English!!!

I went out jogging last night. This must be a foreign concept to Eastern Europeans, as I got several off looks and a few honks from dirty old men.

Come to think of it, I never see anyone exercising here. Barely anyone bikes and I was the first jogger I saw. Granted, everyone walks everywhere, but I mean real, physical, sweaty, heavy breathing exercise.

A car almost ran me over. I don't know if it was deliberate or not. The streets are so narrow and it seemed the driver swerved in an effort to hit me. Made my heart stop for a few seconds.

Coming back, I saw a couple of young men in suit and ties waiting for the bus. Could they be part of the same group that I saw last Monday? (Delphine and I saw a group of Mormons walking down Piata Victoria. My super-sensitive ears picked out their English right away). I walked up to them and tried to get into eavesdropping distance, to hear if they would start to speak English. I couldn't hear anything. Eventually, I went up to them and asked "Hi, are you guys American?" "Yup!"

So we started talking. They're doing missionary work in Romania and will be here for two years, although they rotate around the country. They seemed quite nice but distant. They live in the area, so I thought I could make some new friends. I invited them to my apartment for a cup of tea.

"Do you live alone?"
"Yup! I have a great apartment"
"Um...we can't go unless there is an adult present"
Me thinking "I'm 23. I'm an adult"
"I'm just inviting you to my kitchen for some tea. I'm Canadian. We're not dangerous"
"Other things have happened in the past and now we're not allowed"
"Okaaaay"

So we chatted a bit more. They were your stereotypical Mormon missionary boys, completely devoid of any personality (I'm sorry if I inadvertently offend anyone). We discussed the religious status of Romania and I was just *waiting* for them to ask me what church I was here with (I'm an atheist and I'm volunteering with an NGO). They told me how they just ignored all the beggar women and children and poverty. So much for Christian charity.

I suggested we get together in the future. I told them it would be nice to have some English-speaking friends to be with every once in a while.

"Ok, let's do that"
He sounded completely unenthusiastic.

Their bus came, and I doubt I'll see them again.

I'm not missing much.