Tony Boncev

Find me at www.fotonyk.blogspot.com

2011-05-01T23:46:00.000-07:00

No more words.
You can visit my fotoblog at www.fotonyk.blogspot.com

Flying on a jet ski!

2009-09-10T21:30:00.001-07:00

CRAZZZZY RAFTING sau...calare pe taur :)

2009-09-06T19:50:00.000-07:00

Salut, am facut rafting si vreau sa va arat niste poze.Nu va dau detalii despre locul sau persoanele cu care am fost.Va zic ca a fost Super Tare!Cea mai noua si mortala faza a fost "riding the bull" sau cum ar zice Stefan Cel Mare --"calarind taurul".Ce este?
Te pozitionezi in fatza barcii si te tii doar de o sfoara in timp ce barca trece prin curenti de apa de categoria 4 (cele mai riscante sunt de clasa 5).Finalul e simplu:reusesti sa stapanesti bestia sau... "taurul"te arunca in apele involburate si pline de pietre ascutzite.
Eu am castigat.
Alti "nebuni" nu am mai fost.
Vedeti actiunea in poze.
Adrenalina 200%

Viatza e ...MORTALA! :)

Elections in Moldova-Let The Party Begin!

2009-07-30T12:12:00.000-07:00

Ieri au fost din nou alegeri Parlamentare in Republica Moldova.La 7,45am eram cu toata familia la sectia de votare si am fost surpins sa vad cat de aglomerata era.Am salutat cativa prieteni din high class ai parintilor mei si apoi intrat la sala in care se vota.Aparent era o sarbatoare dar se simtea tensiunea.Era clar:acum ori niciodata...
Comunistii au obtinut 48 de mandate si partidele de opozitie 53.Am castgigat sau am pierdut? Cert e ca e mai bine acum.Putzin mai bine dar tot ne-au cam "facut"comunistii.Multi din generatia a 3-a au votat secera si ciocanul.De fapt in total ei au fost vreo 700.000 de cetateti ai Republicii.Restul din totalul de 2,5 milioane(care au mai ramas in Republica) au fost impotriva.
A fost o campanie murdara si cea mai tensionata de pana acum.
Acum avem o sansa.Sansa este o aliantza intre partidele de opozitie.Cu toate ca democratia face aici primii pasi, sper ca opozitia a inteles ca singura sansa este ALIANTZA.Altfel, ne mananca lupii si izolarea inca 4 ani...

Ma gandesc la cateva fraze geniale din filmul "Braveheart"...

FREEDOM!!!!!!!

M-am intors...

2009-07-16T17:06:00.000-07:00

...Si deja sunt gata de plecare.Motive sunt multe si diverse.Deaceea voi pleca din nou dar fara detalii...
Unele lucruri la noi nu se vor schimba niciodata iar gandirea si stilul nostru de viata (ca si Natiune) este de neinteles.Cele mai recente shok-uri au fost urmatoarele:
-Alegerile lui Jiji ca europarlamentar!!!!!!!E clar.Noi nu suntem normali.Din 23 mil. de Rumani, noi il alegem pe Jiji???Jiji la Bruxelles???
-Am facut din Maical Jacson o icoana.De ce?Ca a cantat despre copiii saraci?Ca a zis ca bine altora? Mi se scarbeste cand vad cum il plangem pe unul care este...plastic 90% .Ma opresc aici.

E clar.Plec.
Welcome to Tzara lu'...(vezi poza alaturata:)

Good bye USA!!!

2009-07-05T20:56:00.000-07:00

In 7 ore din acest moment plec. Plec spre aeroport.Plec spre Romania.Astazi se incheie calatoria mea maXXXima in America de Sud si America de Nord.O calatorie care mi-a umplut inima de bucurie, speranta si multumire.Chiar daca bagajul este limitat, voi duce cu mine unele dintre cele mai frumoase amintiri ale vietii mele…
Astazi, 6 iulie 2009, decolez din Atlanta la 12,35pm.Apoi, vizitez pentru cateva ore New York-ul.De acolo zbor spre Bucuresti.In Romania sper sa ajung marti, 7 iulie…2009 
Nu sunt prea entuziasmat de intoarcerea mea in RO si de fapt de fiecare data entuziasmul meu legat de intoarcerea in RO scade.Ma voi intoarce atata timp cat voi avea motive suficiente. Diferentza o fac oamenii sau poate nu…

Aventura nu se incheie aici.Adevarata aventura abia incepe…

Good bye America! Untill next time :)

Happy 4th of July America! Happy Freedom day!

2009-07-05T13:15:00.000-07:00

Despre America am tot auzit si auzim mereu la TV, radio, in ziare etc.
Imi amintesc ca bunicii ne povesteau cum au asteptat 50 de ani sa vina Americanii si in locul lor au venit...rusii.
U.E.si altii ne zic astazi ca Americanii sunt o super putere ce vrea sa domine intreaga lume, ca sunt inculti, ca stiu doar sa manance si sa se uite la fotbal american...
Ce cred eu despre Statele Unite ale Americii?
Este una dintre cele mai frumoase tari de pe glob.Spun acest lucru ca o persoana care a vizitat 18 tari pana in prezent.Este una dintre natiunile care ani la rand a fost si a ramas in multe aspecte un exemplu in democratie, economie, afaceri, sport, disciplina personala si multe altele.America este leaganul libertatii.
Am cunoscut America intalnind si lucrand cu oameni din diverse paturi sociale ale USA, am cunoscunt America vazand personal diverse parti ale ei si traind experiente unice aici.
Este normal sa ne formam o parere in functie de informatia pe care o avem.Totusi, ce facem cand sursa de informare este alterata? Oare nu cumva media promoveaza doar aspectele negre ale Americii? Des am vazut ca intreaga lume incearca sa arate cu degetul doar la greselile facute de Americani.Este adevarat ca s-au facut greseli(asa cum si guvernantii din Romania fac multe prostii), este adevarat ca in America exista inculti (asa cum si in Romania exista analfabeti), este adevarati ca USA se implica in actiuni militare departe de granitele SUA(orice Natiune care ar fi fost super putere ar fi facut la fel si va asigur ca nu va doritzi o super putere ca si China sau Iranul.Sa vedeti atunci "libertate")...
Nu voi putea include in acest post toate adevarurile si lucrurile din spatele scenei legate de USA.Postez doar cateva:
-America a setat baremul democratiei si libertatii pe culmi neatinse de nici o alta Natiune
-America este tara care acorda cel mai mult ajutor altor Natiuni
-America este tara in care f.multi dintre cei mai inteligenti oameni ai planetei au reusit sa isi puna visele in aplicatie

...Uneori poate avem impresia ca fara noi si fara Romania, aceasta lume ar fi ramas in Epoca de Piatra dar sunt sigur ca toti oamenii cu IQ decent considera aceasta doar o gluma buna:) Din cauza asezarii geopolitice, a spiritului nostru si ale altor lucruri, noi ca si Natiune nu avem un cuvant prea greu de spus pe Mapamond.Ceea ce putem face este sa invatam de la alte Natiuni cum putem fi mai buni.Cum putem ajunge la stele.

Pe parcursul vizitei mele in USA am vazut anul acesta, 2009, inceputul declinului acestei Natiuni extraordinare.Motivele sunt diverse dar realitatea e clara:SUA incepe sa nu mai fie ceea ce a fost si deaceea incepe sa decada.

Ieri, 4 iulie, am sarbatorit cu prieteni dragi Ziua Independentei.Da, am mancat multe bunatati, am povestit, am ras, ne-am uitat si am aruncat artificii si petarde.Nu exista loc mai potrivit pentru a sarbatori Ziua Indepedentei USA decat in USA.
America isi pierde pozitia de super putere fiindca isi schimba valorile pe care a fost cladita aceasta tara cunoscuta ca si "Land of the Free.Home of the Brave"

Principiile si valorile tale te pot duce spre stele sau te pot ruina.Eu vreau sa ajung la stele.Tu?

Rock climbing ROCKS!

2009-07-04T11:31:00.000-07:00

Ieri am facut rock climbing(catzarare pe stanci).Rock climbing-ul este un sport al corpului dar si al mintii.Imi plac provocarile de a atinge culmi noi si ...imposibil de atins:)
Impreuna cu cativa prieteni am mers in Alabama, la Sand Rocks unde am petrecut intreaga zi.Peisaj superb.Vreme excellenta.Companie adevarata.
Am escaladat cateva portiuni.Ultima a fost cea mai grea fiindca avea "acoperis"-loc unde poti urca doar folosing muschii mainilor si degetele.
Am fost singurul din gashka noastra care a ajuns pana sus.Am batut un nou record...

On the top of the World, baby!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Depasind imposibilul nu este imposibil...

Bradon era cel care ma asigura.E o senzatie ciudata cand stii ca viatza ta kiar e in mainile altcuiva.

Rusty aka "The Pan" este maestrul nostru, Yo' aka "Machu Piccu" si Bradon aka "Michael Phelps".Prietenii stiE de ce ;)

Don't stop at the top.Reach for the stars...
Cheers!

Georgia Aquarium(Atlanta)-the largest in the World

2009-07-03T20:33:00.000-07:00

Zilele trecute am facut o multime de lucruri interesante: am vizitat downtown Atlanta si am petrecut un timp duper HOT:) apoi am mers la un parc de diXtractii aquatice numit WhiteWater si am testat toate toboganele de acolo,ieri am fost in Alabama unde am facut rock climbing la greu.
Azi insa, voi posta cateva poze de la vizita pe care am facut-o la Aquarium-ul din Atlanta, cel mai mare din lume...
Georgia Aquarium este situat in inima Atlantei,USA (in apropiere de the World of Coca Cola, CNN ---pe care le-am vizitat).Are peste 31,000 m2 de apa si este casa la 120.000 de animale si animalutze marine reprezentate de 500 de specii.A fost constuit pe 81.000 metri2 in urma donatiei de 250 milioane de dolari din partea fondatorului lantului de magazine Home Depot pe nume Bernie Marcus.In 2001 Bernie si sotia sa au decis construirea Aquariumului din Atlanta.Ei au vizitat 56 de aquariumuri din 13 tari inainte de a face design-ul celui mai mare Aquarium din lume...Mai multe puteti afla daca dati click aici
Cuvintele nu pot descrie fascinatia pe care o traiesti vazand totul ce are de aratat Georgia Aquarium.Nu este prima mea vizita aici dar de fiecare data mai descoper ceva nou si interesant.Niciodata nu ma pot satura sa privesc adancul Oceanului pe care-l gasesc aici...
Surpriza deosebita pe care am avut-o a fost ...Titanicul.In cadrul Aquariumului din Atlanta a fost organizata o expozitie temporara in care se pot vedea/vizita parti ce au ramas din faimosul vas "Titanic".Am fost pe Titanic.Este ceva incredibil.

Acesta este locul meu preferat din tot Aquariumul...Este de vis...

Trecand prin Tunelul Rechinilor...

Pestele Piranha---"Pofta Buna si Sarbatori Fericiti":)

Some dreams can be touched...

My dreams will go on...

DiXtractie la MaXim 3.0---Tubing

2009-06-30T09:02:00.000-07:00

Toate bune si frumoase.Aproape toate:) Kneeboarding-ul, waterski-ul au fost tari de tot dar nebunia mare a fost...tubing-ul.Nu stiu unde a fost inventat si de ce dar e MOR-TAL!!!!Mortal si in sensul direct fiindca pana in Iulie, 2006 au fost inregistrate 36 de accidentari grave in urma practicarii acestui sport(fractura de gat, coaste rupte, plamani perforati si altele).Relax, nu a murit nimeni:)
Tubing-ul este calarirea unui cauciuc:
-pe apa in urma unei barci cu motor
-pe rau, pluting in liniste
-pe zapada,mergang la vale
Le-am facut pe toate 3 dar pozele de mai jos sunt cu cea mai eXXXXXtrema experienta de tubing!!!

Let the party begin!!!

Acel cauciuc incepe sa zboare la manevrele facute cu o barca ce merge cu 80km/ora.Este super super tare!!!!!!

Dan era co-echipierul meu.Avea mai multa experienta (si kg:) dar nu a rezistat Big Maple(asa se numea cauciucul nostru).Inertia isi spune cuvantul...

Zburam deasupra valurilor in timp ce barca noastra vace viraje nebune!!!

The Survivor.Yo'.

Life is good.Play hard.
Cheers!

DiXtractia la MaXim 2.0- Waterskiing

2009-06-29T06:52:00.000-07:00

Voi continua seria sporturilor nautice care imi plac la maXim cu -Waterskiing.
Skiul nautic este un sport inventat in Suedia in a.1841 Acest fapt in sine mi se pare super tare.Ma intrebam cum au reusit suedezii sa inventeze un sport de vara?...Probabil, in timpul practicarii sporturilor de iarna:) Mai exact: skiind pe zapada des ajungeau pe lac.Lacul nefiind foarte inghetzat ceda si odata cu ruperea ghetzii...skiorii se trezeau pe apa.Au supravietuit doar cei ce au invatzat skiul nautic:)
In USA acest sport ajunge abia in 1922...

Flying above the water!

Fiindca imi place riscul...uneori ajung fatza in fatza cu realitatea uda :)

Aparent, totul se incheie cu un dus rece...

Lucrurile nu se termina aici.Asa ca imi regasesc zambetul si cu mai mult talent...

...Zbor din nou deasupra apei!!!!!!!

Do you wanna walk on the water?
Ask me how :)

DiXtractie la MaXim 1.0---Kneeboarding (USA)

2009-06-27T21:45:00.000-07:00

Viata are multe parti frumoase asa ca astazi voi vorbi despre Kneeboarding.
Kneeboarding (skiatul acvatic pe genunchi) este un sport nautic inventat in Carolina de Sud(USA) in a.1965.Abia in a.1988 a devenit un sport acreditat de Asociatiile Sportive Internationale.
Acum 2 zile cativa prieteni din Atlanta m-au invitat sa mergem pe lacul Lanier, sa ne plimbam cu barca superba pe care o au si sa ne DiXtram la MaXim practicand sporturi nautice.Primul sport a fost kneebording-ul.Nu am mai facut niciodata asa ceva dar...

A fost super tare!

Am mers kiar si cu spatele si am facut si cateva piruete...

Fiindca nu toate "skemele" imi ieseau din prima, din cand in cand mai faceam si "cascadorie acvatica" :)

Chiar daca nu faceam fatza unor valuri si cadeam, ma ridicam si iarasi zburam deasupra apei insa cu mai multa fortza si indemanare.

