Cipri

Cipri came on Monday night.

It was so nice to see him again! Because of the train strike, he had to hitchhike from Oradea, but found a transport truck willing to take him for 80,000 lei.

We met up at about 21:00. Luckily, there's a taxi stand right across from my apartment. We dropped his stuff off and wandered downtown.

There was a band playing traditional music in Piata Unirii with a light show. The singer was great and the energy was awesome. There were some dancers grooving out in the back, standing on the fountain. They reminded me of the hippies you see twisting around at indie rock shows. And no, they weren't stoned or drunk.

We got some drinks (Timisoareana! The best beer in Romania!) and then headed back to my place to get some sleep.

Unfortunately, the train strike was on the next morning. We called the bus station and there was a bus going to Suceava at 14:00. !@#$ We barely had any time to spend together! We got a quick breakfast and headed to the bus station.

It was a madhouse! Dozens and dozens of people pushing and shouting to get a place on the bus. Why they didn't order more busses is beyond me. It was about 30 degrees and we were dying. Finally, the driver agreed to sell Cipri a seat on the bus. Not a regular seat. He could put a chair in the aisle and use that.

Once the arrangements were made, we checked out the local market. This parket sold pet fish, fishing supplies, ducklings and baby chicks! Crates and crates of little chicks. I got to hold a baby duckling. I love ducks. Especially Peking duck.

We headed back to the bus. It was so hot in the parking lot. The driver let a pretty young girl wearing a short skirt and revealing top get on first and sit down, while everyone else had to wait outside. So much for equality of the sexes.

Thus bus managed to leave on time, so full it was almost bursting at the seams. Cipri didn't get home to Suceava until 9:00 the next morning!