I was in Memphis, enjoying Beale Street with family, when I noticed that my cell phone was missing from my bag. We had just exited an Uber van and were seated at a table with a pitcher of margaritas….ready to relax!  I searched my bag for my cell phone to take a vacay pic of my siblings, stepmom and me and noticed the phone was gone. I retraced my steps mentally…..”I know I had it in the uber because I called my teenage son and husband back home to check in on them…..It’s still in the Uber! It must’ve fallen out of my backpack when I was struggling to get out of the van.” I remember pulling my sister or stepmom’s purse strap from around the headrest of a van seat and that’s what must’ve jostled my cell phone out of its place in the backpack pocket. Yikes.

My first thought was “Is there a 1-800 number for calling Memphis Uber drivers to locate my phone?” I could call my middle son (from my relative’s phone) who seems to know these kinds of things. Meanwhile, I directed my sister in law to try to contact the uber driver on her phone since she ordered the uber for that ride. Sometimes, uber drivers call you to find your exact waiting locations. This one had not. I told her that uber would’ve sent a receipt to her email so maybe she could find some way to contact him on that email. She tried for the next half hour or so to send a message via email and wait for a reply.

When I called my son ( back home in Oklahoma) to ask him what to do (these millennials are advanced with this kind of technology), he said, “Mom! I am tracking your phone right now! Remember? We have tracking and GPS on Life 360.” Of course we do! I didn’t think about that. My son, at a lake in Oklahoma with his friends, could track my phone by looking at our Life 360 app. I had recently put my three sons and myself on the Life 360 app because all three of them were in three different states that summer and I referred to it only when needed. I don’t really have any need to know all the details of the app but it even tells you their driving summary  for the week and their miles per hour! I only needed it for overall safety tracking. I had never thought about the fact that it could be useful for tracking me! I actually like the idea of this because on road trips where I am driving alone, I like the idea that my kids could have a way to locate me and communicate this to my husband (who doesn’t have a cell phone and doesn’t want one.)

My son came up with a plan. He told me where the uber (with the phone inside it) was moving to…..”it’s on 2nd street, now it’s on Beale, now it’s …..” Ugh. This was teasing me. At one point, I spotted the uber driver in his van, driving up our street.  I exclaimed to my brother (standing by me outside of the restaurant)…..”There he IS!” My brother proceeded to chase the van three blocks down this  busy tourist street. I was shocked and laughing. My son said he’d call my cell phone so the driver would hear it. I told my son that my ringer doesn’t work, therefore, noone is going to hear it. He said he’d call it anyway because eventually a passenger will see it in the van and pick it up or see “Missed Call” and know to call it back. (Is this a millennial thing? probably) Sure enough, his plan worked! Mark called the phone, a passenger saw “Missed Call” and Mark told him what happened. Mark called me back (I’m on my stepmom’s phone this whole time, communicating with him) and said, “Mom, call your phone, now. A guy in the van has it.” I called the phone, the guy answered and I told him, “Please tell the uber driver to bring my phone to the restaurant where he dropped us off and I’ll pay him for the drive.”

Crisis solved! After some time, the driver found me and I got my phone back! My brother was somewhat fascinated with this turn of events and the whole Life 360 app which played a part, somewhat. He suggested I blog about it because it is part of traveling and it was an adventure! It took teamwork and my sister in law also finally received some communication from the Uber email. (I don’t remember now what the details were of that). Technology does help! Uber- emailed receipts and Life 360 tracking devices all worked together in this mishap to confirm that my phone was still, in fact, in the Uber van and not lost on the ground somewhere in Memphis. Granted, without the Life 360 app, I could’ve still called the phone to see if anyone would answer it and ask the driver to bring it back to me. But it was reassuring to be able to track it….  My son was also able to see how much battery I had left on the phone which would let us know if someone was going to be able to see the incoming call. Life 360 tells you how much battery you have left and sends reminders to charge it up.

