First Night in Bucharest, Romania

Ah, Romania. Beautiful of itself, but first, the people. Remarkable sweetness. Everyone should come to Romania at least once in their lifetime, and have the joy. Romania is at the very least half-way to Heaven.

As an example, after the plane landed, there were quite a few steps I had to go down. Not easy to do with a wheely carry-on plus heavy purse-substitute (BIG), plus long bulky down coat, hat, book and who knows what else I was carrying. The same man who took down my suitcase from the overhead on the plane, appeared and toted everything for me. We had to go on a bus with a high step and later more steps to climb, and, without his help, I simply couldn’t have done it. I would still be struggling!. But, of course, if this Romanian gentleman had not appeared, another Romanian gentleman would have.

Certainly in America, someone would have helped, but you have to understand how sweetly this man helped. He didn’t do it as a favor. He saw a need, and, of course, he was there. Simple. No ego. No bother for him. When I trailed along carrying my bulky coat, he was already in line at customs with two other men behind him. He waved me to the head of the line, and the other gentlemen were just as sweet and happy to let me go first. They wanted it that way. This wasn’t even manners, but a natural Romanian view of the world.

You are going to think that I just fall in love with every country I visit, and you are right.

Monica, the publisher in Bucharest, her daughter, Camelia, and Santhan – THE Santhan – all met me at the airport with open arms, a yellow rose from Monica and big hugs all around.

I haven’t told you that I was supposed to arrive in Bucharest the night before I actually did. One of those unwanted things happened – the tickets had inadvertently been left in Veronika’s daughter’s car, so Panos and I missed our flight back to Athens, and I missed my turn-around flight to Bucharest. Panos had to buy new tickets, and we couldn’t get out until the next day. This meant that I couldn’t be here in Bucharest for the first session of the Godwriting™ workshop I was supposed to be giving! I took this quite calmly – especially considering how irreplaceable I think I am! Santhan and Monica did some wonderful things with the 125+ people who came. The people already love Monica, and they naturally fell in love with Santhan. Someone even gave him a big tip!

Wednesday evening I will present the workshop.

Because I arrived a day late, my room reservation in a fancy Romanian hotel was lost, all rooms were taken, and once again, Santhan was there to make everything wonderful. He found me a beautiful room in Villa 11 where he is staying. My room at the top of winding stairs is just what you would imagine a room in a villa to be like.

As you know, for two years Santhan has been an amazing blessing to Heavenletters, and now I have finally met him in person. In Romania!!! Who could even dream this? Whatever I might have imagined Santhan to be like, he is even more. He is handsome, clear, bright, and with the beautiful eyes of a master. One look in his eyes, you can only be enlightened. His eyes are deep and powerful, wise and innocent. I got lost in Santhan’s eyes. I may never be found.

Incidentally, when I try to thank Santhan, he won’t let me. When I try to express the joy he has brought, he says: “Senora. you created me.