One final post with details of our vacation in Romania. I will probably have more to say as thoughts come to me later on. We had a wonderful time, but it is also good to be back home in Kansas. I haven't traveled much, but I wouldn't trade the USA for anywhere in the world.
On Saturday, Jane and I visited the Romanian National Art Museum and the National treasures museum. Even though I am not a student of art, it was very interesting to see the collection at the museum. There are several galleries with art from old churches and monasteries, many pieces from the 1500's and 1600's. There are also copies of the Scriptures from that era. It made me realize again the miracle that God's word has been preserved for all these years. There is one wing in the museum for Romanian art, and another for European art. I did see one Rembrandt, and several of the old masters that I have heard of.
The National Treasures museum has a collection of gold, some of which dates back to the 15th century BC. Also some crowns and other pieces from Romanian royalty. I was amazed again at the history we had a chance to view.
Sunday was a day of relaxing most the day, then another meal with Florica's family at her home. What a privilege to spend more time with the family that had such an important part in our adoption process 19 years ago.
Monday it was up at 3:45 am, finish packing everything drive to the airport, then 18 hours of travel time, including waiting between flights. All went smooth until we got to the baggage claim at Wichita Mid Continent. Two of the four bags we checked didn't show up. We picked them up at Chicago and carried them through customs and rechecked them so we knew they were in the US. The lady at the United counter gave us a form to fill out and said they would bring them to our home when they got in, and about 9:30 this morning, they were at our home.
Blessings to all who read this
Phil
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Saturday, August 14, 2010
Romania day's 6-8
We are back in Bucharest after our excursion to the Brasov area. We wanted to visit Brasov as that is where Carri was born. Ninel helped Jane through the adoption process in Brasov 19 years ago.
We left Bucharest with Ninel and Roxana Wednesday morning and drove up into the mountains to Brasov, not knowing exactly what the schedule was to be, just trusting them to plan things out for us. The 1st place we visited was Peles Castle at the town of Sinaia. We went on a tour, led by a guide who spoke in English, and there were too many details to remember. It was built from 1873 to 1914, and was very modern for its time. It has electric lights, running water, central heating and a central vacuum system. It is an amazing place, beautiful wood and marble everywhere.
Leaving there we drove through Brasov to resort area near Poiana. The bank Roxana works for, has an annual meeting for the directors of their branches at this resort, so she arranged for a very good rate for us. It is a beautiful place, and very nice accommodations. We moved into our rooms and went into Brasov for dinner and sightseeing. One of the town squares has many nice shops and cafe's around it. Once again I was amazed by the old buildings from the 1800's, most of the ones around the area we were have been restored since the overthrow of the communists in 1989.
Thursday we toured Bran Castle. This castle was built, beginning in the 1200's. It is where the legend of Dracula and vampires started. There is no way today to sort out fact and fiction, but the Count from which the legend comes from was a bloodthirsty person who killed many, many people, but was probably not any worse than many others in his day. It was very interesting to see something that is that old.
Next it was on to a ski area near Poiana, and a ride in the cable car to the top of the mountain, what a thrill, and what a view. It was a little hazy, but still very beautiful. Ninel told us he has skied that mountain since he was 5 years old.
After dinner in Poiana it was back to Brasov for more shopping. There are tourists there from all over Europe, Ninel knows several languages and he could hear people speaking German, French, Italina and Spanish. All I could understand was English. It was so interesting to just watch people while the girls were shopping. We talked about trying to find the hospital where Carri was born, but Ninel doesn't remember where it is, so we didn't even try.
Friday morning we headed back to Bucharest, on the way we stopped at a village to see a house where Ninel spent part of his childhood. His Mother and Father still own the house, but do not live there. Ninel has dreams of someday renovating the place and spending at least part of the year there. We got back to our hotel in time to spend the evening relaxing and reading on the 22nd floor sun deck.
Blessings to all who read this.
Phil
We left Bucharest with Ninel and Roxana Wednesday morning and drove up into the mountains to Brasov, not knowing exactly what the schedule was to be, just trusting them to plan things out for us. The 1st place we visited was Peles Castle at the town of Sinaia. We went on a tour, led by a guide who spoke in English, and there were too many details to remember. It was built from 1873 to 1914, and was very modern for its time. It has electric lights, running water, central heating and a central vacuum system. It is an amazing place, beautiful wood and marble everywhere.
