Only child

Ion and his girlfriend just left to go back to Russia- which will make me an only child in this family until next summer. I will miss the constant confusion as to which language is to be spoken to whom at the dinner table and the possibility of a translator for some words here and there when I don't understand, or visa-versa.

Even though my NPG were mad at Ion last night (and even this morning), it apparently got all settled and NMG cried as her son left, unsure of when the next time will be when they talk or when he will be back home. As she was silently crying, Vasile said nu plins (don't cry). Like I said before, he is usually indecipherable... but this we all heard as clear as day.

Happiness in the World?

I had an interesting discussion with my NFG tonight at dinner. My NPG were arguing with their son about his girlfriend and their dislike of her while I was awkwardly sitting there listening to the whole thing in Romanian as she was sitting there unable to understand anything because she only speaks Russian. Talk about uncomfortable. My NTG later began talking about paradis (Heaven/paradise) and hell (I forget the Romanian word). He was saying in paradise, everything is perfect, everything is beautiful, everything is wonderful, etc. You were in a paradise, you will go to a paradise, but you are not IN a paradise now. Ok, I guess I can work with that. But then he said life is not happy and neither are people. Now, he didn't just mean on a case-to-case basis (I know this because I asked). He meant as a majority, people in this World are not happy. He seemed to blame my age and lack of experience as the reason for why I believe this is not the case. Sure, maybe this is true. But is life really so bad that as you get older you realize life isn't beautiful and there are many reasons not to be happy? Maybe it's my optimistic outlook on life that says otherwise, but I would think there are more people out there that would side with me on this situation... yes? no? Is it possible to be happy when you're "old"? I sure hope so...

Vasile

This is what I respect most about my NFG at this point: how they treat Vasile.

Vasile is a 70 year old neighbor who "was born sick". When he speaks, it is undecipherable in any language. Supposedly it's Moldovaneste, but who really knows. He talks all the time, has never been married, and never had a family (other than the one that raised him, I suppose). Even though he is "sick", my NMG lets him take the corn off of the cob for the chickens and she gives him food in return for his work. Because of the work I have done with children of special needs, this gives me a great respect for her, especially considering my family told me to stay away from the "sick" people here. I really appreciate her patience with him, and her willingness to give him work and food.

Sometimes actions say more than words.

Weekend recap

This weekend began with Ross venturing to Varatic. It was an interesting series of events (including being overcharged and then told to take a different bus), but 4 hours later he finally made it!

We took a walk to pass some time because, well, there's not much else to do here. On the way to the river passed by one of the 2 cemeteries in the village and I became very curious- so I began to explore. At first I thought it was really small, but boy was I mistaken! It kept going and going. Most of the tombstones from 1996 had pictures of those that had passed on them. Some were just blue crosses with the names and sometimes the dates painted on them, and all were above ground. I couldn't explore as much as I wanted to because, unlike the cemeteries at home, much of it was overgrown. Something else to note about the cemetery is that there are picnic tables all over because Easter is a big celebration that takes place there. Also, all of the flowers that people put on the tombstones are left there (probably because they don't mow like they do at home).

After taking at least 30 minutes on this little excursion, we went to the river, where I met some 4th graders that let me take their pictures as they jumped from the rocks. I bet they slept well that night... they never seemed to stop jumping!

Friday night concluded with a visit with Maria. Friday was the 19th year of Independence for Moldova but nothing exciting happened in Varatic because "it's a new celebration". Regardless, we celebrated with Maria, her husband, 2 daughter-in-laws, and son. The food was great, and the conversation was, once again, humorous. She told us that she would have been born on September 9th (hey- that's a good day!!!) but because of the change of the calendar, her birthday is now September 21st. I'm curious as to what that means- anyone want to fill me in on a little history lesson? She said she didn't know because it happened when she was young...

Yesterday was the day of Saint Maria (Mary). Want to know how it is celebrated? Yes, of course you do! No one works or bathes. Sounds like a heckuva way to celebrate to me! :) So, while we did that, we also went with L and some her family to the Pruit river where we had a bbq of pork and fried tomatoes. I almost felt like I was in America- if only we had some bbq sauce! While it was windy and chilly, it was still a lot of fun and a nice break from, well, the school year that is about to come!

Today it's a cool and rainy day, which is a perfect day for me to watch Pretty Woman and get some work done. Can't wait!

