Ro-ma-ni-a.

Last night we had planned on getting up early so that we could have at least an hour to tour parts of Budapest before the van to Romania was going to pick us up. However if you thought getting five Isenberg's somewhere on time was difficult, just plop an Ezri in the mix and the word late is an understatement. We ended up having a scrumpt-didly-umptious marathon breakfast at the hotel. When we glanced at our clocks we were finally done, we realized it was 9:30, and touring was no longer an option but sitting and relaxing sure was. At 10, we loaded our bags into the Romanian van and then headed to the " Széchenyi Lanchid" bridge. Chris gave us a brief history lesson about the bridge. Apparently, the architect who designed it was a rather pompous man and upon its completion, he said that it was the absolute most impeccable and perfect bridge and that there were no mistakes in it. Rumor has it that he went so far as to say that if anyone found a mistake in it, he would commit suicide and jump off it. Some brave soul confessed that the lion statues that guarded the entrances to the bridge did not have tongues. Thus, the Pompous Architect, took his life. Sad story. Amy I. had a difficult time comprehending this and kept wondering if the body was ever found, and why he did it. The concept of the "Myth" is not something to introduce to her, if you don't want a million and one questions back. We took the bus to the tip top of Buda where we could see the entire city, especially all of Pest. We had an Isenberg family photo shoot, and then we headed back in the car to begin our journey to Chris's motherland, Romania, where Dracula was born. And thanks to Amy I., we now know it is home to the most "haunted houses" according to her favorite cable television show, Ghost Hunters. I climbed in the way back of the van and sacrificed an Isenberg pity fight, and even sat in the middle (middle child, middle seat, thats how the game goes). We all know that it doesn't matter where I sit, as long as I am sitting, I can pretty much go into narco narco state anywhere anytime. We arrived in Romania around 4:30. I wasn't sure what to expect. Chris once asked me what I thought Romania looked like and I all could imagine were peasant villages in depressing Eastern Europe. I am not trying to offend anyone, I only speak the truth. I guess it is like the same kind of question when I ask my friends at school or at camp what they think Kansas is like and all they think is farm land and horses imagined in black and white. Ordea, the city in Romania in which we were staying in, is far more interesting that Kanas City. I was blown away. You can physically see the affects of communism on the out skits of the city. Driving into the city were just block after blocks of neutral cement colored apartments. Luckily, Chris lived in the old part of the city, so his home was not transformed into a ticky tacky apartment, his neighborhood had a pleasant and charming personality. Some of the houses on his street were quite elaborate with decorative painting, like red and yellow. Our hotel was literally across the street from his house. Newly renovated, the hotel reminded me of a project from an episode of a TLC show or something Ty Pennington would have done because you could clearly understand the concept behind the hotel, but you could also tell that time and money were limited. It had only been a month since its grand opening and I am not sure how much longer it will last. Tonight's agenda was to attend a traditional orthodox Friday night shabbat with dinner and dancing (well dancing wasn't specifically included, but knowing Chris, it could always go there) Amy I. and I shared a room and Momma I. and Papa I. shared a room and little Adam I. got the honor of staying at the Ezri's house (but truthfully no one wanted him in their rooms....he smells bad, its not our fault) We dropped our bags off and then headed to finally meet and greet the Ezri family. We were kindly greeted by the Ezri family dog, a big german shepard who apparently knows Romanian, Hungarian, Hebrew and English (I don't think Chris ever told me his name) Before we even shook hands with our host and hostess to be, I noticed the large amount of food, prepared and beautifully decorating the table. Large amount is an understatement. We literally meated and greeted with our Romanian family (prosciutto, salami, sausage, you name it they probably had it). Gusti and Gabriella, mother and father of Sir Christian Ezri (Jewish name eh?) both stood not too tall but really too wide. Gusti, precious smile, shiny bald head, stern but cuddly. Gabriella, large but not in charge, unique but comforting. Gusti and Chris took us on a tour of their own personal art museum, aka their house. Gusti has an undying passion for art and from what I could understand, he collects art but is also an antique dealer. While my house is covered with color from head to toe, this house was covered in art and golden frames, and sculptures and clocks from top to bottom. Obviously Chris stored all of the Jewish paintings and antique hanukia and kiddish cups in his room. We gathered around the table as Gabriella continued to cook us more food. Finally at 5:55, we all took a reality check and realized that we needed to leave in 20 minutes for services. Papa I. hadn't even showered yet. Original game plan of 6:15 departure to JCC Ordea was not going to happen. Finally at 6:30 we packed in the cars and headed to Chris's most prized possession, his "campus" (which houses the synagogue and newly renovated JCC) Chris is the director of the JCC. I still can't believe sometimes that he is only 23. From what Chris had described to me about his struggles with growing up the Jewish community in Ordea, I thought his community was incredible. It is not easy to run a temple at the age of 23. We met in the synagogue first. The boys took their path to the right and us girls took our path to the left. The synagogue that they usually occupy was under construction, so instead we were next door in the smaller of the two. Mama I. put it best but the rabbi was doing so much praying and did not face the audience once, that he wouldn't have a clue if anyone was even there. You could tell Mama I. was annoyed by the fact that they still split men and women apart. I thought we were going to an Orthodox temple like the ones back home but it was no where near as strict. Weirdly enough people were quite the chatty (like chatty and kathy) chatters tonight and most of the time people were talking at normal voice level with their neighbor. After services, we did what we Isenbergs do second best...EAT. Surprising Adam I. didn't eat anything and the rest of us nibbled away at the chicken and potatoes. We sang songs, received a welcome speech and took a tour of the JCC. Chris and his very dear and close friend, Edith, took us on a mini tour of the neighborhood. Edith is only 21, is about to graduate college with three degrees, is involved in the Jewish Community just as much as Chris is, and she used to date Chris. She is just incredible. We came back home for late night chocolate cream puffs, with walnut strudel and Mama I. learned how to make meat and cabbage role ups. What a fabulous day in a fabulous city. This is one of those places, in which words can't capture what you need to describe it. Go there.

