Day 63 | The Romanian Athenaeum, National Museum of Art of Romania, and Playground

Day 63, Bucharest—Today we visited the Romanian Athenaeum, the National Museum of Art of Romania, and the playground. 

The Romanian Athenaeum is the city’s main concert hall. It was opened in 1888 and went through a major reconstruction and renovation in 1992. If you like mint green, coral, and gold, you will love this theater! It’s beautiful! 

The art museum was a great experience too. We’ve really enjoyed looking at so much art on this trip. It’s amazing how much you can learn about through observing what others have created.

I also would like to remember three unique interactions we had with other people today. First, we met a man at the Romanian Athenaeum. He actually was not very happy with us. Nathan was sketching inside and the man who worked there came out and was obviously not happy with us. He was clear (as clear as we could understand him in Romanian) that he wanted us to leave and that he wasn’t happy that Nathan was sketching. Our trip there was cut short and unfortunately we didn’t get to see the auditorium. 

Second, when we were at the art museum, we met a retired American couple who lives just a few hours away from us in Kansas. It was really nice to talk with them for a bit. Even just a few minutes with them was refreshing! 

Third, when we were at the playground, a sweet little Romanian girl who spoke English asked Naomi if she wanted to be friends. They played for a while then Ariana, the little girl, gave Naomi and Abigail a little ladybug necklace. It was a really special memory.

Each of these instances really makes me think of what a difference we can make in each other’s lives. A harsh word. A step out of comfort to talk with a stranger. Giving a gift and desire to want to be friends. All these little things make a difference in someone’s life. I’m encouraged to be a little more brave to put a little extra sunshine in someone’s day...more importantly sharing God’s love to them. 

Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience,
bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.

Colossians 3:12-14 (ESV)