Din Grecia cu dragoste / From Greece with love

Grecia: masline, portocale, turism.
Mie cam atat imi vine in minte atunci cand spun Grecia. Dar mai sunt si altele: uzo, feta etc. Pe restu’ urmeaza sa le descopar.
Am sa incep prin a va spune ca sunt bine, asta ca sa nu fiti ingrijorati. Am plecat din tara cam stresata si m-am ales cu o gastrita de toata frumusetea. Norocul meu e ca pot manca aici si de regim, adica la micul dejun o tin pe lapte, unt, cascaval si paine graham, iar in rest am avut paste cu cascaval, supa de linte, un fel de tocanita cu piept de pui, salata greceasca (seamana cu cea orientala), mancare de cartofi etc. O sa-mi fie dor de o supa à la mama mea, sau o ciorba acra (pe care inainte o ocoleam). Pe aici nu se fac ciorbe, supe ... uneori, iar angajatii nu au voie sa-si gateasca.
In hotel nu prea vin turisti in perioada asta, mai mult in weekend-uri cand mai fac unii reuniuni de afaceri, prezentari, conventii. Vara vin echipe de baschet si handbal in cantonament, se mai fac nunti, botezuri sau se mai gaseste cate unu’ plin de bani sa stea aici (acum e unul pe la etajul 1 si hotelul are peste 100 de camere). Salariul meu e de 650 de euro, dar apartamentele din hotel costa cam 1000 de euro pe noapte. Apartamentul de lux costa 1400 euro pe noapte (si in weekendul asta a fost ocupat), asa ca puteti face si voi comparatie: cat de bogati sunt unii si cat de saraci suntem noi. Ceea ce vedeti acum la televizor e adevarat: greve, foamete, totul foarte scump. Azi , spre exemplu, functionarii publici au fost in greva, iar noi 3 (suntem 3 romance aici, 2 cameriste si o maseuza) trebuia sa mergem la politie pentru acte. Ne-au amanat pe maine dimineata pentru ca nu se lucra.
Sa traiesti aici e foarte scump. Hainele si incaltamintea sunt foarte scumpe, mancarea e scumpa si nu cunosc ceva despre care sa se spuna ca ar fi ieftin. Spre exemplu:
- O pereche de pantofi piele – 50 euro
- O cutie de lapte proaspat de vaca 1 litru– 1,40 euro
- O sticla de dero lichid de 1,5 litri – 12 euro
- O copie xerox – 15 euro centi
- Un tuns, vopsit, suvite, (par mediu) – 90 euro
- Bilet autocar Salonic-Lamia (300 km)– 23,60 euro
- Bilet autocar Lamia- Karpenisi (70 km)– 6,40 euro
- Bilet autocar Karpenisi-Atena (300 km)- 22,30 euro
- Bilet autobuz in Salonic – 50 euro centi

