14/10/2011:
Today my village celebrated their hram day. It was less exciting than I expected. In preparation, my host mother spent the previous day preparing by working on the house and cooking copious amounts of food. Today, starting at about 1, my host mother's relatives came over. At about 3:30 everyone was here, and we ate food. The cold food was put out at the same time while the warm food was put out later. The cold food consisted of sausage, chicken, some sort of potato salad, mushrooms, and fish. Later, a bread like thing and some stuffed peppers were brought out. Afterwards, cake and cookies were brought out. Everything was tasty, although I wish there had been more warm food. My house has been sort of cold and the warm food would have helped. 10 people were at the masa (feast). My host mother has two brothers so I think their families were there. There were two elderly people. One of them was my host mother's mother. The older man could have been her father, but I don't really know for sure. I was surprised I wasn't clearly introduced to more of them. Oh well. Now that hram day is over, everyone in my village will be a lot less busy. Hopefully I will be able to start an English club soon.
Friday, October 14, 2011
Monday, October 10, 2011
The Moldovan Wine festival
08/10/2011
Wine fest:
I left my village at
7:00 in the morning. I then took a four hour bus ride to Chisnau, with a stop
along the way in Drochia, the raion nearest to my village. When I arrived in
Chisinau I walked to Peace Corps headquarters and took a shower, the first one
I had had in about a month. Baths are a regular thing, but showers are not
because my family does not have one. After my shower, I hooked up with some
other volunteers and we made our way to wine fest. We walked to a rutiera stop
and took that to another that went near the Moldovan Expo center where the wine
festival was held. The wine festival celebrates wine in Moldova. Since wine is so important, it makes sense that they would have a festival to honor it. When we got there, we waited for one of our fellow
volunteers who was already there to meet us at the entrance. When he found us,
we made our way back into the festival. On the way to the stage, we passed
numerous honey and goods stands. I didn’t buy anything since I will have a
chance next year and I was feeling too cheap to spend my money, knowing that I
would undoubtedly spend a lot on various things through the course of the
weekend. When I passed the stage, some people were performing Moldovan folk
music. Anyway, after we walked around for a bit, we found the rest of the
people that we were looking for, and went to find food. The lines for food were
pretty long, but it was worth the wait. I had a sausage with some sashlik (barbequed
meat). I had two different kinds. Eventually, I left the festival and went to Peace
Corps to get my stuff. I relaxed there for a little while and then went to the
hostel that I had stayed at before. The guy working there was from Seattle,
Washington. I am always surprised when I see people from the US in Moldova. I
can’t remember exactly why he was there. Regardless, the hostel is definitely a
great place to meet interesting people. After talking to some other volunteers,
I went to bed around one, the latest I had stayed up for about four weeks.
9/10/2011:
On Sunday, I was woken
up earlier than I wanted to by a large group of Peace Corps volunteers that
were leaving relatively early to go help in an orphanage. I tried to go back to
sleep, but around 8:30 I got out of bed and had breakfast. I had some toast
with some melted cheese on it, along with some tea. After I had gotten ready, I
drank some more tea and talked to a person from Germany. He was living in
Romania, but decided to spend a few days in Moldova. There were also two people
visiting from Japan. I can’t recall why they were there. After drinking tea,
and around 11, I decided to head out. I went first to the mall and bought some
groceries and ice cream. I think the ice-cream I had was probably the closest
to pink berry I will find while in Moldova. It was normal vanilla ice cream,
but I was able to put fruit and chocolate sauce on it. It was pretty good. Afterwards,
since it was raining, I called a cab and went to Peace Corps. I hung out at
Peace Corps for a while. While there, I watched part of Austin Powers. I had to
leave to catch my bus before the movie was over. I think I might download it
though.
The trip back to my
village was long, but uneventful. It was raining, dark, and cold when I finally
arrived in Cotova. I basically got home, ate dinner, unpacked, and then went to
bed. On Monday, school started again.
Some pictures from the wine festival:
Some pictures from the wine festival:
The wine here had something to do with the year 1842
The entrance sign (It reads: The national wine day, 2011)
The stage at the festival
One of the wine stands, from the village Milestii Mici
Another picture of the entrance to the festival
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Teacher's Day
5/10/2011
Teacher's day is a day that recognizes the value of teachers. Today, the schedule was different from normal. All the classes were held, but they were only 30 minutes long. Also, the break in between classes was only 5 minutes instead of ten. However, there was some chaos because on Tuesday, students were told that they would have only the first four periods. Both teachers and students were not a 100 percent sure what was going on. The school day ended around 11:30.
