Tour Leader’s Blog

The Visit “Transylvania Emerging” (Romania and Hungary) with MEDA tour arrived in Bucharest yesterday. Upon arrival in Romania we were impressed to see how the country is changing since becoming a member of the EU. Ed Epp is the leader serving as the story teller. He has traveled here many times as MEDA staff and has a deep appreciation for the people, their culture and their desire to succeed. He said, “I have been inspired by the Romanian people I worked with through CAPA. The program has been a huge, huge success due to their hard work and commitment. They have been an inspiration to me.”

This morning we toured the Royal Palace in Bucharest, the second largest building in the world (after the Pentagon). Wilma Bailey toured the Pentagon as a student and was pleased to tour the Palace today. Our young guide spoke good English and described the change that is slowly emerging since the country became a Democracy.

We enjoyed the afternoon drive across the mountains to Brasov. We saw snow high in the mountains and spring flowers in the meadows. Murray Martin was impressed at the good roads we enjoyed compared to the roads we traveled last year on our tour in Tajikistan. We were reminded of the EU funding commitment and the will of the people to succeed. We look forward to meeting the local people in the programs.

~ Wilmer Martin