Armstrongs Abroad: Welcome to Bucharest, Flat Stanley!

This week, we hosted "Flat Stanley" from a girl from Jessica's home church in WV. If you haven't heard of Flat Stanley, here is a short synopsis of the story and explanation of the project (copied from Wikipedia):

Synopsis: Stanley Lambchop and his younger brother Arthur are given a big bulletin board by their father to display pictures and posters. He hangs it on the wall over Stanley's bed. During the night the board falls from the wall, flattening Stanley in his sleep. He survives and makes the best of his altered state, and soon he is entering locked rooms by sliding under the door, and playing with his younger brother by being used as a kite. One special advantage is that Flat Stanley can now visit his friends by being mailed in an envelope. Stanley even helps catch some art museum thieves by posing as a painting on the wall. Eventually, Stanley is tired of being flat and Arthur changes him back to his proper shape with a bicycle pump.

Explanation: The Flat Stanley Project was started in 1995 by Dale Hubert, a third grade schoolteacher in London, Ontario, Canada. It is meant to facilitate letter-writing by schoolchildren to each other as they document where Flat Stanley has accompanied them...The Project provides an opportunity for students to make connections with students of other member schools who have signed up with the project. Students begin by reading the book and becoming acquainted with the story. They create paper "Flat Stanleys" (representative drawings of the Stanley Lambchop character) and keep a journal for a few days, documenting the places and activities in which Flat Stanley is involved. Each student's Flat Stanley and its respective journal are mailed to other people who are asked to treat the figure as a visiting guest and add to his journal, then return them both after a period of time.

(Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flat_Stanley)

Flat Stanley had a great time visiting Bucharest. He saw a lot of interesting sights, ate McDonald's and traditional Romanian food, and met a lot of cool people. Here are some pictures of his adventures!

Welcome to Bucharest, Flat Stanley!


Bucharest is the capital of Romania, which is located in Europe.

Flat Stanley took a tram to visit Piata Victoriei (Victory Square).

At Piata Victoriei, Flat Stanley ate at McDonald's during "Romanian Weeks."

Flat Stanley walked through Izvor Park to see the Palatul Parliamentului (Parliament Palace).

In Izvor Park, he played on the "Children's Palace" playground.

The Palatul Parliamentului (Parliament Palace) is the main government building in Romania.

Next, he walked down Bulevardul Unirii (Union Boulevard) to Piata Unirii (Union Square).

The building in the middle is the Palatul Parliamentului.


At Piata Unirii, Flat Stanley enjoyed listening to two bands playing on the street corner.

Along the road, Flat Stanley saw several interesting things, such as flower shops and taxis.

He also saw beautiful Eastern Orthodox churches and block apartment buildings.

Can you guess the Romanian word? Yes, that is a pharmacy.

You may recognize a few words in this picture: ambulance, medical, and urgent.

Flat Stanley met lots of interesting people, including Margo, a Zumba fitness instructor.

Flat Stanley took the metro home from Piata Unirii.

In the metro station, he saw a pretzel shop.

The metro was really fast!

There are many small stores along the streets.

Flat Stanley met Rita, who works at a small store near Cameron & Jessica's apartment.

Flat Stanley visited Piata Universitate (University Square).

He saw the Intercontinental Hotel.

He also met Alex, the assistant pastor of our church, Biserica Agapia (Agape Church).

Flat Stanley rode the bus back to Cameron & Jessica's apartment.

It was really crowded!

The cheapest shaorma shop in town! Flat Stanley couldn't believe that you can buy a small shaorma for only 3 lei (about $1)! Shaorma is originally a Turkish food, but it is very popular in Romania. It is a tortilla wrap with chicken, cabbage, French fries, ketchup, mayonnaise, garlic sauce, pickles, and onions.