Life is good.Kneeboarding rocks!!!!

Back in good old USA

2009-06-27T06:29:00.000-07:00

De cateva zile m-am intors in America de Nord.Sunt in Altanta si ma bucur de fiecare clipa aici.In urma calatoriei mele in Peru, printre altele, m-am intors si cu inca 2 nick name-uri:”Gringo”---din partea Peruanilor si “Machu Picchu” ---din partea prietenilor mei Americani Detalii in privat.

Aici in USA ma bucur de prieteni, de verdeatza, de caldura, de apa, de mancare…Da, in Peru e o alta lume unde foarte des viata nu este prea roz pentru locuitorii ei.Despre o alta fatza a Americii de Sud si in special despre o alta realitate din Peru voi reveni in curand.Da, in Peru exista 2 extreme si distanta dintre acestea este foarte mare…

Statele Unite ale Americii.O tzara pe care o iubesc.O iubesc pentru multe motive.Totusi, prefer sa le pastez doar pentru mine asa ca nu le veti gasi descrise aici.
Dupa perioada de “tacere” am decis sa fiu mult, mult mai selectiv in subiectele si lucrurile postate pe blog. Voi fi mult mai discret cu aspectele personale.
Pe de alta parte, voi fi mult mai direct in alte aspecte. In ultimile luni mi “s-a luat” de multe lucruri care ne-au infectat societatea, cercul de prieteni, colegi si poate chiar vietile…Despre astea si multe altele vor scrie fara cenzura…

Viata este scurta.Cum imi traiesc eu viata?....Dar tu?...

Mancarea in Peru...Yummy!!!

2009-06-22T20:33:00.000-07:00

Fiindca si Peruvianii sunt oameni- mananca si ei.Mananca tot ce mishca...Aproape tot ce mishca.Delicatesea casei este Purcelusul de Guineea la gratar(vezi foto).Eu eram hotarat sa gust din acest deliciu dar la solicitarile pretenilor mei a trebuit sa renunt.Regret profund dar data viitoare nu-mi mai scapa nici un Purcelus de Guineea.
De ce? Ideea e simpla:
-I se zice Purcelus sau Porcusor (de Guineea).Deci daca e "porcusor", nu are cum sa nu fie bun.
-E facut la gratar.Aproape orice e facut la gratar trebuie sa fie bun.
-Unii zic ca are gust de iepure, altii zic ca are gust de carne de vita.Nimeni nu a murit dupa ce a mancat un animalutz asa de dragutz.
Exista doar 2 dezavantaje.Primul dezavantaj este ca arata ca un...shobolan la gratar.Totusi, daca tinem cont de zicala inteleapta ca "Aparentele inseala" atunci cred ca e numai bun de mancat.
Al doilea si ultimul argument ar fi ---Cum sa iti mananci prietenul? Sa fim seriosi, dragilor.Kiar ma gandeam de cate ori ne-au "mancat" pe noi asha zisii "prieteni" (prietene) de-ai nostri(de-ale noastre) sau in cel mai bun caz ne-au bagat cutzitul in spate??? Este o alta poveste asha ca voi comenta la acest subiect cu o alta ocazie...poate.
Sa revenim la mancare.
Bucataria Peruviana este considerata a 2-a bucatarie cu cea mai buna mancare din lume (dupa bucataria Franceza).Au o mancare de milioane:tot felul de bucate din diverse legume, fructe,carne.Yummy!Este super buna! Vorba vine ca "e de milioane" fiindca preturile sunt super ok.Uneori chiar mi s-a parut ieftina.
Am mancat multe fructe cu gust excellent.Unele au fost aduse direct din jungla.La unele nici nu le stiam numele dar erau delicioase.
In Peru in multe aspecte exista 2 extreme.Aceste 2 etreme exista si in mancare.Mancarea pregatita pe strada nu era deloc atragatoare si am considerat-o chiar riscanta.Motivul principal era mizeria de pe strada si gunoaiele din jur.Mancarea pregatita in locuri curate si salubre era un deliciu.
Nu ratati mancarea Peruviana cand aveti ocazia si nu uitati ca "Aparentele inseala" fie ca e vorba de purcelusi sau... oameni/"oamene" (Mai ales "oamene"!:)

¡Buen provecho!
ps.In meniurile din Peru, Purcelusul de Guineea era tradus ca si "Coy".

Poze.Personale.Peru.

2009-06-19T19:56:00.000-07:00

Transportul in Aventura PERU...pte

2009-06-18T20:32:00.000-07:00

Transportul in Peru?O NE-BU-NI-E!!!
Dupa ce am vazut cum se circula in Peru, am impresia ca Romania este un fel de Germania iar soferii din Romania sunt cei mai disciplinati soferi de pe Mapamond.
Eu am vazut multe la viata mea dar traficul din America Latina l-as trece la categoria "sport extrem".
-Despre moto taxi.Oricine poate conduce aceste moto triciclete.Nu ai nevoie de permis.Senzatia de a merge in ele este super tare.Te bucuri ca ai ajuns la destinatie in viata!!!Din punct de vedere tehnic, sunt... varza,motor slab, incheieturi invekite.Oricum,merita sa aveti aceasta experienta!Este...de neuitat. Prietenii stiu de ce :)
-Despre masini.In general au masini super veki.Am vazut si cateva Lada din anii '70Nici o Dacie dar o multime de Tico.Aceste masinutze sunt la mare cinste acolo.Bine, sunt perfecte pentru marimea peruanilor.Intr-un Tico incap lejer vreo 5-6 peruani.Peruanii...stiu de ce :)
-Despre biciclete.Au un fel de triciclete cu care duc orice:marfa, oameni, produse.Te ajuta sa scapi de kilogramele in plus dar poti sa iti pierzi si... viata.Triciclistii stiu de ce:)
-Despre avioane.Companiile aeriene de baza sunt LAN PERU si STAR PERU.Au avioane super faine si moderne.Stilul lor de customer care insa este foarte ...latin.Daca nu confirmi biletul cu o zi inainte te poti trezi ca ti-au anulat biletul.Des accepta overbooking(rezervare exagerata)si apoi anuleaza la greu.Nu prea te poti baza pe zborurile lor.Nu sunt punctuali.
-Despre haos si saracie.Eu sunt o persoana ordonata si organizata.Consider acestea niste calitati de baza ale oricarei persoane...Unii nu le vor intelege niciodata dar...
Ma shokeaza legaturile direct proportionale ale saraciei, haosului si dezordinii.Incepand de la haosul in trafic, in guvernare, in administrarea timpului si terminand cu organizarea de zi cu zi.Cum e traficul in tarile civilizare si bogate? Ordonat.Cum e condusul in tarile in curs de dezvoltare? E VARZA!
Sesizati legatura? De ce?...
...Prietenii stiu de ce:)

Vizita lacului Titicaca-adica Aventura PERU...pte (4)

2009-06-16T20:44:00.000-07:00

Despre lacul Titicaca ca caracter :) pot sa spun ca nu este o cacofonie geografica ci un alt loc uimitor al Planetei noastre create de un Dumnezeu mare.
Titicaca in limba Catchua (dialect Inkas) se traduce asa titi=Puma; kaka=stanca.Adica "Stanca Pumei".
Lacul Titicaca tradus de unii cercetatori ca si "Lacul Frumos" este situat la altitudinea de 3.821 m.Din 1862, deţine totuşi recordul mondial al celei mai înalte căi navigabile din lume pentru nave de mare tonaj. De asemenea, este şi cel mai mare lac din America de Sud, având o suprafaţă de 9710km².
Situat în podişul andin Altiplano, înconjurat de Anzii Cordilieri la graniţa dintre Peru şi Bolivia, Lacul Titicaca are o adâncime medie cuprinsă între 140 şi 180 m, atingând maxima de 280 m. Partea de vest a lacului aparţine regiunii peruane Puno, iar cea estică departamentului bolivian La Paz.
Mai mult de 25 de râuri se varsă în Titicaca. Lacul are 41 de insule, unele dintre ele dens populate.
Impreuna cu cativa prieteni am vizitat 2 insule dintre aceastea.Partea cea mai fascinanta este ca toate insulele sunt...plutitoare.Da, sunt formate din multe straturi de stuf si plutesc.Pentru a nu se deplasa spre Bolivia, sunt ancorate.Familii intregi de bastinasi locuiesc pe aceste insule,ocupandu-se cu pescuitul si turismul.
E o senzatie ciudata cand cobori de pe barca pe aceste insule fiindca simti cum te i-a "valul".Bastinasii sunt foarte saraci dar prietenosi...
De aici, mai aveam o aruncatura de batz si vreo 100km pana in Bolivia.Daca nu eram constrans de un numar de zile limitate, plecam si spre Bolivia cu Jacob si Kelly...

ps.Legat de mancare.La multiplele solicitari ale prietenilor mei, nu voi manca Purcelus de Guinea de aceasta data.Next time.

Aventura PERU..pte (3)

2009-06-13T18:17:00.000-07:00

Azi l-am vazut pe cel mai ¨macho¨dintre toti picii.L-am vazut pe Machu Picchu si a fost ...WOW! Nici mai mult,nici mai putin.Super-super tare!!!
La acest oras misterios al Inkasilor (si una dintre cele 7 minuni ale lumii)se poate ajunge doar cu trenul.Nu sunt alte cai de acces.Asa ca la 6am eram in Gara din Poyos(un orasel langa Cusco)si ma imbarcam cu alti turisti spre o super calatorie.Erau turisti din toata lumea dar in special din USA, UK, Franta, Germania si Israel.Lume de toate felurile si culorile.
Trenul a fost f.comfortabil si curat.Ne-au servit micul dejun si timp de 3 ore am admirat peisajul din jur.Trecand printre vaile si peste rauri (cunoscute doar de Inkasi acum multi ani) nu ma puteam dezlipi de geam.Printe munti se auzea doar zgomotul locomotivei ce scotea fum negru...
Cand am ajuns la destinatie, a trebuit sa luam un autobuz si am mers vreo 20min.Apoi, am urcat vreo 15 minute si in final l-am vazut in toata splendoarea-Machu Picchu.
Misterul acestui oras nu a fost descoperit inca nici azi.Este considerat patria Inkasilor.Stucturile de piatra au fost ridicate in sex.XV dar descoperite abia in 1900 de catre un explorator American.Un taran din apropiere i-a zis de niste ruine fascinante undeva in munti.Acest explorator a mers sa vada ruinele descrise de taran si asa a fost descoperit singurul oras ramas intact al Inkasilor.Invadatorii Spanioli niciodata nu au reusit sa il gaseasca iar Inkasii l-au parasit pentru a nu fi distrus de colonisti...
Pozitionarea, arhitectura, conexiunile, rezistenta lui Machu Picchu il face fascinant chiar si astazi cand suntem in era super moderna...
Nu voi putea sa va descriu in cateva randuri totul ce am vazut azi.
Apoi, in 1 ora plec mai departe.Merg spre lacul Titicaca sa vad insulele plutitoate.
Ah, ieri cand plecam sa mananc Porcusor de Guinea un prieten Peruan mi-a zis ca ei nu mananca Porcusori de Guinea inainte de culcare.Asa ca am mancat...friptura de Alpaca (un gen de Lama) si a fost buna de tot!

Aventura PERU...pte (2)

2009-06-12T16:48:00.000-07:00

Se pare ca aventurile se tin lantz de mine iar adrenalina nu scade nici un pic.Va scriam din Arequipa cu cateva ore inainte de a pleca spre Cusco.Bine, plecam cu autocarul dar la vreo 200 km de Cusco...drumurile erau blocate din cauza manifestatiilor de strada.Asa ca mi-am luat ruxacul si am decis sa ma deplasez mai departe singur(nu se stia cand se vor debloca drumurile iar eu nu aveam timp de stat).Initial am mers pe jos si am trecut bariera de oameni si pietre de pe drum.Apoi, am mers cu motocicleta cu inca in tip si o tipa(ambii peruani).Apoi, am luat-o pe scurtaturi schimband 2 masini(am stat in portbagaj cu inca 2 persoane).In final am mers intr-un fel de maxi taxi cu o multime de peruani.Eram singurul Gringo (asa zic ei celor cu pielea alba si ...Ma distreaza cand ii aud pe strada pe copii aratand cu degetul spre noi si zicand ¨Solo Gringo!!!¨)
Pe la 11am am ajuns in Cusco.M-a intalnit un prieten si m-a ajutat sa ajung la hotel.Apoi mi-am luat biletul de tren pt.maine.Maine merg la Maccu Picchu.La el se poate ajunge doar cu trenul si apoi bus sau urcat.Apoi am facut niste tururi pe aici si am vazut orasul si diverse ruine ale Inkasilor.Imi place ca aici taxiul costa 3 soles (1 USD) indiferent unde vrei sa mergi.
Fiindca Cusco e la vreo 3.000 m deasupra marii,unii au rau de la altitudine.Eu sunt super ok si sanatos chiar daca am mancat...multe lucruri interesante.Apropo de mancare,in seara aceasta merg sa mananc porcusor de Guineea la gratar.Apoi la somn, ca maine trenul pleca(cu sau fara mine la 6,37am..dar mai bine cu mine).

Toata ziua de maine o voi petrece la Macchu Picchu.

Aventura PERU...pte (1)

2009-06-11T16:50:00.000-07:00

Miercuri seara la 9pm urcam intr-un autocar al companiei Peruane ¨Cruz del Sur¨ www.cruzdelsur.com.pe Stiam ca ele sunt faine din exterior dar niciodata nu as fi crezut ca ele vor fi cele mai faine autocare cu care am calatorit vreodata.De ce?Sunt Volvo, tip Marcopolo, au 2 etaje super confortabile(am avut loc la etaj, kiar la ¨parbriz¨)Au TV,aer,WC si kiar internet wirelles.Seara, o stuardesa ne-a servit cina iar dimineata pranzul.Am vazut si 2 filme.Ce sa mai, exact ca in avion doar cu mai multe...turbulente.De fapt, kiar mai tare decat in avion fiindca seara am jucat Bingo cu tot autocarul.Ni s-a dat cartonase si stuardesa zicea niste cifre.O tipa a castigat un bilet gratuit retur Lima...
La urcare am fost verificati ca la aeroport iar un ¨bodyguard¨ne facea poze tuturor.Bineinteles ca am zambit ca sa iasa poza bine.Toate astea sunt masuri de siguranta.
Cele 14 ore petrecute in bus kiar au fost super super tari.Am mers pe Panamerican Highway, de-a lungul Coastei Pacificului.Apoi am trecut printre dune imense de nisip, ore prin desert si munti abrupti de-ti taia respiratia...Senzatia si peisajul au fost de zile mari...
Am ajuns in Arequipa- al 2lea oras ca marime are Peru.Aici este Tara Canyoanelor.Cel mai mare Canyon se afla in apropiere.Am intarziat cateva ore fiindca exact azi in Arequipa are fost niste manifestatii de strada destul de violente si politia nu permitea nici unui transport sa intre in oras.Totul e bine.
In 1 ora plec spre Cuzco iar deacolo cu trenul spre Machu Pichu...
Maine dimineata sper sa-l vad pe ¨piciu¨.

