The ESJ Editors go to Romania

15/07/11 20:00 Published in: 2011-3 Summer

Jerold J. Samet, Editor

Our trip to Romania was one of the most heart warming trips. We landed in Bucharest and were met by The most gracious Aruna Tohaneanu and Alex Scurtu. Aruna, the head of the Order of Eastern Star and Alex, an Alumnus of Youth Leaders International became our family in Romania. Aruna lives in Bucharest with her husband and four wonderful children. Alex lives in Drobeta Turnu-Severin, about four hours away from Bucharest. Aruna had worked for weeks coordinating our time in Romania, making sure we gained access to sights on the days she planned. She even coordinated our meals in the different cities and with many of the families who hosted our meals over the Easter weekend. The families of our members of YLI accepted us into their homes and prepared wonderful meals for us to partake with their families. In Severin, we spent Saturday evening at the home of one of our YLI counselors, Ileana Wisket, and her husband Stefan for a scrumptious dinner and then went out to a very old Monastery to participate in the midnight Easter Vigil with a wonderful candlelit service with hundreds of people. On Sunday, we had great lunch at the home of the several of our students, the Grecus, and then a tour of Severin and dinner at the home of another YLI counselor, Michaela Udrischte. On Monday, we had a great meeting at the Trajan high school with many of our YLI students, teachers, alumni and the Headmaster of the high School. That afternoon, we went on a boat ride up the Danube with many of the YLI students and alumni, relaxing, chatting, and enjoying the beautiful scenery of the Danube. That evening, we enjoyed dinner with the President of the DTS city council.

From Severin, we drove with Alex and Alina Popescu, another one of our alumni, and visited a wonderful city called Sibiu. We visited with the Eastern Star Chapter there and toured the old city which was beautiful. We were then treated to a wonderful German dinner with their chapter and one of their members who was a Congressman.
The next day, we moved on to Bram and visited the famous “Dracula’s Castle.” We were met by the lady in charge of the Eastern Star in Bram. She took us to the castle and toured with us. It was a great tour and Charles only bumped his head once, because the doorways were 4 1/2 foot tall. The castle must have had thousands of steps. From there we went to a great hunting lodge restaurant on a mountain and had a great meal with our hostess. After a wonderful day we headed to Buchaest.

In Bucharest that evening, we were delighted to be honored at Aruna’s Eastern Star meeting and then out to dinner with the members. What a great time we had. On Thursday, we had a wonderful get together with the Bucharest YLI members, teachers and alumni at a delightful Mediterranean restaurant. Friday brought us to the JW Marriott in Bucharest for the next couple nights, and that evening for a reception for the Grand Lodge. On Saturday we made our way to the House of the People where the Parliament meets and the Grand Lodge had their meeting. The House of the People is the second largest building in the world, next to the US Pentagon, and was built by former Communist dictator Nikolai Chauchesku to consolidate all the Romanian government under one compound, and was then completed following the toppling of his rule. Then at night, we returned to the House of the People for the Grand Lodge Ball in the spectacular ballroom. It was a great evening, with good food and dancing all night.
We can’t express enough gratitude and love for all who made our visit a success. We have become closer and become like family to so many. We will never forget Aruna and Alex, who drove us everywhere, and all those friends who hosted us, and accompanied us.