postedness on march 14th too thousand and aight.

Buda + Pest.

I was going to go to book arts for an hour this morning but the sun was shining, I needed to head to the airport around 11 and the Gorilla gave me the good idea of getting dried fruit before leaving, so skipping class was a much better idea. Today was my first time actually flying out of the Florence airport since I have been here. Simple as pie. I had ants in my pants the entire flight and I can say with all Allison Isenberg honesty, I did not fall asleep, not even a simple rest my eyes moment, on the way to Budapest. Honestly how could I, lady was coughing on me the entire way. I wasn't sure what to think of Budapest, I had heard it was everyones favorite place to visit, but I just couldn't picture Hungary being one of the most beautiful places to visit. But once I arrived in the city of Pest I could understand. The feeling of getting out of a cab in front of an actual hotel with spinning circle doors and marble floors made me feel like the Queen of Florence. I didn't know how to get a hold of my parents because I tried calling Papa I's cell phone number when I got off the plane but he didn't answer. I was able to get a hold of Amy I. through the phone at the receptionists desk and I made my way up to her room. In her delusional state of sleeping mind, she gave me the wrong room number and I tried a few wrong doors before I decided I should just go back down stairs to actually have them look it up. Amy I. was shnuggled up in the big down comforter in the elegant traditionally designed room with elaborate floral print wall paper. Amy I. was overly exhausted from her long day of travel and she could barely form words together to make coherent and complete sentences. I, on the other hand was hungry in Hungary. I was going to venture out to find food by myself because I had no idea where the rest of my family was. However, standing in the lobby as I was coming out of the elevator was Momma I. and Papa Isenberg standing with our family friend Chris. I decided to play a little trick on them, and I walked right up to them without saying anything and proceeded to join in on their conversation. It took Momma I. a second to actually realize that her long lost daughter was standing right in front her. When she finally did, she almost jumped out of her shoes and her smile hit her ears. While Skype was a genius invention and I will admit I do see my Momma's pretty face a lot, there is nothing like giving a big hug to your mom and pops in real life. Although they were just coming back from eating lunch with Chris, they were more than willing to join me for another round of lunch. I had the best chicken quesadilla with quac and grilled chicken and veggies. Momma I. didn't think it would be possible for me to eat a quesadilla the size of the moon but I had no problem downing that bad boy. We walked around just to see some of the city in the day light because we aren't going to see very much of it because we are going to meet Mr. Christian Ezri, the Romanian Jewy Mc. Jews, family and motherland. Momma I. forced Little Adam I. and Amy I. out of bed in order to help them from being their tired bodies get on a regular schedule. We walked around the old city of pest at night and ate at a very traditional Hungarian restaurant. It was so nice and wonderful to finally be with my family that I couldn't stop smiling. Just to clarify a few things. The reason we all met in Budapest was to a. see a glimpse of Hungary b. in order to meet and see our friend Chris Ezri who actually lives in Romania which is four hours from Budapest, but it was easier to fly into Hungary. For those of you wondering who this Mr. Chris