Today was probably my favorite day of training so far. Although the topics were kind of heavy...
We spent probably an hour talking about the dangers of diarrhea... "like think of diarrhea on crack" --> actually thought about titling this post "Diarrhea: A day in the life of a Peace Corps Volunteer" but then realized my day consisted of much more than... I'll just leave it there. I think it helped that the facilitator was so perfectly candid. She definitely kept the lecture interesting... and amusing... AND if anyone ever needs to know ANYTHING about diarrhea, I got chu, and can even provide a "life saving recipe".
Also, try saying "Shistosomiasis" three times fast. Ready... Go.
In addition to that we spent a huge portion talking about HIV/AIDS, the causes, prevention, etc. I won't really go into detail about that, but it was a really helpful session and I feel more equipped to work in Health Education now.
The most exciting aspect of the day, I think, was during our "Village Life" session. We essentially received a tutorial of things to expect when we first move into our host families on Tuesday. (This will be our home for the remainder of training). We were given our water filters, medicine kits, and mosquito nets. Beyond that, we went through all of the items that we will have with us when we arrive to our homesteads. This includes our gas stove, blankets, pillows, and groceries. The groceries are to be given to our host families to help pay for food for the first two weeks, and then some items were designated just for us... Including a giant jar of peanut butter... Although I'm not an avid peanut butter eater, this definitely put a smile on my face. Later we went through some tips on effectively bucket bathing and washing our laundry (using a one tub, one bucket system... ohhh yeahhh), and talked about the dos and dont's of village life. We also learned that tomorrow we're getting a tutorial in public transportation, and will be learning the language involved with that, and be going on a field trip (woot woot) to a mall in Manzini to go shopping. After a week of having practically no chocolate, this is excellent news indeed. HUZZAH. Although, I'll probably end up spending my 120 Emalangeni on something more practical... like a mop, hehe
But in all seriousness I'm super stoked to be moving into my host family soon, and taking on the role as a member of the community. It's neat too, because we're going to be living in the area our Language and Culture Facilitators are from, and that's where we'll have our language and culture lessons (mainly) for the rest of training (as mentioned above). At various points throughout the next two months we'll also continue to have health trainings, which I'm also looking forward to.
There's probably a thousand more things I could add (like a sneak peek of the bucket list me a couple PCTs are working on... but all in due time my friends, all in due time). Plus, I have to go reorganize my suitcase because I part with half of my belongs by the end of the day tomorrow... (they'll be kept safely in a facility until I reunite with them in August).
And because I casually have no idea how to say "goodbye" yet...
Ikhona yini imibuto? (Any questions?)
Sunday, June 30, 2013
Saturday, June 29, 2013
Sanibonani!
Although I've been in Swaziland for a couple of days, I'm still
processing the fact that I am actually here. So until I can really
vocalize all that is going on (so many wonderful things!) here are some
pictures to pique your interest. Also, please ignore any technical
glitches. I have no idea what's going on here...
This is the view from the hostel at our training facilities. The photo doesn't really do the landscape justice. The colors are a fabulous blend of browns and greens mixed with a reddish-orange sand. We're just outside of Manzini, and the center is definitely keeping us in a temporary bubble before we move out to where our PST host families live.
 | ||
This is the view from the hostel at our training facilities. The photo doesn't really do the landscape justice. The colors are a fabulous blend of browns and greens mixed with a reddish-orange sand. We're just outside of Manzini, and the center is definitely keeping us in a temporary bubble before we move out to where our PST host families live.
 |
| All geared-up and ready to learn Siswati and begin medical orientation. My favorite thing to say as of right now is "Sanibonani bobabe" which roughly means "hello gentlemen". It just so nicely rolls off of the tongue. We started language training today, and as part of that training we'll be moving into to host families soon. SO excited for that. Yesterday we learned how to filter water safely (nothing like a few drops of bleach to brighten your day), and we're receiving our medical kits tomorrow. |
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| The airport in Manzini! it was the most amazing feeling to finally in Swaziland after twenty-fourish hours of traveling :) |
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| Another view from the training center. |
Tuesday, June 25, 2013
Lessons learned in the City of Brotherly Love
What became apparent after 6 or so hours of a pre=orientation orientation was the current state of reality I find myself in. Some things simply are not justified by our imagination, and although acknowledging Swaziland as real, it definitely has taken on a Narnia-esque illustration in my perceived reality. Which is actually entirely fitting.
 |
| Who'd a thought Swaziland had random lamp posts dotting its pleasant countryside? |
I've spent the last couple of months feeling lost, and as I move closer to having a bigger purpose it's becoming easier to feel like myself again. Sometimes it's too easy to be caught up things that distract me from doing what I enjoy, fully dissipating my creative energy. However, the number of people that have extended well-wishes to me completely overshadows the previous statement. Simply knowing that the dream that I have long since been working to fulfill is supported by so many people that have influenced me at various stages in my life is too incredible for words, but it makes it all the more easy to acknowledge that I am doing the right thing. So thank you.
Well, I should probably catch some winks before I leave the cushy comfort of this hotel in 2 hours.
Here's to the unexpected and not yet perceived.
Monday, June 24, 2013
In a little more than twenty-four hours, I will be leaving the summer for winter.
**I am horrible at beginnings, so true to my nature this first entry is going to follow no logical sequence, and you'll receive a gold star if you're able to follow the nonexistent transitions.
