Delia meets me at Unu Decembrie metro station. We walk to her apartment. "I hope you won't be bored tonight." There's no possibility. I'm so excited. I go in and meet her friends, probably 10 young Romanians. They are friendly, and fun, and vibrant. I'm a little nervous and my Romanian language skills are out the window again. I feel a little funny, a little bit sore thumb. But it's okay. I start trying to talk in Romanian. I'm doing okay, I still am having a hard time comprehending spoken Romanian, and it's frustrating to me. I talk to one of the guys about Romanian television. He has some theories. I like him. Because the culture of communism was so repressive, things have swung the other way to telenovelas and trashy music videos. "There's not a lot to watch." I drink some tea. Sometimes the conversations go on, and I have no idea what's being said, but I'm grateful to be there. It's surreal, and nice, to feel like I am already starting to meet some nice people here, that a stranger has invited me over, that I can hang out with them.
We walk to the metro station together in a group of six or so. There's a boy outside of the station having a fight on his cell phone. Delia's friend translates for me: "Then come here in 30 minutes and beat me! What good will it do!" Her friend says that that's a good point. And that he would make a good project manager. He keeps his timetables.
We arrive at a metro station after saying goodbye to her nice friend with the theories, and one of the boy's girlfriends. We take a taxi. There's some dispute on the way about the price. We go to the Rin Grand Hotel in the south part of Bucuresti. We walk in to the grand foyer, and there are people smoking all over. I like this. We go into the huge restaurant space on the first floor. There are about 500 young Romanians here, current AIESEC members, and alumni. There are a couple of speeches. Delia translates for me. AIESIC is celebrating twenty years of "bringing positive change in Romania." I feel like everyone knows I'm a foreigner, and that I don't belong to the group. But I'm overwhelmed and fascinated. There are several awards given for different areas of acheivement. The LC's are nominated (local committees.) I think AIESEC Brasov wins and then AIESEC Bucuresti. When they win the group goes into a chant, they come out into the middle of the floor and jump up and down and dance and sing. This is amazing to me. The nominees are annouced via projection screen with "Summer of 69" playing loud in the background. There are a number of technical issues, but it's fun. One alumni from the years 1995-2000 gets up and gives a speech. I guess his name is Zipu. He says if we don't like what someone says to say, Zipu at the seaside, Zipu la mare (Zi pula mare means Say big dick.) I think that this is absolutely hilarious. There is also a chant to which everyone replies "Yo bitch!" I think Romania is definitely ready to see RUPAUL'S DRAG RACE. I can't believe I'm here amdist all these people, at this event, I drink pear juice. I'm hungry.
The formal event ends and we go up to the party on the 13th floor. I'm in the elevator with one of Delia's friends who hasn't met me yet. The elevator only goes to the 10th, then another elevator only takes us to the 12th, then we reach the 13th, and find everyone. It's hard to talk, because I'm not Romanian and I'm not a part of AIESEC, but I'm doing my best to mingle. I feel a little bit like baggage, but it's just my own concern. I meet an interesting guy who talks about the projects he's working on to help fund non-government organizations make positive social change in a way that is financially sustainable. For instance, having people with mental disabilities earn a living making canvas shopping bags that are re-useable and environmentally friendly. I talk to another boy who wants to come study in America. He's 19. He talks in English and I talk in Romanian. It's easier for me this way because I speak better than I understand. He wants to practice his English and I want to practice my Romanian, so it's okay. I'm pretty hungry. Delia calls me over and tells me that her friend can get me a sandwich and some yogurt. I happily reply that I'd love it. He takes me up to his hotel room. He doesn't speak very good English so we speak in Romanian. Another guy in the elevator to me: "You're Italian?" "Nu, sunt American." "Your accent is very good. WHY DO YOU KNOW ROMANIAN?" "Why not." This is the short answer. This is everyone's question. They are baffled. Why would anyone learn this language. It's a beautiful language and you're a beautiful people with a beautiful culture! Foarte frumos. The boy takes me up to his room and gives me a sandwich and yogurt. He just gives it to me. Romanian angel #5. His roommate looks kind of disshelved. There's a girl who climbs out of the bed and leaves. I eat my sandwich on the floor. "Multumesc, multumesc mult." I'm pretty blown away by everyone's generosity. We go back down and the dance party has begun in the other room. It's dark and we are struggling to find my friends. The environment has turned into a Romanian discotheque. Nice. Certain song come on and all the AIESEC members form up in a long T formation and start doing choreographed dances! I drink two "Energizers"! I dance some! I feel kind of self-conscious! It's amazing. I go sit down during some of the choreography. One of the boys comes up to me. Asks me if I'm doing okay. He's kind to me. I say that I just don't know the dances, but I'm enjoying watching them.
Eventually we make our way out of the hotel. The lobby where the cocktail hour took place is like a dream. I say the carpet with the swirling lines on it looks crazy. "Cum se spune crazy?" "Nebun. But you can't say the carpet is nebun. Only for a person." It really was crazy, though.
It's about 2am. We take a cab home. I have an AIESEC button.
Hey Kevin.......your blog is so interesting, glad I can keep up.......
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