I was actually late to school today because I thought that the classes were the same length they usually are. As I don't have a first period class on Wednesday, I got to school at 9:15. Basically, that meant that my 2nd period class didn't exist. Oh well.
The students were dressed nicer than usual today, and in some ways it reminded me of how they were dressed on September 1st. The students also gave flowers and gifts to the teachers. Some of my students gave me flowers and another gave me a rose. I like roses, but the thorns can be annoying. Two of my 6th grade students gave me chocolate. I can't see American students giving their teachers such nice gifts. I don't know if the idea comes from the children, their parents, or their homeroom teachers.
After school was a teacher's meeting. Some of the students in some of the classes had provided a lot of food. There was sausage, chocolates, champagne, fruit, cheese, and wine. Before we got to eat any of the food, the Director adjunct thanked us for our hard work (I think, she was speaking in Romanian). After she spoke, each of the various departments gave a little presentation. The teachers were divided into language teachers (including Russian and Romanian), primary school teachers, math and science teachers, arts teachers, social studies teachers, and humanities teachers. One of the teachers from the arts group sang a song. The primary school teachers had some of their colleagues look into a box and describe what they saw. Apparently in the box was a mirror. We were told it was a picture. After the presentation, we were able to eat the food.
Overall, it was an enjoyable, if a little chaotic, day. Moldovan holidays are a great way to learn more about the culture.
Teacher's day is a day that recognizes the value of teachers. Today, the schedule was different from normal. All the classes were held, but they were only 30 minutes long. Also, the break in between classes was only 5 minutes instead of ten. However, there was some chaos because on Tuesday, students were told that they would have only the first four periods. Both teachers and students were not a 100 percent sure what was going on. The school day ended around 11:30.
I was actually late to school today because I thought that the classes were the same length they usually are. As I don't have a first period class on Wednesday, I got to school at 9:15. Basically, that meant that my 2nd period class didn't exist. Oh well.
The students were dressed nicer than usual today, and in some ways it reminded me of how they were dressed on September 1st. The students also gave flowers and gifts to the teachers. Some of my students gave me flowers and another gave me a rose. I like roses, but the thorns can be annoying. Two of my 6th grade students gave me chocolate. I can't see American students giving their teachers such nice gifts. I don't know if the idea comes from the children, their parents, or their homeroom teachers.
After school was a teacher's meeting. Some of the students in some of the classes had provided a lot of food. There was sausage, chocolates, champagne, fruit, cheese, and wine. Before we got to eat any of the food, the Director adjunct thanked us for our hard work (I think, she was speaking in Romanian). After she spoke, each of the various departments gave a little presentation. The teachers were divided into language teachers (including Russian and Romanian), primary school teachers, math and science teachers, arts teachers, social studies teachers, and humanities teachers. One of the teachers from the arts group sang a song. The primary school teachers had some of their colleagues look into a box and describe what they saw. Apparently in the box was a mirror. We were told it was a picture. After the presentation, we were able to eat the food.
Overall, it was an enjoyable, if a little chaotic, day. Moldovan holidays are a great way to learn more about the culture.
Saturday, October 1, 2011
Metro
1/10/2011
Today, I made a brief trip to the nearest city. It is called Balti. I went there to go to a store called Metro. Metro is like Costco except that you don't need a membership to go there. You can become a member, but it doesn't seem like it is mandatory or like it costs anything. There was a section for clothing, a section for office supplies, electronics, food, and pharmacy type stuff. In terms of what it sold, it was more like a small Walmart, but I think it is like a Costco in terms of how it looks. It resembles a warehouse. You can find most of what you need there, although the selection of office supplies seemed kind of small. I have been told that I should be able to find Crayola markers at Metro, but this one didn't seem to have any. It is interesting that most countries that I have been to seem to have one stop shopping stores. They definitely are more convenient than having to go to a bunch of smaller stores. In Moldova, things seemed to be cheaper than they are in the nearest town to mine.
Weather wise, fall has definitely arrived. It has been chilly in the morning, and only slightly warmer in the afternoon. Although today it has been quite nice. Otherwise, things here are pretty much the same as always. I hope to make another trip to Balti soon to go to Green Hills, a supermarket. I think I might cook my own lunch on the weekends and I need some stuff to cook with. If I want it, Green Hills will most likely have it. The draw back is that all the labels are in Russian. I can read Cyrillic, but that doesn't mean I will understand the words. My best solution so far has been to look at the packaging. Happy October everyone
Today, I made a brief trip to the nearest city. It is called Balti. I went there to go to a store called Metro. Metro is like Costco except that you don't need a membership to go there. You can become a member, but it doesn't seem like it is mandatory or like it costs anything. There was a section for clothing, a section for office supplies, electronics, food, and pharmacy type stuff. In terms of what it sold, it was more like a small Walmart, but I think it is like a Costco in terms of how it looks. It resembles a warehouse. You can find most of what you need there, although the selection of office supplies seemed kind of small. I have been told that I should be able to find Crayola markers at Metro, but this one didn't seem to have any. It is interesting that most countries that I have been to seem to have one stop shopping stores. They definitely are more convenient than having to go to a bunch of smaller stores. In Moldova, things seemed to be cheaper than they are in the nearest town to mine.
