Alex Redei is a graduate student at the University of Nevada, Reno College of Education, participating in the “Research in Romania” program this summer with three other Nevada students and two University of Texas students.They will help the educational system in Romania get up to speed on teaching students with disabilities, teaching English to students with hearing impairments and other students, learning research methods and conducting research, and they will take evening classes. Redei plans to complete his master’s in education in 2012 and hopes to eventually mentor gifted children at the Davidson Academy on the University of Nevada, Reno campus.
Turda Gorges
From a plane, Transylvania looks like a familiar patchwork of unassuming greens. As you exit the airport and begin to take in the scenery you are shocked by the fields of grass across rolling hills, and the pink and white flowers blooming in spring-time. But the terrain here is as diverse as Romanian culture.
The beauty of this region is exemplified at the Turda gorges, where a trail runs parallel to a freshwater spring that wraps under fierce, jagged mountain cliffs. It has a wild charm to it that been undisturbed. Our group hiked the path that went up the gorge. We quickly learned that it was popular with backpackers and campers who were also there to admire nature. Heading up the windy, and sometimes dangerous, path you are rewarded with numerous natural cave formations that are a blast to explore. Unfortunately, our hike was cut short due to inclement weather. We hope to see more scenery like this in one of our weekend trips to other parts of Romania.
Turda Salt Mines
What sort of things would you expect to see in a decommissioned mine? Rusted rail tracks, broken machines, old tools, and maybe a lantern. Decommissioned mines often turn into dangerous abandoned mines that we are warned never to venture into.
But children, the elderly, and adults happily stride into the decommissioned mine in Turda, Romania, half an hour outside Cluj. Why? Well, besides its rich history (it has operated since Roman times), the bell-shaped salt mine has been transformed into an amusement park! There is a Ferris wheel, a concert stadium, nine-hole miniature golf, two bowling alleys, three ping-pong tables, playground sets, and even a salt lake that you can rent a rowboat to paddle around in.
