws changed in Russia. Go to the VfMH website and look under the 'links' section if you want more on MDAC and the guardianship laws. I don't know how many patients at the hospital are detained under guardianship, but would not be surprised if it was a significant number. In the UK things are better - or are they? Autistic man wrongly deprived of liberty .
Coming Home
This should be my last month in Romania. However, I have extended things by 1 month so will be returning in the earlier part of August. I got my flight details through the other day. The return is all getting very real now. On the one hand, I am really looking forward to getting back to the UK - seeing friends and family (getting a job!) etc. On the other hand, I can't believe that I won't be going into the club and working with such wonderful people who I have grown to absolutely love. I am feeling truly split. I know that Kiki is feeling the same. More reflections on this in future blogs.
Olivia
Just a short video of me and Olivia this week to show how even-more-cute she has become. What can I say about this video? - i love cats - i just want to hug all of them - and I want them in a basket - and I want little bow ties - and I want them to be on a rainbow...(youtube fans will understand this).
Next week
Hopefully a report on Sibu plus a write up on what I am sure will be a brilliant concert. - Assuming the online ticket system worked, the bus arrives when it is supposed to and the room in Sibiu is really booked. Here are some old photos.
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| Local nightclub at its peak. Honestly, it was full - I just asked everyone to get out of shot so I could see the club properly |
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| Camping down for the afternoon. They drove through town lovely sight |
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| Self explanatory |
Pe Curand
Paul