Salariul minim brut in Grecia este de 1000 de euro, din care statul va opri 30% pentru ca atat reprezinta aici asigurarile de sanatate si sociale. Grecii care nu fac fata in tara emigreaza in America. In hotel lucreaza greci, romani (mai e un baiat roman la spalat vase), albanezi si bulgari. Ca si prin alte locuri, se fac diferente intre angajatii localnici si cei straini. Grecii de aici au salarii mai mari decat strainii desi lucreaza doar cate 7-8 ore pe zi si au 2 libere. Strainii lucreaza cate 10 ore pe zi cu o zi libera pe saptamana. Am totusi avantajul ca pauzele pentru micul dejun si pranz se incadreaza in programul de 10 ore, ceea ce inseamna ca lucrez efectiv doar 9 ore. Nici pe alea nu le-am lucrat pentru ca trebuia sa raman de una singura, fara o camerista veche langa mine care sa-mi arate si sa ma verifice. Cica sunt in periada de training acum. Norocul meu in acest moment e ca nu sunt camerele ocupate, deci nu ne omoram cu munca, inca. In contractul meu scrie ca sunt camerista, dar aici a fi camerista inseamna sa faci menajul hotelului, in zonele unde au acces clientii, de unde deduc eu ca sunt mai mult menajera, femeie de servici decat camerista (de la teoria invatata in facultate pana la practica din hotel e o cale foaaaarte lunga). Si, surpriza surprizelor, aici nu se vorbeste limba engleza, deci ne intelegem ca in turnul Babel. Norocul meu, inca o data, ca una din cameriste stie putina engleza pentru ca lucrat in state o perioada. Eu si cealalta camerista romanca ne-am lipit de ea si invatam meserie. Altfel nu stiu cum am fi putut sa invatam ceva. Cea care imi e sefa habar n-are engleza sau alta limba straina, numai managerul mai rupe cateva propozitii si cu una din fetele de la receptie, in rest... sunt bata cu totii. De aici trag concluzia ca eu vorbesc engleza mai bine decat toti. Asadar, ce caut eu aici? Glumesc. In hotelul asta nu vin turisti straini, cei care vin sunt cu totii greci, iar bacsis se face mai rar.
Mica noastra comunitate romaneasca se intalneste seara, dupa program la cafea si ne mai vedem la masa pentru ca mancam la aceiasi ora, ne mai intalnim si seara in una din camere ca sa mai stam de vorba, sa depanam amintiri, sa plangem dupa familie si lucrurile de care ne e dor. Imi lipseste tata cu care sa ma mai cert din cand in cand, dar care ma proteja intotdeauna, imi lipseste mama, prietena mea, cu care ma sfatuiam intotdeauna si care stia sa ma impinga de la spate, imi lipseste sormea cu care sa impart totul, mai ales patul, imi lipsesc Asi si conversatiile noastre pe net si la telefon, imi lipsesc colegii de munca si activitatea fata in fata cu clientii, vorbitul foarte mult.
Deci... e binisor pana acum, ma adaptez. Ce sa zic... o sa mai scriu. Pe curand.

...

Greece: olives, oranges, tourism.
This is all that comes in my mind when I say Greece. But there are other things too: uzo (traditional Greek alcoholic drink), feta cheese. And I will discover the rest of them.
I will start by telling you I am alright, because I don’t want you to be worried. I left the country being so stressed and I ended up getting the nicest gastritis ever. I’m lucky because here I can eat diet food, I mean in the mornings I’m having milk, butter, cheese and bread with seeds, and at the other meals I had chicken, soup, Greek salad, potatoes, pasta with cheese. But I will miss my mom’s soups and her sour ciorba (Romanian sour soup, similar to Russian bors). Here they don’t make ciorba, soups … sometimes, and the employees are not allowed to cook.
Tourists don’t come so often in this hotel in this season; they come mostly on the weekends for business meetings, presentations, conventions. In the summer basketball teams and handball teams come for training, they do weddings here; baptizing or sometimes it happens that very rich people come to stay (now we have only one man on the first floor and the hotel has over 100 rooms). My salary here is 650 euro, but the suites here are over 1000 euro per night. The luxury suite costs 1400 euro per night (and people stayed in it this weekend). So you can compare how rich are some of them and how poor are some of us. What you see now on TV is true: strikes, hunger, everything is expensive. Today, for example, government employees were on strike, and the three of us (we are 3 Romanian women here, 2 chambermaids and a masseuse) had to go to the police for paper work. They said to come back tomorrow because today no one is working.
It’s very expensive to live here. Clothes and shoes are very expensive, food is expensive and I don’t remember someone ever saying there are cheap things here. For example:
- Pair of leather shoes – 50 euro
- A bottle of fresh milk 1 liter – 1,40 euro
- A page copied – 15 euro cents
- A hair cut, painted too – 90 euro
- Bus ticket Salonic-Lamia (300 km) – 23,60 euro
- Bus ticket Lamia-Karpenisi (70 km) – 6,40 euro
- Bus ticket Karpenisi-Athens (300 km) – 22,30 euro
- Bus ticket in Salonic – 50 euro cents
The minimum brut wage in Greece is 1000 euro and 30% will be detained for health and social insurance. Greeks that don’t make it here immigrate in US. Here work Greeks, Romanians (we are 4, 3 girls and one boy), Albanians and Bulgarians. Similar to other places, there are differences between workers. Greeks work only 7-8 hours per day and have 2 days off while foreigners work 10 hours per day with only one day off. I have the advantage that breaks for breakfast and lunch are included in those 10 hours, which means I work only 9 hours. I haven’t worked all these hours until now because it means I would have to work by myself, without any old chambermaid that could verify me or show me how to do everything. It looks like I’m on training now. I’m lucky that now rooms are unoccupied so I’m not working like crazy, yet. In my contract says I’m a chambermaid, but here to be a chambermaid means you have to clean all the places that are accessible to the customer, so I guess I’m more a maid then a chambermaid (there is a very big difference between what I learned in school and what I have to do here). And, big surprise, here they don’t speak English so we understand each other like in the Babel tower. I’m lucky again that one of the chambermaids worked in the US and knows a little bit of English, so she is teaching us. I don’t know how else we could’ve learned anything. My boss knows no other language then Greek, only the manager and one of the receptionists are able to speak a bit. The rest of them none, no English. So I’m starting to ask myself: what am I doing here? And here come only Greek tourists, no foreigners, so the possibility for tipping is very little.
Our little Romanian community meets every evening for coffee and during the day when we eat. We eat at the same hour. We also meet in the evening in one of our rooms and talk, remember things, cry after our families and the things that we miss. I miss my dad and the fights we used to have, but he was always there to protect me; I miss my mom, my friend that always gave the best advices and pushed me; I miss my sis and the way we shared everything, especially the bed. I miss Asi and our conversations on the phone and internet; I miss my work colleagues and working face to face with my customers and talking very much.
So… it’s good until now, I’m trying to adapt. What else to say… I’m going to write again. See you soon.