This is an unusual travel blog for me to write but hopefully a useful one to someone out there reading it! (See Life 360 app link below). Travel is disorienting and there are many details to keep on top of but this tracking app definitely came in handy for me!

click on this link below called Homepage and it will show you the Life 360 app.

https://www.life360.com

Top of the Rock, next to Big Cedar Lodge, has marvelous attractions. This clifftop Eden of an Ozark resort is every bit the valley of excitement. One of the attractions up at Top of the Rock is the Lost Canyon Trail which is a tour of a four story cascading waterfall. Driving your own golf cart through the trail lasts about 45 minutes long as you stop at waterfalls, drive through a big cave (with a beverage bar inside) and cross over a Amish covered wooden bridge.

The paved road is easy to maneuver through as you enjoy limestone, glorious foliage and breathtaking vistas.It’s so relaxing to let your mind and vision wander, taking in the  natural beauty and not having to process anything other than what legacy natural history leaves us….like the erosion of rivers, hot springs, rain, wind  and streams over time as they carved and formed the existing rock formations. It’s a bonus for me to have a husband who majored in GeoPhysics and a son majoring in Geology along for the ride to impart their geological knowledge to the rest of us!

Inside the cave, we saw stalactites and more waterfalls.

When we finished the Lost Canyon Trail golf cart ride, we departed to a fabulous lunch at Arnie’s Barn. The view of the Top of the Rock site from Arnie’s barn rooftop balcony is thrilling. You will definitely want to make a day out of visiting there. The sinkhole update below on video and on the website link is fascinating and possibly connected to the Lost Canyon cave.

www.topoftherock.com/sinkhole

photos by GIna Kingsley

 

What are the favorite wines out there? I went to the source…..my girlfriends! When you know your friends’ palettes, you’ll be well stocked for the next time  you go to their house or they come to your house! I like to update this list, periodically. Here’s the results:

• St. Supery Meritage
• Stags Leap
• Calistoga
• Mazzei Philip Cabernet
• Big Red Monster
• Jordan Russian River Valley
• Kono Sauvignon Blanc
• Faust Wines
• Joel Gott Cabernet
• Faust Wines
• Lesse Fitch Cabernet
• Rombauer
• Kendall Jackson Chardonnay
• Silver Oak
• Sterling
• Apothic
• Honig
• Pascual Toso Malbec
• 2016 Padrillos Malbec
• Sean Minor
• Earthquake Red Zinfandel
• Saldo Red Zinfandel
• Far Niente

Typically, I don’t believe in wine pairings with food. I mix whites and reds with different meats sometimes. However, I always like white wine with sushi. I always like red wine with…..I always like red wine! With everything!  Here’s some good info about wine pairings, though.

http://www.foodandwine.com/slideshows/15-rules-great-wine-and-food-pairings/7

Gina’s easy bruschetta  to serve with wine:

make your own crostinis or buy them. If you make them, slice a baguette or buy crostinis and brush butter, olive oil, garlic and chives or your favorite herb and sea salt. Bake until golden.

mix Harissa Salsa from Trader Joe’s with Bruschetta toppings like Red Pepper Salsa, Artichoke and Olive Tapenade salsas.

Salud!

 

Cedars, pine trees, streams, waterfalls, moss, nature and luxury; adventure and relaxation…..all of these can be found at Big Cedar Lodge in the Ozarks! Just saying those three words invites a sigh of wonder and appreciation from anyone who has had the pleasure of staying at BCL! The best memories are made at this resort–ranging from rustic relaxation to luxury dining, golfing and holiday fun.We discovered Big Cedar Lodge fifteen years ago when our trip to San Diego and Los Angeles had to be canceled because of the events of 9-11 and airports closing down. What was supposed to be a week of Disneyland, Lego Land, Sea World and other California attractions ended up becoming a quick detour to Branson instead. I had heard about Big Cedar Lodge from friends or colleagues and this was a good opportunity to check it out. As we drove down into the resort area, we were astonished at the beauty of this hidden valley overlooking Table Rock Lake.What especially surprised us were all the amenities and activities included there. Our six year old caught his first fish at the marina– a blue gill! We were able to do paddle boats, canoes and fishing for water activities and hiking, exercise room, horseback riding and putt putt golf along with sports and playgrounds. We ended up returning annually for the next 15 years and staying in every lodging the resort offers. So many additions were created over the years; chapels, skating rink, the development at Top of the Rock and more….Currently, they are building an activities center which is going to include laser tag, bowling, go carts, etc.

