On the road again

I'm back from the boondocks of Romania - make that the French boondocks of Romania. I traveled out along the Danube to Sf Gheorghe by ferry on Oct 26. Then out to a rustic camp. Full of French.

Along the Danube

There were a few Swiss thrown in. As I recently learned, the Swiss have 3 languages: French, German, and English. The Swiss among French will speak French rather than align with the english speaking (at least in this group).The French for the most part can also speak some English. I have apologized so many times in the last week for only speaking English. Then I remember what my friend RD from the ladies of Cape Florida told me with regard to European versus American bird banding: only apologize once then move on. Good advice. I should have remembered it earlier.

Banding camp

Yes, Americans should learn other languages. Yes, I'm sorry that I have not. No, I could never speak French that would be really acceptable to a native of France (their words). But, really, I won't learn French in a few days, especially if you only speak French to me expecting that I understand exactly what you are saying. Some would simply speak French to me. I got to the point where I just replied in English what I thought they had asked. When I tried to speak numbers in French (for the banding), I was usually corrected, or it was repeated to me in English. Individually, the people at the banding camp were charming and quite nice. But in a group, the French speak French (their words not mine). So, a few days of rain or high wind, no bird banding, nothing to do but sit around, play cards, drink, and talk ....... in French. I didn't speak much, which for me to say was a problem, well it says a lot

The water well at camp

Rustic camp description - in tent at night (my own), no electricity for anything - such as to charge cell phones. Water from a well that you climb underground on a ladder to get to. No camp fire at night - never figured that out, although I did ask (see above paragraph on language issues). Cooking on propane stove with 2 burners that work. I mostly did dishes in cold water, and chopped vegetables with a dull knife. Never underestimate cooking/sous chef skills. I can peel potatoes and mince garlic and carrots with any Frenchman.

Enough of that. I moved from camp to Sf Gheorghe with a local family. Total happenstance how I found a place to stay. But I did. Had good home cooked Romanian food. Atleast always at dinner. I admit that I nearly choked on breakfast one morning. I could not understand the name of the dish. I thought it important to know that name to be absolutely certain that I never ate it again. As best as I can figure out, it was pig skin and other sundry pig parts in aspic (gelatin from pig fat), with a thin layer of fat on top. Served cold.

Banding camp

Now, keep in mind that the previous morning, breakfast was bread (good) with a shot of something else I did not get the name of, but did get the recipe. Shark oil, grain alcohol, tea, and some other flavorings. Good for digestion.

Today is Sunday 4 November. It took me awhile to figure out day of week here. I had to ask someone. No newspapers that I have found - not even in Romaneste. Should be leaving here Monday 5 Nov. For the northeastern part of Romania. Painted churches - frescos on inside and out from mid 1500s.

Banding camp

At banding camp

The stray dog that followed me for days

Church Sf Gheorghe

Danube at Sf Gheorghe

The Black Sea

Lighthouse Sf Gheorghe

Mallard duck-Loch Ness monster Hydrid

Yann from banding camp

Sunrise along Danube