Dillon Trip #3-B: Prahova Valley

We woke up to cool breeze, clear skies, and ripe cherry trees but I had zero interest in subjecting Margo to another bike ride. I saw the family scoot off on their ride and met them via car to visit Bellu Manor, a 19th century building once owned by who else? The Bellu Family who hailed from Pellus, the same place as Alexander the Great but found their way to Romania in 1780. They made a fortune as merchants and collectors in the region, selling and trading exquisite pieces of art and goods from all over the world. 

The manor inside was filled with gorgeous furniture, porcelain, paintings and silverware collected throughout the years. Some even dated back to the second and third century. Ironically, while the director granted us to take some pictures inside the museum, Deets had none of it. Extricating our toddler outside to smell the flowers, I waited for the others to finish.

Bellu Manor

They know their flora.

Uncle Gabe

Such a trooper.

Departing ways for nap time, they continued exploring the countryside instead. At some point they climbed 10-12% grades, enjoyed basement wine and ate ice cream as the clouds began to gather. Mark rode ahead with Deets after convincing him to get into the trailer one more time. But not before his spot-on civil disobedience; no tears, no whining. He just laid his head on the cool pavement and waited.  Luckily they finished just in time. Gabe and Nettie flirted with wind, downpour and hail before arriving wet but happy. One more home cooked meal at the Children's Settlement and it was time to go home to Bucharest.

Dillon Trip #3-A Prahova Valley

Since my last visit to Prahova Valley back in August,  I pined for a return trip. I missed the wildflowers, hilly vineyards and welcoming locals so I couldn't wait to drag my brother and sister-in-law to a local part of Romania that so many people don't even know exists. Recruiting Mircea with Cycling Romania for extra bikes and expertise, we all spent the weekend touring what continues to be one of my favorite places. 

Snack break with "Fetitza Mica" aka Margo

We started off at our hotel Casa Colinelor en route to the Monastery Jercălăi known for its 300 year old mobile Transylvanian church that was built and rebuilt in several different locations before sinking its roots in the village of Urlati. We wandered their vineyard and drank natural spring water before continuing onto Monastery Vărbila, a newer one down the road.

Monastery Jercălăi

Nothing quenches thirst like wine. Except maybe beer, but we couldn't deny the fact this was grape country so we continued onto Crama Urlateanu, a British owned, Romanian run winery. The Sommelier enthusiastically shared her favorite stock and after tenuous dealings with a very vociferous 7 month old who didn't like the bike trailer. At all. Not one bit. Ir didn't take much before all the adults were feeling no pain.

Empty bellies started talking and luckily the trip ended at the Valea Crângului Children's Settlement for dinner and a long anticipated reunion with my friends at the foundation! I last saw them in August 2012, and they were thriving: the house, the garden, the children. The little girls took one look at Margo and snatched her away. Deets ran off to stare at the three chicken varieties: the Tony Blairs, the Bellasconis, and the Singhs. Mark, Gabe, Nettie, Mircea and I sat and relaxed under the vine covered awning. 

Just one of the girls.

Want Some Whine With That?

I totally had a reality check. Life isn't so bad even if my "situation" at hand means being 7 months pregnant with a pinched nerve in my ass, my child can't swim in our embassy's pool due to diaper drama, and the frequent power/water outages at our yuppie suburban compound encounters in 100 degree weather. These complaints could probably qualify me to be posted on whitewhine.com and so I am ratting myself out before they do. It can always be worse, and last Sunday was my proverbial reality check. I took my family to a cute town called Urlați, and while totally unknown to travel guides, it's known for a few things: 

1) It's only an hour's drive north of Bucharest, so it's the perfect escape.

2) Gorgeous rolling hills that are smothered in vineyards and orchards. Hello Feteasca Neagra Wine. 

3) Mountain bike and hiking trails here are practically untouched, just begging to be used and abused. You MUST check out Cycling Romania if you are interested in cycling at all, it's a pretty cool company.

I was invited to check out a brand new non-profit organization called Fundatia Bucuria Ajutorului, aka Joy Aid Foundation. It's basically meant for children who need more social and emotional engagement than what they are getting form home, but they welcome everyone. Kind of like an after school headquarters to do homework, play, pray and relax but with the idea of showing these kids how to be the positive change that their community needs. Obviously, most of the children there come from very poor homes or with a significant missing link in their lives. There was a group of seven brothers and sisters, ages 6-12 whose father is in prison and mother is MIA most of the day. The eldest by default gets to take care of the rest.

And back to my botanical obsession.

All this time I thought fruit came from the store...

I went there to do an interview and ended up staying for several hours with Mark and Deets. We were showered with Romanian hospitality: piles of peaches,  mountains of melons, and tons of tomatoes. All of which of course they grew themselves. (They, being Father Manuel, his wife Ligia, and a faithful volunteer named Geta.) This particular Sunday, there were about twenty kids in the yard playing soccer or foosball, on the swing set or playing with blocks. They all got along famously, a rare sighting at many Bucharest parks, and they even took Deets under their wing to play amongst themselves. And some of these kids clearly didn't have access to basic essentials: water, shoes, consistent nutrition.  

I LOVE a Good Stoop.

Deets getting in on the block action.

Ligia told me that although the foundation has been officially open since early 2012, (unofficially since 2010) she has seen grades improve, more team work, and more respect with each other and the adults. Their bigger goal is to ensure the participation of parents and family members because she knows it can't be done alone. I think they will be successful, because folks like these are a rare breed. We parted ways, already talking about the next time we'd get to hang out with them.  It was rather inspiring to break from Schlinky Bucharest life and engage with locals who really have something worth complaining about, but who didn't complain whatsoever. Shut me up, that's for sure.