When Brittany offered to pass this blog onto me, I was really pumped. For one, it meant that I could avoid the not-so-complicated-but-I-would-find-it-challenging process of creating my own blog, and secondly, it is far more meaningful to know my stories are a continuation of her experiences in Moldova, only in some parallel/alternative universe known as Swaziland.
For all those interested, here's a map!
I can never really get over how quickly you can travel from one place to another, that in a matter of hours, I'll be transplanted to a place I can't really even fully picture. I suppose things were much different when boats were the primary form of travel...
Anyways...
In all honesty, I am so excited for this incredible opportunity. I've been wanting to join the Peace Corps for several years now and am thrilled to finally be embarking on this journey.
I just spent the past year at SIT Graduate Institute working on my master's in intercultural service, leadership and management. My time in the Peace Corps will actually count towards my master's degree, serving as my practicum. This means at some point, I will be writing a fifty page paper. WOOO. But I am pumped and ready to take all of the pearls of wisdom I've gathered from grad school with me to Swaziland, and at the same time fully prepared to throw everything out the window once I'm there. The fact that there's so much I don't know is less daunting than it is thrilling... and clinging to this mentality is the best way to ensure I keep an open mind, or at least handle anything that comes my way with a smile. While I could use this as a platform to rant about uncertainties regarding development... I think it is important to take this opportunity for what it is, and know that I am making the most of it. It's time to shape my experience, yo.
I'll be working in the youth development sector, which is coupled with health education. After having spent the last three summers working as a camp counselor, I'm ecstatic to be working with youth again--bring on the ice breakers, ridiculous games, and bottomless creativity.
I'm also looking forward to breathing some fresh air. Although I've always found the song "Blacking out the Friction" by Death Cab for Cutie really intriguing--"I think that it's brainless to assume that making changes to your window's view will give a new perspective", I think sometimes it's too easy to fall within a specific frame of mind, and let that guide how you see everything. While I don't know that I need to be in a new place to bring on new ways of looking at life, (perhaps the critique embodied in the song), I think it's crucial to embrace movement, and everything that comes with it.
While I'll definitely always be woods forever (words from one of the most ridiculous songs of all time)...
It is hard to ignore the fact that for the next 27 months I am going to be calling somewhere in Swaziland home. And that at some point, unpredictable to me now, and probably unrecognizable to me then, I will be looking at places once unfamiliar, as if life would be abnormal without them.
**I would like to note that the more tired I grow, the more laughably philosophical I become...
I think I'm going to leave it here for tonight... seeing as I'm supposed to be awake again in 3.5 hours. Oops. I thought it would be wise to relax a little after wrestling with my suitcases for an hour. Somehow... at least according to my scale... I've managed to be well below the weight allowance (HUZZAH). I've definitely looked at the contents of my suitcase/giant backpack enough to know what I've packed, however that does not bring any sort of reassurance that I've packed anything that I am going to need or use... I tried to follow some advice from my friend Aidan, who did PC in the Dominican Republic... in essence, he said to think about what I use on a daily basis, and compare that to what I pack. So, going off of that, I have everything--and more, than I need, fo sho.
In closing, I dedicate this entry to Philly.
Until next time,
Pam
When Brittany offered to pass this blog onto me, I was really pumped. For one, it meant that I could avoid the not-so-complicated-but-I-would-find-it-challenging process of creating my own blog, and secondly, it is far more meaningful to know my stories are a continuation of her experiences in Moldova, only in some parallel/alternative universe known as Swaziland.
For all those interested, here's a map!
 | ||
| It's actually a kingdom, just in case you were curious. Also, I feel super-fancy for inserting a picture. |
Anyways...
In all honesty, I am so excited for this incredible opportunity. I've been wanting to join the Peace Corps for several years now and am thrilled to finally be embarking on this journey.
I just spent the past year at SIT Graduate Institute working on my master's in intercultural service, leadership and management. My time in the Peace Corps will actually count towards my master's degree, serving as my practicum. This means at some point, I will be writing a fifty page paper. WOOO. But I am pumped and ready to take all of the pearls of wisdom I've gathered from grad school with me to Swaziland, and at the same time fully prepared to throw everything out the window once I'm there. The fact that there's so much I don't know is less daunting than it is thrilling... and clinging to this mentality is the best way to ensure I keep an open mind, or at least handle anything that comes my way with a smile. While I could use this as a platform to rant about uncertainties regarding development... I think it is important to take this opportunity for what it is, and know that I am making the most of it. It's time to shape my experience, yo.
I'll be working in the youth development sector, which is coupled with health education. After having spent the last three summers working as a camp counselor, I'm ecstatic to be working with youth again--bring on the ice breakers, ridiculous games, and bottomless creativity.
I'm also looking forward to breathing some fresh air. Although I've always found the song "Blacking out the Friction" by Death Cab for Cutie really intriguing--"I think that it's brainless to assume that making changes to your window's view will give a new perspective", I think sometimes it's too easy to fall within a specific frame of mind, and let that guide how you see everything. While I don't know that I need to be in a new place to bring on new ways of looking at life, (perhaps the critique embodied in the song), I think it's crucial to embrace movement, and everything that comes with it.
