People warned me that cultural shock comes in waves, 2 weeks; 1 1/2 months, 3 months etc. Three months I have been in Romania and the glitter has faded. But in the past few weeks I realize the sparkles cover not just the bad and at some point they had to go, so better now. While it is hard not to be as romanced with the newness of everything, I feel it is good to begin to process the reality that is here. Last weekend I travel to Budapest, it is the most beautiful city- art sprinkle throughout the city, Danube dividing the two cities- Buda and Pest, classy little cafe with amazing cappuccino, and a very chill night life (if you know were to go). It was an Eastern Europe I haven't experience in the Jui Valley and the distance in both atmosphere and geography helped me process the past three months. My friend Matt lives and works in Budapest and was gracious enough to put us (Davia and me) up for the extended weekend. I realized how much I miss grabbing coffee at a cute cafe with a good friend, or going out for a night on the town, or even for my surroundings to be 'nice'. I live in a communist bloc apartment building with an abandon factory across the street. My town is all concrete, no beautiful architecture, no feeling of creativity or humanity behind it. Communism was all about conformity, function, and the collectivism. The legacy is felt both in structures and people left behind. Because of the mountains and natural surrounds I find truth in two contrasting statements: this is the most beautiful place I ever lived and this is the most dismal place I ever lived. But it the natural scenery that gets me by, going for walks everyday help and spending time with the local kids. Viata, the summer camp will start soon, for this I am very excited. It will get me out of the town and up into the mountains.