I’m definitely not a city girl. Many of you can attest to that fact. I used to avoid Bucuresti, our lively capital, like the plague. It was just too bright, too fast paced, too crowded, and too noisy, for this country girl. I love the laid back beauty of my home too much. Anyway, I finally had to break down and make the trek to Bucuresti two days ago for my mandatory mid-service medical appointment with the awesome Dr. Dan. Since I had to spend the night in the city, I decided to make the best of the trip. I took my roller skates with me and set out early Wednesday morning to find an ideal spot to roller skate. Bucuresti has vast expanses of public parks and green spaces to discover. I have certainly found my favorite place, Parcul Herăstrău.

I navigated the metro, rather efficiently I may add, to the stop closest to the park. There was a large group of elderly German tourists on same subway car as me. I found it very amusing. I’m not sure why. They seemed very friendly, but they were all crowded around the doors of an already very crowded subway car, making it very difficult for me to get off at my stop. I got off at my stop and navigated across a very busy street to get to the park entrance. I found a nice bench in a shady spot and laced up my skates. Then, I was off! Parcul Herastrau is a roller skater’s paradise. Endless, smooth pavement leads through beautiful flower gardens, across shady tree-lined paths, through sculpture gardens, and around a very large lake. I spent at least an hour meandering through the park, seeing all the sights. There is a beautiful Japanese garden that should not be missed, a statue of Mark Twain that I am perplexed by, and the arc de triumph is right outside the park gates.

I stopped on a bench, overlooking the lake to write a few notes about what I had seen in my notebook. One of the things I love most about Romania is that people take advantage of outdoor green spaces. I remember when I lived in Targoviste, the playground across the street was always full of people. It didn’t matter what time of the day. Kids played, parents chatted with each other, and old men played backgammon. It was the social hub of our little micro. It’s just not like that in the States. Kyle and I used to be able to walk around Lettuce Lake Park with out seeing a single soul. It’s a shame really. People in the States just don’t seem to use parks and green spaces like they do here.

As I skated through Parcul Herastrau, I witnessed a group of old men huddled around a backgammon board. I heard the click of the plastic chips as they rapidly moved them around the well-worn board. The playgrounds were full of kids, laughing, running, playing. Joggers ran on the path around the lake. A group of men were fishing by the side of the lake. Old couples sat side by side on park benches reading the paper. Young couples cuddled on benches by the lake and kissed. People rode bikes on the endless paths. There is a free bike rental program. People can borrow bikes to ride around the park.

The thing I noticed most about the park during my roller skating adventure was how quiet it was. It is an oasis of calm is in the middle of a major European capital city. As soon as you break free from the confines of this urban sanctuary you are assaulted with the blaring noise of Bucuresti.

I enjoyed my time in the park. I was sad to have to take my skates off and return to the Peace Corps office to collect my things and catch a bus home. I look forward to my next trip to Bucuresti, as I will return with skates in hand. I think I’m going to try to skate around Piata Unirii next time!

One of the tricks, if that is the most accurate word, of thriving in Peace Corps is to find something you love doing and indulge in it when you can. It’s what keeps us sane in the face of a completely unpredictable daily life. Skating is my passion. I enjoy it as often as I can. Unfortunately, my options are limited in my hometown. Bucuresti is now my roller skating refuge. For as much as I absolutely adore Romania and for as happy as I am here, it is so nice to be able to strap on my skates and recapture my former life… if only for a few short minutes.

A Beautiful Walkway

The Lake

My skates are a part of me!