to just be there

(an excerpt from an email to a missionary friend, living in Romania)
......I was thinking about Romania today...as i often do. This was more in the context of living abroad and walking everywhere! For some reason, i just ached to walk around Rosiorii de Vede. There is just a certain smell there and a feeling and my heart was there, wearing my chaco's walking 'in centru'! There are a few people in this world who i am sure can share my feelings, as you know. I feel of course quite removed from Romania and from the people there, but the memories are so vivid. Almost like a movie that i could watch where you can hear and touch and even smell the place....especially smell! When i smell a fireplace i often think of the sobas and the smell of exhaust as i would try to run after the departing tram! Or the green onions, or apples or tomatoes in the piatas. Oh! what i wouldn't give to be there right now. Will we ever go back? Is that in the plan? Ohhhhh what i wouldn't give.....