Weather wise, fall has definitely arrived. It has been chilly in the morning, and only slightly warmer in the afternoon. Although today it has been quite nice. Otherwise, things here are pretty much the same as always. I hope to make another trip to Balti soon to go to Green Hills, a supermarket. I think I might cook my own lunch on the weekends and I need some stuff to cook with. If I want it, Green Hills will most likely have it. The draw back is that all the labels are in Russian. I can read Cyrillic, but that doesn't mean I will understand the words. My best solution so far has been to look at the packaging. Happy October everyone
Saturday, September 24, 2011
Pictures of my new home
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| My Dresser (rotated) |
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| My Desk/ Table |
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| The Soba (one side) |
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| The mini kitchen, whose purpose I don't know |
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| I am told that some day this washing machine will be hooked up and will work |
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| The entrance way, that has a bed for some reason |
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| The door and the refrigerator |
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| The front walkway with a view of a chicken and the gates |
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| The front door. In Moldova, one must take off their shoes before entering a building |
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| The well. The black thing is the switch. The well has an electronic pump |
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| A storage building in the front yard |
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| The large gate. A vehicle could go through it. |
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| The small house, containing the kitchen, the bathroom and what will be a bedroom |
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| The side yard. Notice the chicken and the dog (who always barks at me) |
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| One of the three cats that lives at my house |
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| The gate to the backyard. The metal structure is the outside shower. |
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| The backyard/ garden |
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| The outhouse |
The hen and duck house. The dog in the background is barking at me.
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| The outdoor shower |
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| Copious amounts of corn. I think they turn it into flour eventually |
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| One of the other dogs that barks at me and lives with me |
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| The chicken pen |
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| The door to the soba. Wood goes in, a fire is lit, the thing heats up and warms the room. |
Hitchhiking in Moldova
24/9/2011:
Today I needed to go to the nearest town. The only buses that go there leave at 7 and 12pm. I wanted to go there around 10:00. My only option was to hitchhike. In the United States that would be unusual. However, here hitchhiking seems completely normal. If there is no bus, then you wave down a car to take you where you need to go. Unlike in the United States, hitchhiking isn't a free ride. Usually I pay what it would cost if I were to take a bus from where I am to where I want to go. For example, from my village to the village on the main road it would cost about 2 lei (about 20 cents). Typically, I haven't had to pay for that leg of the trip. To get from that village to the main town, I usually pay 8 lei. Those drivers willingly take my money.
So, how you ask does one wave down a car? You stick out your arm, and if a car is willing to give you a ride, then they stop, if they are not willing to, they keep going. Then you hop in. Sometimes, the car will stop to pick up other people too. For example, this morning, the car I was taking to the nearest town stopped a few times to pick up other passengers. It makes sense. The more people they have in their car, the more money they make. A driver will get 32 lei if they have four passengers compared to just 8 if they only have one.
It is also completely common for people to get from the main road to my village by hitchhiking. I have yet to be the only one in the car. Instead of having a regular bus service, people make use of other people. So, as I have learned, in Moldova hitchhiking is completely normal and costs money. In the United States it is uncommon and free. Maybe it is more common in Moldova because people trust each other more. It could also be that there is more of a need because people in Moldova live in remote locations but can't afford cars. The government may also not be able to afford to provide public transit. So, if you miss the bus in Moldova, and want to get somewhere, just stick out your arm when you see a car and ask if he or she is going where you want to go.
I also learned to today that Tic Tacs do exist in Moldova. When I did my grocery shopping, I bought some.
Today I needed to go to the nearest town. The only buses that go there leave at 7 and 12pm. I wanted to go there around 10:00. My only option was to hitchhike. In the United States that would be unusual. However, here hitchhiking seems completely normal. If there is no bus, then you wave down a car to take you where you need to go. Unlike in the United States, hitchhiking isn't a free ride. Usually I pay what it would cost if I were to take a bus from where I am to where I want to go. For example, from my village to the village on the main road it would cost about 2 lei (about 20 cents). