- Argatu & Subcarpati
Listening to underground Romanian folklore artists such as Argatu and Subcarpati will change your religion. Not that I was a good Christian before, it’s just that I’ve turned into a Pagan after hearing and feeling it. Codrule, marite domn, one of my favorite song can be translated as Forest, Gentle Prince. Listen to it!
- Become a pilot
Due to a communist regime heritage in which raising future pilots was necessary, young Romanians (aged 16-23) can attend FREE lessons and obtain various air-traffic licenses: 1.Private Pilot License (PPL-A), 2. Ultralight Planes Pilot License, 3. Glider Pilot License and 4. Skydiver License. If you are really eager to fly a plane, you can do it before getting your driver’s license at the age of 18. Amazing isn’t it?
- English
I have no clue about the rest of the country but people in Cluj are nearly fluent in English language. I am not only talking about high school and college students but also about bus drivers, ladies in cigarette shops, muay thai trainers and taxi drivers. Some of them also speak German and even more Hungarian, which makes living much more easier; especially if you only know how to say little cat in Romanian (pisica mica). Don’t ask.
- Spending time in a broken car can be fun
While coming back from a trip to Sighisoara, Transylvania’s historical gemstone, we experienced how it is to face a slippery road and involuntarily change the lane, almost checking the depth of a ditch. Nobody was hurt except for the car who suffered a flat tyre and was leaking oil. We waited nearly 5 hours for our rescue vehicle to take us back to Cluj and although it was as cold as a Romanian winter in a broken car, we enjoyed ourselves playing truth or dare, 20 questions and imagining how warm and nourishing a tea can be – and eventually it really was.
- Chance to explain to an International relations student Slovenia is part of the Balkans
Even if the fancy books are saying something else, even if you’ve been thought differently, even if a pretentious Slovene tells you we are central Europe and even if the title of this blog entry has nothing to do with this particular paragraph, Slovenia is part of the Balkans; if you don’t believe me, just put some wine and a guitar in front of a Croat, Macedonian and a Slovene and observe the magic of music, instant friendship and juicy language. Based on a true story.
*. Closure
Allow me to finish this entry with a cliche or two. During this EVS experience I’ve realized people should travel more, not because of experiencing new cultures is “in” but because I have been seeing too many cases of people being amazed how similar we are to each other. Don’t get me wrong, I still feel the excitement of two Slavic people finding out they actually don’t need English in order to communicate, even if one is Polish and the other one from Bosnia and Herzegovina. It’s the people who never realize that I’m worried about.
Second (third, fourth) cliche could go something like this: I had a really good time staying in Romania, I’ve met wonderful people everywhere I went, I am going to visit Cluj again etc…
All the cynicism aside, I really did, I really have and I actually will.
Jaša Prajnc