While I'll definitely always be woods forever (words from one of the most ridiculous songs of all time)...
 | |||
| One of my favorite places in the 603 |
**I would like to note that the more tired I grow, the more laughably philosophical I become...
I think I'm going to leave it here for tonight... seeing as I'm supposed to be awake again in 3.5 hours. Oops. I thought it would be wise to relax a little after wrestling with my suitcases for an hour. Somehow... at least according to my scale... I've managed to be well below the weight allowance (HUZZAH). I've definitely looked at the contents of my suitcase/giant backpack enough to know what I've packed, however that does not bring any sort of reassurance that I've packed anything that I am going to need or use... I tried to follow some advice from my friend Aidan, who did PC in the Dominican Republic... in essence, he said to think about what I use on a daily basis, and compare that to what I pack. So, going off of that, I have everything--and more, than I need, fo sho.
In closing, I dedicate this entry to Philly.
Until next time,
Pam
Passing on Pieces of Peace
Well friends I have about two more weeks left of my Peace Corps service. It's hard to believe this journey is coming to an end. But, this post isn't meant for me to blubber on about my time as a Peace Corps volunteer, but rather I am excited to announce that I am going to pass on my beloved 'outside the 603' to one of my dearest and oldest friends, Pam.
Pam leaves tomorrow to join the Peace Corps. I won't tell you where she is headed, that is for her to share. (Although, I will say it is not Moldova). Her stories are going to be wildly different from the stories I shared but I am quite certain that we will realize there are quite a lot of similarities.
I am excited to read about her Peace Corps experience. I am excited to read about her interpretation of service. I am also really excited about the fact that in a small way I will continue to stay connected to the Peace Corps world through her.
Pam is no stranger to being abroad, having spent a year of high school studying in Germany. To say this girl is kick-ass is a major understatement. Not only this, but she is one of the funniest people I know, whenever I am with her we always have big stupid grins on our faces and still giggle as if we were toddlers stealing cookies before dinner.
I will continue to post until I 'return to the 603', but after that it's all Pam. Handing over my silly little blog makes it feel slightly more special, and I hope that all my family and friends continue to read because the stories that Pam will have to share will be truly extraordinary. To Pam's family and friends, I hope you enjoy reading about her life as much as I will. (No pressure, Pammy!)
And, maybe in two years when Pam begins to wrap-up her service she will be able to hand-off the blog again to keep Pieces of Peace alive.
Sending peace and love to you, my dear Pammy, as you embark tomorrow on a journey that I can promise will change your life forever.
Peace to you!
Pam leaves tomorrow to join the Peace Corps. I won't tell you where she is headed, that is for her to share. (Although, I will say it is not Moldova). Her stories are going to be wildly different from the stories I shared but I am quite certain that we will realize there are quite a lot of similarities.
I am excited to read about her Peace Corps experience. I am excited to read about her interpretation of service. I am also really excited about the fact that in a small way I will continue to stay connected to the Peace Corps world through her.
Pam is no stranger to being abroad, having spent a year of high school studying in Germany. To say this girl is kick-ass is a major understatement. Not only this, but she is one of the funniest people I know, whenever I am with her we always have big stupid grins on our faces and still giggle as if we were toddlers stealing cookies before dinner.
I will continue to post until I 'return to the 603', but after that it's all Pam. Handing over my silly little blog makes it feel slightly more special, and I hope that all my family and friends continue to read because the stories that Pam will have to share will be truly extraordinary. To Pam's family and friends, I hope you enjoy reading about her life as much as I will. (No pressure, Pammy!)
And, maybe in two years when Pam begins to wrap-up her service she will be able to hand-off the blog again to keep Pieces of Peace alive.
Sending peace and love to you, my dear Pammy, as you embark tomorrow on a journey that I can promise will change your life forever.
Peace to you!
Friday, June 21, 2013
Turul Moldovei (Tour Moldova)
This year marks the 20th year that Peace Corps has been serving in Moldova. This is a special anniversary and a group of volunteers worked tirelessly to put together an amazing two-week long event that brought two groups from the north to chisinau and the south to chisinau.
I joined in on the southern group walking from one of the southern most regions of the country all the way to the middle part of the country (to the capital). Though I only joined the group for the first couple of days of the walk we had a really excellent time.
The event, Turul Moldovei (or Tour Moldova) serves as a chance for us Peace Corps volunteers to increase awareness about both volunteering and about Peace Corps and our objectives for serving here in Moldova. Everyday of the tour we, as a group, walk from village to village, putting on events and increasing our exposure across the entire country.
I took part in walking early this week in the event. The tour started in Taraclia (a region center in the south). The two volunteers living in Taraclia put on the event, they put together both an NGO fair and a English movie showing. The event was attended by interested local community members.
That evening the group had dinner with one of the volunteers host families in the town. It was a great meal of chicken soup, fresh fruits, vegetables, meats, cheeses and of course a plentiful supply of house wine. The older woman who prepared our dinner was a really excellent host. She invited us to take pictures of her garden and to make ourselves at home.