Happy birthday, Romania! / La multi ani, Romania!

December 1 has remained in Romanian history as the Day of Romania, because on this day in Alba Iulia, in 1918, the unification of Transylvania with the united principalities of Moldavia and the Romanian Country has been accomplished .

So, let us live this day in a traditional way, with Romanian food, folk music, along with our loved ones and to enjoy that we live as a united nation.

Happy Birthday, my dear Romania!

Also ...
Happy Birthday, Pro TV!
Go Asesoft, although I am disappointed by the outcome of the match: 72 to 73 for Belgacom Liege (FIBA Europe Cup).
Tonight I went to a club where they also play Latin music. I’ve waited so long for a place like this one. I want to take dance lessons, perhaps starting next year.

***

1 decembrie a ramas in istoria romanilor ca Ziua Romaniei, deoarece in aceasta zi la Alba Iulia, in anul 1918, s-a infaptuit unirea Transilvaniei cu Principatele unite ale Moldovei si Tarii Romanesti.

Asadar, sa traim aceasta zi in mod traditional, cu bucate romanesti, cu muzica populara, alaturi de cei dragi noua si sa ne bucuram ca traim intr-o tara unita.

La multi ani, Romania mea draga!

Deasemenea...
La multi ani, ProTV!
Hai Asesoft, desi sunt dezamagita de rezultatul meciului: 72 - 73 pentru cei de la Belgacom Liege (FIBA Europe Cup).
In seara asta am fost intr-un club unde se pune si muzica latino. Asteptam de mult timp sa apara un astfel de local si pe la noi. Vreau sa iau lectii de dans, poate de la anu'.

3+1 gift ... Happy nameday to me!

It's St. Andrew today. Happy nameday to all of you. May all your wishes come true.

And for me ... well, one wish came true. I will wait and see if others will also come true.

3+1 gift means what? It means I’m dedicating 3 songs to myself and one to you.

1. Sade - Cherish the day

Lyrics: http://www.lyricsmode.com/lyrics/s/sade/cherish_the_day.html



2. Marius Mihalache - Bordeias (Little hovel). This romanian song always makes me think about home and the people I love.



3. Melina Leon - Que sera de ti (What will be of you). This song is part of the O Clone Soundtrack, the video also is from the brasilian novela.