Leaving there we drove through Brasov to resort area near Poiana. The bank Roxana works for, has an annual meeting for the directors of their branches at this resort, so she arranged for a very good rate for us. It is a beautiful place, and very nice accommodations. We moved into our rooms and went into Brasov for dinner and sightseeing. One of the town squares has many nice shops and cafe's around it. Once again I was amazed by the old buildings from the 1800's, most of the ones around the area we were have been restored since the overthrow of the communists in 1989.
Thursday we toured Bran Castle. This castle was built, beginning in the 1200's. It is where the legend of Dracula and vampires started. There is no way today to sort out fact and fiction, but the Count from which the legend comes from was a bloodthirsty person who killed many, many people, but was probably not any worse than many others in his day. It was very interesting to see something that is that old.
Next it was on to a ski area near Poiana, and a ride in the cable car to the top of the mountain, what a thrill, and what a view. It was a little hazy, but still very beautiful. Ninel told us he has skied that mountain since he was 5 years old.
After dinner in Poiana it was back to Brasov for more shopping. There are tourists there from all over Europe, Ninel knows several languages and he could hear people speaking German, French, Italina and Spanish. All I could understand was English. It was so interesting to just watch people while the girls were shopping. We talked about trying to find the hospital where Carri was born, but Ninel doesn't remember where it is, so we didn't even try.
Friday morning we headed back to Bucharest, on the way we stopped at a village to see a house where Ninel spent part of his childhood. His Mother and Father still own the house, but do not live there. Ninel has dreams of someday renovating the place and spending at least part of the year there. We got back to our hotel in time to spend the evening relaxing and reading on the 22nd floor sun deck.
Blessings to all who read this.
Phil
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Romania day 5
We got to tour the Parliament building today. This building was being built by Nicolea Ceausescu, the Communist dictator as a palace and meeting place for the communist party. He originally called it the "people's palace", but that was later changed. Our guide gave too many details for me to remember, but it is an impressive building. There are 3000 rooms, and these are not small rooms. Everything is marble, many different colors. Almost everything is made of materials from Romania, only a very small percentage is from other countries, and most of that was gifts from other countries. The size of the building is second only to the Pentagon building. There are really no words to describe the building. It is not completely finished, as there is a lack of funds. At present is used for the Parliament, and many of the rooms can be rented for private meetings and conferences.
We had a good visit with Ninel about his experience during the revolution when Communism fell. His family was really pretty well off as his mother and father both had good positions from working hard at their jobs. His father worked in the coal mining industry, dealing with equipment, and purchasing equipment for that industry. His mother had a very good position working for a university as a teacher, and as a supervisor of other teachers. Ninel was working in a factory. When the revolution started, the factory was locked down as the leaders didn't know which side they were on. Ninel volunteered to go out to try to convince the leadership that that they would not participate in the revolution, and when he got where he was going was locked in prison with others. Some of the others in the same prison were taken out and executed, and Ninel was sure he would be next. But I think it was the next day, they were released. It was really interesting to talk to someone who experienced this.
The economic situation was very bad for the next few years, but has greatly improved since free enterprise has taken the place of Communism.
Blessings to all who read this
Phil
We had a good visit with Ninel about his experience during the revolution when Communism fell. His family was really pretty well off as his mother and father both had good positions from working hard at their jobs. His father worked in the coal mining industry, dealing with equipment, and purchasing equipment for that industry. His mother had a very good position working for a university as a teacher, and as a supervisor of other teachers. Ninel was working in a factory. When the revolution started, the factory was locked down as the leaders didn't know which side they were on. Ninel volunteered to go out to try to convince the leadership that that they would not participate in the revolution, and when he got where he was going was locked in prison with others. Some of the others in the same prison were taken out and executed, and Ninel was sure he would be next. But I think it was the next day, they were released. It was really interesting to talk to someone who experienced this.
