Marghita Days

This weekend we are experiencing our first Marghita Days. Every year during the last weekend of September the town we live in hosts a three day festival. During these three days they close down the main street, build a huge stage, bring in carnival rides, and set up all kinds of vendors. The celebration brings out all of the residents from the town as well as the neighboring villages.
It's amazing how many people show up. The streets are packed all day and all night. The festival goes on for literally three days and three nights. Even as this is being written music is blaring from three blocks away and it's nearly midnight! Some of the missionaries were telling us that the music goes on until two or three in the morning. We really hope it doesn't or we will be quite cranky come Monday morning.
Yesterday, we thought it might be a good idea to take Alex, a boy from Casa Alba, out and have him enjoy the festival. Think about it, what young boy can resist bumper cars or giant inflatable slides. Well, Alex would have nothing to do with it. It took quite a bit of convincing and bribing to even get him off the sidewalk. He has been told so many times not to walk in the street that he refused to do it even though the whole town was doing it.
Finally, he saw the airplane simulator and decided he would try at least one ride. After debating which of us should do it, Rocio got on with him. The simulation lasts about four minutes, but it has about a twenty person capacity and we were worried about him pitching a fit once the doors were closed. We are pleased to report that he had a blast. There was a bit of a wimper when the doors closed and it was pitch black, but once the video started it was all giggles and smiles! Here is a picture of what the ride looks like and our brave boy getting on.