The Romanians have the perfect saying to describe the deceptively warm looking sunshine that we had today: Sun with teeth. Big, sharp teeth. We hit -17 Celsius this week (and that was during the day). That's about 0 degrees Fahrenheit. Brrr.
The girls love the icicles.
Today they were glittering in the sun.
"Om de zapada" on the terrace.
Indoor afternoons.
When Charlotte sees a camera, this is how she reacts.
Budding Picasso
Fun and games . . . it's all just fun and games
Back in December I had been so disappointed to find that the single performance of the Nutracker was offered at a time when we couldn't go. Happily, Schatzi checked the opera schedule again and found that a second performance was offered in January. So last night the entire family enjoyed the beautiful music and dancing of the Nutcracker at the Opera Nationala. A perfect end to the holidays.
Ticket prices range between $2 and $18. Talk about value! Granted, the production was not the spectacular and opulent show like the Nutcracker at the San Francisco Ballet, but it was also just a quarter of the price.
It was rush hour on the way to the opera which meant wall to wall people on the subway and in the station.
Ava snapped Daddy in the hall. The opera house was built in the 1950s and is quite pretty, but a little shabby . . . When we arrived, just as the show was starting, there were people in our seats, people sitting on the stairs, people in the aisles . . . this is all normal. So we sat close to our seats, but no one seems to mind and somehow it all works out.
Ava and Audrey made it through the whole show and enjoyed it. The only issue was getting Audrey to whisper her commentary to me. Thankfully, she got the hang of it. During the Arabian dance, Audrey noted the sequins on the harem costumes: "Look mommy, they have sparklies on their breasts. You want those? You should get some sparklies for your breasts." (pronounced breast-tez).
Last Friday Audrey had her little class over to the apartment to celebrate her "la multi ani". She had made it very clear that none of the older children were to be invited, just the "grupa mica". She graciously made an exception for Ava.
Petru couldn't resist the frosting . . . that's right, enjoy that silky buttercream while you can get it. Lucky for us, our friend at the US embassy had given me two boxes of powdered sugar, so I recanted my vow not to make another cake in Romania and we savored the smooth frosting. (In case you forgot, the powdered sugar available here is grainy.)
Birthday girl.
We played traditional children's party games, like pin the tail on the donkey. (I painted "Pedro" the night before). Perhaps this was the only kids party in Bucharest without face painting . . . the children still managed to have a good time.
Audrey's sweet teacher, Mariana.
8 kids and two adults return one block to Kindergarten in this compact car . . . yeah, they do things like that here, but don't worry, this is one custom we are not going to adopt.
The aftermath.
The birthday dress. I am absolutely delighted with it. There is something extremely satisfying in creating a beautiful dress and then watching your little girl wear it. Ahhh.
Yes, that's 10 yards going around the final tier of the skirt! Let's just say I spent a few nights gathering material.
Aren't the silk roses luscious? (Did I mention I love this dress! It's hanging out in the dining room where I can stare at it.)
O happy day!
While Daddy was in Istanbul, we went to the mountains January 6-9. The lodge we stay at, Cabana Postavaru, is very old (1800s) and well known in Romania. Getting there can be adventurous. When the gondola is not running, you might trek up the mountain on the Pisten-Bully, as the girls did.
Audrey at the wheel. Have mercy. No room for Charlotte and mommy, so we went up about an hour later with the lodge owner in his "tank", a Land Rover Defender. One of the scarier rides of my life thanks to the icy mountain path and lack of shocks. Once the Defender could take us no further, we were treated to a snowmobile run through the Romanian wild. In the dark, too. Don't worry, Charlotte didn't notice the bitter wind as she was sandwiched between the driver and me. Oh, if only I had a photo.
Ski school with friends from kindergarten.
Ava and ski instructor Paula.
Audrey went skiing with Paula too, but I don't have those photos yet (they're on a friend's camera.) I'll have to post an update when I get them. Both girls did great!
Romanian natural beauty as seen from the lodge.
Land of mosques.
Inside Hagia Sophia.
The ubiquitous Scott Porter . . . this guy is everywhere.
Welcome to the Grand Bazaar . . . let's go shopping! Chad says you could spend two weeks just in the bazaar.
Turkish wares.
Turkish spice.
Turkish kebap.
Turkish bath.
Turkish princesses. The slippers are adorable . . . I want a pair!
Of course, Turkish delight.
Goodbye friends! (That's Chad's first companion from his mission! We went to church and had family home evening together, shared several meals and even had a sleepover! Dankeschoen Helmut & Julia!)
Tchuess Haus der Musik!
See you in Istanbul Scott!
Later boyfriends!
Goodbye toy stores! (I think we hit just about every single one!)
Come see us in Buc, oh sweet stroller friendly elevators and escalators! (Chi Chi, one of Audrey's toy purchases rides the escalator in the subway station.)
Schnitzel Queen kisses it goodbye!
Please just one more for the road!
So long makeovers on the streets of Vienna.
'Til next time gingerbread houses.
Bye-bye hotels!
Ciao, Strassenbahn.
Auf Wiedersehen Schoenbrunn.
Ta ta your Highness!
I'm going to miss you Krapfen and Apfelstrudel!
Au revoir, chandeliers.
See you next time, Vienna.
Hello Romania!
Rockstar is back . . . just moments off the the train in Bucharest, the fans whisked Charlotte away. They literally took off her booties and kissed her feet. Bine ati venit!