We didn’t just want to enjoy it alone so we went back with other relatives over the years. From small groups to large family trips, the best memories have been made there. One tradition that has developed is the Thanksgiving buffet at Top of the Rock.

While we’ve been there during every season, I have to say that Fall is my favorite time to go. I like to get my fill of Fall and closure on the outdoorsy time before having to “hibernate” during the winter months. Fall is a perfect time for us to go and do as many outdoor activities as possible. We start the mornings with a walk through the grounds, enjoying all the holiday decor.

We walk across the bridge at Devil’s Pool and take photos….and enjoy the waterfalls.

When we crave water time, we either enjoy the hot tubs or heated pools which is nice to do at any time of day but especially relaxing after an excursion.

Admiring the landscape but also the interior and exterior design of this gorgeous resort never gets old. The photos are endless as I never get enough of the beauty.

Another reason I love going there in the Fall is because there is a combination of Thanksgiving and Christmas decor which is double the fun. Gingerbread houses and Christmas trees everywhere adorn the resort as well as pumpkins and gourds. This gingerbread house is a replica of the resort.

Thanksgiving Buffet reservations at the Osage Restaurant at Top of the Rock has been perfect for our group which is made up of two families of five. We have dined at Buffalo Bar (the lower level of the Osage restaurant) and the upper level. The same buffet is offered at Arnie’s Barn which we also visit for a meal sometime during our stay. The vistas make you want to linger all day….so we do!

 

A walk through the cave-like cellar of Top of the Rock leads you to wine cellars and a whiskey tasting room.

 

Outside, there are numerous patios, fire pits, fireplaces and the imposing chapel–all overlooking Table Rock Lake. Mornings at Big Cedar are eerie and beautiful with an immense fog over the lake and dew all over your balcony patio table. The quiet and hidden valley is “just what the doctor ordered” and one of the reasons why we are always longing to return.

all photos by Gina Kingsley

other blogs on BCL are called Thanksgiving at Big Cedar Lodge, Lost Canyon Trail, (put in search bar)

Nothing says SPRING like the opening of the Farmers Market.  April through October, you can shop the market and make it a weekly ritual…and you should! It helps make up for the winter months. My favorite one to go to is the Cherry Street Farmers Market in my own neighborhood. Reportedly, it’s the biggest farmers market in the area. (I think even the state, but I haven’t confirmed that, yet). Walking to the market puts me even more into the natural mood of the event. Although driving would be convenient if I needed to load many bags into my car to transport home, I purposely walk so that I become a part of my neighborhood experience. I enjoy the porches, gardens and different architectural styles of the houses. The simple pleasure of sidewalks is what many of us Tulsans rank high on our list of what makes neighborhoods great.

Carrying a few bags each Saturday also reminds me of the way they do grocery shopping in many European countries. You get the essentials; what you’ll cook that weekend. I dislike bulk shopping, anyway. It seems you throw away items or forget that you bought them and then you have to store them deep into pantries and fridges. There’s nothing like fresh vegetables and breads! Fresh honey from the local beekeepers is better for you, anyway, because of the local bacteria which is supposed to help you with allergies.  I like supporting the local vendors and also popping into the local boutiques along Cherry Street. There are so many chain stores, anyway….even on unique plazas in various cities. So this way, I support local stores and coffeehouses. One home decor store I went into was serving white wine sangria to all the window shoppers and customers. I had coffee in one hand and sangria in the other! So much excitement at 9:00 a.m. in T-town! Another week it was red wine sangria.

The live music is a bonus at the Farmers Market. Anyone who’s had a child with a rock band in their garage or bedroom knows how important it is to support musicians. It starts your weekend off right listening to the soulful beats of live music (before you read your newspaper – ugh.) I also thoroughly enjoy conversing with the gardeners who give sage advice about their herbs. (did you catch that? ha ha). It feels very communal to listen to novices consulting the experts about the best times to plant vegetables, why cilantro doesn’t grow long, how you eat the sugar snap pea straight off the vine, etc.