The following morning we woke up early and began our more than 20 kilometer walk to the next town, Corten. We weren't sure what to expect upon arrival. The mayor of the town only spoke in Russian and the volunteer who had gone ahead to prepare only spoke Romanian. It was going to be a surprise. When we arrived in the early afternoon we were all exhausted. The sun beat down hard on us by the final few kilometers of our walk and we were all ready to sit/lay down. When we arrived the Russian speakers all took to doing what they do well, conversing with the locals. We were brought to the mayors house where we relaxed for a bit before our afternoon activities began. We were told we would be speaking to a group from the community. We were all very relieved that we wouldn't be doing manual labor, we were all quite tired from the walk. Later, when the group had formed we were walked to the center of town. A large very fancy pavilion and restaurant in the center of town was going to be the host for the event. The pavilion was gated off so we couldn't see inside. The mayor told us to wait on the road while he went in to make sure everything was in order. A few minutes later he emerged telling us to enter.
The pavilion was full of community members all sitting around the outer edge of the large gate. We were greeted by two young women dressed from head-to-toe in the traditional Moldovan dress. They carried with them a giant loaf of round bread (colac) with a small bowl of salt, and a tray of glasses filled with wine. Traditionally, when a person is welcomed into a community in Moldova they are greeted with this traditional bread, salt, and wine. We all ripped a small piece of bread, dipped it in the salt, and drank a small glass of wine. In my two years in Moldova I had never had the opportunity to experience this tradition, it was simply beautiful.
After our traditional introduction to the community we spoke about Peace Corps with the group that was gathered and the mayor told us a short history of his beloved town. (Which I learned had many roots with Bulgaria and later learned the village is dubbed 'little Bulgaria'.) After our presentation about Peace Corps and remarks by the mayor there was a concert with traditional singing and dancing... ending in our joining the traditionally dressed dancers in a large (clumsy on the part of the Americans) traditional circle dance, called the 'hora'.
Later in the afternoon we were taken on an extensive tour of the villages history museum. We learned all about the villages patriotic roots and their pride in the past. That night we returned to the big fancy pavilion where we ate a large dinner cooked for us at the restaurant and after were carted over to our host for the night. A wonderfully hospitable older woman greeted us at her gate and invited us into her home. She had prepared all the beds and made both her indoor and outdoor shower available to us to clean up after our long day.
The following morning our host made a beautiful breakfast including boiled eggs from her chickens. We again got an early start to our day, before the sun was too harshly bearing down on our route. This walk was shorter than the day before. In total we walked about 15 kilometers to the next region Ceadir-Lunga.
After arriving in Ceadir-Lunga it was time for me to head back to my site. It had been a great adventure and I was happy I had the opportunity to take part in the walk. ...but, I was also excited to get back to host mom. My time in Moldova is quickly coming to an end and I want to spend as much time as possible with the woman I now consider family.
Peace from Nisporeni
I joined in on the southern group walking from one of the southern most regions of the country all the way to the middle part of the country (to the capital). Though I only joined the group for the first couple of days of the walk we had a really excellent time.
The event, Turul Moldovei (or Tour Moldova) serves as a chance for us Peace Corps volunteers to increase awareness about both volunteering and about Peace Corps and our objectives for serving here in Moldova. Everyday of the tour we, as a group, walk from village to village, putting on events and increasing our exposure across the entire country.
I took part in walking early this week in the event. The tour started in Taraclia (a region center in the south). The two volunteers living in Taraclia put on the event, they put together both an NGO fair and a English movie showing. The event was attended by interested local community members.
That evening the group had dinner with one of the volunteers host families in the town. It was a great meal of chicken soup, fresh fruits, vegetables, meats, cheeses and of course a plentiful supply of house wine. The older woman who prepared our dinner was a really excellent host. She invited us to take pictures of her garden and to make ourselves at home.
The following morning we woke up early and began our more than 20 kilometer walk to the next town, Corten. We weren't sure what to expect upon arrival. The mayor of the town only spoke in Russian and the volunteer who had gone ahead to prepare only spoke Romanian. It was going to be a surprise. When we arrived in the early afternoon we were all exhausted. The sun beat down hard on us by the final few kilometers of our walk and we were all ready to sit/lay down. When we arrived the Russian speakers all took to doing what they do well, conversing with the locals. We were brought to the mayors house where we relaxed for a bit before our afternoon activities began. We were told we would be speaking to a group from the community. We were all very relieved that we wouldn't be doing manual labor, we were all quite tired from the walk. Later, when the group had formed we were walked to the center of town. A large very fancy pavilion and restaurant in the center of town was going to be the host for the event. The pavilion was gated off so we couldn't see inside. The mayor told us to wait on the road while he went in to make sure everything was in order. A few minutes later he emerged telling us to enter.
The pavilion was full of community members all sitting around the outer edge of the large gate. We were greeted by two young women dressed from head-to-toe in the traditional Moldovan dress. They carried with them a giant loaf of round bread (colac) with a small bowl of salt, and a tray of glasses filled with wine. Traditionally, when a person is welcomed into a community in Moldova they are greeted with this traditional bread, salt, and wine. We all ripped a small piece of bread, dipped it in the salt, and drank a small glass of wine. In my two years in Moldova I had never had the opportunity to experience this tradition, it was simply beautiful.
After our traditional introduction to the community we spoke about Peace Corps with the group that was gathered and the mayor told us a short history of his beloved town. (Which I learned had many roots with Bulgaria and later learned the village is dubbed 'little Bulgaria'.) After our presentation about Peace Corps and remarks by the mayor there was a concert with traditional singing and dancing... ending in our joining the traditionally dressed dancers in a large (clumsy on the part of the Americans) traditional circle dance, called the 'hora'.
