Sunday

Maria and Florescu invited me over for a traditonal Romanian Sunday dinner. Sarmale, soupa de pui and chicken and potatoes.

Sarmale is a mixture of beef and pork and rice wrapped in cabbage leaves and boiled. I'm not a big eater and plus, I had a snack before I came over. I took a 3/4 bowl of soup and after a few bites, Maria insisted on filling up the bowl to the top. And when I was half done, insisted on refilling it. I took two sarmale and I think she felt insulted so I took three more. And then two more. I think she wanted me to eat the entire table! Neither she nor Florescu ate with me. She stood watching me eat. Was this some sort of test? I ate one chicken wing but didn't touch the potatoes. I was about ready to explode! She gave me the chicken and sarmale to take home. They'll make a nice supper tonight.

Apparently, Flurescu has a nephew who is an engineer and speaks "perfect English". They called him and he said he would be glad to meet me. We made a meeting for 6:00 pm.

6:00 came and no Adrian. He didn't come until 8:00 pm. Meanwhile, Maria and Florescu insisted I eat cookies and ice cream. I ate a few cookies to appease them but said no to the rest. I'm so proud of myself! Adrian and his friend Florin came at 8:30 and we had a nice chat. He didn't speak "perfect" English but it was better than most English that I've heard around here. I feel so bad for him and his friend. Both have degrees in engineering, yet can't find work. Adrian is working as a representative for a contracting firm and Florin drives a cab. Adrian wanted to be a cop but found the business too corrupt. He desperately wants to immigrate to Canada so he can use his education and make a decent living for himself. I told him I'd help him fill in the forms.