Bucharest... closed!

Yes, Daniela has taken over the maintenance of our blog but she graciously allowed her mother a few moments of writing time.

The city of Bucharest is in a scurry. Streets are closed, helicopters circle the air and this week all federal offices and Romanian schools will be closed. The media has advised the city's 2.5 million residents to stay home or take public transportation. If fact they acknowledged that its citizens will live a nightmare this week as Bucharest prepares to host the 2006 Francophone Summit. Not familiar with this? I wasn't either. Basically all the "big wigs" from every French speaking country in the world will be gathering together in Bucharest to.....I don't know exactly.....speak French?? According to the World News Forecast, "The 2006 summit issues include assessing the goals set at the 2004 Summit in Burkina Faso where the theme was equitable globalization and sustainable development". So why cripple the entire city? Evidently each major hotel in Bucharest only possesses one presidential suite and since 63 nations will be represented, well you get the idea.....major chaos!

On the home front we had a fun but busy weekend as Daniela and some of her classmates thoughtfully decided to surprise their fellow classmate with a birthday party. Disguised as a mere sleepover at Daniela's, the unsuspecting Korean girl arrived at our apartment where her friends sprung the surprise on her. Interestingly enough our massive 1100sq. ft. apartment was voted as the "big" apartment in which this party could best be hosted. It was probably the other mothers who made that suggestion!! Actually it was great fun as 6 junior high girls made claim to our living room for the night while Catalin and I were exiled to our bedroom. :-)