Highlights of the Cherry Street Farmers Market:

1. breakfast tacos
2. pastries
3. live music
4. herbs and veggies
5. florals
6. honey
7. art and pottery
8. wine
9. cultural diversity- the Asian and Amish farmers produce stands are some of my favorite
10. cheese and dairy
11. eggs
12. seasonal products; corn, pumpkins and gourds in the fall; seasonal fruits in the spring/summer
13. ending up at Coffee House on Cherry Street for pastries, coffee, music and their charming patio.

Walking back home and quickly putting everything away in my fridge is so much nicer than unpacking bulk items!  Exercise, live music, a free community event, a little culture and fresh, natural produce is a perfect way to start the weekend!

The area farmers markets;  dates vary. Google it for location and dates/times.

• Cherry Street
• Brookside
• Guthrie Green
• Rose District
• Jenks Main Street
• Jenks
• Claremore
• Downtown Tulsa

Where else can you see a chicken that has been trained to “play dead” by rural children? Strolling up and down the farmers market, seeing fresh eggs, local honey and fresh fruits and vegetables reminded me of the treats I enjoyed in my own childhood backyard. Years ago,  I mused to my husband, “I want our sons to grow up like I did—with chickens, beehives, veggie gardens, grapevines….” His answer was perfect, “Then, do it.” So I did! 5 chickens and a huge grapevine later, we are enjoying the inspiration from the neighborhood farmers market and the community of agricultural artisans who enrich our beloved Cherry Street!

photos by Gina

Initiative is defined as inventiveness, imagination, ingenuity, creativity, enterprise, drive, dynamism, imagination, motivation, spirit, energy and VISION.

I attended a press conference for Runway Tulsa which released their 2017 event dates and explained its role with the Oklahoma Fashion Initiative.  My friend, Wade Bray; the creative director of Runway Tulsa, invited me to the event. I was instantly welcomed by so many bright staff members of this think tank. Tina Terry, program director spoke to me about the OFI- Oklahoma Fashion Initiative and last year’s OKC Fashion Week. This year, being the second year of OKC Fashion Week, spurred Runway Tulsa to turn it “into their own” with their own yearly events. Tina’s experience in event planning with SRO Productions and her  background in arts management seems to give her the confidence conveyed in directing this vision. 

Fair Fellow Coffee was the perfect space and backdrop for this event with its high contrast of black and white motif. As soon as I walked in, the sign Fashion and Coffee set the tone for two of my favorite things! I set up my “perch” for recording and blogging for this event and got my most important tool to start off with—cappucino, of course. After running into a college friend and asking Wade a few questions, I observed the energy of the environment. The verve of the guests and the space was not my typical Sunday afternoon. Something was a-buzz. (Maybe it was being so close to the Beehive Lounge, next door.)  The smell of coffee beans mixed in with chicly-clad guests and their creative spirit in the contrast of Fair Fellow Coffee ushered in the climate of this press conference. First, I asked Wade to tell me about the Oklahoma Fashion Initiative. He summarized that this is the first public intro into OFI’s larger goal. Jon Terry, producer, introduced Chera Kimiko, who emceed the event and named the sponsors. The proceeds go to benefit Martha’s Foundation which helps pregnant teens.The 2017 important dates to note for Runway Tulsa are:

Saturday, June 3, 2017 (10 a.m-1 p.m.) Runway Tulsa Model Call at Fly Loft- 117 N. Boston Ave.

Wednesday, Sept. 27, 2017 Kick Off Event and Emerging Talent Runway Show– Lexus of Tulsa Showroom- 4210 S. Memorial Drive (invitation only VIP event)

Thursday, Sept. 28, 2017 Fashion in the Square– Utica Square-1709 Utica Square (free event open to the public)

Friday, Sept. 29, 2017 Runway Show Benefitting Martha’s Foundation– Cox Business Center Assembly Hall-100 Civic Center (ticketed runway show)

Saturday, Sept. 30, 2017 Runway Finale– Cox Business Center Assembly Hall-100 Civic Center

The finale will feature several designers, some of which are Nigerian-born, Canadian transplant Ese’ Azenabor, Tulsa’s Nikki Warren and current New York Fashion Institute of Technology student, Raul Flores. You may know Nikki Warren through her Mocha Butterly store and line.