Later in the afternoon we were taken on an extensive tour of the villages history museum. We learned all about the villages patriotic roots and their pride in the past. That night we returned to the big fancy pavilion where we ate a large dinner cooked for us at the restaurant and after were carted over to our host for the night. A wonderfully hospitable older woman greeted us at her gate and invited us into her home. She had prepared all the beds and made both her indoor and outdoor shower available to us to clean up after our long day.
The following morning our host made a beautiful breakfast including boiled eggs from her chickens. We again got an early start to our day, before the sun was too harshly bearing down on our route. This walk was shorter than the day before. In total we walked about 15 kilometers to the next region Ceadir-Lunga.
After arriving in Ceadir-Lunga it was time for me to head back to my site. It had been a great adventure and I was happy I had the opportunity to take part in the walk. ...but, I was also excited to get back to host mom. My time in Moldova is quickly coming to an end and I want to spend as much time as possible with the woman I now consider family.
Peace from Nisporeni
Exploring
Last week I took a adventure down to southern Moldova to visit a few volunteer friends.
The first stop was in the village of Taraclia where my friend Kerry lives. Kerry lives with a host grandma also known as a 'baba'. Baba was a character, she is 78 years old but looks and acts about 102. She is a little old lady who walks arched back with a cane. She spends her days puttering around the yard and garden watching over her chick-lings and looking after her great grand children. She is a true Moldovan character. I have been lucky to live with a host mom who speaks very clean Romanian with me, she rarely uses Russian words when we talk. Kerry's Baba was not at all like this. She spoke the epitome of Moldovaneste. I think one of her favorite activites while I was there was making circles around the front yard speaking and the third person saying: 'Oh Baba, my legs hurt. Oh, I want to die. Oh, why haven't I died?' ...She was a funny little character.
The first evening I was there Kerry had a jewelry club meeting. A group of elementary school girls came over to her house and we spent the evening making bracelets and earrings and talking about their summer plans. We prepared white chocolate covered popcorn for the girls, that was a huge hit!
Later that day we went for long walks around the village exploring wheat fields and seeing the outskirts of the village. The following day we even went on a long walk to find a pond, but the adventure ended in us giving up and settling for a shaded spot in the woods to lay our picnic.
The highlight of the visit was when one of Kerry's neighbor came over to her house for a visit and invited us to go over to his house to see his new piglets. I was a little wary given the man had clearly had served himself a few glasses of house wine, but Kerry assured us that he was friendly and didn't mean anything by his appearance. So, all three of us girls headed over to his house after dinner to look at his pigs. He was such a funny man. He chased after the piglets until he finally caught one for us to hold. He cared a lot about his animals and he refereed to them as his 'dears' and his 'loves'. After we were satisfied with the amount of piggy lovin' he showed us into his home where we were drank some of his house wine and spoke with him about life in Moldova.He was sad to see us go, but after awhile we decided that we had shared enough house wine and it was time to head home.
The second portion of my visit to the south involved a long five hour routiera (mini-bus) ride down to the biggest city in the south, Cahul. Though the bus ride was long it gave me a chance to see the landscape in the south. I found it to be generally flatter with larger expanses of farming land between villages.
Cahul is a pretty little city. While there we went on a tour of the local bread and beer factory. It was interesting to see the process and we were lucky enough to get to try all the products being produced. The rest of the time we spent enjoying each others company, walking through the city, and taking cover from the rain showers that came pouring down.
In all it was a great and culturally infused trip. We saw the stark contrast between very rural village Moldova and relatively urban Moldova. It was great to get a chance to see these parts of Moldova, I haven't seen yet, before it is time to leave.
All for now, peace.
The first stop was in the village of Taraclia where my friend Kerry lives. Kerry lives with a host grandma also known as a 'baba'. Baba was a character, she is 78 years old but looks and acts about 102. She is a little old lady who walks arched back with a cane. She spends her days puttering around the yard and garden watching over her chick-lings and looking after her great grand children. She is a true Moldovan character. I have been lucky to live with a host mom who speaks very clean Romanian with me, she rarely uses Russian words when we talk. Kerry's Baba was not at all like this. She spoke the epitome of Moldovaneste. I think one of her favorite activites while I was there was making circles around the front yard speaking and the third person saying: 'Oh Baba, my legs hurt. Oh, I want to die. Oh, why haven't I died?' ...She was a funny little character.
The first evening I was there Kerry had a jewelry club meeting. A group of elementary school girls came over to her house and we spent the evening making bracelets and earrings and talking about their summer plans. We prepared white chocolate covered popcorn for the girls, that was a huge hit!
Later that day we went for long walks around the village exploring wheat fields and seeing the outskirts of the village. The following day we even went on a long walk to find a pond, but the adventure ended in us giving up and settling for a shaded spot in the woods to lay our picnic.
The highlight of the visit was when one of Kerry's neighbor came over to her house for a visit and invited us to go over to his house to see his new piglets. I was a little wary given the man had clearly had served himself a few glasses of house wine, but Kerry assured us that he was friendly and didn't mean anything by his appearance. So, all three of us girls headed over to his house after dinner to look at his pigs. He was such a funny man. He chased after the piglets until he finally caught one for us to hold. He cared a lot about his animals and he refereed to them as his 'dears' and his 'loves'. After we were satisfied with the amount of piggy lovin' he showed us into his home where we were drank some of his house wine and spoke with him about life in Moldova.He was sad to see us go, but after awhile we decided that we had shared enough house wine and it was time to head home.