Am plecat.

Baby, I am back

2009-06-10T15:46:00.000-07:00

Au trecut 6 luni de cand am decis sa nu mai postez nimic pe blog.Motivele vi le spune cu alta ocazie...poate.
Am revenit on line pentru putzinii mei prieteni adevarati si oameni care imi sunt dragi...
Sunt in Peru la vreo 12.000 km de Romania si sunt fascinat de fiecare clipa petrecuta aici.Intr-o ora voi pleca spre Lima de unde voi pleca in una dintre cele mai traznite calatorii.Ce voi face? Voi calatori spre Machu Picchu cu unul dintre autocarele locale.Ma voi opri in cateva orase si locuri super tari.Voi vizita lacul Titicaca si altele....Puteam merge cu avionul dar adrenalina nu se compara:) Nu stiu cand voi avea acces on line dar probabil voi mai posta din cand in cand.
Mi-a venit taxiul asa ca...Adios!

Sper sa ne vedem vii si sanatosi!

I will be silent and …

2008-12-02T13:03:00.000-08:00

“Silence is the most powerful scream...”

Hello all, it has been a while since I wrote some posts here. I don’t know when I’ll write again. Sometimes I will... Sometimes I’ll be back…
Probably for a while I will be silent and invisible. I realized I wasted words and trust. Probably I was too naïve and believed. Believed in what? I have no idea…
Don’t worry, in the “real life” I will be as fine as always. Maybe most of the time I’ll tell you that I am doing “excellent!”. Apparently... But, actually, it doesn’t matter. We all are fake.

Enjoy the silence.....................................

Alaska...I miss You...

2008-11-20T01:12:00.000-08:00

“To the lover of wilderness, Alaska is one of the most wonderful countries in the world.” John Muir

Yes, I do miss the fascinating land of Alaska. I do miss the wilderness, the life,the freshness of everything around, the beauty of Creation,the glaciers, the leafs, the silence and freedom of spirit...
I do miss the dreams I believed in, the people I trusted and Worlds I conquer.

This video was made by some of my friends.They are not professionals but they are crazy.
I've been in every place you will see in this video and done all things they've done in this video...Almost all things.

Alaska is addictive.Don't go there! :)

American Elections

2008-11-03T10:11:00.000-08:00

" I am not excited about John McCain but I'm voting against Barack Obama..."

These is a sentence that a good American friend of mine told me today.
The two candidates have two different philosophies - Obama believes in big government, that government is better at taking care of the majority of individuals, and that "redistribution" of wealth is a good thing - and that America needs to be changed "fundamentally". McCain is a moderate that leans to the right and believes in government, but believes that individuals and private companies do a better job of dealing with money than the government. His big thing is that the government needs to spend less and not grow in size.
Tomorrow, November the 4Th, the USA will vote for a new President.Whom would I vote for? John McCain.
Above all, I'm not ready to hear:"The President of the USA, Barack Hussein Obama!".He is a sneaky guy.I just pray that God would continue to bless the USA.

Voters demand Tony Boncev

2008-10-23T10:43:00.000-07:00

Those of you who know me,know also the fact that usually I don't share too much personal info.I've got my reasons.
Well, I decided it's time to share some things about me.Check this video and news:
http://www.tsgnet.com/pres.php?id=46832&altf=Upoz&altl=Cpodfw

Best Wishes to all of You!

My Next 30 years...

2008-10-14T03:26:00.000-07:00

It's just a cool song that made me smile.Can't tell You why... :)

The Best Birthday Party ever!!!

2008-10-13T05:19:00.000-07:00

"The only way to have a friend is to be one..." Ralph Waldo Emerson

I am back to Bucharest, Romania and I am already overlwhelmed by so many extraordinary surprises.
As soon as I landed at the Intl Otopeni Airport, got my luggage and was making my way out…I met 4 dear friends that were waiting for me. I was expecting only one of them. The other 3 joked with me saying:" It’s good seeing you but we are actually waiting for somebody else". I took their word for good and said it’s ok, don’t worry, I’m not going to keep them busy too long. So, after greeting them I got my luggage and left. Only 3 days later I found out that they really came to… welcome me. I felt so bad. I am unworthy of such a privilege and honor. Thank You Alex! Thank You Mihai cel Roman! Thank You Cipri! Thank You Dan!
On October 11th I had my Birthday! It was the best ever! Well, first of all because it started on the 10th and ended on the 12th of October:) Second, my friends had planned the most amazing surprise I ever had. I am pretty hard to surprise as I am detailed oriented and usually I figure it out when something is cooking. Then I kind of stopped believing in good surprises but…
On October 11th there were about 40 young people who met meet, sang Happy B-day to me and hugged me. There is nothing else on the Planet that I need.
This day was worth waiting 120 days. Being about 9.000 km away I kept thinking of my friends. Will they still be here? Will they still remember my name? I realized more then ever how important is each and every one of them to me. How special are they. But more then everything I realized that I’ll give the entire World for my friends.

Thank you for being my friend!

Leaving the USA today

2008-10-07T06:22:00.000-07:00

“...Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” Mark Twain

Yep, that's me:Explore.Dream.Discover. My 2008 USA trip is over and in less then 7 hours I'll be boarding in a huge plane to leave the USA, Home of the Brave and Land of the Free.My itinerary is Atlanta-Amsterdam-Bucharest.In about 15 hours I'll be back in Bucharest,Romania.

Am I sad? Am I happy? I've got mixed fillings but probably more on the sad side.Why? I am excited to go back and see the people that I missed and missed me, then people that I missed but have not missed me.Of course I'll have to see the people that I have not missed, too :)

Do I miss Romania? Nope.Actually I love it here very much.What still brings me back to Romania are people, several wonderful people that I missed.I don't really miss places but I do miss people.I am thankful that in my life I have several people that I'll give the Word for them.

After almost 4 month in the USA I am going back to the real World.My mission here is accomplished for the moment.

I'll be in Romania as long as my reasons and special friends will be there.If for some reason these things will be gone...I can hop in the plane the next day and go Explore.Dream.Discover.

Until next time, USA!

Only 3 days left

2008-10-03T19:57:00.000-07:00

"My favorite thing about the United States? Lots of Americans, one America..." Val Saintsbury

It maybe sounds funny but it is so true.The power of the USA is in it's unity in diversity.

I love America.Every day here was and is a lesson of a blessing, of positive thinking, of courage, of freedom, of success, of incredible dreams and goals...

In 3 days I'll leave this Land until next time when my path will bring me back. Yes, I'll miss it. Yes, I am sad that I have to leave but I'll be back.

My feelings are mixed:I am so sad to leave my wonderful friends here but I am so happy I'm gonna see my beloved friends I have in Romania.I have few very special reasons and people I so excited I'm gonna see after many weeks!

I need to keep moving.For me, life indeed is an exciting trip.My next destination?

...Romania.Eastern Europe.

One of the cooles compliments

2008-10-02T22:44:00.000-07:00

"A compliment is verbal sunshine” Robert Orben

"Very intelligent, has an accent and smells very well" ---this was the way that recently I was introduced by somebody to a group of people. I was presented in many great ways but I really enjoyed the most recent one.Why? I really enjoyed the "smelling" part especially because it was a remark made by a Lady, a young Lady, or as I consider her "one of the Sweeties":)

Actually, I have never realized that a Man with accent and smelling very well can be a weakness for a woman.I like it.When she/they were asked:"How does he smells?" one of the Sweeties said:"...He smells like goodness...". Wow.I like that.

The coolest part is that I am not even using my "heavy artillery" but only the regular staff.

What is my favorite aroma? I love Sweeties that smell like...flowers :)

Cheers!

The World Traveller

2008-09-29T19:02:00.000-07:00

"The World is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page..." St. Augustine

I am back.No, not back to Romania,yet.Back on line.Since a wrote my last post I covered probably 3.000 miles.

OK, after I left Jr's Mansion in Dallas I went to Fort Smith,Arkansas where had a wonderful time. Then flue to Tennessee where spent few days.From Tennessee went to Lexington, Kentucky.From Kentucky went to Cleveland,Ohio.Then, Baltimore, State of Maryland.Later I went to Washington DC where spent about 1 week.Then went to Atlanta, Georgia.On the way there, I stopped by Fayeteville, North Carolina.

Now, I am Atlanta,Georgia.Will have few business meetings, will visit few friends and in 1 week will leave the Home of the Brave and the Land of the Free.

Yes, on October 7Th I'll leave the USA.

During this trip I visited 10 states of the USA and have a ton of exciting experiences.Made new friends and visited friends I already had.

In one day, in the day when I'll settle down...IF this will ever happen....I may write a book with all the places I have seen, people I met and all my experiences.Or maybe not.Often I think that people are more curious about our experiences then about ourselves.So...

Concurs Travela

2008-09-12T10:07:00.000-07:00

Mi-a placut concursul organizat de agentia de turism Travela Scrii cele mai interesante sfaturi despre calatoriile in destinatiile oferite de Travela si poti castiga o excursie de doua persoane la un hotel de patru stele, de la Sunny Beach. Concursul s-a incheiat.Mai multe puteti citi pe saitul lor.Mai jos gasiti sfaturile mele.

Pana acum am vizitat multe state din SUA si 14 tari din Europa.Asa ca mai jos va scriu cele 3 sugestii ale mele pentru calatorii eficiente si deshtepte in Europa si chiar in SUA:

-Daca va place sa calatoriti cu avionul, e bine sa va inscrieti inainte sa cumparati bilete de avion la programe de fidelitate ale companiilor aeriene cu care calatoriti.Astfel, pentru fiecare kilomentru/mila veti primi gratuit mile de fidelitate.Asa ca un numar de km acumulati...puteti pleca in vacanta gratuit! Intrebati Agentul vostru de turism despre "Air Miles Reward Program"

-O cale de a calatori ieftin si interesant prin Europa este si cu trenul.Cu EuroTrain puteti cumpara abonament de calatorii pentru a vizita 6 tari din Europa, 3-5 tari, 2 tari Europene, 1 tara sau o regiune.Deasemenea puteti cumpara abonement pentru turul Britaniei sau al Europei,puteti vizita zone specifice din Europa sau puteti cumpara un packet ce imbina trenul cu cateva zile de inchiriat masina.

Depinde de timpul si scopul calatoriei Dvs dar calatoriile si abonamentele cu http://www.raileurope.com/ sunt foarte convenabile!Vedeti mai multe cu mai putini bani si efort si...calatoriti ecologic:)

-Ca optiune de cazare tinerilor necasatoriti si iubitori de aventura le recomand youth hostelurile sau bed&breakfast-urile.Sunt cele mai ieftine optiuni de cazare.Unele sunt mai decente decat altele dar scopul principal este networking-ul cu diversi oameni din diferite tari si culturi.In youth hostelur-i sunt mult mai putzine fitze decat in hoteluri :)

Calatorie placuta si ...ramaneti cu ochii pe mine :)

ps.In curand revin in Romania

I have not met JR Ewing today

2008-09-02T00:02:00.000-07:00

"Always keep your friends close, but your enemies closer!" JR Ewing

Howdy partner! Do you remember the show "Dallas" with JR and his oil business? You must be pretty old to remember that:)

Dallas was a highly popular, long-running American prime-time television soap opera that originally ran from 1978 to 1991. It revolved around the Ewing family, a wealthy Texas family in the oil and cattle-ranching industries. The show debuted in April 1978 as a five-part miniseries on the CBS network, then was broadcast on that network for 13 seasons, from Saturday, September 23, 1978, to Friday, May 3, 1991.
Dallas was one of the most successful drama series ever made, and also one of the longest-running shows in American prime-time television history.

Today I visited JR's farm.It was so cool because it brought me some interesting memories.JR was not there.

After all my visit there I'll tell you 1 thing that shocked me:the mansion, the swimming pool and the South Fork Farm looks much bigger on the TV then in reality.

Cheers!

PS.In the picture I was enjoing the sun on the porch of the famous Ewing's mansion...

From Texas Jeeps to Louisiana's Aligators

2008-08-30T20:47:00.000-07:00

“Never insult an alligator until after you have crossed the river”
Cordell Hull, American US Secretary of state (1933-44)

Howdy from Louisiana! You know: New Orleans, Batu Rouge...Alligators, it's all here :)

I flu today in Shreveport,Louisiana. Today in the morning. Friends met me at the airport with some banners on which I could read:"Tony, bine ai venit in tara Louisiana!". It was very special.

In the evening had a party and about 20 friends and their family came.We visited,laughed and just had a great time.

The crazy part of the day was the trip to the Alligator's Farm.I got to see real alligators in their natural environment, how they feed them and so forth.Alligators live only in Florida,Louisiana and China.As you know everything made in China is cheap, so the real Alligators are those made in Florida and here,in Louisiana.

I got to take a picture with a baby alligator.He is 18 month old.The oldest one at the farm they have is 62 years.It was soooo cool!!!!

See you later...Alligator!

From cool Alaska...to hot Texas

2008-08-29T23:25:00.000-07:00

"There is a growing feeling that perhaps Texas is really another country, a place where the skies, the disasters, the diamonds, the politicians, the women, the fortunes, the football players and the murders are all bigger than anywhere else..."
Pete Hamill

OK, here I am: from the cool Alaska to hot Houston,Texas. Got here 2 days ago and had a super time: spent some time in a friend's Dental clinic(not for treatment!), went to a profesional baseball game on a Minute Maid stadium(Astro's game), went to a high school football game on the Reliant Stadium(the largest one here!It's huge!).Go Mustangs!

The coolest of all was..."Jeep-ing" on the beaches of Gulf of Mexico.Yep, from hiking the glaciers in Alaska to riding moster turcks on the hot sand of the beach down South Texas.It doesn't get any better then this, baby!