Morning view

I awoke this morning after tossing and turning all night (due to difficulty breathing... thankfully I'm feeling a little better now) and I went outside to head to the veceu. As soon as I walked out the door I saw the rising sun to my left, and to the right I saw the moon. The sun was in the exact same place as the moon when I walked in to the house last night- very cool. It had also started to sprinkle a bit which was very refreshing (because I can't even tell you the last time I saw rain here).

180º turnaround

I can't even begin to explain the turnaround that happened yesterday. Tuesday was a battle that turned into a great night, but I was not expecting a day like I had yesterday.

When I woke up in the morning, I went to get some breakfast (which is usually some coffee and a piece of bread with jam... or something similarly simple). NTG met me in the bucateria (kitchen) and told me there was piine cu oua (bread with eggs aka french toast minus the syrup) and jam, plus a hard-boiled egg, salt, and coffee. He was being so accommodating and very friendly. I'm not saying he wasn't like this in the past... well, kind of... but I definitely felt some tension up until this point. So, I ate breakfast then headed to school, and I didn't see him until I got home later in the afternoon (after attempting to make sugar cookies, but they were an epic fail. I guess I'm not as "domestic" as Ross though LOL!).

NTG asked my FGs GF and me to help him make dinner because NMG and FG were in Riscani all day. He showed me exactly what he was doing as he made a tomato/carrot sauce for the rabbit. I wasn't much help, but he kept telling me to sit. So I did. Then, after it was done, he sat down with me at the table. We started having a discussion about how my day was and then we began talking about the last few days and the "battles" (so to speak) that we'd been having. We talked through every detail of it and resolved everything! Then we just talked about a lot of things. He told me if I didn't have such a handsome boyfriend, he'd like me to date his son (who, btw, goes back to Russia with his girlfriend on Monday). He'd like someone more beautiful and intelligent and hardworking for his son- and supposedly I fit that description. While I totally appreciate his kind words (I take this as a sign that NTG likes me), I'm very happy with Ross. Luckily NTG won't be pushing this in any direction- he learned quickly I don't work like that. Whew!

Speaking of people trying to "set me up" with Moldovans, it's a constant topic of conversation here in Moldova. When someone meets me for the first time, they ask 2 questions:

1. Do you like Moldova?

2. Are you married?

Then they say, "You know, there is a legend here that if you drink water out of the well then you will find your love and stay in Varatic forever." Maybe this is why Peace Corps won't let us drink water straight from the well... lol.

So... with all of this said... life took a 180º in the right direction yesterday. The night concluded with lots of house wine with dinner, a few house guests (including 2 cats and a dog and some neighbors), and a game of Uno. With some time I really think I'm going to like it here.

Birthday Party

Yesterday I was strongly advised against going to a birthday party, of which I was invited, because I did not know the woman. However, she is the mother of my partner teacher, and she had asked that I come. But in Moldova, especially in the villages, one does not go to a birthday party if they are not friends (CLOSE friends) with the birthday person. So, for me to come along would not have been seen respectful, my NTG says, and people will talk and laugh at me for it, and I would then not have a good reputation in the village. Oh boy.

After much discussion with my NTG, NMG, and Peace Corps, I decided it was OK if I went to this party- that ended up being a normal dinner that just so happened to fall on the birthday of L’s mom, and so L just so happened to bring flowers, and I just so happened to bring my camera (go figure).

We met her father in the street who, for some reason, only wants to speak Russian to me. He speaks Moldovaneste to the family, but claims I understand Russian completely, so it is better. That’s very kind of him, but I really don’t understand a thing. LOL. He’d lived in Russia for 10 years so I guess it’s more natural to him, or something. No worries. At least I know who to go to if I want a Russian teacher!

I then met her mother and grandmother at the house. L left me alone with the grandmother while she helped her mother prepare dinner. Although she is 77, I was able to understand almost every word she said (aka we kept the conversation going). She was also funny and the life of the party. She absolutely loved having her picture taken (I see where L’s daughter gets it), and she also likes to go to bed without telling anyone. :P

L’s mom, the birthday girl, was also very sweet. She, contrary to her mother and granddaughter, does not like to have her picture taken. Regardless, she agreed to pose for a few pictures. She works at a magazin toward the entrance to town, and asked me to come over whenever I want. Olga and I are going to make cookies to night to bring to the teachers tomorrow (great way to meet them!), and she said we must bring some to her. No problem. I’d be HAPPY to do so!

Unfortunately these posts are going to come in groups because, like I’ve said before, the Internet (of which Maria had no idea what that is!) doesn’t work well. Supposedly in September that will change and I will finally be able to Skype and post pictures again. I spent all day yesterday working on pictures, so I’ll have a few slideshows ready for ya’ll soon.