The economic situation was very bad for the next few years, but has greatly improved since free enterprise has taken the place of Communism.
Blessings to all who read this
Phil
Monday, August 9, 2010
Romania Day 4
Another fun day. We were on our own as Ninel and Roxanna needed to work most of the day. They had shown us how to get to several interesting places within walking distance of our hotel. Some of them were shops that Jane and Carri really enjoyed. They found several things to buy of course, and it was great for me to tag along and observe the local people on the streets.
We visited a church that was first built in 1722, and has been renovated several times, but is still very much like it was originally built. No photos allowed inside, but I did take some outside. The church is across the square from the balcony where Nicolae Ceausescu gave his last speach before he was overthrown. When Jane was here in 1991, there were bullet holes in the outside walls of the church, and they have been plastered over. There is a monument to freedom in the square with a wall listing the names of the people who died in the revolution.
While walking back to the hotel, we were looking for a place to get something to drink, and came upon a Pizza Hut. We went in and got a drink, and a small snack. The menu is quite a bit different from in the US, they have a lot more European style things, but they do have Pizza, also Mountain Dew and Pepsi, which is understandable as Pepsi owns Pizza Hut.
We stopped by the National Art museum, but didn't realize that it is closed on Mondays, so will go tomorrow morning. Roxana has also arranged for us to tour the Parliament building tomorrow. It is open for public tours, but as she has some connections, we will get to see parts of it that most people don't get to see.
This evening we walked about a mile North of our hotel to, of all places, McDonald's. We wanted to try it once while we are here, just to compare it to the USA. It is pretty much the same, but the menu is a little different, more healthy foods, but they do have burgers, fries and shakes.
Blessings to all who read this.
Phil
We visited a church that was first built in 1722, and has been renovated several times, but is still very much like it was originally built. No photos allowed inside, but I did take some outside. The church is across the square from the balcony where Nicolae Ceausescu gave his last speach before he was overthrown. When Jane was here in 1991, there were bullet holes in the outside walls of the church, and they have been plastered over. There is a monument to freedom in the square with a wall listing the names of the people who died in the revolution.
While walking back to the hotel, we were looking for a place to get something to drink, and came upon a Pizza Hut. We went in and got a drink, and a small snack. The menu is quite a bit different from in the US, they have a lot more European style things, but they do have Pizza, also Mountain Dew and Pepsi, which is understandable as Pepsi owns Pizza Hut.
We stopped by the National Art museum, but didn't realize that it is closed on Mondays, so will go tomorrow morning. Roxana has also arranged for us to tour the Parliament building tomorrow. It is open for public tours, but as she has some connections, we will get to see parts of it that most people don't get to see.
This evening we walked about a mile North of our hotel to, of all places, McDonald's. We wanted to try it once while we are here, just to compare it to the USA. It is pretty much the same, but the menu is a little different, more healthy foods, but they do have burgers, fries and shakes.
Blessings to all who read this.
Phil
Romania Day 3
Started the day with a great breakfast at the hotel, and then relaxed around the pool for most of the morning. Carri and I went for a walk through the streets of Bucharest. I just love seeing the old buildings in the old part part of Bucharest. I don't know how old they are, but I am quite sure most of them date back to the early 1900's or before.
Roxana took us to a large shopping mall that just opened a year ago. It would fit in well in any city in the USA. There is an ice skating rink and rides for the kids, movie theaters with the same movies currently showing in the US theaters, and more stores than anyone would ever need. There is even a Starbucks.
One thing that really impressed me again is the growth of Romania since the fall of Communism in 1989, but I have to wonder if the young people who don't remember living under Communist rule will realize how precious their freedom is. Someone once said that people living in a free country are only one generation away from slavery to an oppressive government. I can definitely see that coming true in the USA, so many are unwilling to take responsibility for themselves, they want the government to provide for them, but don't realize that the only way the government can give them something is to steal it from someone else.
This evening we went to the home of Florica, one of the persons who helped Jane with our adoption 19 years ago. It was an emotional time for all of us. When I tried to express my gratitude to her for helping us and the way what she did has changed my life as well as Carri's and the rest of our family, I got choked up and had to wipe away tears. It was a special time and I praise God for the work He has done in all of our lives.
