Thursday, June 15- Last Day in Cluj
Yesterday was the last day in Cluj for those of us who are going to Sofia, and it was a very good day indeed. First thing in the morning I talked to Adam on the phone, which was a very nice way to start the day, and it put me in a good mood for class. After the morning lecture, I had some errands to run during lunch. I wanted to buy the book on Vladimir Zamfirescu’s paintings from the art museum, and I had to exchange money for Bulgaria, etc. I didn’t think that it would be very exciting, but something unexpected and fantastic happened.
I went to the art museum to buy the Zamfirescu book, and he was there! I didn’t realize it at first, but when I asked for the book, the Romanian woman at the counter said something that I didn't understand, and then she pointed behind me and said "Zamfirescu!" I looked, and there was an old man standing behind me who looked suspiciously like the picture of Zamfirescu that it on the over of the book! So I got to meet him, and he signed the book for me! It say (in Romanian) "For Erin- with thanks and affection, Vladimir Zamfirescu 15/6/2006." I was incredibly excited! But unfortunately in my excitement, I forgot to ask to get a picture with him.
Zamfirescu's note to me
My wonderful day continued into the evening, with the farewell dinner that the Department of European Studies held for us. I wore my new Romanian blouse and received lots of compliments on it, and it was a lovely evening overall. I talked with some of the professors from Universitatea Babes-Bolyai about my desire to study Romanian history. They encouraged me to return to Cluj and said that they will be waiting for me. They also had great things to say about Maria Bucur, the Romanian historian that I would like to work with at Indiana University, which was very good to hear.
Some of the MSU group with Corrina and Sivlia
So that brings us up to today on the train. We are nearly to Bucuresti now (only about an hour left), and we have passed through the Carpathian Mountains, which are beautiful. I’ll update about Sofia sometime this weekend!
A view from the train window
I went to the art museum to buy the Zamfirescu book, and he was there! I didn’t realize it at first, but when I asked for the book, the Romanian woman at the counter said something that I didn't understand, and then she pointed behind me and said "Zamfirescu!" I looked, and there was an old man standing behind me who looked suspiciously like the picture of Zamfirescu that it on the over of the book! So I got to meet him, and he signed the book for me! It say (in Romanian) "For Erin- with thanks and affection, Vladimir Zamfirescu 15/6/2006." I was incredibly excited! But unfortunately in my excitement, I forgot to ask to get a picture with him.
Zamfirescu's note to me
My wonderful day continued into the evening, with the farewell dinner that the Department of European Studies held for us. I wore my new Romanian blouse and received lots of compliments on it, and it was a lovely evening overall. I talked with some of the professors from Universitatea Babes-Bolyai about my desire to study Romanian history. They encouraged me to return to Cluj and said that they will be waiting for me. They also had great things to say about Maria Bucur, the Romanian historian that I would like to work with at Indiana University, which was very good to hear.
Some of the MSU group with Corrina and Sivlia
So that brings us up to today on the train. We are nearly to Bucuresti now (only about an hour left), and we have passed through the Carpathian Mountains, which are beautiful. I’ll update about Sofia sometime this weekend!
A view from the train window
posted by Erin Kay at 7:24 PM
1 Comments:
How exciting that you met Zamfirescu! Make sure to pack it in your carry on so that no airline's mistake can take it away from you! Wow... it sounds like you are having lots of amazing adventures. I was thinking perhaps it would be cool if you and I could put some of our best photos from the year's travels together to frame (perhaps?) and hang in our living room... that way we can be surrounded by memories of faraway places as we pass through our senior year in East Lansing. We'll have to talk about it in August. Best to you.
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