Love it.

Tomorrow, I am off. Next stop:Loisiana.

Bye bye Texas! You rock!

The 7 Craziest Days in Alaska---Day 7

2008-08-26T23:39:00.000-07:00

...I am heading for the Anchorage airport in less then 30 minutes.It's 10,30pm here and my flight leaves at 1am in the morning.It's a gonna be a long flight to Texas.

I am leaving Alaska in it's kind of hard to believe.I got to love this place more then I thought that I will.

Well, I am leaving but I'll take with me all my great experiences and memories,all my new and old friendships.

My Alaskan experience was the BLAST of my SUMMER!!!

The Adventure goes on.

Bye bye Alaska, the Great Land.Until next time:)

The Craziest 7 Days in Alaska---Day 6.(part 2)

2008-08-26T03:33:00.000-07:00

"Take a look at your natural river.What are you?Stop playing games with yourself.Where's your river going?Are you riding with it?Or are you rowing against it?..."

Frederick Frieseke, American born French Painter, 1874-1939

In the second part of the day I went whitewater rafting.Went on a 3 and 4 lever white water.The most dangerous is 5.The highest is 6 but nobody can ride it.Niagara Falls is a 6 :) Any volunteers?

We went rafting on Lion's Head where several rivers with cold glacier water create very ruff and fast currents.There were 2 rafts:one in the front, the life saver and then the group raft.

I was on the second one and I was one of the paddlers.We had to wear dry /water proof suits because if somebody falls in the water, the body can freeze in few minutes.Rafting on glacier water is different and more risky then in warm water.I love this crazy stuff!

It was amazing how important is was for all paddlers to pedal in the same rhythm when "the captain" told us too.It was interesting to see that me and we all had to face the waves as they come and hit our boat and not hide.It was incredible to see that when you are heading toward a big wave...you face it with force, you pedal and NOT let your boat float.Why?The whitewater are actually so powerful and go up the river.If you don't pedal, the stop you boat and then flip it over.

It was CRASSSSSSSSSSSSYYYYYYYYYY adventure!!!!!!!

Loved it to every second!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The End of Day 6

The Craziest 7 Days in Alaska---Day 6.(part 1)

2008-08-26T03:22:00.000-07:00

"You need special shoes for hiking... and a bit of a special soul as well"

Emme Woodhull-Bäche

Today I hiked the Matanushka Glacier with the pros aka the professionals.Our guide is Greg,a very cool guy.Yep, we had special hiking shoes and gear, crampons and everything else we needed to get deep inside the glacier.

As we advanced inside the glacier, the ice made mountain, the scenery was breath taking.The ice walls, crevasses, moraines and cracks in the ice were fantastic...

I have some many great pics from there but will post only one.What you see is ice only, except me :) I am real...still.

Nobody could ever stop the force of a glacier.It carves valleys and it moves mountains...

It's NOT the end of Day 6

The Crazyest 7 Days in Alaska---Day 5

2008-08-26T03:02:00.000-07:00

"In the past, those who foolishly sought power by riding on the back of the tiger ended up inside..." John Fitzgerald Kennedy, American 35th President 1961-63; 1917-1963

I have not rode a tiger.On Friday I rode a four wheeler with Mr.Fred, a friend.We went up on the Hatcher Pass, a beautiful area.Drove for many hours by little creeks and mud holes.Got up on the top of the mountain and drove those machines in tundra.It was so cool to see vegetation I read only in the books about and walk on the soft carpet of subarctic plants.

While travelling picked some blue berries.It was fun to discover the wilderness of Alaska and its mountains...

The End of Day 5

The 7 Craziest Days in Alaska---Day 4

2008-08-26T02:49:00.000-07:00

"A bad day of fishing is better than a good day of work"

Author Unknown

Yep, on Thursday I went fishing.The best river fishing is in Russian River and Kenay River.With a friend we went to the Russian River. I could not leave Alaska without catching a big big salmon. And I did.

I caught several.My line broke several timers, I lost few hooks but it was fun.

I got the biggest fish of the day, a Red Salmon. It was bigger then any fish my friend caught in that day and he is a pro.

We let all the fish go back into the river.Before coming and fishing in Alaska I could not understand the concept of fishing for fun.I knew:you catch fish to eat it.

Nope.You may fish for fun, for excitement.

I had a blast.A lot of FUN!

Now, I can proudly leave Alaska.I caught my fish of pride :) Ha!

The 7 Craziest Days in Alaska---Day 3

2008-08-26T02:30:00.000-07:00

"When men come to like a sea-life, they are not fit to live on land..."
Samuel Johnson, 1709-1784 British author

I took a cruise out of Seward with Kenay Fjords Tours and spend 7 hours on the Ocean and in the Resurrection Bay. I really wanted to see sea life and I got it.We all saw whales, puffins, sea lions and many other water creatures.Also we saw Ayalik Glacier and heard it's roar.Before an iceberg calves out of a glacier the sound you hear is like a thunder. The power of the nature is incomparable with humans power or wisdom.

The cruise was very cool as the ship was brand new and fancy, we served a delicious dinner there:grilled salmon, veggies, rice, desert and plenty of drinks.Also chat with some people I met there.

Sometimes,while in the Ocean the waves were huge.They were so big we almost could not see the mountains.Again, the nature's power is incomparable to ours.

The End of Day 3

The Craziest 7 Days in Alaska---Day 2

2008-08-26T02:15:00.000-07:00

“Glaciers are delicate and individual things, like humans. Instability is built into them.” Will Harrison

Before I got to Seward I spent a nigh in a very quite place, near Cooper Landing, in a friend's camper.I enjoyed the silence because soon I'll get back to the "Real World".

The next morning drove to Seward and on the way there, hiked to the Exist Glacier.Even Alaska has 100.000 glaciers, each of them is unique and beautiful. I have seen many glaciers but never got tired of them.I am fascinated when I am looking at gigantic mountains aka rivers of ice called glaciers...

The hike to Exit Glacier was easy.It's called Exit because this was the way the first explorers exit the ice field where this glacier starts.

I spent the rest of the day in Seward.It's a small town with really cool port.There is not too much to do in Seward except enjoy fine dining places, visit Sea Life Center, check the shops or take a cruise to see sea life and more glaciers.The main thing there is fishing.I think Seward is fishing heaven.

It's unREAL the fish I saw in the harbor.I watched the fishing boats coming in harbors and unloading the fish.Some fish were bigger then me.It costs about 265$ per person to have a private fishing experience on a fishing boat.

The End of Day 2

The Craziest 7 Days in Alaska---Day 1

2008-08-26T01:56:00.000-07:00

"Great things are done when men and mountains meet..."

William Blake

In less then 24 hrs I am going to leave Alaska after having here the greatest time of my life.

Last week was my week off and I got to play a lot.

So, last Monday I took a truck and drove down South to stop by Portage Valley.Met some friends I made here and told them bye.Took the cruise on the Portage Lake and saw Portage Glacier.It was fascinating.

Then took my back pack and hiked all the way to Byron Glacier.We came to Portage Valley all summer, bringing different groups and individuals but never got to hike all the way up to the Byron.

I really wanted to get there and touch his blue ice.I took me 3 hrs but I did it.

Then got in the car and head further down to Seward.

The End of Day 1

The Greatest Alaskan Treasure

2008-08-17T00:41:00.000-07:00

"Don't walk in front of me, I may not follow. Don't walk behind me, I may not lead. Just walk beside me and be my friend"

Albert Camus, French Novelist, Essayist and Playwright, 1957 Nobel Prize for Literature

In less then 2 weeks I'll leave Alaska. I spent here one of the BEST summers of my life. People use to come to Alaska for gold, today they come for oil, fun and so many other things.

I really didn't know much of what to expect when my plane was landing here after the longest trip I ever had. I didn't know much about Alaska and its people.

Looking back at every day of my time here I have discovered something I never thought I will find here. I discovered something more precious then gold or oil. Here in Alaska I made some of my best friends and I look upon time believing that many of the the friendships started here will last forever.

I thought about the friends I already have in Romania and in many other places. What keeps our friendship? There are people of different ages and social status, people who leave close by or far away that treasure so much our friendship.

Some say the distance kills a friendship.I disagree. A friend will be your friend in despite of any circumstance. A friend is someone who knows the song in your heart and can sing it back to You when you have forgotten the words. A friend is a giver, not only a receiver. That's a real friend.

I wish a could look into the future and know how many of my friends today will still be my friends maybe in...50 years.

Will You still be here?

Back from the North Pole

2008-08-10T01:49:00.000-07:00

"Harry Potter is like Santa Claus...he is soo REAL!"...

Yesterday got back from cool and crazy trip to Denali National Park, to Fairbanks, North Pole...

We had a blast!!!

The first night we camped on Denali campgrounds and then the next day we took a 9h bus ride in the park.It's incredible.We got too see all wildlife that lives there.

Near Fairbanks we saw the Trans Alaskan Oil Pipeline, then we went to the North Pole.

There I found Santa Claus and his wife, both in the same town.It was unreal and it brought me back to my childhood.Also Santa told me that he will bring me many good gifts this year.

Look forward to seeing you soon.. :)

Float plan ride and more...

2008-08-04T03:26:00.000-07:00

"Bikes and planes aren't about going fast or having fun; they're toys, but serious ones..."

Harrison Ford

Hello World, yeah, I am back.Was so busy that my blog was not a priority for me anymore. Actually many things are not a priority for me anymore. I just enjoy life and don't care about the rest.I know 1 thing:good things don't last long so I decided I'll enjoy every minute of it...

Yesterday I took a float plan ride.It was so cool.In the picture is the plane I flu in.

Take off water is very smooth and you feel no bumps.The flight was good as well and landing, excuse, "watering" was fantastic:)

We spent less then 1 hour in the air and I got too see a lot of cool stuff, wild life and cool landscape.

Tomorrow will be gone again.This time myself and 3 other colleagues of mine.We will go to Denali Park, one of The Parks of Alaska.We will go hiking, will visit lots of cool places and will camp there.Will be back in 4 days.

Cheers!

ps.Hopefully bears will not eat us:)

Vision makes the difference

2008-07-18T02:32:00.000-07:00

"Vision is the art of seeing what is invisible to others"

Jonathan Swift, Irish Author 1667-1745

People with great vision are the one who really make a difference in this World.I want to mention 2 names related to the history of Alaska:

1. William H. Seward -the US Secretary of State who arranged for the United States to purchase Alaska from Russia in 1867 for 7.2 million dollars, or 2 cents per acre.The United States acquired nearly 600,000 square miles. Opponents of the Alaska Purchase persisted in calling it “Seward’s Folly” or “Seward’s Icebox” until 1896, when the great Klondike Gold Strike convinced even the harshest critics that Alaska was a valuable addition to American territory.

2. Joe Redington, Sr. believed in The Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race.He believed that it can be done. Iditarod is the famous dog race.For more info click here

Visionaries believe in impossible and do incredible things.They are considered crazy for their days but only such people move the World forward.Your attitude determines your altitude.

Aim high.

My favorite hug

2008-07-09T23:34:00.000-07:00

" We need 4 hugs a day for survival.We need 8 hugs a day for maintenance.We need 12 hugs a day for growth.."

Virginia Satir, American Phychologist and Educator, 1916-1988

Today I got one of the sweetest hugs I ever got.It was the most sincere, the warmest, the most loving hug.Man, that hug melted me.It was from a sweet, little boy -Kevin.I never seen him before.It happened that I just helped to open the door for him and his mother.Then he gave me his little hand and asked me to help him to walk on the stairs.Then he wanted up in my arms so I picked him up and he gave me a hug.This 4 y.o. kid surrounded me with both of his hands and hugged me with so much love that I very unusual feeling stoke me.He laid his had on my shoulder and stayed like that for several minutes...Wow...I wish those minute would never end.

Yep, I am a hugger and I can't live without hugs.Small hugs, big hugs, half hugs, I'll take them all.

If you don't enjoy hugs as much as I do, you have not got a great hug yet.If you love hugs, please send me one ;)

Happy Birthday, America!

2008-07-04T00:47:00.000-07:00

"Liberty is the right to choose. Freedom is the result of the right choice. Freedom is never given. It is won"

I remember the day when we had our first free elections.I was concerned that the communists will win the elections so I asked my father:" Will the communism come back?" My father told me:"The communism will never come back in the way it use to be...When people taste FREEDOM, they will better die rather then live under oppression again."

He was right.The taste of freedom has the best taste ever.The GREAT Freedom is peace, joy, hope and victory.Are You free?

I love the USA and I always will. It's not Heaven and it's not the Wonderland because it is populated by people. Let's look at good things. The USA has always been the Home of Brave and Land of the Free. We can learn so much from good, old USA.

God Bless America! Happy July 4th!

A FREE Spirit :)

The Thunderbirds

2008-06-30T22:41:00.000-07:00

"Being a Thunderbird is intense and meticulous, but very few get the chance to flourish the colors of freedom in the way that we do. I believe if you get people to take pride in their country, they take pride in themselves. We carry the torch that lights the path for the next generation of airmen, citizens... and dreamers."
Lt. Col. Steve Andersen - Commander/Leader

Maybe many of You are wondering what am I doing here, in Alaska.Well, I am working with a team on some development,business and humanitarian aid projects. More details later...maybe :)
Was very busy in the last few days but got to have some fun. What kind of fun? Got to go to an Air Show where I got to see the famous "Thunderbirds". Personal opinion? It was WOW! I have seen some other Air Shows in other countries (including Russia) but Thuderbirds become my favorite. You can read more on Thunderbirds here
I have never seen airplanes flying more majestic and breathtaking that this team.Yes, it is a team and in their precision You can see the following values:Perseverance, Consistency, Challenge, Respect, Initiative, Character, Teamwork, Drive, Commitment, Visionary, Opportunity, Confidence. I learned to love and respect them. Their maneuvers were perfect. Just perfect.I have very high standards (in all meanings and in all areas:) and I will agree that they were perfect.
Beyond this show it was a lesson for me that each of our dreams CAN be accomplished by the values I mentioned above.

The Thunderbirds showed me that impossible IS possible. I believe again in my dreams.

"Moldovanz rullz"

2008-06-26T01:48:00.000-07:00

" Moldovanz rullz..."