Spanish lyrics:http://www.lyricsdownload.com/leon-melina-que-sera-de-ti-lyrics.html



4. Amr Diab - Tamally Maak (Always with you). This one is for you because I really like the melody and the lyrics.

Arab lyrics: http://www.lyricsdownload.com/amr-diab-tamally-maak-lyrics.html

English lyrics:http://www.songmeanings.net/songs/view/3530822107858557928/

Marasesti - Pe aici nu se trece / Marasesti - Can't pass through here

Marasesti, Marasti, Oituz... Nu. De data asta doar Marasesti.

Razboiul de Intregire Nationala a facut ca la Marasesti sa piara peste 21 de mii de romani. Tot ceea ce ne mai aminteste de glorioasa lupta din vara anului 1917 este Mausoleul de la Marasesti, ridicat chiar pe locul unde s-au dat luptele. 18 culoare dispuse radial, 154 de cripte individuale, 9 cripte comune, o bisericuta asezata chiar in centrul constructiei si inscriptia UN OSTAS ROMAN raman cu mine dupa ce am vizitat ieri acest somptuos monument.

Cinste lor, celor care s-au jertfit pentru aceasta tara minunata, pentru acest pamant care ne-a ocrotit inca de pe vremea cand purta numele Dacia. Dumnezeu sa-i ierte!

***

Marasesti, Marasti, Oituz... No. This time only Marasesti.

The War of National Union made it possible for 21 thousands of Romanians to perish at Marasesti. The Marasesti Mausoleum, built right on the spot where the fight took place, reminds us of the glorious fights from the summer of 1917. What stays with me after visiting this magnificent monument are the 18 halls arranged in a circle, the 154 individual crypts, the 9 commune crypts, the church placed right in the middle of the building and the inscriptions A ROMANIAN SOLDIER.

Let's honor those who sacrificed themselves for this wonderful country, for this land that protected us ever since it was called Dacia. May God forgive them!

Selfadvices / Autosfaturi

I was looking tonight over some of my writings and I found something that I like very much:

„Time heals wounds, but the scars remain and sometimes, when we face „bad weather”, they hurt. Time has his limits.”

There are many poems written by me, even prose, which make me feel in a certain way when I read them and not because they are mine or they are very good, but because they remind me of myself in that period. It’s like I can see myself then, when I had those feelings that made me lay everything on paper. I feel a stranger to some of them, probably because I’ve changed, but I can find myself in others. I don’t consider myself as being a poet or a writer. When I write I do it only because I feel like it, to free myself from my many thoughts. And sometimes I surprise myself because I am giving to me answers, encouragement and advices trough my writings.
But I better leave all the talking to my lines:

“Nothing it’s easy in this life. A lot of effort, a lot of waiting, pain and suffering are needed. We have to give everything, everything we got and everything we are for one cause, for what we want the most, for a dream without which we could not go forward.”

“I am a fighter. I’m not afraid of anything…”

“I’ve chosen. I will remain innocent. I will be a child hidden in a mask. And you will be deceived, because I will see the CHILD and you will see the MASK.”

“My instincts are making me see the truth. It’s like seeing another dimension of the world in front of my eyes and every person it’s wearing his truth print.”

“My body is an obstacle in the path of knowledge.”

“The silence of the night it’s letting reason to search very deep…”

There would be more but I prefer to leave them on some other time. I will post in the future my favorite poem called “Indrumari” (Guidance) that has many advices. And I saved the best for last:

“Get up and move on…
Broken wings can be fixed with glue.
Broken hearts can be stitched back into one piece.”


***


Ma uitam in seara asta peste cateva din scrierile mele si am gasit ceva ce imi place foarte mult:

„Timpul vindeca ranile, dar cicatricile raman si uneori, cand mai trecem prin perioade cu “vreme rea”, ele ne dor. Are si timpul limitele lui.”

