Day 5

Today was another early rise… comparatively speaking and off to make more masks. Our 5^th colleague had her first experience of the masks although she is still recovering from the journey here. 

So the day was short and we were off home before 3pm. Walking in the heat of the day again though – I reckon we’ll get our timings sorted by the time we leave.

I finished my first mask and started another. Here are the two sides, 1st is front. It has been padded.

The next image is where I've just played around with the jawline, not sure what's happening but wasn't wanting a square jaw.

The girls finished their masks, they're looking brilliant. We have worked hard.

A stroll home in the baking sun, a wee siesta and then out for a wander in the main square. Where we saw kids playing with the water jets in the middle of the square, they shoot up then disappear so it's chance a soaking crossing through. A guy cycling up and down outside the cafe talking at everyone (no-one in particular) in Romanian so didn't have a clue what was being said although when he tried to do a wheelie and failed miserably (probably due to his bike being a very old and heavy one) I got the feeling he may have been drinking a little. 

Day 4

Today was a holiday due to it being a Saint's day, because of this a day trip was organised.
Walked to Ioana's house and there to rail station. Very glad we had someone who could speak Romanian because it was all a little confusing and I certainly would not have known which train to take.

 There was no platform as such so we had to wait until the train had gone to cross over.

So, off to Sibiul which was a half hour away and as the journey progressed we got more into the hills and country. From there a longish walk (there is a lot of walking in Romania), the weather was pleasant and had become slightly cooler near the hills but there was a dark cloud in the direction we were headed. Lots of land for sale.
The village came into view and we were welcomed by a famous fella.

Arrived at the museum of glass icon painting. Quite an amazing place, it houses the largest collection of icon paintings.

This is us all after we'd been inside the museum, and after the dark skies, thunder and rain. Off on a wander and it was so lovely to be out in the country. Most of the roads in the village are just stone inset in the ground, not shaped or in any pattern, but lumpy and bumpy. Definitely have to have good springs on your car. At one point an artic truck passed us with not a massive amount of room on either side and the road was getting narrower.

Stork's nest on top of telegraph pole, The underneath of the nest looks man-made so I'm assuming it was made for this purpose as it is in other countries. 

A walk around with a little rain which in actual fact was very pleasant, lots of photos and then a visit to Cafe Elena for a beer and some food.

Day 3

So, first day of 'work'.
We arrived at around 9am and had a coffee, were offered cake and biscuits.
Then we got down to it.
A sheet spread over the floor and explanations began, the best way by far was being shown.
Anna started making and Ioana interpreted although we all seem to be getting along quite well without a full interpretation.
The masks began:

 Here is mine at the very beginning. At this point I have tacked the two pieces together, chalked the eyes and mouth and then cut them out. Through these holes the face is stuffed. It's quite interesting in that you're never sure how it's really going to turn out.

  And now further on, tubes of material, stuffed and sewn on.

Here he is, much more added. I enjoyed doing the facial hair. The hat will eventually become sewn on and possibly a few more special pieces added.

It was a very productive and enjoyable day, we've been told we did about two days work in the one day so everyone very happy.

Day 2

We got a bit of a lie in today because we didn't meet our trainer/teacher til 12 o'clock. Still not quite landed properly.
Our tutor Ioana is starting her 8th month of pregnancy but I reckon has more energy than me even so.
Walked to her house (her mum and brothers live their too), chatting and baking in the heat.
None of us knowing what to expect but as it turns out it was a very easy day.
Coffee, cake and talking about the history of the masks making and glass icon painting.

Short version:
The masks are worn during dances and originate from an archaic, pre-Christian mentality. They protect the wearer by concealing their identity from evil spirits. The passing of one year into the next is a time when the threat of evil seemed impending, when one year dies and another forms to take it's place. So on New Year's Eve (Hogmany where I come from) the masks are donned. There are 3 types of masks; animal, old people and demonic.

During these explanations Ioana's mother, Anna (also our tutor) got out home-made plum brandy and the chat flowed a lot more easily from then on. It was, without doubt, easier to understand each other even though Anna maybe knows only a handful of English words.
A happy day was had by all and we got to leave early.
Off to one of the flats, food and then chillin'.

Glass icon painting explanation later.

Day 1

So yesterday, we were met by Monica who walked us off our feet in the sun.
We can now find our way to each of the two flats, the fruit and veg market and the town centre.

The old town (centre) has amazing architecture as you might imagine, with the most obvious thing being that there are very small windows in the roofs which look like eyes.

There is a Salvador Dali exhibition on which we are definitely going to visit and a bit of a culture festival happening. I think we've missed the dancing but not the craftspeople, who will be working and holding workshops during the week and Saturday. I've spied a block of stone ready to be carved so heading that way soon, probably Wednesday as it is a Saint's day and we won't be working.

After our tour, we siesta'd (which they don't seem to do in Romania), then shopped at the market, and supermarket. Produce procured we ate, drank chilled beer and chatted. Feeling very blessed.

Long time away

Yet again, it's been a very long time since my last post.
I now have a little time and a wish to blog.
Putting my thoughts online where you can read if you want
and ignore if so desired.

I'm on a cultural visit to Romania, Sibiu to be precise.
Here I and 4 others will be learning traditional crafts.

So far:
The journey began in Dundee, Scotland at 6:32am on 2nd Aug 2014.
First train journey and I do love a train journey but…..
I had inadvertently stayed out a little too late the night before.
So much of my journey was spent sleeping.
Dundee - Newcastle - London Kings Cross - London St. Pancras - Luton Parkway
Then hanging around airport, plane delayed but by this time I'd met up with friends so all well.
Arrived in Sibiu late and a bit shell shocked but we were met by a lovely lady, Monica and taken to our flats.

more on the flats later.
A lot were built in communist times.

I'm back!

Ah,
A little embarrassed here because I've been away for so long.

There will be a quick catch up, some photos 'n' blurb shortly.
But…..