Couple days ago I was standing at the arrival of the Anchorage International Airport, waiting for a group of people that I was assigned to meet.
Several airplanes landed and lots of people were coming out.
Suddenly, I heard somebody saying:" Shi fashiiii baiiiiiii....?" :) (aka "Ce faci mai?" or in English "How are you, dude?") I was shoked. They were not talking to me but one thing is clear- Moldovans made it to Alaska.

Moldovanz rulls:)
No comment.

ps.Later on I found out that they were few exchange students who came to work here for the summer.
I am a lucky dog ;)

Somebody like You

2008-06-21T23:36:00.000-07:00

" I wanna love somebody like You..." Keith Urban

I just love this song. It's so cool and I enjoy listening to it while travelling long miles on the Land of the Free and Home of the Brave-the USA...

Sing along.Life is good.

Bye-bye, summer

2008-06-20T11:21:00.000-07:00

"In summer, the song sings itself..."

Days in Alaska are incredible long.Often I found myself going and doing stuff and after many hours kind of getting tired by the end of the day.When looking at watch I was shoked to see that is actually 10,30pm or so and the sun is still up and shining.

I still can't get over Alaskan amaizing sunsets which during these days are usually at 11,45pm or midnight :) At 11,30 pm(in the evening!) the sun is bright and happy.In the mornings it comes up around 4am.Surely enought without blinds on your windows it may be hard to sleep.

Today, at 3,59pm the sun will reach its nothermost point above the celestial equator and we'll mark the official summer solstice.

Many calenars note the solstice by calling it the day of summer, but Alaskasn know better.Today at 3,59pm Alaska will make a U-turn and head straignt toward winter as days start getting shorter.

I love summer and sunshine.It just makes me happy.So, I'll enjoy it as much as I can.

Inside the Ice Dragon

2008-06-20T00:49:00.000-07:00

"Glaciers are delicate individual things, like humans.Instability is built into them..." Will Harrison

On Monday and Tuesday I had 2 days to play and have fun. So, I got my 4*4 truck and hit the road. In those 2 days I looked up for fossils(I did found them! Will tell you maybe next time), went to a reindeer farm,went to a musk ox farm and also have seen and got inside an amazing glacier, Matanuska Glacier.

So, what is a glacier?A glacier is a large, slow-moving river of ice, formed from compacted layers of snow, that slowly deforms and flows in response to gravity. The cool thing I found out on glaciers is that they actually move.

When I was walking on Matanuska glacier I felt like stepping on a Dragon, an Ice Dragon.You could hear his breath and hear water dripping, small parts of ice were melting and falling...Also You could feel his cold breath while walking on it...I tried to walk softly and not wake him up.It's a very strange and cool feeling.

A glacier is a river of ice.It's pretty irregular and it ends in a many small rivers and lakes.His shape changes every day.Also You will not see ice only, a glacier has small rocks and sometimes mud on it.The crystal clear ice is insider his heart.I got inside and touched his heart.No, I haven't broke his heart, maybe...melt it a little :)

Glaciers are such an incredible pieces of art created by our God.Don't miss a chance to see one.

"Bravo" Bucuresti, ai ales prost...tu

2008-06-17T01:26:00.000-07:00

Se pare ca am votat impotriva cuiva si nu pentru cineva.
Daca il iubiti asha de mult pe asha zisul Doctor, de ce nu l-ati ales acum cativa ani? Ah, atunci era cu PSD-ul. Azi, e independent si noi vrem oameni fara culoare politica chiar daca inafara de "independenta" nu prea mai pot nimic.
Cred ca si Vanghelie ar fi castigat daca era "catindat" independent. De fapt, kiar si oricine altcineva... fiindca ne este frica de culori.
"Bravo" Bucuresti, ai ales prost.Ai 4 ani sa te convingi.
Un "Dr."care nu e bun in lucruri mici, nu va fi bun nici in lucruri mari.Ati discutat vreodata cu cineva care il cunoaste personal de la spital pe "Dr. aka Primar"?Aveti habar ce "Manager " e?
Ah, nici nu mai zic de legaturile stranse cu vekiul regim.

"Dr."isi skimba freza, dar naravu'- ba.

Bucharest, have fun!

ps.Mai bine il alegeati pe Piedone, daca tot...

Go vote!

2008-06-14T10:31:00.000-07:00

"Voting is a civic sacrament.”
Theodore Hesburgh, American Clergyman, University President.

On Sunday, if You are Romanian, on the 15h of June You are expected to go vote. It's Your duty. Make this effort and express Yourself.
Again, all of "them" aren't good but choose the less bad one.If You choose to stay at home or ignore, later Your comments are useless.

I vote PD-L. I vote ORANGE.

Success!

Greatest fishing experience

2008-06-13T22:43:00.000-07:00

“Caution is a most valuable asset in fishing, especially if you are the fish....”

Today with several men I went fishing on Kenai river, right where it meets Russian river. Beautiful places. Just beautiful.
OK, let's get back to fishing.
Interesting and new facts from my perspective:
-Fishing here is a National sport and everyone loves it
-Ladies are also good fishermen, excuse me...fisherwomen :) Yeah, Alaskan girls are tough.Some have little style but I was surprised to meet some girls with great style and etiquette.
-You have to pay for licence to fish.It varies. A Salmon day fishing licence is $20
For the official info click here
-You are not allowed to take home more then 3 fish per day
-Each river and area has very strict own rules
-The "Fish patrol" is there.If you don't have the licence, they can take your car

Often, fishermen are considered liers. From now on I would look from a different perspective.Why? The truth they are saying it's relative. What you see in the picture is a fish, a salmon. For Romanian standards it's a big fish, for Alaskan standards it's a...small one.

So, You tell me if it's big or small...and I'll tell You where are You from :)

Crazy.Crazy.Crazy.

2008-06-10T21:21:00.000-07:00

"Love is like racing across the frozen tundra on a snowmobile which flips over, trapping you underneath...”
Matt Groening, American Cartoonist, creator of The Simpsons. b.1954.

These guys here in Alaska are crazy and I love it. I found out more about their passions and stuff they do. Check this video out and You will see what some of my friends do here in Alaska.
Honestly, that's what I want to do next...

Cheers!

Alaskan party

2008-06-09T08:12:00.001-07:00

"A friend is like an eagle; you don't find them flying in flocks..."

Yesterday I attended to a party.It was an Alaskan party. What makes it special? ....

It was in the middle of nowhere and everybody came there in their own airplanes. Yes, people have not drove there.All of them flu there.So, 9 airplanes, 6 dogs and lots of people were a great combination for good time. The host was a nice family who had over 500 square acres and a house there.So, they invited their friends over. Friends, food, music and good time made it a great time.

Austen is a 19 y.o. kid who has his own airplane.He has a pilot licence and and is a great pilot. He flu an airplane by himself when he was 15 y.o. but got his licence at 16 y.o.That's when the law allows you to take the exam. He is still in school but this year will go to college. He said flying is safer then driving and he loves it more.

I really enjoyed meeting over 30 nice people at this party but meeting Austen(see the pic) was the highlight of the day.

First impressions

2008-06-07T04:44:00.000-07:00

" A novel is balanced between a few true impressions and the multitude of false ones that make up most of what we call life..." Saul Bellow, American Novelist

I have been here, on Great Land only for few days but it seems to be a long time. Actually, like I have always been here. I fit in perfectly, the team I am working with is great: we work smart and we play hard.The projects are fun and have lots of adrenaline.

Few authentic impressions and info:

-Alaska is just one of the most beautiful places in the World and I have seen lots of places

-The temperatures are still pretty low. I feels like early spring.On the mountains near by there is still snow.When sunshine comes it's warm and toasty, when sun hides behind the clouds,it's chili.

-The farther you go in the wilderness the more amazing is the landscape

-Cell phone networks are available only in larger locations but you will find Internet even in the most remote areas.It's incredible.No,no cables there.It's satellite.

-The wealthy people live in Anchorage and made their money on oil, tourism, gold, fishing business.

Cheers from the Top of the World!

I just landed in Alaska!

2008-06-05T03:25:00.001-07:00

"To the lover of wilderness, Alaska is one of the most wonderful countries in the world..." John Muir

Less then 1 hour ago I landed safely on the International Airport in Anchorage. The views are just spectacular: beautiful mountains covered with snow, crystal clear lakes, calm Ocean, healthy green forest...It was an exciting trip:
-The longest day ever because I had daylight for 24 hours;
-The longest trip I ever made=29 hours; Bucharest-
Amsterdam-Atlanta(GA)-Salt Lake City(Utah)-Anchorage,AK.
-4 flights in a raw, over 22 hours in the air, almost 9.000 km distance;

When I got here few friends were already waiting for me at the Airport.It was nice to see smiley faces in a new world.
Well, I am messed up because we are probably 13 hours behind Romania.So, I landed here at 00,15 midnight(local time) while my Swiss watch was showing 11,15 am Romanian time.Go figure :)

I am so tired but can't go to sleep.My body clock tells me it's day time.Still, I am going to bed because tomorrow it's time to...Rock'n'Roll ;)

I vote ORANGE

2008-05-27T00:40:00.000-07:00

"Elections are won by men and women chiefly because most people vote against somebody rather than for somebody" Franklin Pierce Adams, 1881-1960(Journalist, Columnist,Translator)

On June 1st Romanians have a choise to make a choise. Each Romanian citizen over 18 years of age is invited to vote and choose the local authorities.

Do we vote against somebody or for somebody?

Ok, let's start with the asumption that ALL candidates are bad and corrupt.None of them is good.Still, one of them will win the elections.I can stay home and tell my neighbor how upset I am on authorities or I can go vote.

What choises do I have?

1. PSD-it's the red party.Ex communists.Do you miss them? Then vote for them.

2. PNL-yellow party. They are a mixture of ideeas. A small party with lots of money.

3. Independant candidates-cowboys. They will not change the world. Sooner or later they will have to find an agreement with the party who rulls.Othervise each will try to show how bad is the other side. Don't assume that IF they are independant, they will be great.

4.PD-L-orange party. It's the revolutionary color. Nope, they are not perfect but they are big and stong. They suport democratic values. They can acomplish things by themselves and already have done a lot. They support the President and I like him. He was very "incovenient" for many polititians.Hm, I am wondering why?...

I vote ORANGE.

Alaska=My Next Destination...

2008-05-22T14:12:00.000-07:00

"In terms of wilderness preservation, Alaska is the last frontier. Not in our generation, nor ever again, will we have a land and wildlife opportunity approaching the scope and importance of this one."- Morris Udall, U.S. Representative.

I am going to Alaska.Maybe forever.Maybe not.In fact, who cares? On June 4th I'll take off from Bucharest to live probably one of the longest days of my life.Why? There will be over 22 hrs of flying. Then, there, in Alaska, in Anchorage were I'll actually be staying for the next period of time,there will be no sunset,no sunrise.There will be sunshine 24/24 and I'll enjoy every bit of it.

The word “Alaska” is derived from the Aleut word “Alyeska” meaning "Great Land". It is the 49th state of the USA and it was purchased on October 18, 1867 from the Russians.Alaska is home to North America's biggest oil field.Also it is the home of the tallest mountain in North America, has over 800 active volcanoes...

More to come. I'm not gonna tell You now why I am going there.

No fear. Don't care. Push life to the limits of the last frontier...

No more "Mr.Nice guy"

2008-05-05T06:46:00.000-07:00

"Treat everyone with politeness, even those who are rude to you - not because they are nice, but because you are" ~Author Unknown

Yeah, right! "Be nice".
This is not going to be an interesting post.It's just an info post.It's not on Belgium or other good stuff of life...It's on the fact that the era of Gentlemen is over. Guys, give up this "nice"stuff, it's not worthy a cent. Manners, politness is for old generation and the weak. Not worthy your time and efforts.
You wanna be cool, interesting and all that? Then be rude, rigide, selfish and care less. Don't believe in the fair tales with Princesses...It's only in the fair tales...

The "good" part is that being rude is so easy!Check this out and don't ask me why.

No more "Mr.Nice guy"

About my trip to Bruxelles

2008-04-20T11:46:00.000-07:00

"The EU Constitution is the birth certificate of the United States of Europe. The Constitution is not the end point of integration, but the framework for - as it says in the preamble - an ever closer union" Hans Bury

Well, I made to it to the European Parliament. It was a visit but it was good one and I enjoyed every second of it. Here are few personal observations:
-The EU Parliament has a very modern building but has no extra luxury. There is a different concept on "using people's $" comparing to exCommunist countries;
-Lot's of transparency as the priciple "made for the people of Europe" is a valid one;
-It's just a cool place, friendly and impressive;
-A Coca-Cola at a vending machine is only 0,60 Euro cents (the cheapest one I found in the entire Belgium!);
-The info on the reason of the trip and other personal details I prefer to keep it private...

TO BE CONTINUED!

Back from Belgium

2008-04-17T13:26:00.000-07:00

“We must not only give what we have; we must also give what we are.”
Desire-Joseph Mercier (Belgian cardinal and educator 1851-1926)

Few hourse ago I just landed on Baneasa Aeroport Bucharest. Yep, got back from the European Capital---Brussel. Had few extraodinary days with sunshine and incredible experiences. Also realized that Brussel is not only the "cabage town", not only the chocolate heaven(Yummmmmmmmy!!!!!), not only the place to eat mussels, oisters, prawn crevetes, and special french fries a.k.a. chip stalls, pralines, not only the place of Atomium and Manneken Pis but it is........

More to come soon!

Getting ready for Brussels, Belgium

2008-04-13T11:11:00.000-07:00

"The European Union is a state under construction..." Elmar Brock

Surely You are aware that the European Parliament has its headquarters in Brussels, Belgium. Brussels is considered the de facto capital of the European Union (EU), and hosts many of its key institutions. NATO, the Western European Union and EUROCONTROL are also headquartered in the city.

That's my next destination in the coming week. For 3 days I'll be visiting the heart of EU with other 9 Romanian young people.I'll be leaving on Tuesday, April the 5th. It's an official trip, not a private vacation, so I am looking forward to it. Some very important people arranged this visit to the European Parliament for our group and I am glad to be part of it.

Oh, Belgium it's gonna be the 16th country I'm visiting. Never been there before but ready to hit the road.

I'll stop here with info on this trip but there is more to come.

So, keep your eyes on.

Vivat the EU!