Ezri guy is and why my family knows someone in Romania...here is the deal. For the past two summers, Chris, the Romanian Jew, age 23, tall, thick, with glasses and a heavy accent has been living in Amy I'. bed room to learn about how to run a Jewish community. This probably seems odd for a 23 year old but Chris is a well respected youth leader in his town and has been trying to learn from different Jewish communities in the States how to better operate his own, including programing, fundraising and what not. A little over my head but it is pretty incredible. Chris worships my dad, and if he could, Chris would probably build a shrine of my Dad in his house. He actually wants to be my Dad. Chris considers us his second family and calls Little Adam I. his brother. Amy I. and I are little removed from this whole family relationship but I have met Chris a couple of times and Amy I. has only talked to him on Skype before. Thus. Papa I. decided that we Isenberg's were going to meet his second sons family while we were all here in his neck of the woods. I am excited to see what Romania is like, I can't even imagine it. The itinerary for the Isenberg European Extravaganza goes as follows: Budapest to Romania, Romania to Florence, Florence to Rome. The family is back together, which puts me back together!

Hump Day.

Happy Hump Day.
Tonight we headed to Noir for a fancy in your pants, fancy pants, apertivo. Every single time we go there the Gorilla and I begin our by saying and swearing that we are not going to eat as much as we did the last time. Indeed every time we eat more than we did the time before. The only bad thing about this apertivo is that I never end up liking their drinks. If I order the fruity drinks that I really like, like a Belini, everyone gets mad at me for ordering a drink that costs as much as just buying the whole bottle. So I tried to be a bit more risky and order something that people would approve of, like a pina colada but I ended up hating it, only drinking a small amount and handing the rest of it to the Gorilla and her Gorilla mate. They got the job done. Like after all Noir apertivo's we needed to chase down the salty, rich food with a Coca Cola Light. We ended up finding a hole in the wall room full of vending machines and Coca Cola Lights and Diet Pepsi's. And a one of a kind....only-in-the-pasta-capital-of-the-world, would we find a vending machine that serves ready to eat, hot pasta cuisines to go. For just 3.50 euro, you don't have to bother with service fees, just the simple plop and drop of coins is all you have to do (but I can't guarantee it will be good). I am going to taste one before I leave. We ended up making this magical vending machine room into a 7th grade hang out spot. We did a taste test to see if we each could tell the differences between Coca Cola regular, Coca cola light and Diet pepsi. The Gorilla mate was obviously the worst at it. Truth be told, we can make anything fun. Who needs Yab or BeBop or Marcano and alcohol when you have a room full of vending machines and taste testing. The children headed back home for shnuggle time and movie watching, while I made my way over to the Meredith of Looney Looney's house to chit chat and pick up my long awaited package my mom sent with her abroad a good three weeks ago. You know you are lucky when you have friends in your life that you might not talk to everyday or even every couple of months or even a year but still when you get together it is as if nothing has changed. I have a few of those lucky friendships. I am off to Budapest tomorrow to meet reunite with the whole family. Watch out all of Europe, the Isenberg's are coming to town and I just can't wait.