The website includes good background info on the goals and mission of Runway Tulsa. “….Our long-term goals include building new industry in Tulsa, expanding the artistic scope of our city, supporting and increasing the fashion retail sector and mentoring and aiding our young talent in the fashion realm.”- Jon Terry, producer (from Runway Tulsa website).

(from Runway Tulsa website:) MISSION STATEMENT: “Promote and sustain Tulsa’s Fashion Industry by producing signature events that showcase local talent and collaborate with community partners to identify resources and opportunities that enable participants to shape their passions into a professional career.”

Along with learning all the paradigm and dates, I took in the ambience of the crowd. Look at this 3 year old boy with a cardigan and ripped jeans. He was the barista’s son, of course, and very fashion-forward.

Regarding the paradigm, I learned that Runway Tulsa is the face of the OFI which is a larger, ambitious program that they’re working on. It basically covers 3 areas:

• Runway Tulsa events
• Education Programs
• Economic Development

Wade succinctly covered the three areas without over saturating us with jargon and info. I am most excited about the education programs and something he specifically said. “Part of the mission is to make fashion more accessible; less intimidating.” He went on to explain that fashion doesn’t have to be super high-end/coutre. There will be a monthly showcase they do in different locations including filmmakers, fashion designers, spoken word poets, etc…

The education program was initially for college level and high school students but they eventually want it to funnel down to elementary kids so they can foster that interest in fashion to a younger age through mentorships, etc. (That peaked my curiosity as an educator/psychometrist). I think it’s bold and smart to tap into that age group.  I also learned that the education programs will include design, merchandising, graphic design, photography, marketing, event planning ….(all of that falls into this realm.)

They’ve formed a partnership with OSU in this education area as well as Central High School’s fashion program, Clary Sage, UCO, OU and McClain High School.  Also, out of state schools like Baylor, George Washington in St. Louis and Syracuse have expressed interest , etc. (There’s a tiered scholarship program, too.) The goal is to take them from teen level to push them through all the way to designer.

He explained the economic logistics and stumbling blocks for the young designers starting out. It was definitely enlightening. 

When he and I chatted about this future fashion district idea, I mused to him about what undeveloped pocket of downtown might be a good area for this. I compared it to the districts of other big cities and why they work there. It was fun to just imagine where this could develop.

So…now that the informative details and logistics have been explained, I’ll tell you my other observations. In this climate of a mutual admiration society of creative collaborators and lovers of fashion, the following comments could be heard: “I’ve been looking for that perfect shade of purple lipstick. Where did you get it?”, “Is that coat vintage?” (ok, that was me who asked those questions) but also heard among guests was, “Hi, what’s your name?” (thrusting out their hands for a handshake). (That one was refreshing, I have to admit. It’s not commonly heard, anymore, in all circles. ) I observed a pea coat hanging perfectly from the frame of man, a boho hat and chic scarf casually decorating one of the guests, and the gravity-defying heels, white jeans with a sharp black duster on my platinum blonde friend .

The turquoise bolo on another guest drew me over to her and I discovered she has a jewelry store downtown.  These visual observations intrigued me and were certainly unique compared to the standard “uniform” of many but it was the talent and creativity in the air that was the real centerpiece of the event. I feel this vision is on the cusp of something empowering for Tulsa. We’re at a time now that our city has the landscape for this fashion district.

We have the dining, art galleries, music venues, bars, food trucks, beer fests, etc….but we don’t really have a fashion district. We pop into stores randomly situated around downtown or nearby areas but, personally, I’d love to see a blend of modern and vintage stores along a more pedestrian format. (not scattered but cohesive; where you can park and stroll.)