2008 NATO Summit Bucharest,Romania

2008-03-31T12:16:00.000-07:00

"Russia is a part of European culture. Therefore, it is with difficulty that I imagine NATO as an enemy." Vladimir Putin

In several hours, the 20st NATO Summit is about to begin in Bucharest,Romania,Eastern Europe. It's a very exotic an unusual place for a NATO meeting and this time the politicians saying it's gonna get hot. Hot-because the topics of the summit are very controversary.
Russia doesn't need NATO too close while the USA wanted expended.

I think it's too cool that lots of Presidents and high autorities from all over the World are coming to Bucharest. It helps the World to find out that there is Romania on the the map:)

For Romanians it's a great chanse to show who we are, to show hospitality and welcome every person who comes to Romania. Yes, Bucharest will get really crowded but we should be tolerant and patient about. When you have guests, maybe it gets a little uncomfortable but it's such a joy.
It's our turn to welcome people from all over the Wolrd, it's our turn to be friendly and to...smile:)
So, if you live in Bucharest, I encourage you to be more patient,hepful and nice especially for the next 4-5 days. Come on, You can do it!

My message for the rest of the World is:" Welcome to Romania!"

The Woman's Remote

2008-03-19T08:55:00.000-07:00

"The emotional, sexual, and psychological stereotyping of females begins when the doctor says:"It's a girl..."
Shirley Chisholm

This remote is just too cool. If you are true man, you will get the point. So, no comment today:)

Cheers!

Men and Women

2008-03-05T14:21:00.000-08:00

"Women marry men hoping they will change. Men marry women hoping they will not. So each is inevitably disappointed."

Albert Einstein

Recently while in a book shop I found the greatest book on men and women. It's called "Everything Men Know About Women " by Knott Mutch. It's a complete, revised and politically correct guide.It's from the Truly Basic Book Series. I was so excited that finally I will find out more on women's mentality!

I opened it and...I started laughing hard.Really hard. Why?

The book was empty. Nothing, absolutely nothing was written inside. The book had only white pages and no words.

Well, It looks like I am not the only one who knows little about women. We, men, will never completly understand women. We just have to love them. They make our life worth living.

Love...Love...Love...

Shopping time?

2008-03-02T13:01:00.000-08:00

"When women are depressed they eat or go shopping. Men invade another country. It's a whole different way of thinking". Elayne Boosler

I go shopping only when I have to and because I have to. Surprisingly I meet people who act in a store like it is a ...museum. They spend time there.Yes, they spend time and no money.

Here are my suggestions on efficient shopping:

-Always have a shopping list. Don't torture your brain on what kind on catch-up you were looking to buy.

-Go shopping during "silent" hours. I mean when most of the corporate workers are still in the offices or already in bed. Don't go there when everybody else goes. It's crazy.

-Don't carry your cart with You. DON'T! I really have a problem with people who carry a cart and are looking around. Here is an efficient way to do it. Take a cart and park it somewhere in a not too crowded area. Then go to different sections and get the staff from your shopping list.Bring all the staff to "The Base" a.k.a. your cart:) So, instead of taking the cart do get different products, bring products to the cart. Don't worry, nobody will still it ...because it's not paid for yet. It works and I love it!

Another new passion of mine is...

2008-02-14T22:59:00.000-08:00

"Noncooks think it's silly to invest two hours' work in two minutes' enjoyment; but if cooking is evanescent, so is the ballet." Julia Child

Surely you would be interested to read some "spicy" things about me. So, let's talk about spicy stuff...Well, what do I mean by that? Cooking!!!!!!!!!!!! I rediscovered how much I enjoy and love cooking. Just love it! Yummy:)
I cooked since I was a teen-ager because I had to cook for myself. Then, after making some calculations I realized that is more convinient to eat out then spend 1-2 hours cooking only for myself. So, spending 2 hrs in the kitchen cooking and then eating for 20minutes was not fun.
I gave up.
Only last year while I was in the USA I started cooking again. When I got back to Romania I started cooking for my friends. I discovered the key: cooking is fun only when You are doing it for someone special. I enjoy spending hours in the kitchen knowing how much my friends will love the food I prepared for them. And yes, I love when I get compliments. I am a man.
Dear friends, never forget to show your apreciation to someone who wants to do something special for you. People don't do things because they have to.People do things because they enjoy it and want to share their joy with You.
Enjoy it. Share it. Apreciate it.

Do you wanna know what's on the menu today?

My new passion...

2008-02-05T11:52:00.000-08:00

"To dance is to be out of Yoursellf. Larger, more beautiful, more powerful. This is power and it is Yours for the taking..." Proverb

Well, it has been a while since I wrote here. Lately life has been kind of crazy but good to me. Yep, done several projects, had days of fun and travels, enjoyed excellent company, met great people, flown down the mountains...
I'll share with you my new passion. What is it? Dancing.
Probably this was the thing that I regreted that I was never good at it. Now it's time time to catch-up with it. Now it's time to get good and rock and roll.
In some people's perception, dancing has a negative conotation, a sinful nature. Personally I belive it's all up to out atitute. Just like playing an instrument, ice scating, skiing or painting, dancing is an art. It requires a lot of practise, good coordonation, good musical abilities. It brings joy, excellent exercise and great posture. Dancing is just fun.
Come on, let's twist again like we did last summer...

Next time I'll tell You about another passion of mine. A new special passion I really enjoy.

Cheers!

London Underground

2008-01-11T13:37:00.000-08:00

"Mind the gap".....

OK. I am back to the Jungle but I will write maybe couple more posts on UK and London.

Today I am gonna share with you on London Underground or a.k.a. subway.

Surely enough I rode the famous British subway. The key word: different and unique.

So far I have seen many subways in many capitals around the World. Some are alike, other are unique. London's is special.

So, few observations:

- The underground system is pretty old and very well developed. It looks like the authorities knew that the future is "riding the subway". It's fast and gets you to any place in the city. It's easy to find your way around

-The train is pretty old but the carts are very well maintain, surprisingly clean, comfortable with soft chairs. Also, smaller the other underground carts.

-The fee is per area you are going. You need your card to enter AND...exit the subway. If you spent more time or got off on the stop out of the area you paid for, a fine of 20 pounds waits for you.

-Cameras are everywhere. The Big-Bro is there. Maybe it gives some people security comfort but it's kind of scary and funny:" Don't pick your nose, you are on camera..." :)

-Trains have a great and efficient schedule. Probably it's one of the most well organized subway systems in the World, I have seen.

By the way, the underground rides on the right side of the road, excuse me---of the tunnel...or maybe left....or maybe there is only one way.

The English Way, my Dear :)

ps. "Mind the gap" is a warning to train passengers to remind them of the sometimes significant gap between the train door and the station platform. It was first introduced in 1969 by the London Underground rapid transit system.

Meeting the Queen

2008-01-07T05:35:00.000-08:00

" In every woman there is a Queen. Speak to the Queen and the Queen will answer..." Norwegian Proverb

Before I left Great Britain I got to see the Queen. It was great. Just great.

Cheers!

ps. Let me know if interested to know more details.

Good bye Chamonix,FR

2008-01-04T12:59:00.000-08:00

"...Skiing is a dance, and the mountain always leads". Author Unknown

The time in Chamonix was above my any expectations. It was too cool!
Two days ago got on the Aiguille Du Midi, 3.842 meters, the highest peak of Mount-Black mountain massif. I am brave and crazy but there were few moments when I thought about Heaven more often then I usually do J
The view was spectacular: glaciers, Mere du Glass, high mountain tops, the clouds and the sun…Well, probably I can say that I was in the clouds for few hours.
Then together with my friends we skied, skied, skied. So now, I can officially declare:” The skiing season of 2008 is OPEN!!!!” Yoohoo!!!
Chamonix in the winter it’s all about skiing. I had such a blast!!! If You have never flown down hill from a mountain, you probably will not fully understand what I am talking about.
Skiing is about life, joy, speed, sunshine and adrenaline. Anybody interested?
We had lunch in nice restaurants right on the edge of sharp mountains, we have tried all the slopes. I got a new nick name “Black Diamond”. I am wondering why? J
I got to love Chamonix, the people and the beautiful landscape. It’s a little town with many lights, coquette streets, fancy shops and hospitable locals with funny French accent, a town hidden in a valley of Mont-Blanc.
Tomorrow we are getting in our 4*4 Mitsubishi Warrior and heading back to London. Long and exciting way ahead. Why long?1000 km.Why exciting? Crossing all the France, English Channel and many other things. Two more days in London and then …back to the “real world”.

Good bye Chamonix. Until next time.
Next stop---London. The Queen is waiting for me.
Cheers!

French New Year

2008-01-01T15:25:00.000-08:00

"Great things are done when men and mountains meet"

William Brake, English Poet, Painter, Engraver.

Now I am in Chamonix, Mont-Blanc ( in the right, you can check the web cam)--the coolest ski resort of France! Well, yeah, I know, from London to here is quite some distance. Couple days ago together with my friends we decided to celebrate New Year's Eve in a nice area with real snow. So, we got in the car and we hit the road. I'll admit, we didn't do too much planning on that. Checked some stuff on-line, packed and ...here we are.

The view can't be expressed in words. It's fascinating. Brilliant white snow, high mountains surrounding the little town of Chamonix, located about 80 km from Geneva (Switzerland), skiers and snowboarders everywhere, happy people, children's giggle...I love it.

Tomorrow we're gonna take the ski lift to go to the highest top of Mont-Blank. Tomorrow I'll be on Aiguille du Midi, 3.842 meters above you:) There are sharp mount edges, mountain crystal lakes and several glaciers. Lots of new things for me.

Ski afterwards, of course.

"Bonne Anne 2008! "

Other English stuff

2008-01-01T10:55:00.000-08:00

“We all are worms but I am a glowing one…”
Winston Churchill

On Saturday I went and visited the cabinet and war rooms where W. Churchill stayed during Second World War. Yep, today is a great museum. The accommodations considered as bomb proofed shelters for key people during the War were luxury for those days but are wild for nowadays. It was fascinating to be where the history was made. Winston Churchill was a great man and a real English gentleman.

Before going to the Churchill’s museum I went to the Buckingham Palace. Saw changing the guards. Also near by the Castle saw 20 soldiers riding on the horses as been part of the Queen’s Guard. I loved watching them: all were alike with elegant English pride and self-confidence.

In the evening met my friends and went around the Thames rives. Saw the Big-Ben, London’s Eye, drover on the London’s Bridge, saw the MI5 (yes, you know, that place where I am working at? I hope you still remember that I am BONDcev. Tony BONDcev. Can’t reveal you more info on that. It’s classified)

In the evening passed by Harrods. It’s a beautiful huge store with thousands of light on. It’s the most expensive store of London. The cheapest socks are about 70 British pounds which is over 100 Euros (!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!).

Bus drivers who are real Champions of driving those double deckers on the narrow streets are always very nice to all people and crazy tourists asking for directions. Also, they use the horn rarely. Probably many of them have not discovered that their bus has a very loud horn which can drive crazy pedestrians and other driversJ

I think I am getting used with left side driving but still believe it’s crazy.

Will have to admit that not only English blondes are hot but also those “made in” Sweden, Norway and Poland. Oh, yeah, in a metropolis like London You can see many beauties. They are just charming and sweeeeet…I’ll stop here. More details in a private conversation J

I’ll be back, baby!

London...London...

2007-12-30T02:23:00.001-08:00

"Time is free but it's priceless. You can't own it but You can use it. You can't keep it but You can spend it. Once you've lost it you can never get it back..." Harvey MacKay

Yesterday I took my backpack, my Canon 40D camera (a.k.a. Rebel XTi) and went by bus and by foot to discover London’s magic.
Of course, for the first time I rode a double-decker. Actually it’s fun riding it at the second floor. I’ve noticed at a point during my trip that in the entire bus there were probably 4-5 white people out of 35-40. The rest were non-white, so to say J
Getting closer to the downtown you can see how streets get more and more crowded, lots of all kind of restaurants and shops are everywhere along the street. A fruit shop, a barber shop, a high class dining restaurant and a butcher all next to each other is a regular picture on some streets of London. London is such a colorful mixture or a crazy and fascinating cocktail.
Well, when you get to the downtown this is when you see the best that London can show and offer you. It’s just spectacular: expensive stores, shining limousines, buildings with incredible architecture, beautiful lights, lots and lots of people from all social classes, races and nations…
It was dark when I got to Trafalgar Square. The X-mas tree that Norway gives London every year, as a token for the help that London gave Norwegian people in the 2nd World war lights up the Square. Those buildings look unreal even during the night.
Later on I got to the Parliament and good old Big Ben. It’s still there. It still measures the time and it’s unchangeable, calm, elegant and proud to be the Big Ben. At 8pm I heard it. I heard it live for the first time in my life. The sound of his bells gave me goose bumps. Yes, the sound of Big Ben means to me more then I can describe it here. It has a very special meaning to me…
Big Ben looks so awesome. I couldn’t stop thinking how well was he made, how many generations he saw passing by, how many people heard him and what meanings he had for each of us. Probably many of us will pass and Big Ben will still be there, making sure that each of us get every morning the same amount of time=86.400 seconds. How do you use them? What do you do with your time? Spending? Investing or wasting?

English Christmas

2007-12-27T07:01:00.000-08:00

"There has been only one Christmas - the rest are anniversaries." W.J. Cameron.

It looks like I’m spending my 4th Christmas in a raw outside of Romania. This time I spent it in London, Great Britain. Like in every other country and corner of the World,
Christmas has a unique taste here. How is Christmas in London from my point of view?
Quiet and calm. Like the previous generation of Englishmen.

My observations:
Christmas here has few Christmas lights. Very few lights comparing to the USA.
In UK, X-mas seems to be more of a vacation then a Christian celebration
95% of the Young people spend their Christmas in pubs
It shocked me that all Churches and cathedrals of all Christian denominations were filled up with immigrants from Eastern Europe and …only old English people. Almost NO English youth in the Churches.
Most of the English people travel or rest during this time
You should dream of a “White X-mas” but all You will get will be a …”Wet X-mas”. No snow. Only rain and heavy fog.

By the way, I am sure all of You already knew that Merry Christmas is… Santa Claus’s wife J So, best wishes to You all from: Merry, Santa and Rudolf!!!

