Timișoara

 The final part of the project with Ronald McDonald House was in Timișoara, on the western border with Hungary. We needed to purchase supplies for 250 welcome kits and then deliver them in town.

On Sunday morning we received word that President Russell M. Nelson had passed away. It was midnight in Utah. We were just one hour from sacrament meeting. He is still included in our little branch building.

We spent Sunday enjoying the members and Taylee Baril who is on her way home on Tuesday. We have enjoyed her musicality and missionary spirit. A couple of races were happening while we walked to Church. Many volunteers were out cheering them on, but in a strange way--by whistling. It because a bit annoying after awhile.

Liberty Square and Union Plaza are just two of the large plazas where people congregate and enjoy the weather. Restaurants line the roadways instead of cars. It's such a delightful walk.

During our stay we enjoyed Korean BBQ, Italian pizza, and Mexican tacos.

Our hotel looks out onto the square where the 1989 Revolution began. There are some artifacts in the lobby to show its place in history. This is our hotel on the left.

Revolutionaries cut out the Communist coat of arms from the center of the official flag of the Socialist Republic of Romania, transforming a symbol of oppression into one of hope and freedom. This simple act of removing the emblem created a distinct, unofficial flag that became iconic of the popular uprising and resistance against the dictator Nicolae Ceaușescu.