Sunt o multime de poezii scrise de mine, chiar si proza, care ma fac sa ma simt intr-un fel anume atunci cand le citesc si nu pentru ca sunt ale mele, nici pentru ca ar fi ele foarte reusite ci pentru ca imi amintesc de mine in perioada aceea. E ca si cum as putea sa ma vad pe mine atunci cand am trait sentimentele acelea care m-au facut pana la urma sa astern totul pe hartie. Ma simt oarecum straina de unele din ele, probabil pentru ca m-am schimbat, dar in altele ma regasesc. Nu ma consider o poeta sau o scriitoare. Cand scriu o fac numai pentru ca asa simt, ca sa ma eliberez de prea multe ganduri. Si uneori ma uimesc pe mine insami deoarece imi ofer prin scrierile mele raspunsuri, incurajari, sfaturi.
Dar mai bine las randurile sa vorbeasca pentru mine:

"Nimic nu e usor in viata asta. E nevoie de mult efort, de o lunga asteptare, de durere, de suferinta. E nevoie sa dam totul, tot ce avem si ce suntem pentru o cauza, pentru ceea ce ne dorim cel mai mult, pentru un vis fara de care nu am putea sa mergem inainte."

"Sunt o luptatoare, nu ma tem de nimic..."

"Eu am ales. Am sa raman inocenta. O sa fiu un copil ascuns intr-o masca. Si veti fi inselati, deoarece eu o sa vad COPILUL, iar voi veti vedea MASCA."

"Instinctul ma face sa vad adevarul. E ca si cum as vedea o alta dimensiune a lumii pe care o am in fata si fiecare persoana poarta amprenta adevarului sau."

"Trupul meu este o piedica in calea cunoasterii."

"Tacerea noptii lasa ratiunea sa caute foarte adanc..."

Si ar mai fi si altele, dar prefer sa le las pe alta data. Intr-un post viitor voi pune poezia mea preferata „Indrumari”, care contine si mai multe sfaturi. Iar pentru sfarsit am pastrat altceva ce imi place foarte mult:

"Ridica-te si mergi mai departe...
Aripile frante pot fi fixate la loc cu lipici.
Inimile frante pot fi cusute inapoi intr-o bucata."

Words of wisdom

I just saw this movie that moved me, about how we should all live in peace, no matter religion or other differences. And at one moment some elders were telling this story:

He: What is Paradise?
Angels: Paradise is for the heart where love is fulfilled.
He: What is hell?
Angels: Hell is the place where there is no love.

Paradise is when I look into a child’s eyes, when I think of my children or nephews to be. Paradise is in those arms that keep me safe, protected, unharmed. Paradise is when I have no reason to cry or to be sad, when I know I am loved, when my family is happy, when good things happen, when I feel like smiling and joy bursts out of my being and contaminates everyone around me. Paradise is when I feel like I have a purpose in this world, when I am needed. Paradise is when my faith keeps me strong and I feel blessed.
Paradise may be everywhere around us: on every street, in every building, in every heart. Paradise is all over the world. We just have to keep on searching for it.

I need a miracle

AFTERLIFE - MIRACLE

There was a time when I was happy, when miracles were happening every day, when I had dreams and hopes that were unbreakable. There was a time when I believed in people and, mostly, I believed in myself. I saw no barriers then. I believed in the truth, in honesty, in good intentions. But one by one my beliefs were shook up and demolished and I realized that I had expectations, too many and too big rising too high and others did not wanted to rise up to them. I was wrong and you all showed me how wrong I was. And I have no false hopes now, I’m not expecting things, I’m just waiting, living, breathing with all my faith and love. I have things to give back to the world, but the world seems unprepared to receive them.
I need a sunrise, to feel the warm sun rays on my face, to breathe again that fresh air, to believe that everything will be alright and I’m not going to be alone. I need to recharge my batteries and restart my life.
I need a sunrise, I need a miracle, I need … .

(Take this moment, make it still
Stay forever, by my side
Make a promise, to your soul
Leave me never, that I know
It can be
But I know, it can be
Lost our way, you and me
I'm still in love with you
And you said to me
I will set you free
But I silently remain
I need a miracle this time
We need a miracle this time
(Your love has left away)
(You wash away my pain)
I remember, days gone by
Warm and tender, makes me cry
I know it can be
But I know, it can be
Lost our way, you and me
I'm still in love with you
And you said to me
I will set you free
But I silently remain
I need a miracle this time
We need a miracle this time
Miracle this time
We need a miracle this time
Miracle this time
We need a miracle this time
Miracle this time
We'll need a miracle this time)