As I was taking it all in, hearing about sponsorships, meeting people in this creative community, etc., I was grateful for a break from a typical Sunday afternoon. Then, my phone flashed a text from my son checking to see about his ride home from track practice, and I was snapped back to reality. But then I thought—we can have both. We can have a more eclectic, bohemian environment in Tulsa mixed in with our traditional Tulsa lives and lifestyles. There are events where you don leather pants and have cocktails and there are other times you go to coffee houses for Spoken Word and Open Mic Nites and don vintage clothing items. It will be happening more and more in T-town, I think. The renaissance of downtown, in my opinion, is begging for this–the one pocket left we haven’t explored (at large). We have craft beer fests, murals, street entertainers and even a Boxyard with shipping containers turned into stores in a tiny strip mall of sorts. 

Tulsa may not have been ready for this a few years ago. There’s a statistic that there’s a certain fickle nature about new venues after about three weeks, (or so, approximately) I’ve heard. I see that changing, lately. Establishments are sticking around longer. Now, I feel our cityscape could  support a more fashion forward style. 

That’s a wrap on Fashion and Coffee. What could be a better combo on a weekend early evening?

https://runwaytulsa.com

photos by Gina

Gypsyfamilytravel.com is a travel/adventure blog which features destinations, interviews, cuisine, activists, enthusiasts, artists, vintage fashion and much more to showcase journeys; both geographical and personal.

 

Every time I go to downtown Tulsa, I see something new. It’s very exciting for a native Tulsan, like me, to see the growth and progression…..or “Renaissance “and “revival”  would be better terms for it, actually. I grew up hearing about how fabulous downtown Tulsa was in the days of swagger ( like the first half century of the 1900’s.) My mom was a teen in the 1950’s and told us tales of how people dressed up in formal attire to go downtown. Hats, gloves and lipstick were almost a necessity for going downtown. The streets were heavily populated and there was a hustle-bustle of activity.

(Most Tulsans know the following info but for those non-Tulsans, here’s some insight…) Eventually, the shopping activity transferred to Utica Square (when it was built in 1950’s and re-purchased in 1960’s, shopping malls of Southland, Southroads and in 1976, Woodland Hills Mall (Oklahoma’s largest shopping mall). Southland became Promenade Mall in the 80’s and very few stores were left downtown. I remember going to see movies in the late 70’s downtown and popping into a few department stores.  The Williams Center Forum was a groundbreaking center for us. It seemed to have everything- an ice skating rink, a movie theater and several levels of shopping and dining. Ice skating on the weekends to a deejay was a form of entertainment for several of us. Bridesmaids and graduation luncheons were held at The Magic Pan creperie. You could even get your camera film developed at a film developer store in the “Forum”, as we called it. After a decade, approximately, the Forum lost its popularity. People went further south for activity, it seemed. We still occasionally went downtown for concerts or special events in small taverns.

After several years…..slowly, downtown Tulsa saw a turnaround with the addition of a new Cox Convention Center, BOK center, Driller’s Stadium, Guthrie Green, revitalized warehouses and districts, bars, taverns, art galleries, etc. Festivals, Tulsa Tough, Hop Jam, parades, etc. are regular weekend attractions for people to go along with the traditional Mayfest, St. Patrick’s Day block parties, art crawls, food trucks, beer fests, pedicabs, coffeehouses, open mics, spoken word nites, etc.

What excites me even more than the establishments are the delightful new murals that are painted on so many buildings downtown! This feels like a big city to me. It reminds me of what I love about other cities and metropolises and now we have them right here in Tulsa! I think it’s just the punch of color we need amidst all our beautiful, stately architecture. The “street vibe’ of the murals gives downtown Tulsa a youthful and casual feel to balance out all that Art Deco glam.(A headless cowboy and horse was painted on this mural. Kind of thought-provoking!)

What a great combo: historic architecture and casual, whimsical murals….chic, yet, street. There’s no place like home.

photos by Gina

A bright, effervescent and beautiful young lady at our church recently went on her second mission trip. I’m so impressed with her because of her commitment to our faith, the role model she is for our youth and her dynamic personality. As if I wasn’t already impressed with her volunteerism of being a Sunday School teacher, youth group chaperone, dance instructor assistant and Greek dance troupe member—(all in a new city and parish to her) she also raised funds to go on her 2nd mission trip for OCF! (Orthodox Christian Fellowship). I’m always inspired when young adults stay involved in our church but in her case….she LEADS the way! Here is her fascinating story about her mission trip in Romania.

