Introduction to Iasi

Iasi is the second largest city in Romania and not on very many tourist's "must see" list. There is a blend of old, dilapidated buildings from the communist era with a few new and very modern structures. There were many run down apartment buildings, like this one, that we saw as we walked around the city.





We also visited the Palas Mall and did some shopping. It was fully air conditioned and had some great shops. One of them was H & M!





Aimee worked in the orphanage this morning and took a taxi to our hotel afterwards. It was lunch time so we went on our first Romanian dining experience! She ordered Sharoma (chicken, mayonnaise, cabbage, French fries, and dill pickles wrapped in pita bread) and Gyros (lamb and pork, tizaki sauce, French fries, onions, and tomatoes also wrapped in pita bread). Both were delicious!!!



Sharoma is on the right and Gyros is on the left!



We also had a type of bread called kurtos that is wound on a large tube, baked, and covered with a sugar coating for dessert.



As we walked around the city we saw some interesting things. One was an abundance of small tables setup on the sidewalks where women were selling makeup and perfume. They had a variety of products and also the Avon catalogue on display.



We also visited the piata or outdoor/underground market where Aimee buys her produce.



Vendors bring a variety of items to the market where they display and hopefully sell them. Today Aimee bought an apple and grapefruit.



There were counters where large rounds of cheese were displayed and the seller would cut off the portion needed. It was very smelly!



We had a chance to visit Aimee's apartment which is on the seventh floor. There are stairs going all the way up but the girls use a small and very rickety elevator. It looked and sounded so bad that I was worried we might get stuck!



Aimee served us red orange juice . . . Which was delicious!



I loved the quote Aimee wrote and posted on the inside of the front door. Something to think about every time you walk out the apartment. I don't think any of these girls are the same person they were when they left Salt Lake City in April.



Aimee's roommate Nicole was celebrating her 21st birthday so we went to Pizza Hut for dinner. Pizza Hut in Romania is a nice restaurant, not just a take out place. I was impressed with the service and the pizza was delicious! Far better than at home.





It was a wonderful first day in Romania! The highlight was just being able to see and hug Aimee! Tomorrow morning we visit the orphanage and then the three of us fly to Bucharest!

By the way . . . I was so tired last night I had to stop blogging at 11:30 pm but when I laid down I could not sleep. Unfortunately, this is typical of me and how my body deals with jet lag. At 4:30 am I gave up and finished this post! At least I made good use of the time!!!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Seats, Luggage, and Little Texas

Our seats on the LONG flight from LAX to Frankfurt were across the aisle from each other. Allyn lucked out as the seat next to him was empty, his seat reclined really far, and the seat of the person in front of him hardly reclined at all! I, however, was not so lucky. I has a young women who worked for the US beach volleyball team next to me, my seat hardly reclined at all, and the seat of the person in front of me went way back! I actually had a hard time getting out of my seat when I got up to walk around. This was my view on the plane . . .


I had a great flight despite the lack of space and spent quite a bit of time walking around the plane or standing in the back talking with other passengers. It is amazing how a smile can overcome unfamiliarity and language barriers!

Our luggage was tagged from LAX to Bucharest. We were supposed get it there and then go through customs before rechecking it and flying to Iasi. This is what we say as we waited at the luggage carousel . . .


No luggage! That is right . . . our luggage stayed in Budapest while we went on to Bucharest! We made due with what we had in Allyn's backpack and my purse until we got our luggage Tuesday morning.

We are staying at the Little Texas Hotel in Iasi Monday and Tuesday night. The owner is an American who lives in Orange, CA and the decor is totally western . . . pictures of John Wayne on the wall along with other western memorabilia also. Our room is very large with a fantastic view of the city . . .


We had nachos and a grilled chicken salad after we checked in. Totally American food in Romania!

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On Our Way

We are at LAX . . . have checked our bags, passed through security, and are waiting for our flight. Our trunk was so full of luggage that it scraped the asphalt when we backed out of the garage! With toys for the orphans and Aimee's requests, as well as out things, we were definitely loaded!!!




When we got to the Lufthansa counter to check in we were told they had a weight limit on carry on baggage and our bags were WAY overweight. Fortunately, they allowed us to check them, as well as our regular bags, free of charge! It has been years since that has happened.

From LA we fly to Frankfurt, Germany, then to Budapest, Hungry, then to Bucharest, Romania, and finally to Iasi . . . where Aimee is! It will be exciting to see her!!! We will keep you posted.

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Trying to use iPad without WiFi - A Trial Run

We found out that WiFi would cost $8 an hour in our hotel in Budapest and we can only get it in the lobby. I can't believe it is so expensive! So I am trying to see if I can blog offline and then post when I can find a wifi hotspot.