My 5th day in Great Britain

2007-12-26T12:37:00.000-08:00

" You find no man, at all intelectual, who is willing to leave London. No Sir, when a man is tired
of London, he is tired of life; for there is in London all that life can afford “
Samuel Johnson, English Poet

On December the 20th I made to Great Britain. It’s the 15th country I visited so far.
Here are few impressions.
First feeling is like landing in the USA. Love it. Still miss America a lot.
What strokes me really hard is... their driving on the "wrong" side of the road. It’s crazy. It’s just so weird and crazy. British are interesting people. Even the entire World drives on the right side, they keep it left. When most of the EU has Euro, UK keeps British Pounds. Not that is bad or good but the fact itself show an inside strength, power to care less for what others say…and still be one the BEST.
The fact that people in Britain drive on the left side has an explanation. Long time ago, during the days of Knights in shining amours, it was a pain to walk on the streets of Great Britain. The swords were carried on the left side and when walking on the street on the right side, the swords of the Knights would hit each other and create discomfort. Then, the King gave a law in order to avoid "street" discomfort for Knights with swords. Knights are gone but people in England still drive/walk on the left side…
In my opinion , UK is the country which looks the closest to the USA
Another fact that surprised me is that except downtown London, there are almost no skyscrapers, no tall buildings. Streets are formed of homes with 1-2-3 floors, most of them red brick homes. Long streets with nice brick houses. Few apartment buildings. It looks like in the old English movies with Mr. Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson. Where else you can see a McDonalds restaurant in a red brick building built in the 17the century?
All nations of the World are in UK
Police is very afraid of "bad guys" a.k.a. terrorists and photography is very limited
Great Britain has some of the most incredible beautiful Ladies. English hot blondes are just unbelievable…;)
That’s all for now. More to come. Stay tuned.
By they way, have I told You that …English people drive on the "wrong" side of the road and it’s crazy? Too crazy.
Need to have a cup of lovely tea.
Good bye, Sire!

What keeps us going?

2007-12-10T15:11:00.000-08:00

"We've got to live. No matter how many skies have fallen." D. H. Lawrence

Yep, another sky had fallen for me but...life goes on. I was born a winner and I'll die a winner. I may be out for a while but "I'm back, baby!"

In the last several weeks, I thought about what keeps us going. What keeps You wake up every morning? What keeps You alive?

Maybe it's one out of this list: money, success, kids, parents, glory, personal reward, charity, God, love (a.k.a.=lies, personal selfish interest), fun, desire to be helpful, a woman (a.k.a.=...............), a friend, a habit, desire to help, lack of options, hope, a great cause, popularity, pride, stupid dreams (sorry!).......

Anything else?

Blog&Roll...only 4 Super Stars

2007-12-03T13:14:00.000-08:00

I am still tired of life, broken dreams and this kind of stuff... Even thou, yesterday decided to go to a meeting of fellow bloggers, a meeting called Blog&Roll, a Karaoke contest of bloggers. Yeah, it was the time when bloggers "had to be heard" and I've heard a lot :) For those who were not there, here are few personal mentions and pics are here:

- some bloggers can write blogs and sing songs;

- other bloggers can write blogs and... write blogs. Take a look here

- it was cool to meet people from virtual world in the real world.

- it was fun listening. Corina was the best. There were two other people who were good as well.

- it was fun singing "What a Wonderful World" by Luis Armstrong. For a while, it brought some silence and peace to the entire audience. I got aplause and cheers.

- it was a good and relaxing evening.

-thank You Sorin and Costin for doing that!

- my message for all bloggers: You guys rull&roll! You=da best!

Keep it up and sing loud!

I am just tired....

2007-11-21T04:39:00.000-08:00

" My darling, it is late and I am very tired of youth, love and self-sacrifice..."

Bette Davis

I am tired. So very tired of everything and everybody. Can't find a reason to keep going. Everyting is fake, dreams are lies, life s...ks.

"Enjoy it!"

A cleaner Romania.I love it.

2007-11-07T14:37:00.000-08:00

"Let everyone sweep in front of his own door and the whole World will be clean"

Goethe

Crowded, dirty and slow train takes us to the mountains. Lots o tourists got in a fully packed train and left Bucharest at 6,15am on Saturday morning, November the 3rd.
After an “exciting” ride we made it to Busteni where we met Liviu and his friends. He was one of the main planners of the cleaning experience. Also, in the train station we met another 20 people who were ready to make Romania a cleaner place.
All together we were probably 40 young people ages 14 up to 35 or so. Some never met before but we acquainted immediately. First few hours we spent picking up the trash left near the lift (cabin). It was fun and easy. An interesting fact surprised me: the entire group had a very positive attitude. Nobody was complaining or expecting anything. I realized that people that complain or are negativists would not be there and do what we were doing. After first couple of hours we had over 45 plastic bags full of trash: personal hygiene items, plastic and packages, light bulbs, cans, cigarettes, dog food bags and many other things you don’t want to know about.

Some other facts:
We invited some tourists to join our efforts. Some were laughing but there were several of them who helped us. We wanted them to realize that it’s not “our trash” but “everybody’s trash”
In the afternoon the team cleaned up the path to Urlatoarea waterfall. There was even more trash.
By the end of the day we had couple hundred of plastic bags full of trash (!!!!!)

Even I’ve done this kind of activity before, I enjoyed this experience so much! It’s an unusual feeling when you are picking up trash and the excitement you feel when you see a clean forest, a more beautiful mountain, a real waterfall…
People are consumers. People are trash makers. People are selfish but we have to share the Earth and its beauty. It doesn’t belong to You or me. It’s ours and of those who will follow us.
Keep it clean.With Pride.

Keep Romania clean.With Pride.

2007-10-31T14:00:00.000-07:00

“He who wants to change the World should already begin by cleaning the dishes…”
Paul Carvel, Belgian Writer and Editor.

…Then he should continue by cleaning the mountains. And this is what I am going to do with several friends and lots of other young people on Saturday, November 3rd in Busteni area of Carpathian Mountaints. Here you can get more info on that: http://www.carpati.org/stire/ecologizare_de_zile_mari_in_busteni_/641/
On Saturday we’ll meet at 5,45am in Gara de Nord by the tickets cashiers. Then we’ll take a train and be there by 9am. Later in the afternoon will be coming back to Bucharest. I'll write on this when we come back.
So, if you are willing to make a difference in your country, if you love the mountains and are looking to make Romania better, if you are looking to make new friends, then:
-get some food and sodas
-get some boots and warm clothing
-get a back back and some gloves

and... JOIN US!
ANYONE is WELCOME! Keep Romania clean. With Pride.

ps. Romania e o tara murdara iar noi ne facem ca...ploua ;)

The Spirit of Japan vs. The Romanian Spirit

2007-10-24T14:39:00.000-07:00

"Fall down seven times, stand up eight"
Japanese Proverb

Have you thought that the music of a Nation represents that Nation better then any other symbol? Have you ever thought that several big and small drums can make a meaningful sound and literally talk?
Well, this is what I saw and felt yesterday evening while attending Bu-shi-do, a concert of Japanese drums at the Bucharest Opera House organized by the Embassy of Japan in Romania.
Bu-shi-do in Japanese means "Way of the Warrior” and it originates from the samurai moral code and stresses frugality, loyalty, martial arts mastery and honour unto death.
I enjoyed watching those 5 talented young men of the Bu-shi-do band playing the traditional Japanese drums. You could read lots of discipline, lots of energy, strong feelings and no mercy in their music. You could see Japan and Japanese spirit.
The second part of the concert was a contemporary concert where the audience enjoyed rock music, some rap and the cherry on the cake was “Dragostea din tei” originally sang by the Republicans from O-ZONE. They were too cool playing, singing and just doing a great concert for all of us. The audience got to love them and showed it by lots applause.
Music always shows the spirit of a Nation:
- Think of Russian music: deep base church choir, balalaikas, sad songs. A sad nation.
- Think of American music: lots of patriotism, marches, country songs and cowboys. That is the USA, Land of Free, Home of the Braves.
- Japanese sound of drums makes me thing of war, of Samurays, of incredible discipline.
- Romanian music…Hm…Help me…Slow songs, lazy music, party music, laid back rhythms. You tell me what kind of Nation are we?
Romania will never be a great Empire or Superpower even if we had all the wealth in the World. We are built differently. We raise our kids differently. We wait for things to happen and we don't make things happen. We've got more poetry in our spirit then discipline. We can sing and we can dance but we still need to learn to work, to build a future, to build a strong Nation.
That’s it. Now, please go back to ….work or...or whatever song you were singing :)

Men's toys

2007-10-20T13:00:00.000-07:00

“The only difference between men and boys is the size of their toys…and the price they pay for them” Unknown

Only recently I realized that men do like women, cars and guns. All 3. Before that I thought that they enjoy only the first two.
Today got to visit a Military exhibition and was amazed of the stuff I saw there. Lot of intelligent weapons. A 3 y.o. kid, a 14 y.o. teenager, a 25 y.o. youngster, a 37 y.o. adult, an elder at 65 y.o.- all of them were starring at some smart controlled missals and navy equipment. I know that only part of them would look in a similar way at a woman and fewer of them would look with a dropped jaw at a super car.
Why weapons? Maybe because it’s the man’s hunter instinct placed inside a long time ago when he used arrows and rocks or maybe it’s the feeling of the power and domination…
Whatever the answer would be I agree that all man and boys have the same toys. The older they get the more expensive and bigger their toys get. Men love toys because for us life is a game. Sometimes a serious game, other times a fun one. A game that you could loose or you could win.
My favorite toys? Cars, ATV-s, motorcycles, private jets, boats, guns, rollerblades and few other things. No, I will not include women and this category. Women are a different story. Not sure I want to share it…yet ;)
Play hard!

The future millionaires of Romania

2007-10-17T15:12:00.000-07:00

“Search and luck lead to opportunity” Unknown

Today I was invited to participate at a special event organized by Ziarul Financiar (Romanian Financial Magazine) called:” 100 Afaceri de la Zero” ( “100 Businesses started from scratch”). The event was oriented toward entrepreneurs, businessmen and took place at JW Marriot hotel of Bucharest.
I greatly enjoyed it and I’ll share few thought with You:
· The Governmental officials are slow, boring, inaccessible and far from Romanian business reality.
· There are lots of funds given by EU and Romanian Government for businesses but the corruption and stupid paper work makes it impossible.
· Mr.Dragos Rosca (Gemisa, SensiBlu) and Mr.Marius Ghenea (http://www.pcfun.ro/) were my favorite speakers. You can tell they are in business and also have a high economical degrees.
· Mr. Radu Timis, 46 y.o., the founder of Cris Tim, the largest meat processor of Romania, had a great speech too. Less numbers but more emotion. His main thoughts were related to the fact that business is harder and harder to make in Romania but it’s worth doing it. He also said that whenever one door closes; there definitely should be an open one. We need to find it, always play FAIR and NEVER GIVE UP. Love it. Great guy.
· Acording to Mr. Rosca the future greatest biz opportunities are related to services connected to people confort and life style, personalized services and services related to the quality of life. Romanian economy of the future will be an economy of services, because all the production will go abroad (China etc)
· Mr. Ghenea said that the magic combination of success for a successful business is : the Opportunity +the Attitude +the Entrepreneur +the Chance. In his opinion the best biz opportunities are in internet, consultancy services and franchises. You can read more on http://www.mariusghenea.ro/ or http://www.ghenea.ro/

It was an encouraging and great meeting. Wow, I am fascinated to see successful people because I believe success is contagious. One of the speakers mentioned that large Romanian companies cut down lots of jobs. It’s not because they have problems, it’s because they restructured. This is why ONLY the Entrepreneurs, small and medium businesses will provide a healthy economy.

I am planning to be one of the new millionaires of Romania. Join me.

Birthday party at Aventura Park

2007-10-08T12:06:00.000-07:00

" And in the end, it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years..." Abraham Lincoln

This past Saturday with several great friends I celebrated the beggining of my Birthday. I call it "the beggining" because the actual day is October 11th.
I celebrated my B-days in many different ways but decided to make it special this time. So, looking back at my life I saw Adventure, lots of adrenaline, fun and excitment. What would be the most representative B-day for me then an Adeventurous B-day? So, we went to Aventura Parc!!!! http://www.aventuraparc.ro/
Tree climbing, nets, ropes, sliding down, solving puzzles and packing gifts. These were only a few of the things we all have done. It was fun! I loved it!
I enjoyed watching how some of my friends who didn't know each other before got aquinted and had fun like good old friends.
It always surprized me how different my life looked at different B-days. At a certain age I belived in fairy tales and Santa Clause, then I was getting ready to fly to the stars, another time I was working to change the World, then I believed that there is a Princess for every Prince, then I believed that bad things never happen to good people, then...
Well, what do I believe today? How do I see life today? It's hard to say:
-Probably I don't believe in miracles as I use to (I still hope that some miracles may happen).
-Then I am less romantic as I use to be. Romantics will not survive.
-98% of people are selfish( Those who read my blog are excluded:)
-Often life s..ks
--I care less if I live or die. There were times when I was concerned of death. Now, it's all relative.
-Life is a fight. Only the strongest will win. I am gonna be a winner.
Not planning to fail or give up. Try me!

Things change every day. You change even if You admit or not.
My thought for You? Don't give up. Fight and survive. Wimps never win.

PS.All B-day gifts and greetings may be sent to my snail mai adress or e-mail as an atachment:)

Proud of my mother

2007-09-15T12:40:00.000-07:00

"Mother love is the fuel that enables a normal human being to do the impossible..." Marion C. Garretty

Today I will write about my mother. I am so proud of her. How would I describe her? A mother, a wife, a friend, a sister, a colleague, a teacher, a Principal, a boss, an encourager, a fighter, a warrior… All in one name: Virginia.

She started learning to play violin when she was 7 years old. In time, music becomes her life. Even before graduating from Musical Academy, she was already playing in the National Symphony Orchestra and had solo-us at the Opera. Her strong personality, great ambition and excellent work ethic were her keys to success. She is the Principal of a Music School for almost 30 years. Her team is formed of 26 teachers and also 280 students are under her guidance.

2 years ago she received from the President himself the highest award given for accomplishments, success and dedication. My mother is an example to me. She taught me lots of things that already are so beneficial to me. One of the many things I admired her for is her modesty. Even she could and had all the reasons to be arrogant, she is not. She is friendly, open and simple.

She makes no compromises. None. Watching her since I was I kid I realized that it’s not easy to be incorruptible but it’s possible and worthy. I love my mother because she is strong, ambitious, incorruptible, hard working, courageous and invincible. I love her because she is MY mother. I am proud of her and I thank God for her.

By the way, I love walking on the hallways of her school. Students and teachers point at me saying: “…He is the Principal’s son…” and I’ll admit that I like it. It’s good to be famous! Ha! :)

Your mother is special too. Love her and make sure she knows that.