What inspired you to go on this mission trip?

One of my Orthodox friends went to Honduras for a mission trip our junior year. After that, I got interested. Senior year I went on a Real Break trip to Alaska and thought, “I want to go on another one!”  I looked at different trips offered and which ones my friends were going on so I was able to go on another trip with the same people. Going to an orphanage stood out to me. One of my classes in college was on the Psychology of Trauma and we watched a documentary on Romanian orphanages, so that sparked my interest.

I knew Romania is heavily Orthodox but…I didn’t know Honduras had an Orthodox population! 

Yes, they have Orthodox orphanages set up by priests.

What was the process for raising the money to go?

I gave a speech at my hometown church about the trip and we passed  around collection trays. I told the priest that I would give a presentation afterward explaining what the trip was for and how it impacted me. I also sent letters to family members. The OCF website has a donation link. The trip and airfare from D.C. to Romania was included so I only needed to cover my flight from here to D.C. I paid the deposit and the rest was raised by donations.

What was the hardest thing about being there?

The hardest things…two things: Many of the kids were malnourished. Every meal was soup and bread for five days…but to realize that that is what the kids eat every day…they are not getting the nutrients they need to grow. They looked a lot younger than they really are which caught us off guard. We’d ask them how old they were and when they told us, we thought they were joking. Saying goodbye was one of the hardest things. The kids became very attached to us. They’d put their arms around us during the services.

Can they come up with an inexpensive protein to include in the orphans’ meals?

We were there during Lent so, possibly when it’s not Lent, there might be meat in their meals.

How long can they live in the orphanage?

They have kids that stay there even past age eighteen. (They help them find jobs, etc.)The orphanage started after the communist regime because people couldn’t afford their children. Some of the orphans have siblings and family members who they stay in communication with.

Who funds this orphanage?

The people in the village area, Orthodox churches and the funds we raised support the orphanages.

So we should continue to support OCF so that the funds will reach these programs.

Yes. I want to do so much to help. There are schools they can go to, also. The kids were so sweet and it was so hard to say good-bye. The kids kept asking us when we’ll be back, why do we have to leave, etc… I had to explain to them that we have to get back to work. The hard part is how do you explain to the kids, “I have to go back to my family; when they might not  have a family.”

And they’ve already been abandoned…

That’s why they attach to us so much because they don’t have a primary caregiver or parents to be there.

The documentary I saw in the 80’s showed their deformities and deficiencies and how they’d rock themselves in their cribs.

That was in the documentary we watched in my class, as well. They didn’t get enough attention and they’d stay in their cribs way longer than they should’ve. Since noone was rocking them, they’d rock themselves and they couldn’t walk until they were older.

Tell us about Romania. Did you meet the Bishop of Kluge?

We stayed at a hotel where he stays at–it wasn’t specifically his apartment. We were in Bucharest for two days and we met up with the OCF equivalent. We visited churches and talked about what it’s like to be an Orthodox Christian. The churches were absolutely beautiful. They were on every corner! I followed our leader around the city. Bucharest reminded me a lot of Athens.

What was your favorite thing about Romania?

I think going to all of the beautiful churches and that the people there are very nice.

What’s the food like?

When we ate the hotel food in Bucharest, we had stuffed peppers, rice dishes, etc. At the orphanage, we had soup and bread but when we were in Bucharest we had appetizers, main course, and dessert.

What work do you do at the orphanage? What do you do?

Hanging  out with the kids, showing them love, playing frisbee….and also we took down an entire fence and organized their library. All of their books are donated so we organized them, set aside inappropriate books, sorted, etc. We don’t know Romanian so it was hard to decipher that. Priests helped us with that.

If you could influence anyone who is reading this article to go on a mission trip, what would you tell them?