This is Aimee who is doing an International Internship in Iasi, Romania. We will be going over to visit her prior to a business trip to Hungry. We may not have internet in our hotels there at all!

I did this at Allyn's office without the internet and am posting it when I get home and have access to WiFi. Let's see how it goes!!!


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Grandchildren are GREAT!

A grandchild fills a space in your heart 

that you never knew was empty. 

-Author Unknown

Josh Glazier - cheerful, smiley, curious . . . 

Emily Fresh - cute, independent, determined . . . 

Jacob Fresh - energetic, curious, smart . . . 

 Noah Glazier - athletic, inquisitive, creative . . . 

Kate Glazier - sweet, helpful, artistic . . . 

Thank you for filling our hearts
with lots and lots of love!

Mother's Day Weekend

I spent this Mother's Day weekend with Sherry, Kate, Noah, and Josh while Bryon was on his BYU MBA International Business Experience in Europe. It was fun to spend time with them and a highlight was going to the "Green Gators" soccer game on Saturday. Here are two of the cutest "Green Gators" on the team eating their snack at halftime . . .

Noah has a great understanding of the game of soccer and is now able to turn the ball as he dribbles down the field. He has scored many goals this season. Kate is a fast runner and always knows where the ball is. She is great at kicking the ball out of the group so that it can be dribbled down field. It was a great season and I am happy I was able to share a bit of it with them. Sherry is a great mother and has a great spirit in her home!

I also had the opportunity to take Josh to his first day in nursery at church. He did very well . . . no tears at all! He loved the trucks, cars, and balls. Sounds like he is all boy. By the end he was very tired, but he did great for his first week!

On Mother's Day we went to Mom and Dad's  house for dinner and all of my siblings that live in Utah were there. It was special to be with my own Mother, and pay tribute to her and the wonderful mother that she is! She has always been an example of selfless service and devotion to her family and the community she lives in. I have learned much as I have watched her throughout the years. Much of what I am I owe to her influence. This is a picture of the mothers who were with us for dinner . . .

They are Ashley Jensen, Linda Oler, Mom, Me, and Sherry.

When I arrived home on Monday night I found a nice surprise awaited me - finger paintings done by Jacob and Emily. I appreciate being able to see their artwork and having something to hang on my fridge. They are active, energetic, and independent children who are interested in everything around. Brooke does a great job as a mother as she gives them many opportunities to learn and have new experiences. 

A special thanks to all of my children for the nice Mother's Day cards, kind words, and thoughtful gifts. I appreciate the opportunity to be your mother and the things I have learned so far through that experience. I remember vividly the first time I looked in each of your eyes and the love that filled my heart. I have felt that love returned from you many times through the years. I am grateful that the ties that bind us as family continue throughout the eternities. I love you all . . .

A mother's heart is a  patchwork of love.  

-Author Unknown

Panama Paradise - Day 7

Our* last excursion before we flew back to Los Angeles on Monday evening was to the Gamboa Rain Forest in the Parque Nacional Soberania (or the Soberania National Park).

This was our guide before we left for the tour and in the national park. It was humid the entire time we were in Panama, but seemed especially so as we visited the rain forest. Maybe it was the dense foliage that kept the moisture in and the movement of air out.

We saw an abundance of both animal and plant life.

Here are a few examples:

An ant hill and tropical fruit hanging from a branch.

The anthill is not where the ants have their home, but somewhat

like an old fashioned out house. It is the place where the ant 

goes to the bathroom!  There were trails of ants climbing up the

back of the anthill. They would "do their duty" and then go down

the back again. They did not like to be near the anthill except

when they had to. Their aversion to their waste is so great that

some Panamanians put it around their homes as a way to deter

ants from entering.

A termite nest hanging from the tree.

A very interesting birds nest hanging from a branch . . .

possible an Oropendola nest.

Three views of a Howler Monkey. He was very agile and

obviously comfortable moving around the branches.

An animal sleeping on a branch . . . possibly a Howler Monkey.

Tarzan ready to swing on the vines through the forest!

One of many butterflies which flew around the rain forest.

Look closely and you can see a bird among the tree branches.

Our guide said the white "foam" is actually frog eggs.

Colorful flowers amid the green foliage.

Views of the canopy of the rain forest . . . in some areas it was hard for the sun to reach the ground the foliage was so thick. The tree in the center picture is an Umbrella Tree.

Us in front of a Panamanian Ficus Tree.

* Allyn and Dad as told to Debby