Dare to seize all the opportunities on your path.
~Lailah Gifty Akita
Dear Reader,
My final morning in Cluj was Wednesday, and a road trip to Arad was scheduled for late afternoon. A blank slate of a day stretched before me, and opportunity beckoned. Logical Lauren noted that it could be a very good day to catch up on work, but my inner child wished for some play. Do I choose the duty of responsibilities that can spread and fill every waking moment, or allow myself to live in the moment, seize the day, and the gifts it might offer?
A bright Cluj-Napoca morning is something to treasure; time can always be found to work. And so I quickly made a plan, and the covered marketplace would be my first destination. I bundled against the crisp fall air and walked east along the riverfront to the first major intersection, and before leapfrogging my way through the narrow shop-lined streets, I paused at the bakery. There, I purchased a small sourdough rye studded with sunflower seeds that I had come to love and a fresh orange juice because it matched my sunny mood. I continued onwards until I reached the opening of the market, a daily extravaganza you have to see to believe. It is definitely a sensory overload, and it is a treasure for a city the size of Cluj-Napoca to have in its heart this rich resource of locally produced food.
Once inside, I set out to select some vegetables for lunch. Large wedges of irresistible pumpkin smiles lay next to heaps of emerald green spinach. Both made their way into my bag. A few cipollini onions and rice will make it a meal. But what about the beans? So many colorful beans that begged to be simmered with leeks, garlic, and herbs, and a few late tomatoes. And then there were also mounds of tiny potatoes with tender skins and inviting spheres of kohlrabi. Saying no to vegetables in a grocery store is one thing, but here, just picked this morning, requires some serious constraint.
I carried my prizes home, and a quick glance at the clock revealed that with some precision work, I could fit in a walk to Central Park while lunch cooked.
So I moved through the tasks quickly, cleaning as I went. It would be a shame to pass up one last stroll under the canopy of Horse Chestnuts. Careful to dodge the conkers as they spontaneously drop from the branches, I admired the dappled light through the golden compound palmate leaves. Before long, I had made it to the lake. Looping around, I noted the swan-shaped paddle boats had made their way to winter storage. A bench drenched in sunlight called my name, and I gave way for a few moments of people watching, one of many hidden pleasures of being a tourist. The writer in me quickly constructs wild narratives, and before it all becomes too dramatic, I escape my indulgence and head back for a warm, nurturing meal. Nothing can make a place feel more like home than cooking fresh local food and having the delicious scent fill the kitchen. It's something I have done each visit to Cluj and likely one of the many reasons it feels like such a home away from home.
I love Cluj-Napoca, the cultured sister privileged enough to attend finishing school, while loud, brassy, and in-your-face Bucharest was forced to learn by doing, gathering savvy street smarts. Of course, both cities have their own appeal; I can’t help but have a clear favorite. My apologies, dear Bucharest. An easy city to adore, Cluj’s architecture is gentle on the eyes, and despite being a large university town, the energy is somehow contained and manageable, and for the most part upbeat.
There’s so much more to share about the final leg of my journey, but my eyes have grown heavy, and I wouldn’t do it justice. So, for now, let me bid farewell, reminding you to seize those moments that can't be replaced, whenever possible. There will always be work, and feeding your soul always comes first.
Until next week
Case Collaborations
Calling all past Mighty Network members! Registration for the Case Collaborations module is now open. This five-month series, facilitated by Lena Kozlovets and Kara Strubberg, is required for Gemmo Consultant certification. The prerequisite for this series is the completion of Practicum One. All former Mighty Network members who have participated in Practicum One in past years are eligible to register. Live session dates include 10/25, 11/22, 1/10, 2/7, and 2/21.
Gemmo Meet-up
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