Timisoara... through the eyes of an angel

by Ana Bucșa, 6th grade
"Grigore Moisil" Theoretical High School Timișoara

I pressed the button. A voice spoke through my headset: "Ready to launch in 3... 2... 1...". There was a blinding light and I dove toward planet Earth. I smiled at the corner of my mouth as I flew - I had the most important mission possible, and that was to collect data on some random city. My boss had told me earlier that, due to a system glitch in Heaven, I'd lost all the information about it... very serious up here!
My angel partner wished me good luck. After my atmospheric entry, I plugged in my digital map and took off for the target city. In no more than an hour, we arrived safely.
I put my feet on the ground and looked left and right, scanning my eyes for a signpost, anything to give me a first clue. Then I saw a small, shiny one: "T... Timi... Timișoara!" So that's what it's called. Immediately, I activated my invisibility shield and spread my wings and set off.
Still flying over the city center, I came across a melodious, soothing sound that compelled me to stop flying and listen. I did a little tumble through the air, flapped my wings and danced to the music. When I looked inside, I was amazed. The excitement in the air was thick, thicker than a knife. The performers were giving it their all to impress the audience, or rather the listeners, and the audience was savoring the moment, in little ways, whether a dolled up lady or a frisky little boy.
I jotted down the name "Opera" in my dedicated notebook for additional notes, the rest was taken care of by the camera attached to the watch on my wrist.
Eventually, I left and ended up in what looked like Opera Square, bustling with people and tourists. I saw a group of pigeons and decided to have a chat with them.
- Kiss my hand! What are you doing here?
All the doves looked up at me, a little frightened. Then they moved aside, as if to make room for someone. I was a bit confused until I saw who it was... a very old and wise pigeon!
- What are you doing here, angel? Shouldn't you be wandering around in the world above? he said.
- Well, there were malfunctions. I've been sent to investigate. Listen, you seem to know a lot. Tell me about the history of Timișoara, please!
In the end, I managed to persuade him with four and a half loaves of bread for his family, but it was worth it, because he told me everything he knew at the time. He pointed with his wing to the upper wall of a building, riddled with bullet holes. He explained in detail about the December 1989 Revolution that started in Timișoara. I was fascinated and made a note in my notebook.
I waved goodbye to the pigeons, soaring slightly above the buildings. A little further on I saw a street that was covered with umbrellas so colorful they looked like a basket of freshly picked fruit. I wondered how they floated like that, but I walked on.
Looking for another interesting place, I pass over the Bega canal. Yes, I read the sign. Still looking at the kayaks, I saw a larger boat, which was a transport boat. I squinted my eyes and smiled. A little girl dressed in a striped skirt, holding her father's hand, very excited about the trip, exclaimed, "Ooo, it's only one leu!". I got on, just before the doors closed. I made a note of this cute remark.
After the ride, we stepped onto the bike path. Just then, a group of cyclists sped past. I took a long look and smiled again! They were fifth - sixth graders, probably classmates, giggling and talking about their little mishaps in life. I took off, flying along with them. They carried me to Balcescu Square.
Being a little tired, I sat down on a roofed bench and began to observe. First the school, or rather "Grigore Moisil" High School. Big, full-full of windows, like a giant remote control. And next to it stood a church, like a big sister, tall and strict, but majestic at the same time, adorned with cones of light and semiege crosses.
While I was in my dreams, a sound woke me up. A sound that ruffled your hair, that seemed to move the ground. A long, metallic snake stopped near the bench I was sitting on. I rose startled into the air. My "heart" was pounding. My partner spoke into my headset, "Hey, buddy! Your pulse is up. You're okay, okay? " I mumbled a "Yeah...". Then, I heard sentence fragments from the people boarding the snake: "tram stop" and "number 8". I understood. It was a man-made machine - also transportation. How ingenious!
As I floated there, I had a panoramic view of the city. The parks, full of children and greenery, the shops, the hospital, the car traffic... all gave a sense of normality and safety. Timisoara was a happy city. At that moment I realized that my work here was done. It was time to go back home, upstairs.