The second portion of my visit to the south involved a long five hour routiera (mini-bus) ride down to the biggest city in the south, Cahul. Though the bus ride was long it gave me a chance to see the landscape in the south. I found it to be generally flatter with larger expanses of farming land between villages.
Cahul is a pretty little city. While there we went on a tour of the local bread and beer factory. It was interesting to see the process and we were lucky enough to get to try all the products being produced. The rest of the time we spent enjoying each others company, walking through the city, and taking cover from the rain showers that came pouring down.
In all it was a great and culturally infused trip. We saw the stark contrast between very rural village Moldova and relatively urban Moldova. It was great to get a chance to see these parts of Moldova, I haven't seen yet, before it is time to leave.
All for now, peace.
Saturday, June 8, 2013
Two Years In Moldova
Today marks two years in Moldova. Sometimes it's hard to believe that two years has already past, other times I know for darn sure that it has in fact been two long years. (Depends on the day and probably the hour and maybe even the minute you ask me.) So, for my second anniversary here in Moldova it made sense to spend it with my host family. The people I have gotten the closest to in the past two years.
The day started like any other Saturday. Host mom and I began cooking in the morning. This is a pretty typical scene, especially when host sister, her husband and their god couple (a unique Moldovan tradition that involves a couple choosing a mentor couple when they marry) are coming for a weekend visit.
Today was particularly unique because we were all headed to the river. I got a call earlier in the week from my host sister inviting me to go fishing with them on Saturday. I was excited for the invite and couldn't wait to hang by the river.
Host mom and I cooked all morning in preperation making sarmale (stuffed grape leaves), placinta (cows cheese stuffed pastry), and clatite (crepes filled with cheese and jam). While we were cooking the neighbor came over to help out and visit. I told them both that tody was my two year anniversary and this was of course means for a bit of wine. We drank down a few quick glasses of wine. The nieghbor telling me I needed to stay and live in Moldova. It's always flattering when someone insists you stay in their country!
Host mom and I have gotten very close and I have gotten good at knowing what she will need done in the kitchen. So, I began to work without asking questions. After a little while host mom commented on how I knew what she wanted before she had to ask. I took this as a strong compliment. Moldovan women are queens of their kitchens. I also helped the neighbor when host mom asked for something that she didn't know how to do. The neighbor commented on my kitchen skills. Host mom's response was 'Yes, she learned how to be a Moldovan girl of the house and now she will leave'. This was a bittersweet comment for both host mom and myself.
When host sister arrived in the early afternoon we packed up the car with all the food and headed out. We drove two villages over to the river where we would be fishing and bbqing. The weather lately has been very rainy, so the mud is very thick. We were just barely able to drive the car into the picnic lot we had picked out without getting stuck in the mud. After stepping out of the car my sandals were covered in wet sticky mud for the duration of the day. We set up our table with blankets and covered the table with all the food we had brought along.
The next few hours were spent eating, drinking, fishing, and taking cover from the intermittent thunder storms. The day was passing and we still hadn't started to bbq. I began to wonder when that was going to happen. While we were huddled under the shelter during one of the particularly long thurnder showers host brother-in-law piped in about how to it was going to real stink if it rained until tomorrow and how we were going to have to stay huddled in the car. I laughed at the thought of all five us huddled in the car (the group including a seven months pregnant friend of host sister).
Later on, after the storm had passed host sister made a comment about how I should go take a nap in the car. And here is how the conversation went:
Me: Why would I need to take a nap in the car?
Host Sister: Well, you might be tired and it would be easier now than later.
Me: What do you mean later?
HS: We are staying here tonight.
Me: Seriously, I thought host brother-in-law was joking.
HS: No.
Me: So, you guys are actually staying here over night and are sleeping in the car?
HS: Yes.
ME: Seriously!?
HS: Yes, I thought I told you that.
ME: Uh, no I thought we were going fishing for the day. So, we are really staying here until tomorrow?
Host brother-in-law: (shouts from the sidelines) Yea, tomorrow or the day after tomorrow.
Me: WHAT!? No, I am going home.
HS: How are you going to get home?
Me: I'll walk.
HS: No Britt, that is way too far.
Me: No, it's like an hour walking at the most.
HS: Britt, are you seriously going to walk.
Me: Yes, I am seriously going to walk.
I got up and decided that if I was walking home I had better get going. If I was lucky I could flag down a car. (Nothing like hitchhiking on my two year anniversary in Moldova...how fitting!)
I somehow got through the sticky mud road leading into the picnic site and on to the main paved road. After scraping the thick mud from the bottom of my sandals, I began my walk home. I was only on the road for about five minutes before a car came along driving in the direction I was headed. I successfully waved it down (hitchhiking level: PRO).
I hoped in the back-seat of the car. A man was driving, a woman was sitting in the passenger seat, and a little boy was standing in the back-seat next to me. We began the awkward introductory conversation. I felt totally comfortable with the give and take of banter. I was mistaken as being French. I didn't correct them. The driver asked me if I worked at the river. I explained I had just been visiting with friends. He was shocked when I said I was walking home. (It honestly wasn't that far). We were soon driving up the hill into town and I had them drop me at the bus station. My favorite part, as I got out of the car the driver turned around and said 'We should meet up some time. We can make a Moldovan baby so won't you be a foreigner anymore'. Now, that might have freaked me out at first, but at this point I know it was meant as a sleazy joke.
