It is now the last day here. We have only minimal obligations—thankfully—due to our diligent–but–hectic schedule. Vio has one appointment and I need to pick up a few things for the return (along with cleaning the apartment), but otherwise, today should be relatively relaxed.
Yesterday however, was nuts. It was the only day that we had to actually create a written schedule to get everything done. It was as follows:
9:00 meet with Laurentiu (interior designer) to discuss countertops in the kitchen.
9:30 ride into town with him to the showroom and warehouse to discuss different materials and their benefits.
10:00 walk over to the warehouse and choose a stone slab for the counters. Pay deposit.
10:30 walk halfway across town to find a cab to take us across the other half.
12:00 Conrad has lunch with Diana
12:00 Vio has a dentist appointment
1:30 meet together at the main police station to register our apartment with the official office
2:30 walk 1.5 miles to the other office to pay a years worth of property taxes
4:00 have a celebratory pretzel together
4:30 stop at the electronics store to purchase a hood for the kitchen
5:30 Conrad meets with Matei (apartment building manager) to fix some “inconsistencies” in the door seals.
5:45 Vio back in town for follow-up appointment at dentist, settles bill for past two weeks
7:00 Vio meets with Radu (cabinet maker) to approve kitchen design and sign contract
7:30 sign up for basic apartment insurance with Andreia
8:00 visit with Dan and family
9:30 come home
I think Sunday was the only day we spent almost entirely in the apartment, or at least out of town. It was a nice long day and we enjoyed the weather. Especially since we had learned that the giant haze hanging over Cluj that we can see from apartment was actually a freak dust cloud from the Sahara. Thankfully it rained that night and one more on Monday morning. Since then, even the air in town has been crisp and fresh.
I’ve arrived and departed from Cluj numerous times over the past seven years, but this is the first time it truly feels like I’m leaving Home to go back to the States. We’ll be back soon, and for longer…