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| In Romania, dogs go "ham ham", not "woof, woof". I didn't believe this until I met this little chap - he really did say, "ham, ham" - I wish I had my video camera to prove it. |
I'm doing this a day early on Sunday. Tomorrow sees the last Monday in Romania and the first of the days when we see some of the patients for the last time. That means that next week will be the last blog. My plan is to write most of it before I fly back to the UK and then finish it on Monday 8th August when I am home. I am really not looking forward to next week - it will be pure bitter-sweet.
Lots of talks and conversations this last weeks on why people do what they do and would we do the same if we were in the same position. It is pretty much impossible to say. A lot of people will recognise the following quote:
Why did only 5 out of forty people comply with the request to keep pressing the button when they knew that they were causing extreme distress by continuing? Why when the order from someone in a white coat and a fellow ‘peer' did no one at all refuse to press the button? What would you do? What would I do?
One lady this week was very quiet and a bit distressed during an early session. She is quite elegant and has an air of sophistication about her. She would not be out of place in a Cheltenham tea room. She had a dream the previous night which was still with her. I paraphrase, "I am not guilty of anything. The people who put me here are not bad, just over zealous. I dreamed last night that I was not in the hospital any more. It was lovely. Then I woke up and I was still here. It's horrible. I don't want to be here. How can I ever get out?"
If I could press a button to get her out I would.
Medieval fun in Sighisoara
Sighisoara is famous as the most perfectly preserved medieval city in Europe. They had a medieval festival this weekend. My old town of Rochester (see the very first blog) also has an eleventh century castle and hosts many festivals on the cobbled high street. The weather was kind and loads of people turned up. One of the nice things about having a fully walled city is that it was easy to charge everyone 10 Lei entrance fee - well worth it. Wall is much too high to climb over - I tried it and they threw a dead cow at me.
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| This fluffy chap was my official guide last time I went to Sighisoara, it was lovely to see him again. |
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| Good crowds. This was the day's opening ceremony prior to a procession |
Sighisoara really is a very pretty town and I can recommend a visit to anyone. Unfortunately the (mini-) bus was completely crowded for the one and a half hour trip there. Corina stood, Kiki sat on a beer crate and I curled up on the floor next to the driver - ouch!
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| Bunting |
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| Cute and tiny little flat overlooking one of the squares. But three satellite dishes? |
Just like the Rochester festivals.
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| As you enter the town the bouncer asks if you are carring any weapons - if you are not they give you one. |
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| Great vantage point, but a very long queue to get in |
House for sale
We visited a lovely (older) lady who we have got to know over the last six months. She has been trying to sell her house as she is out in the sticks and really wants to be somewhere where she has access to some company. She cooked the most moreish and fattening Hungarian pastry dish; so the 9kg I have lost during my time here have all gone straight back on.
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| I ate all of these - lovely |
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| Me actually eating one - not so lovely |
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| Very fertile garden! |
Bits and pieces
Not a lot has happened with the house build opposite - I was hoping to include a photo of a complete house by now. Here are a few images from the week...
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| Adamus - so good they named it twice...or, thrice...or even five times. |
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| I think I might let these guys give me a blue-rinse. |
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| I have really fallen in love with some of the detail you find on some Romanian buildings - the roofs have eyes! |
Until Soon!
Paul