I laughed at my day the entire walk home from the bus station. It had started out so normal, but somehow turned into a discovery about sleeping in the car at the river, deciding that was going to happen and hitchhiking home, and then getting hit-on by the guy who picked me up while hitchhiking.
Never a dull moment here in Moldova.
...what I am I going to do without this place and these people?! I am going to miss them, that I know for sure!
Peace on this two year anniversay
The day started like any other Saturday. Host mom and I began cooking in the morning. This is a pretty typical scene, especially when host sister, her husband and their god couple (a unique Moldovan tradition that involves a couple choosing a mentor couple when they marry) are coming for a weekend visit.
Today was particularly unique because we were all headed to the river. I got a call earlier in the week from my host sister inviting me to go fishing with them on Saturday. I was excited for the invite and couldn't wait to hang by the river.
Host mom and I cooked all morning in preperation making sarmale (stuffed grape leaves), placinta (cows cheese stuffed pastry), and clatite (crepes filled with cheese and jam). While we were cooking the neighbor came over to help out and visit. I told them both that tody was my two year anniversary and this was of course means for a bit of wine. We drank down a few quick glasses of wine. The nieghbor telling me I needed to stay and live in Moldova. It's always flattering when someone insists you stay in their country!
Host mom and I have gotten very close and I have gotten good at knowing what she will need done in the kitchen. So, I began to work without asking questions. After a little while host mom commented on how I knew what she wanted before she had to ask. I took this as a strong compliment. Moldovan women are queens of their kitchens. I also helped the neighbor when host mom asked for something that she didn't know how to do. The neighbor commented on my kitchen skills. Host mom's response was 'Yes, she learned how to be a Moldovan girl of the house and now she will leave'. This was a bittersweet comment for both host mom and myself.
When host sister arrived in the early afternoon we packed up the car with all the food and headed out. We drove two villages over to the river where we would be fishing and bbqing. The weather lately has been very rainy, so the mud is very thick. We were just barely able to drive the car into the picnic lot we had picked out without getting stuck in the mud. After stepping out of the car my sandals were covered in wet sticky mud for the duration of the day. We set up our table with blankets and covered the table with all the food we had brought along.
The next few hours were spent eating, drinking, fishing, and taking cover from the intermittent thunder storms. The day was passing and we still hadn't started to bbq. I began to wonder when that was going to happen. While we were huddled under the shelter during one of the particularly long thurnder showers host brother-in-law piped in about how to it was going to real stink if it rained until tomorrow and how we were going to have to stay huddled in the car. I laughed at the thought of all five us huddled in the car (the group including a seven months pregnant friend of host sister).
Later on, after the storm had passed host sister made a comment about how I should go take a nap in the car. And here is how the conversation went:
Me: Why would I need to take a nap in the car?
Host Sister: Well, you might be tired and it would be easier now than later.
Me: What do you mean later?
HS: We are staying here tonight.
Me: Seriously, I thought host brother-in-law was joking.
HS: No.
Me: So, you guys are actually staying here over night and are sleeping in the car?
HS: Yes.
ME: Seriously!?
HS: Yes, I thought I told you that.
ME: Uh, no I thought we were going fishing for the day. So, we are really staying here until tomorrow?
Host brother-in-law: (shouts from the sidelines) Yea, tomorrow or the day after tomorrow.
Me: WHAT!? No, I am going home.
HS: How are you going to get home?
Me: I'll walk.
HS: No Britt, that is way too far.
Me: No, it's like an hour walking at the most.
HS: Britt, are you seriously going to walk.
Me: Yes, I am seriously going to walk.
I got up and decided that if I was walking home I had better get going. If I was lucky I could flag down a car. (Nothing like hitchhiking on my two year anniversary in Moldova...how fitting!)
I somehow got through the sticky mud road leading into the picnic site and on to the main paved road. After scraping the thick mud from the bottom of my sandals, I began my walk home. I was only on the road for about five minutes before a car came along driving in the direction I was headed. I successfully waved it down (hitchhiking level: PRO).
I hoped in the back-seat of the car. A man was driving, a woman was sitting in the passenger seat, and a little boy was standing in the back-seat next to me. We began the awkward introductory conversation. I felt totally comfortable with the give and take of banter. I was mistaken as being French. I didn't correct them. The driver asked me if I worked at the river. I explained I had just been visiting with friends. He was shocked when I said I was walking home. (It honestly wasn't that far). We were soon driving up the hill into town and I had them drop me at the bus station. My favorite part, as I got out of the car the driver turned around and said 'We should meet up some time. We can make a Moldovan baby so won't you be a foreigner anymore'. Now, that might have freaked me out at first, but at this point I know it was meant as a sleazy joke.
I laughed at my day the entire walk home from the bus station. It had started out so normal, but somehow turned into a discovery about sleeping in the car at the river, deciding that was going to happen and hitchhiking home, and then getting hit-on by the guy who picked me up while hitchhiking.
Never a dull moment here in Moldova.
...what I am I going to do without this place and these people?! I am going to miss them, that I know for sure!
