June 24 - July 10, 2006
+ Cluj–Napoca, Transylvania
++ Trip ID Number = gv6469
++ 16 team members
About Romania
Romania is a fascinating place where medieval life meets modern times. While there we'll discover a land with majestic, natural beauty; a rich cultural heritage; and a history still alive in and sometimes haunting the present. The Romanian landscape offers scenic hiking trails, world-renowned caves, serene streams, pine-covered mountains, green hills and forests, as well as many other dazzling views. Narrow cobblestone streets winding through skewed medieval houses, stern gothic churches, rococo palaces, and painted monasteries nestled in rolling hills and green mountains reveal to guests a rich cultural heritage in full splendor. Ensconced within the mysterious Carpathian Mountains, fortified towns scatter the countryside and, in the surviving unspoiled villages, rural Romanians preserve folk traditions that the rest of Europe discarded long ago.
The country also bears the scars of a rocky transition to a free market economy. Romanians are trying to make a go of it in post-communist Eastern Europe. Their many years under a tight-fisted dictatorship has kept them years (some think centuries) behind their soon-to-be EU neighbors. Make no mistake; poverty is apparent in a country struggling to catch-up.
Our work will be in the city of Cluj-Napoca, historic and present-day capital of Transylvania—a wonderful place steeped in medieval tradition mixed with Hungarian and Germanic cultural influences. With roots pre-dating Roman times, Napoca was recognized as a municipality by Emperor Hadrian in A.D.124, and a Roman colony by Marcus Aurelius (A.D.161-180).
The Work
We will work side-by-side with local homeowners and families building wood-framed, plastered homes. The site will accommodate the construction of 12 homes, giving us opportunities to be involved in a wide range of tasks, including foundation work, framing, drywall, plastering, landscaping and painting.
Skills
- Required -- None
- Desired -- A developing sense of humor, flexibility, and a willingness to dive in and experience helping others.
- Developed -- in addition to the skills noted as desirous for tem members, we'll learn to better communicate, support each other, understand differences, become increasingly creative, become comfortable with some degree of ambiguity, and make genuine contributions to community.
Tentative Itinerary
Our tentative itinerary balances work with taking advantage of some of the incredible sights and history in the area.
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June 24 |
Travel Day (depart US) |
| June 25 | Arrival and Orientation |
| June 26-30 | Work Days |
| July 1 | Tour Turda Salt Mine and Gorge |
| July 2 | Day off to explore, church services |
| July 3-6 | Work Days |
| July 7 | Head to Transylanian Alps |
| July 8-9 | Hiking |
| July 10 | Depart Cluj |
The Trip Fee of $1,450 covers all costs while in-country: all meals, transportation, accommodations, tour expenses, insurance, and a contribution to our HFH host affiliate in Cluj to help build more homes. Fees do not include airfare, allowing team members to develop their own itineraries before and after the Global Village experience.
Accommodations for each team will be in a hotel, two to a room (with bathroom).
Resources
The following links will take you to another web resource or open a PDF document which may be downloaded to your compuer.
Our Team Blog is at http://hfhromania-gv6469.blogspot.com
HFHI's country profile for Romania is here -- Romania - HFHI Country Profile
A booklet of information about traveling in Romania (and Cluj in particular) is available at the following link. It was put together by our hosts in Cluj -- Discover Romania
Contact information during our travels -- Cluj Emergency Contacts
Dave's now-famous Packing List
Web Links
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