After our lunch visit to Cantacuzino Castle, we were brought to the Qosmo Hotel in Brasov. It is a sleek and extremely modern hotel. But it was also a technological zoo. We marvelled at all the technological innovations in our room like we might look at foreign creatures in zoo. They were deeply perplexing.
When I opened my computer, a shocking event occurred. Unbeknownst to me, Christiane’s computer got a message that John Neufeld was trying to join her personal hotspot. That sounded pretty racy. Then I was quickly deflated, as I got a message that there was a failure to join Christiane Neufeld’s hotspot. This was getting serious. What was wrong? Were our personal connections in peril? Was our relationship lost?
Thankfully, after some complex maneuvering on my computer which I barely understood at all, I connected to her hotspot. Life was fun again. Order was re-established and marital relations no longer in jeopardy. Whew! That was a close call. No, it wasn’t a close enough call. Clearly international travel in the time of computer networks, hotspots, nuclear free zones, and the like, requires intricate diplomacy, tact, and a willingness to try new things and new positions. This could get exciting. Or not. I will leave the rest to your imaginations.
As if that was not exciting enough, we had to learn how to operate a hotel room with an array of modern hi-tech facilities and conveniences, unlike anything I had ever seen before. I mean really modern. For example, how do you use the washroom facilities when then there is large window to the next room and from that to the great outdoors. Who wants to watch an old man take a shower? Or other personal business? Not many.
We had to figure out how to close the curtains on the shower window? Why would the shower have a huge window in the first place? Later one of our friends said the window must be so that the occupant of the bathroom can give the co-occupant “a show.” Was that what we were supposed to do?
Then how do you put the lights on. Sounds simple right? No, it’s not simple. It’s fiendishly complex. The light switch is not anything recognizable to an ordinary citizen of most western cities. My mind was boggled. How can Romania be so far ahead of us in North America? This is a country in the European Union which does not even allow it to sign on to the European currency because its currency is merely funny money, as its own citizens call it.
The wash basin is computer controlled from a panel on the door by the entrance. Until you figure out how to start things nothing works. Amazingly, a wave of the hand, in exactly the right place, puts everything electronic in the room on or off.
Frankly, I was completely baffled by the technological challenges. Like a dog in a library, I was at a baffling loss. Totally mystified.
Even getting out of the room was a huge challenge. How could I open the door? You think that is simple? You should try it. If I had to get out of the room in an emergency like fire I would no doubt have been French-fried. It took me minutes to get the lock for the door open.
This was an experience like no other. The only thing that might compare would be a trip—a final trip—to another world. Heaven, or that other place.
After all that, we went down to the bar. We needed it badly and thankfully we found a most helpful bartender who administered to our domestic needs with aplomb. And generously without a shot glass.
Like America, life was great again.