Peace on this two year anniversay
Monday, June 3, 2013
Opening The Doors To Fire Saftey In Nisporeni
Well, my last big project has come to a close. It's weird to begin the process of wrapping up my service. But, I am so happy to see the hard work my community has put into these projects, that I have helped to support, come through to fruition. It makes me feel proud to be a part of community who truly wants to see positive change, and are willing to work hard to accomplish this.
The fire department in my town of Nisporeni has been in existence for more than two decades and since it's opening has maintained the property and equipment with the utmost care and respect. This being said, technology has increased but the firehouse has been unable to make the needed repairs to maintain the safest operations possible. This, coupled with the natural weathering of a firehouse exposed to the harsh elements of Eastern Europe led to the need of new equipment.
After the tragic loss of the fire chief from my hometown back in the US, I was moved to take action in my community here in Nisporeni. I reached out to the fire department here to find out if there was anything I could do to help increase the fire safety in my community (the firehouse serves the entire region of Nisporeni in Moldova). After speaking with the chief of the department I learned that the firehouse was in dire need of assistance. The fire house doors, made of wood, were more than two decades old and were no longer safe for use in the winter months. Often on the cold days/nights during the winter months in Moldova the doors to the firehouse would freeze shut, making it a challenge for the trucks to get out in case of emergency.
I learned that the department had been trying without success for a few years to procure the funds needed to install new metal doors. The project seemed like a great opportunity for me to both help my community here in Moldova while honoring a fallen hero from my community back in the US. The planning happened quickly and within a few weeks we had come up with a project plan that would both get the new needed doors for the firehouse and provide an educational opportunity for the youth of Nisporeni to learn about fire safety.
Financing of the project came from contributions made by friends and family both back in the US and Moldova through the Peace Corps Partners Program (or PCPP). After my visit home during Christmas this past year it didn't take long for my supportive community back home to pool together and raise the funds needed to make this project happen.
After, the funding was in place the chief of the fire department and I went to the company in the capital and arranged all the necessary details. Installation happened a few weeks after this and the doors are now in place. During the waiting period before the funding came through the men of the department showed their support by putting on a school wide fire safety demonstration attended by more than 300 students.
The entire project was a giant success and the community is so pleased with the results that multiple news outlets have covered the story both in local print and online sources. And, a huge thank you once again goes out to all of those people who supported the project both through word-of-mouth project awareness and financial donations. The region of Nisporeni now lives in a slightly safer place because of all of you!
The link to one of the project write-ups can be found here (it is in Romanian but can be translated into English using almost any online free translation website):
http://unimedia.info/stiri/sectia-situatii-exceptionale-nisporeni-a-primit-donatie-din-partea-pompierilor-din-sua-61339.html
(I asked that my name not appear in the write up. My assistance in the project was purely as a volunteer helping a community with something they truly wanted. It wasn't my idea and I don't want to take credit for the work that was done. This was something my community did and I played a support role.)
Happy Monday from Nisporeni!
Peace
The fire department in my town of Nisporeni has been in existence for more than two decades and since it's opening has maintained the property and equipment with the utmost care and respect. This being said, technology has increased but the firehouse has been unable to make the needed repairs to maintain the safest operations possible. This, coupled with the natural weathering of a firehouse exposed to the harsh elements of Eastern Europe led to the need of new equipment.
After the tragic loss of the fire chief from my hometown back in the US, I was moved to take action in my community here in Nisporeni. I reached out to the fire department here to find out if there was anything I could do to help increase the fire safety in my community (the firehouse serves the entire region of Nisporeni in Moldova). After speaking with the chief of the department I learned that the firehouse was in dire need of assistance. The fire house doors, made of wood, were more than two decades old and were no longer safe for use in the winter months. Often on the cold days/nights during the winter months in Moldova the doors to the firehouse would freeze shut, making it a challenge for the trucks to get out in case of emergency.
I learned that the department had been trying without success for a few years to procure the funds needed to install new metal doors. The project seemed like a great opportunity for me to both help my community here in Moldova while honoring a fallen hero from my community back in the US. The planning happened quickly and within a few weeks we had come up with a project plan that would both get the new needed doors for the firehouse and provide an educational opportunity for the youth of Nisporeni to learn about fire safety.
Financing of the project came from contributions made by friends and family both back in the US and Moldova through the Peace Corps Partners Program (or PCPP). After my visit home during Christmas this past year it didn't take long for my supportive community back home to pool together and raise the funds needed to make this project happen.
After, the funding was in place the chief of the fire department and I went to the company in the capital and arranged all the necessary details. Installation happened a few weeks after this and the doors are now in place. During the waiting period before the funding came through the men of the department showed their support by putting on a school wide fire safety demonstration attended by more than 300 students.
The entire project was a giant success and the community is so pleased with the results that multiple news outlets have covered the story both in local print and online sources. And, a huge thank you once again goes out to all of those people who supported the project both through word-of-mouth project awareness and financial donations. The region of Nisporeni now lives in a slightly safer place because of all of you!
The link to one of the project write-ups can be found here (it is in Romanian but can be translated into English using almost any online free translation website):
http://unimedia.info/stiri/sectia-situatii-exceptionale-nisporeni-a-primit-donatie-din-partea-pompierilor-din-sua-61339.html
(I asked that my name not appear in the write up. My assistance in the project was purely as a volunteer helping a community with something they truly wanted. It wasn't my idea and I don't want to take credit for the work that was done. This was something my community did and I played a support role.)
Happy Monday from Nisporeni!
Peace
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