May 19 - A Sense of Wonder and Awe

I was in between connecting flights and needed to get to my next one but was not sure where/who to talk to about making a claim. They told me as I was boarding that my luggage was taken off the plane and would not be put back on. When I got to Bucharest I was flustered and the time zone changed again. The security guy said I needed another boarding pass but the lady said there wasn't another for me to get, the one I had was sufficient for both flights. Just back and forth crap. I finally found a Tarom agent and they said wait until I'm in Cluj to make the claim. Flights went smooth from there.

Then there was no professor to meet me because of some confusion... No one at the information desk... Lights on and within operating hours at the desk but also no one to be found... Finally found an agent, made a claim, (now a professor calls but I didn't answer because I was in the middle of a difficult communication exchange about my luggage) they couldn't guarantee anything and wouldn't give me any clear answers multiplied by very basic English skills and my non existent Romanian skills. Finally made the claim, got my papers, called the professor back... No answer. Still no professor at the airport. Decided to just head to the hotel lone wolf.

Found a taxi, he said 20 lei. Seemed steep but whatever I just need some security like a hotel room. I haven't taken a taxi before so I didn't notice he failed to start the meter. We got to the hotel and he started saying 40 lei... I argued a bit knowing he said 20 as I pulled it out before getting into the taxi at the airport and had that exact amount in my hand so I didn't pull my wallet out, full of money, in front of him. He kept at me saying 40, 40, 40... Something about cost of airport parking plus this or that... I caved. That ride should've cost about 10 lei.

I got ahold of the professor once I arrived at the hotel then caught up to the group at St. Michael's Cathedral which was a short taxi ride away. Not a lot happened. A couple students went with me to find some food for dinner. We got some ice cream after that and headed back to the hotel for bed.