Progress

The project has officially started. The Notice to Proceed has been issued which starts the count down clock on the construction contract. It will take about a month of preliminary paperwork and submittals before they actually start with construction activities but we are finally underway.

It's Raining

It does that a lot here. So it's nothing unusual.

The Dutch are firm believers that dogs need to be walked multiple times/day regardless of the weather. I'm all in favor of walking dogs and usually do it for 40-60 minutes/day; but all at once. Right now, though, it's raining. And my dogs don't like rain. Frankly, neither do I.

I guess that's why I buy fresh flowers...to cover the smell of wet dog.

Bulgaria

I found out there is a Peace Corps Volunteer serving in Bulgaria, just over the border from where I was in Romania. I paid a visit. We did some hiking along the Black Sea coast.

Greg, my host and guide.

Martenitsa - The Bulgarian wish for good health, strength and happiness.

Romania

Sorry it took me so long. But here are some pictures from my trip to Romania. The base is pretty far outside of town and there really isn't anything else around.

Landing during a snow storm.

Looking out my office window.

Snow + razor wire

Walking from the hotel to the base.

The snow clung to absolutely everything.

Evening on the base

Neptune was a little further up the road in one direction and Saturn in the other. No joke.

My super wonderful Romanian hosts.

But...But...

I leashed up the dogs this morning for our usual walk. They were, as always, extremely excited. We stepped outside and after a few steps I started sliding on the walk. Uh oh. I took a few tentative steps to the road and started sliding there as well. Clearly, there was not going to be a dog walk this morning. The dogs, however, didn't see a problem and were visibly disappointed when we started back to the house. Then, even after I took off the leashes and took off my coat and hat they still danced eagerly at the door. It didn't seem to sink in until I sat down at the computer. Now they look despondent. And I feel bad. But not as bad as I would have had I fallen on my ass out there!

Connected

I finally have internet at home! Hopefully this will mean more frequent posts.

It's Just Not That Far

I needed milk on Saturday. My first instinct was to get in the car and drive to the store. Then I remembered that the store is less than a kilometer (a kilometer is less than a mile) away from my house. Which really isn't very far at all. So I walked. I need to learn to adjust my thinking here. I lived so long in a place where nothing was within walking distance. Now, it is. So I shall walk.

Running on Empty

This applies to me and my car.

Due to a flight cancelation, flight delays resulting in a missed connection, missing luggage and getting lost, it took me 15 hours to get home yesterday.

I was supposed to pick up the dogs and pick up my car yesterday when I got back. My car was getting new tires while I was away. I knew I needed new tires but Dutch regulations are much more strict and my car would not pass inspection without new tires. I couldn't register it without it passing inspection. You don't get your gas ration card (which allows you to buy about 100 gal/month at the REDUCED rate of over $4/gal) until you register your car.

[Note: when you ship your car it has to have 1/4 tank or less. So you don't have much gas when it arrives.]

So, this morning I had to get up early enough to pick up my car, rush to get the dogs during the 1-hour pick up window, take them home, get my car inspected prior to my 10:00 registration appointment. Then I had to run back to the house because I forgot something I had to turn in. I got a little lost (go figure) and, you guessed it, ran out of gas. After about 20 min. standing beside my car trying my best to look pathetic someone took pity on me and stopped to help.

I'm tired! I'm looking forward to spending the weekend at home, with the dogs, finally free of snow :)

Ciorbă de Burtă - Tripe Soup...But With Chicken

The DFAC served a traditional Romanian (traditional Ottoman actually) soup today but, thankfully, it was made with chicken instead of tripe. It's seasoned with vinegar and lots of garlic. It was interesting but it wasn't bad. I'd eat it again (assuming the chicken (or fish)-for-tripe subsittution was made).

Romania

Yup, I'm going there. Next week. For 2 weeks. The guy stationed there is TDY and they need a little help. So I volunteered. I've never been to that area of the world so it should be interesting. I should probably look up the weather. That would be a good idea. Definitely a good idea.