Making It a Home

This past week we have been busy doing some much needed work to our apartment. Any free time we have had has been dedicated to fixing, painting, etc. We were almost done last night...and the paint ran out!!! So one more day and we will officially be done. Here are a few pictures to give you an idea of the work we have done.

Before

After

So pretty...and the greatest part is we found 90% of these things in the donation depot!

If you want to see the rest, guess you'll have to come for a visit ;)

See the room is already waiting for you!!

More Marghita Days

This was a BIG weekend for the residents of Marghita. The 41st annual Marghita Days took place. We wrote a little about it a few days ago, but wanted to give you a better idea of what it was like. Enjoy the pictures below!

Local lady selling her wares at the giant street market.

Super fun inflatable slide....the Casa Alba kids loved them!

Pork chops anyone?

Oh yes, the music, dancing, and partying went on until 3:30 am every night.

The amazing grand finale (view from our balcony)

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.

Friday Market

As we mentioned before, Fridays are the days when the big market takes place.  There is a huge lot next to one of the orthodox churches where a bunch of vendors meet every Friday to sell their wares.  We've been wanting to share some pictures of the market with you but we always forget the camera when we go.  Today Rocio was on a mission.  She said she had to get pictures of the market for her friend Maribel and this post.  So off we went in 50 degree weather and rain to the market.  We got there a little late so we were unable to take a picture of Rocio's beloved "cheese ladies", little old ladies who make homemade cheeses and other dairy products to sell each week.  They really look old world with their dress and wares.  Alas, they were gone.  The selection was also scarce, but we are sure it was due to the weather.  We hope to share more pictures in the future.  

As we were walking back we had a short discussion about the Market.  How exactly do you describe the Market to someone who has never been?  It's truly an experience.  So we put our two heads together and this is the best we got: imagine a swap meet (or Flea Market) and a Farmer's Market combined; set in rural Romania.  That is our Market.  Hopefully these pictures give you a better idea.  

Please note: We are NOT exaggerating about the weather, even the Romanians are bundled up!

Weather

So last week we were both praying for some rain in order to cool down the heat wave we were experiencing.  We should have been a little more specific.  God answered our prayers in triplicate.  For the last four days all we have had is rain!  And the temperature has dropped down to the low 60's-mid 50's DURING THE DAY!!!  

Although we are very grateful for the cooler temperature we also have a bit of concern.  For starters we are worried about what winter will be like this year.  You see, we are both from California and what we are experiencing right now is what we consider "winter".  Now if what we believe to be "winter" is only the beginning of autumn, then these two kids might have a bit of a struggle dealing with the real Winter.  Needless to say we are looking at our winter clothes and wondering if we packed enough.  

We are also adjusting to rain.  We mean rain, not the drizzle once every blue moon we experience in SoCal, but the kind that comes down in sheets for hours.  We now understand the purpose of rain boots.  Never quite appreciated them at home.  It's not all bad though. We are excited to see how the seasons change.  We didn't really have much of a change of seasons in Southern California.  For now, however, we hope for a change to a little warmer Fall weather.