I have a terrible Vodaphone connection here in Tirgoviste.   Snail slow.   I’m unable to post pictures right now.   That’s probably ok, I had a photo crisis earlier.  We hope it is resolved.   For some reason my battery charger blew up.  Last time I was here the same thing happened.  Fortunately Simona knows the guy who owns the largest camera store in Tirgoviste and he has a friend that had my camera but sold it.   He still has a charger and an extra battery for it so he is willing to sell it to me.  That would be just super.  We will find out tomorrow.   I’ll be simply lost without my Nikon.  Another problem with it is the flash, for nighttime it isn’t working.   I’ll have the guy look at that too.

On another slightly negative note…the rain continued through late this afternoon making any photo trips impossible.   So we stayed inside and cooked outside!

Simona has helped her parents build a very large two story home on the outskirts of Tirgoviste. The land is very beautiful out here and many of the homes are in development.   I love it here, there is no trash and the air is fresh and the surroundings are quiet.

Simona and her baby have been getting to know the grandparents and her aunt and cousin drove in to see her from three hours away.  Her aunt lives in the city where Rachel, my oldest daughter is from.  I’ll go there to meet her brother again, and I am excited we have a place to stay.   I love connections  

Now about the best part here.  I love baby Vanessa she’s such a wonderful little sweetie.  I went overboard buying her presents, I just can’t help it.   She may be my only “niece” in my life.  I can’t wait for you to meet her and I’ll be so happy to put her photos up soon.

Simona’s father is recovering from cancer surgery and he is healing so beautifully.  He’s looking so fit and healthy and I’m so happy. His name is Sandu and he’s an amazing person.   I spent most of my time today with him, trying to do Romanian language charades.   Today after the wonderful barbecue he cooked for me, we went for an hour and a half walk around the countryside, and he told me all his fishing stories and what the best bait for catfish was.  Fortunately we don’t probably have these type of cockroach like creatures in Texas….or do we?   It might have been lost in the translation.  He picked me flowers and it was three violas.   It always has to be an odd number or it is bad luck.   The men here are quite thoughtful and cavalier.

Simona went with us and indulged me talking to her father about fishing.   I have to figure out some way to get him some interesting trout baits here.   Now I know what to tell people to bring to Romania.

There is always a hidden treasure found in talking to the elders of the country.  You get to learn so much about the life here, both current and past.

I got to take a pic of a granny with her bucket outside her home.  They always fuss about having their photo taken but you can tell they really love that attention.   Love those faces!  I’m going to Olt county where many peasant people are so I’ll be able hopefully to get up close and personal with them.

I can’t end without saying that the food again was marvelous. I’m hopeful I walked off maybe two slices of bread tonight?

I took pictures, not to worry.  I’ve decided that when the time comes, I will retire right here.   The life is simple in the country.   I need simple.   I already know I can live in the country.   Can someone let my family know we are moving here hahaha

Land is cheap, you can build a house for less than half our house values of current realestate!

And finally…I have a little story upcoming about Simona and her doughnuts and my shopping excursion with Simona.   I have to keep you hanging for now though!!!  Buna Sera.