I love this piece. Language is so complex, and we are definitely different people when we try to communicate in another one. When I speak French (not well because it’s been 30+ years since high school!), I inexplicably have a lisp that I don’t have an English. I, too, hope strangers appreciate my efforts, lisp and all!
I actually came across this piece sometime last week and meant to comment immediately, as it resonated on SO many fronts. But life's chaos intervened. Anyway, here I am. I was a Peace Corps volunteer in Bulgaria, and the lesson about not opening windows on trains or buses was one of my first real life introductions to how vast the world is and how health beliefs vary so wildly. Funnily enough, I live in Istanbul now with my Turkish husband and 3 kids, and I am now SO well accustomed to the Turkish version of "curant" (is that how you spelled it?) which is called "ceyran" here, which itself translated to "current", as in an electrical current or shock that you would get being stuck between two open windows. I guess the degree to which I myself have intergrated into Balkan/Turkic culture is reflected in the fact that I...wait for it...kinda believe it now myself! Kind of makes me think we also need a piece on the dangers of walking barefoot on marble or tiled flooring....Anyway, also inter alia, I visited Brasov with my husband and daughter in May of this year, and was frankly simply BLOWN away by its beauty and by the deliciousness of its food. I now swear that in another life, I don't think I'd mind at ALL living in Transylvania. What a weirdly mystical and wonderful and physically gorgeous area of the world!
Thanks for sharing, Julia! Yes, I've heard that "curent" is a phenomenon elsewhere in southeastern Europe. Definitely a Balkan thing. Yes on the tiles too. Slippers are mandatory. And ladies and children aren't allowed to sit on stone/tile without a pillow or something, or they can catch a cold "down there." I hear you, some of it makes sense, the longer I live here. There are also interesting remedies such as treating a cold by putting your feet in hot water with salt. I guess like the "old wives' tales" that we grew up with in America. Glad to hear that Transylvania impressed you! Romania has so much to offer, especially Transylvania but also far beyond it, from hip cities to lovely villages, incredible nature, delicious food and endearing traditions. I've enjoyed my time in Bulgaria, too, though the yes/no head-shaking is hard! :) As for Turkey, I've only been to Istanbul, just once, and would love to return and see more of the country. Enjoy!
I love this piece. Language is so complex, and we are definitely different people when we try to communicate in another one. When I speak French (not well because it’s been 30+ years since high school!), I inexplicably have a lisp that I don’t have an English. I, too, hope strangers appreciate my efforts, lisp and all!
Thank you, Rebecca! The lisp is a great example of the obstacles we face in foreign languages. I’m sure your French efforts are appreciated.
My hometown!
Such a fun story -- reminds of my time in Romania in the 1970's (during Ceausescu (hm... my phone isn't letting me make the "sh" letter in Romanian)).
Thanks for the comment and sharing that tidbit. And the sh :)
I actually came across this piece sometime last week and meant to comment immediately, as it resonated on SO many fronts. But life's chaos intervened. Anyway, here I am. I was a Peace Corps volunteer in Bulgaria, and the lesson about not opening windows on trains or buses was one of my first real life introductions to how vast the world is and how health beliefs vary so wildly. Funnily enough, I live in Istanbul now with my Turkish husband and 3 kids, and I am now SO well accustomed to the Turkish version of "curant" (is that how you spelled it?) which is called "ceyran" here, which itself translated to "current", as in an electrical current or shock that you would get being stuck between two open windows. I guess the degree to which I myself have intergrated into Balkan/Turkic culture is reflected in the fact that I...wait for it...kinda believe it now myself! Kind of makes me think we also need a piece on the dangers of walking barefoot on marble or tiled flooring....Anyway, also inter alia, I visited Brasov with my husband and daughter in May of this year, and was frankly simply BLOWN away by its beauty and by the deliciousness of its food. I now swear that in another life, I don't think I'd mind at ALL living in Transylvania. What a weirdly mystical and wonderful and physically gorgeous area of the world!
Thanks for sharing, Julia! Yes, I've heard that "curent" is a phenomenon elsewhere in southeastern Europe. Definitely a Balkan thing. Yes on the tiles too. Slippers are mandatory. And ladies and children aren't allowed to sit on stone/tile without a pillow or something, or they can catch a cold "down there." I hear you, some of it makes sense, the longer I live here. There are also interesting remedies such as treating a cold by putting your feet in hot water with salt. I guess like the "old wives' tales" that we grew up with in America. Glad to hear that Transylvania impressed you! Romania has so much to offer, especially Transylvania but also far beyond it, from hip cities to lovely villages, incredible nature, delicious food and endearing traditions. I've enjoyed my time in Bulgaria, too, though the yes/no head-shaking is hard! :) As for Turkey, I've only been to Istanbul, just once, and would love to return and see more of the country. Enjoy!