The Chomp Heard Round The World.

In book arts I learned yet another way of making a book. This time it was an actual hard back book with a binding, with book cloth in all. I met the Gorilla and her Gorilla mate at Anna's for some afternoon delight. We originally headed to the market to get dried fruit but then decided that it would be fun and delicious to cook dinner tonight. We stopped at Froto's Fruit station and picked up some crack (and by crack I mean the dried fruit must have some time of crack in it because every single time I tell myself that I am not going to eat all of it in one sitting, I find my self scavenging in the very depths of the bag for more and in no time at all they are all gone) The menu for dinner tonight: Chicken topped with mushrooms and tomatoes, garnished with carrots and onions, with a side of broccoli and cauliflower, and some sweet potato fries as a special treat. For dessert, fresh cinnamon apple crisp (minus the crisp). I wandered on over to the Cavour palace to say goodbye to my two little friends before they left for Rome and picked up my makeup along the way. Our photog teacher had a comi-hippie freak out on my class today because none of us were prepared with the right type of film. Our next project is Polaroid transfers but rather than using straight up polaroids, we have to use slide film and then use this pretty sweet mania machine that projects the 35 mm image on a piece of polaroid. Then we take the Polaroid and remove the film by soaking in hot hot hot h20 and we can place the film onto any surface our little hearts desire. It sounds cool and it is actually very cool, however the really un-cool part of about it is that the polaroid film that we have to buy costs 40 euros and the side film costs 8 and to develop the slide film costs another 8 and we have to develop two rolls which means we have to buy two rolls of film, which probably means we will have to buy another pack of paper knowing my comi-hippi teacher. All I have to say is that this project better be pretty cool (actually more than just pretty, over-the-top-makes-you-slobber-gallery-looking-pieces-of-art-cool) I have no fear, it will be amazing. For dinner the Gorilla and her Gorilla mate and I cooked up a feast in the Via dei Ginori hellish kitchen. It was just fabulous until chompety chomp chomp chomp decided that it was socially acceptable to come into our family dinner and use her finger to snatch our food. I wouldn't have had a problem with it if she a. asked to eat some of our food b. if she had used a fork to eat our food c. if she didn't chomp and smack her food like a baby eating baby food with no teeth into a megaphone but she did all of the above and thats when problems started arise. The Gorilla eventually got fed up when after weaseled her greasy fat hands into our sacred pot of sweet potatoes fries, and thank goodness the Gorilla had Gorilla balls to night and she shoo flied her away. She didn't get the very evident social cues were forwarding to her (thinking blinking lights in your eyes) and that we would rather eat OUR dinner with just OURselves tonight because we cooked OUR own meal, instead she proceeded to tell us how the nude model in her painting class was hung like the cinnamon shaker on our table. You thought those words would be enough mental visuals for everyone to understand, and indeed they were for me. But for some reason, she didn't think we got it, so she proceed to take the cinnamon from the table and do a dance with it. This is getting rather graphic for me to write and the visuals that are popping up in my head right now as I write this in bed are going to give me nightmares...ahh. I will never look at my cinnamon shaker the same. We semi-finished our dinner in peace, remembering the good ol' smeaster days and smeaster wonders. We could tell that Pants was going to linger over our leftovers because she had yet to cook herself her own meal even though she continuously said she was hungry that she was going to make dinner, but she just didn't feel like it. Knowing that tomorrow night and the next I wasn't going to be eating at the house, I offered her the left over cauliflower in the pot (the worst part of the meal). It was as if she hadn't eaten in days. Lick, slurp, burp, and work. She worked that bowl clean with chomps that from the kitchen sounded like stomps. I got so nauseous I decided that I would assign the Gorilla mate the "clear the table" job and I would do the dishes instead so that the sound of the water would drown out the chomps. We thought about going out tonight, but instead decided that going to bed was a much better option.


"By the rude bridge that arched the flood,
Their flag to April's breeze unfurled,
Here once the embattled farmers stood
And listened to the CHOMP HEARD ROUND THE WORLD."

postness from 15 of march.
its 2008