Very Superstitious, Ladders 'Bout to Fall

While in Romania, my time was spent working in an orphanage.  I had the opportunity to work with very young children.  One day, it was one of the kid's first birthday.  They brought him to the lunchroom, and sat him in his high chair.  Then, the director of the orphanage brought him a tray with many objects on it.  There were things like a flute, a bible, another book, a play stethoscope, etc.  Next, the child began to pick objects off of the tray.  Romanians believe that from this tradition, a person can know what their future will be.  This child picked a book, a flute, and a spoon.  According to their belief, he will grow up to be very smart, musical, and well-fed.

There are many different ideas and traditions that Romanian people believe in.  One has to do with flowers.  When giving flowers to another person, it is critical that an add number is given, unless for a  funeral.  In Romania, if an even number of flowers is given, that means something tragic has happened.  When something good happens, or you are getting flowers to thank someone, an odd number needs to be given.

Another belief that Romanians hold has to do with wealth.  They believe that if a person ever places their purse on the floor, that is a symbol that they are poor.  Even if people are poor, they never do this, in order not to sygnify to others that they are, in fact, poor.

And you're welcome for the Stevie Wonder reference. 

What's for Dinner?

One time at the beginning of my stay in Romania, I went to a restaurant with some of the other girls on my study abroad.  Because we had just gotten to the country, we were feeling adventurous, and so we decided to order traditional food items off the menu, even if we weren't sure exactly what those items were.  So everyone ordered, and it was my turn.  I looked at the menu, and decided that "ciorba de burta" was what I was going to have.  I knew that this was some sort of soup, but I had no idea what was in it.  I got my soup, and it looked different, but that didn't bother me too much.  Then I tasted it...  The chunks of meat in that soup were so chewy and tasted pretty bad.  I stopped eating the soup, and could not wait to get back to the hostel so I could ask a Romanian what ciorba de burta was.  Everyone else finished eating, and we got back to the hostel.  I went to my facilitator, and told her I had eaten this horrible soup, but that I did not know what it was.  She asked me the name and I told her.  All of the sudden, she burst into laughter, and I knew it wasn't good.  Through her laughing she barely managed to say, "You ate stomach soup..."

Ciorba de burta is a soup widely enjoyed by many Romanians.  In addition to this soup, a big traditional food is a dish called sarmale.  This is a small wrap of rice and sheep meat in pickled cabbage leaves.  That dish is actually really good, but it takes a long time to make.  Another food that is made a lot is stuffed peppers.  They put rice and sheep meat in those as weel, and slow cook them in the oven.  Romania also has many types of cheeses.  When you go to the market, there are multiple stands soley for cheese.  The most interesting kind I tried was sheep's cheese (which was not that good...).  The food there is not too extreme, but Romanians definitely have foods unique to them.  

You Want Me to Pay for WHAT?

My first full day in Romania, I had to complete the task of grocery shopping.  I was really excited to have this experience, but encountered some differences along the way.  I guess that is to be expected, though.  So I arrive at the store, and look at the carts.  They are lined up, stacked together in front of the store, just as you would see in the United States.  However, when I went to pull a cart out, I discovered that each one was connected by a short chain to the cart in front of it.  What was this?  How was I supposed to get a cart?  I stood there and thought about it for a minute, and then decided to watch the people around me to see how I was going to obtain a cart to complete my shopping.  Then I understood...  In order to get a cart, you have to insert a 50 ban piece (the equivalent of about 15 cents) which then releases the short chain, allowing you to get the cart.  Then, when you return the cart, you put the coinback in and you get your 50 ban piece back. 

This is simply an insurance system, and it is quite effective.  This system ensures that the carts are returned to the front of the store, and not left around the parking lot, like we often see in the United States.  Also, people do not steal the carts because they want their 50 ban back.  Although this was shocking to see at first, this system really does make sense, and is truly effective.

At the end of this same grocery shopping experience, I got to the check out line and realized there was no bag boy to put away my groceries.  And then the question came...  "How many bags do you want?"  I was wondering if I had understood the clerk right, but indeed I had.  In Romania, you have to buy the bags that you use to carry your groceries home in.  Then, when you return to the store, you bring the bags you have purchased to re-use.  Is really just a way to conserve resources, and for the stores to make a little extra money.  The bags really aren't that expensive, and re-using them makes sense.  Romanians are very resourceful people, and always use what they have.  The problem...  When you forget to bring the bags you have at home... 

The Current?... Like a wave?...

One Sunday, I witnessed something odd.  It was an extremely hot day (like almost every summer day in Romania).  I was sitting in church, and the chapel was even hotter than it was outside.  Because of this, a member of the branch I was attending went and opened the window to let some fresh air in.  Makes sense, right?  As soon as he opened the window, an older woman in the branch jumped out of her chair, ran to the open door located across the room from the window, and slammed it shut.  Keep in mind this was in the middle of church.  I was so confused.  I had no clue why this had just occurred, and then I remembered something I had been taught in the study abroad prep course that I was required to take...  The current...

Many Romanians believe in something called "the current."  This occurs when there is any type of cross breeze in a room because of two open doors or windows.  This also occurs when there is a strong breeze outside.  Romanians believe that this breeze will get into your head and make you sick.  Because of this, you cannot open any windows or doors unless you are sure that it will be the only one open in the room.  Also because of this current, you will see people wearing scarves over their heads if it is a windy day.

Many of the younger generation do not believe as strongly in the current, but they still believe in it to some extent.  The people that believe strongly in the current are the older ladies that lived during communism.  It is an interesting phenomenon to witness.  I saw people running to close a door or a window at least once a week.  So many people believe in the current.  Is there some truth to it?  I guess you'll have to decide for yourself...