I was impacted by my Alaska trip but this mission trip impacted me even more because the kids were so inspiring. They showed us so much love and it really put things in perspective. I look at the things I go through each day and it’s nothing compared to what they go through, yet, they’re so positive about everything. 

Photos provided by Kerri.

Kerri’s blog about her trip:

Romania-Where You Find Your Family

Orthodox Christian Fellowship website. Please consider donating. Donation tab in menu.

http://www.ocf.net

Kerri made this video of her experience:

 

 

 

 

 

Roma! ROMAHHHH!!!The city of fountains- 2,000 of them, reportedly. Why do people love Rome? The history, the architecture, the glamour and location, location, location. Italy is a great jumping point to see other European countries as it borders many fabulous countries. 

• The customer service is impeccable. No wonder Italy is the most visited destination in travel. #1.
• Landmarks– The antiquity and the cosmopolitan features blended together lend themselves to this photogenic landscape.
• Nightlife scene. -the outdoor dining is fabulous and picturesque.
• Limoncello- the traditional libation of Italy.
• Glamour– Italian people are glamorous. The shops are glamorous. Roma oozes glamour!
• Format.- Rome has a walkability factor. It’s also a capital city that seems cleaner and less polluted than most.Cappucino. In between hitting the pavement to tour so many impressive monuments, cathedrals, etc., take time to break for a mug of cappuccino and pack a deck of cards in your tote. A coffee-inspired card game is a great way to absorb the people-watching and leisure of a European city.

When I went as a child, my trip to Rome was enhanced by watching I Claudius on Masterpiece Theatre with my brother, the historian. I enjoyed all of the landmarks from  reading my guidebooks and because I recalled so many details from the “I Claudius” series. Now, going with my children was fulfilling because they had also prepared well for this destination and I was anxious to see if they’d connect with Rome the way I had as a child. We railed to Rome from Florence and stayed at the Baileys Rome Hotel.

What has always impressed me about Rome is that it’s laid out well for pedestrians. You can get around by map and the city seemed clean to us for such a major metropolitan city. As a child, I marveled at the way the streets were built around the landmarks. It felt like the antiquity and modernity of the city was merged into one. The next day we met our private tour guides who drove us around in a van.

Sightseeing itinerary:

A full day of sightseeing can take place in 7 hours, approximately. Start the morning with touring the treasures of the Vatican; Sistine Chapel and Basilica of St. Peter.  After crossing the park of Villa Borghese, you’ll arrive at Vatican City, the smallest independent country in the world. Proceed to the Basilica of St. Peter to enjoy the art of the largest Roman Catholic Church in the world. The Pantheon was on our route and it is one of my favorites as it’s full of history and significance.

In the afternoon, you can explore the Roman Forum and Colosseum. Stroll by the Piazza Barberini to gaze upon the Triton Fountain and on to the Piazza Venezia. The Roman Forum, Senate House, Basilicas and Temples of the major gods are located in the Imperial City centre. Walk down the Via Sacra by the Arch of Titus where you’ll visit the Colosseum, ruins of the Arch of Constantine the Great and last stop on your tour will be the 5th century Christian Basilica of St. Peter in Chains and the world famous statue of Michaelangelo’s Moses.

Not to be missed is the chic shopping of Rome’s boutiques. The salespeople are as chic as the mannequins in the window displays. You will surely find something to buy and wear back home to remember your glamorous time in Roma.

The Spanish steps should be on your sightseeing route. My 10 year old son vividly recalled a scene in Roman Holiday with Audrey Hepburn on the famous Spanish steps. Rome leaves its imprint on every tourist. Cuisine, culture, history, shopping, etc…but for me, it’s the image of the concierge and customer service reps in their three piece suits in the middle of summer greeting me with “Prego! Signora!”  Italia definitely earned the rank of #1 visited country!

Suggested reading: Mission Rome: A Scavenger Hunt Adventure (Travel Book for Kids) by Catherine Aragon

photos by Patrick and Gina

http://www.gypsyfamilytravel.com/the-vatican/

Click on link above to read about the Vatican.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/069271393X/ref=cm_sw_su_dp    (link to order book)