Vivat la Republic!

2007-08-31T10:46:00.000-07:00

"True individual freedom cannot exist without economic security and independence..."

Franklin Delano Roosevelt

August 27th is the a special day for Republic of Moldova and its citizens. 18 years ago this little country situated in Eastern Europe, between Romania and Ukraine, got its Independence.

On August 31 the country got back its Language...

It was a fascinating time, a time when people were looking for Freedom not knowing what Freedom really is. It was a concept and a thought. It was "something" that their Fathers dreamed about, spoke about and died for...

Freedom. Independence. Democracy. New things for a new country.

Today Republic of Moldova is still struggling for its Freedom. Being a very small country with no energetic resources, with almost no industry and depending only on agriculture and its people, Moldova is under the influence of greater powers. History had very hard twists for this little piece of land.

We all know that Freedom of a country depends directly on the economy and its resources. From this point of view, Moldova is not quite Free, geographically speaking.

The main thing is that the people of Moldova are Free. They are Free to think, Free the live, Free to make decisions for themselves.

There is a Generation of Freedom that I love and I am proud of.

This is what really matters.

Happy Independence Day, Republic!

Gone....

2007-08-19T14:56:00.000-07:00

Dear All,

I have not written much in the last 2 weeks and will not be around for another week or so. Yes, I'll be gone fishing, having fun, working, hanging around with friends, travelling, taking pictures, making new friends and spending time with the old once... In couple words: I'll be enjoying life!That's it.

See You!

I'm out of here for another week.

"Gasless" Romanian highway

2007-08-06T12:56:00.000-07:00

"On the highway of life, we most often recognize happiness out of the rear view mirror..."

Frank Tyger

I really like this quote because it's so true. How often we do start recognizing the value of some people only after they are gone? How often we do treasure precious moments only after they are gone? How often we are racing towards "something" and miss the time we could spend with our children, family or special friends?How often.....

Oh well, let's look at something different. On one of the Romanian highways there are NO gas stations. NONE. For over 100km there is not even a drop of gas. The worst part is that the first warning sign is after about 45 km. So, if you are travelling on one of the Romanian highways, the one called "Sun highways" aka Autostrada Soarelui, please make sure Your tank is full.Otherwise, You will spend there more time then You would like!

I am looking to be positive so I'll close on a positive note:Maybe there are no gas stations only on this Romanian highway. Definitely it's an exception.

Fill it up and hit the road, Jack!

PS. Are there any highways in Romania?

Things that some men don't do in WC

2007-07-26T23:21:00.000-07:00

" I am a hygiene freak. I'm like obsessive-compulsive when it comes to washing your hands"

Kelly Clarkson

I spend quite some time in public places. There I have noticed some things that really didn't make me happy and probably won't make you happy either if you would be aware of them.

Surprisingly, probably 50% of men don't wash their hands after using WC. Oops!

Come on guys, show us some respect! Seeing those walking out of a men's restroom without washing hands I was wondering how their wives or girlfriends would feel if they would only knew that their beloved one is...unclean :)

As a man I would not want to shake another man's hand if I knew that he didn't washed his hands.

Is it lack of education or maybe just lack of awareness of the possible consequences?

No, I am not a hygiene freak but I really think that in a civilized society all the people have to obey some rules and good habits in order to provide a fair and good life for everyone.

So, guys, please be Gentlemen. Don't walk by a washing station on the way out without using it.

Ladies, please encourage Your Man to keep good habits because you deserve the best!

Keep it clean!

PS. I don't know what's going on in Ladies restrooms but I really hope they are doing better :)

How can I save the Planet?

2007-07-25T09:15:00.000-07:00

"Earth provides enough to satisfy every man's need, but not every man's greed."
Mohandas K. Gandhi

One of the few things I remember about my very first day of school was a drawing contest. It was a contest for all first graders to who were invited to draw with chalk on the asphalt. The subject was "Save the Earth". Oh well, we are talking about 80's so saving the Planet had a different meaning then. I have won the top prise and got the diploma for the best drawing :) My drawing was called "People, save the Earth. You will not get another one".

OK, how can I save the Planet today when things are already complicated and it hurts?

Here are my thoughts:

-Turn the lights off when U don't use them.

-Take only the plastic bags you need when U go shopping. If possible, don't get new bags from the store.

-Keep the air-conditioning low or off while U are not in the building.

-Use big bottles of water to refill the smaler ones. Don't buy small bottles every time, if possible.

-Man, please take showers only. Leave the bath with roses and milk only for Your Ladies :)

-Don't use your washing machine if it is less then half full. Wait till U get a full load.

-Don't use chemicals in Your garden (if U have one :)

-Wash your car only if needed

-Read you newspapers online. Buy less paper magazines.

-Print only what You really need....

Have you got more tips? Join me here with comments and more tips.

Yes, the difference I can make is very small BUT if there are many people who are making small differences, there is gonna be a GREAT difference in everything we do.

Save the Planet! U can do it, Captain Planet :)

Why the New 7 Wonders of the World?

2007-07-15T04:01:00.000-07:00

" There are no seven wonders of the world in the eyes of a child. There are seven million..."

Walt Streightiff

Last week the New Seven Wonders of the World were chosen. Even the UNESCO is not happy with it, here is the new list with little details on each of them:

***PYRAMIDS OF GIZA, EGYPT will retain their status as one of the original seven wonders of the world. The only surviving structures of the original seven wonders, the three pyramids were built as tombs for 4th dynasty pharaohs about 4,500 years ago.

1. COLOSSEUM, ITALY
The giant amphitheater in Rome was inaugurated in A.D. 80 by the Emperor Titus in a ceremony of games lasting 100 days.

2. GREAT WALL OF CHINA
The 4,160-mile barricade running from east to west in northern China is the longest man-made structure in the world. The fortification was built to protect the dynasties from invasion by the Huns, Mongols, Turks and other tribes.

3. TAJ MAHAL, INDIA
The white marble-domed mausoleum in Agra was built by Mogul Emperor Shah Jahan between 1632 and 1654 for his favorite wife, Mumtaz Mahal.

4. PETRA, JORDAN
The ancient city of Petra in southwestern Jordan, was the capital of the Arab kingdom of the Nabateans. The city is famous for its water tunnels and numerous stone structures carved in rock.

5. CHRIST THE REDEEMER STATUE, BRAZIL
The 125-foot-tall statue of Christ the Redeemer with outstretched arms overlooks Rio de Janeiro from atop Mt. Corcovado.

6. MACHU PICCHU, PERU
Built by the Incan Empire in the 15th century, the giant walls, palaces, temples and dwellings of the Machu Picchu sanctuary are perched in the clouds at 8,000 feet above sea level in the Andes mountains. It remains a mystery how the huge stones were moved into place for the construction of the remote city.

7. PYRAMID AT CHICHEN ITZA, MEXICO
This step-pyramid surmounted by a temple survives from a sacred site that was part of one of the greatest Mayan centers of Mexico's Yucatan peninsula. Built according to the solar calendar, it is placed so that shadows cast at the fall and spring equinoxes are said to look like a snake crawling down the steps, similar to the carved serpent at the top.

The initiative to choose 7 new wonders belongs to a Swiss organization. Their official reason was: out of the previous 7 wonders only 1 still exists. So, we need some new wonders. Some voices were saying that the World need more then 7. In year 200 AD when the first wonders were chosen, there were not too many cool things around. Today, there is a large variety so let's choose more...

Oh, well, people from around the World made their decision and now we got the list.

Do you want to know what is the real reason to choose the New 7 Wonders?

It's so simple: M-O-N-E-Y!!!! Yep, $$$. All this wonders are actually standing so anybody could go and visit them. They use to be one of many other cool tourist sites but now they become the New 7 Wonders of the World. Everybody would want to go and see them. The tourism toward those destinations will incredible increase. Somebody will make a great profit out of the New 7 Wonders ...and I know it's not me :)

On another note, I have seen the Colosseum so there are 6 left on my list. Anybody interested to join me for 6 new adventures toward the New Wonders of the World?

See U.

A story about a happy man

2007-07-10T09:36:00.000-07:00

“I’m not a prophet or a stone aged man, I'm just a mortal with potential of a Superman. I’m living on”
David Bowie, English singer and Song Writer, 1947

3pm... Very hot day in a crazy& crowded city. Ordinary busy streets with people walking by. Same routine for everyone, except…
A little girl and her Grandmother. In middle of all this, the little girl faints on the street. Here she is: laid on the asphalt and her Grandmother trying to “wake” her up and trying to lift her up to carry her away from the cars and busy people. Despite of the Grandmother’s efforts, the 9y.o. little girl was to heavy for her and she remained there.
Lots of people kept walking by. Cars driving by. A little crowd started gathering. People of different ages stopped to look. Yes, they stopped to look. For them it was another “show”…
Then a man came. He was an ordinary man. He walked to the little girl. Asked the Grandmother what the problem was. Lift the little girl and carried her to a bench under a tree. “Woke” her up. Shared his water with her. She was getting better so he spoke with her. From her he found out that she didn’t eat too much. Basically she eat nothing. Her skinny body and very pale skin were another argument to her words. No, she wasn’t begging, she was just answering questions. Evidently uncomfortable, the Grandmother shared that her little granddaughter had an accident in school in May. Her skull was damaged very badly and she was still recovering. Lack of food, water, very high temperatures added to the health problems she already had. She was just a kid, a 9 y.o. kid.
No, they were not homeless or beggars but you could tell they were very poor…
Then the ordinary man left. He just disappeared. He was happy J

Often we are a Nation of spectators. We enjoy watching shows and making comments. We don’t get involved. We don’t care or maybe we care but only for us, our needs and pleasures.
Yesterday I was talking to a friend about what’s life about. What really matters now? What will really matter after we will be gone? What has a real and lasting value?
Yes, I love and enjoy life. I have goals, plans and dreams. Still, what will I leave behind after the final line with be drawn in my life??? What will matter then?
That man was happy because he made a difference in somebody’s life. A small difference but he made it. There were so many spectators there but only he choose to care.
I encourage each of you, who read this lines, to get involved, to care, to make a difference. Keep your eyes open. You don’t need to be a Superman, Spiderman or Amazing Four to make this World better. That man was an ordinary man but he became a Superman by what he did.
What will last after the final line will be drawn in Your life?
Make a difference today in somebody’s life.
Use Your potential of a Superman or Supergirl.
Be an anonymous ordinary hero.

4th of July Party

2007-07-07T12:43:00.002-07:00

“ Freedom is nothing else but a chance to be better”
Albert Camus, French Novelist, Essayist and Playwright, 1957 Nobel Prize for Literature, 1913-1960.

4th of July is one of my favorite days and celebrations! It is special because it reminds me what is all about Freedom, what’s all about Families and Unity. It reminds that Freedom is no given, it is won.
On the July 6th, I was invited to be part of the Independence Day party organized by the American-Romanian Chamber of Commerce from Bucharest, Romania http://www.amcham.ro/
I had the a great time!!! This is why I need to express my thankfulness to Mrs. Anca Harasim, Mrs. Mihaela Gusu, Ms. Andreea Ologeanu and the rest of the team who organized this cool party. Thank You for all Your work. Thank You for the invitation to join You for this special Celebration.
Why was it great? Great planning, lots of security, very nice 4th of July decorations, lots of food, drinks and deserts, face painting (***Check the picture from above. I had an American flag painted on my face J Also there were games for all ages. The music was provided by Juke Box band so we all got to rock’n’roll and enjoy some good old American music.
The surprise of the party was the visit of the US Ambassador in Romania, Mr. Nicolas Taubman http://bucharest.usembassy.gov/ He had a short speech and was warmly greeted by the participants at the celebration.
In the second part, everyone could participate at drawing. The main prizes were a trip for 2 to Amsterdam by KLM, a trip for 2 to Paris by Air France. Also there were few nice cell phones, special wine selection by Vincon Vrancea
mobile bars, cosmetics by Oriflame.
At the end we all could watch a breathtaking fireworks show. It lasted about 30 minutes and it was just amazing!
I really enjoyed the relaxed, cool, refreshing, educational, exciting and friendly atmosphere at this special event. It was an atmosphere similar to great American Spirit.
The USA and American people played an important role in my life. I will always treasure those moments and great people born in the Land of the Free and Home of the Braves.

God Bless America!

Happy 4th of July!

Mr.Body Language in Romania

2007-06-27T14:15:00.000-07:00

" Think about WHAT You want to acomplish, not HOW. The most important is to set a GOAL and go for it..."

Mr. Allan Pease a.k.a. Mr.Body Language

Today I was one of the few privilleged people to attend a training with Mr. Allan Pease http://www.allan-pease.ro/ organized by HCS Human Capital Solutions http://www.hcs.com.ro/

Basically I was part of the event planning team. It was a great day! Thank You, Mrs. Camelia Levintza, Madalina and Mihaela. You all are an amaizing team! Well done!

Few thoughts on today:

-Woman can't read maps and men can't lie to women. It's the way we are made( ***If You are a man and are planning to lie to a woman, call her:)

-When dealing with men, give them one problem at a time. They have a monotracking brain. They can only speak OR listen. Never both in the same time.

-When men talk, they take turns. They talk to comunicate facts and info,

-Women take no turns. They talk to bond not to comunicate facts or info.

-Men have problem solving brain. If we don't have a problem, we don't talk.

-A man uses about 8.000-9.000 words/ day. Women uses 20.000-24.000 words/day. Do You feel a difference? Ha!

-Every men needs 30 min of "firegazing" (rest, silences) every evening. This is why men watch TV, read magazines. It helps us to rest.

-Men have a direct talk but women developed an indirect talking code.

-World's 5th most recognizable icon is a ... smiley face :)

-Those who smile, make more friends.

-Don't touch Your face when talking IF You want people to believe You.

-If people "buy" You, they will buy what You sell them. If they will like You, they will buy what You sell.

-Business and life is all about relationships.

-Whatever You choose to think about, it will happen to You.

These are just few lines on all the good thoughts I got today from Mr.Allan Pease.

It was an amaizing day with lots of fun, new friends and lessons. This high end event at the Parliament's Palace of Bucharest was succesfull also because of the assistance of special hostesses which were hired(***I'll admit: verrrrry pretty Ladies), profesional light and sound companies, catering.

You can find out more in Mr.Body Language's books on http://www.amazon.com/ or at Curtea Veche publisher http://www.curteaveche.ro/

Life is good!

Smile :)