Blessings to all who read this.
Phil
Roxana took us to a large shopping mall that just opened a year ago. It would fit in well in any city in the USA. There is an ice skating rink and rides for the kids, movie theaters with the same movies currently showing in the US theaters, and more stores than anyone would ever need. There is even a Starbucks.
One thing that really impressed me again is the growth of Romania since the fall of Communism in 1989, but I have to wonder if the young people who don't remember living under Communist rule will realize how precious their freedom is. Someone once said that people living in a free country are only one generation away from slavery to an oppressive government. I can definitely see that coming true in the USA, so many are unwilling to take responsibility for themselves, they want the government to provide for them, but don't realize that the only way the government can give them something is to steal it from someone else.
This evening we went to the home of Florica, one of the persons who helped Jane with our adoption 19 years ago. It was an emotional time for all of us. When I tried to express my gratitude to her for helping us and the way what she did has changed my life as well as Carri's and the rest of our family, I got choked up and had to wipe away tears. It was a special time and I praise God for the work He has done in all of our lives.
Blessings to all who read this.
Phil
Sunday, August 8, 2010
Romania, Day 2
In the morning we went to a museum / park that has buildings moved in from different parts of Romania. There were many different types of houses, barns and artifacts from the early 1800's. There were several old churches that had been moved in also. The churches had paintings on the walls and some on the ceilings. Our hosts said it was ok to take pictures of them so I did in the first one, as I came out, I was getting ready to take another picture of the inside and a lady that worked there told me no, no. I think it is because they feel they are a sacred thing, even though it is a museum. All I could do at that time was say I'm sorry and move on.
Our hosts wanted to stop and get some coffee, so we stopped at the Hard Rock Cafe, Bucharest. I ordered coffee, or at least I thought I did. It was the strongest most bitter thing I have ever tasted. Good thing I had water also.
We spent some time driving around seeing more of Bucharest and the surrounding area. It is amazing to see the transformation in the small part of the city from what Jane saw here 19 years ago, just after the fall of communism. Our hosts talk about the great opportunities people have here now that private enterprise is allowed, and it is very obvious when you look around. The amount of new cars on the streets is just one example. The Dacha, which was the government owned car company and produced very poorly made cars has partnered with Renault and is making very nice cars now. There are BMW's, Audi's, VW's, Toyota's, and other nice cars everywhere. The country of Romania is experiencing somewhat of an economic downturn as is the US and most of Europe, but it it is still far better than it was under Communism.
We had dinner with Ninel, Roxana and his parents in the evening. Ninel and his mother, Florica were the ones who helped Jane through our adoption process with Carri. It was a very emotional time for Florica and Jane especially to get together after all these years and see the beautiful young woman Carri has become. I only hope that we can adequately express how much it means to our family for the work she and Ninel did to help us. We are invited to Florica and her husband's house Sunday evening. It will be a privilege to spend more time with them.
More later
Our hosts wanted to stop and get some coffee, so we stopped at the Hard Rock Cafe, Bucharest. I ordered coffee, or at least I thought I did. It was the strongest most bitter thing I have ever tasted. Good thing I had water also.
We spent some time driving around seeing more of Bucharest and the surrounding area. It is amazing to see the transformation in the small part of the city from what Jane saw here 19 years ago, just after the fall of communism. Our hosts talk about the great opportunities people have here now that private enterprise is allowed, and it is very obvious when you look around. The amount of new cars on the streets is just one example. The Dacha, which was the government owned car company and produced very poorly made cars has partnered with Renault and is making very nice cars now. There are BMW's, Audi's, VW's, Toyota's, and other nice cars everywhere. The country of Romania is experiencing somewhat of an economic downturn as is the US and most of Europe, but it it is still far better than it was under Communism.
We had dinner with Ninel, Roxana and his parents in the evening. Ninel and his mother, Florica were the ones who helped Jane through our adoption process with Carri. It was a very emotional time for Florica and Jane especially to get together after all these years and see the beautiful young woman Carri has become. I only hope that we can adequately express how much it means to our family for the work she and Ninel did to help us. We are invited to Florica and her husband's house Sunday evening. It will be a privilege to spend more time with them.
More later
Friday, August 6, 2010
1st day in Romania
We arrived in Bucharest Romania after 18 hours of travel. Josh, Lisa and Ivy took us to Wichita, Mid Continent airport. Left there at 11:40 am, flew to Chicago, waited about 3 1/2 hours and changed planes. We flew from there to Dusseldorf Germany, waited about 2 1/2 hours then off to Bucharest, Romania. No problems anywhere. When we walked out of the terminal at Bucharest, Ninel and Roxana were standing there with a sign that said Litwiller, they had arranged for transportation to our motel, the Intercontintental in downtown Bucharest.
After getting settled in and resting Ninel and Roxana picked us up to go out on the town for the evening. We got to tour a bank building where Roxana works which was built in the late 1800's, it is incredible. It is now used for offices and corporate meetings.
We walked around a little looking at other buildings, then to a restaurant. I think they said the name in English would be Beer Wagon, because many years ago they brought the beer there from out in the country in wagons. We had an incredible meal and entertainment. There were some Romanian dancers who performed right next to our table. One of the ladies came over to me and before I knew what was happening I was up trying to dance with her. Imagine that, if you can. Later on there were a lot of people dancing and they even did the Macarana.
After dinner, we spent some time driving around Bucharest, we stopped to look at the Parliament building from across the street. Roxana told us she has arranged for us to tour it later this week, so I will talk about the history of it then.
More later.
After getting settled in and resting Ninel and Roxana picked us up to go out on the town for the evening. We got to tour a bank building where Roxana works which was built in the late 1800's, it is incredible. It is now used for offices and corporate meetings.
We walked around a little looking at other buildings, then to a restaurant. I think they said the name in English would be Beer Wagon, because many years ago they brought the beer there from out in the country in wagons. We had an incredible meal and entertainment. There were some Romanian dancers who performed right next to our table. One of the ladies came over to me and before I knew what was happening I was up trying to dance with her. Imagine that, if you can. Later on there were a lot of people dancing and they even did the Macarana.
After dinner, we spent some time driving around Bucharest, we stopped to look at the Parliament building from across the street. Roxana told us she has arranged for us to tour it later this week, so I will talk about the history of it then.
More later.
Sunday, August 1, 2010
My Birthday
Today I turned 55 years old. I have said many times that I wonder when I will feel as old as I thought my Dad was when he was my age. I know that it is all a matter of perspective, but it doesn't seem possible that I have lived 55 years. My oldest son says "you can only be young once, but you can always be immature." Sometimes I think I am trying to prove that true.
None of know how many years the Lord will give us on this earth, so I want to live every day to the fullest. Some days I accomplish that and some I don't, but it is a goal. It is my desire to live every day like it may be the last, and at the same time live like I have at least another 50 years.
I love to visit with older people and learn from their wisdom. Many years ago, I was visiting with a man in his 90's and he was telling about how his son thought he knew so much. He said that his son had knowledge, but he, the Dad had experience. I believe that is the difference between wisdom and knowledge. Wisdom is knowledge, seasoned or combined with experience.
One of my Pastors from many years ago said that the very point where we think we have arrived in our Christian walk is the point where we start to go backwards. That is true in every area of my life. The whole world is changing and moving forward. The world is not static, if I am not learning new things and moving forward, I am going backwards.
None of know how many years the Lord will give us on this earth, so I want to live every day to the fullest. Some days I accomplish that and some I don't, but it is a goal. It is my desire to live every day like it may be the last, and at the same time live like I have at least another 50 years.
I love to visit with older people and learn from their wisdom. Many years ago, I was visiting with a man in his 90's and he was telling about how his son thought he knew so much. He said that his son had knowledge, but he, the Dad had experience. I believe that is the difference between wisdom and knowledge. Wisdom is knowledge, seasoned or combined with experience.
One of my Pastors from many years ago said that the very point where we think we have arrived in our Christian walk is the point where we start to go backwards. That is true in every area of my life. The whole world is changing and moving forward. The world is not static, if I am not learning new things and moving forward, I am going backwards.
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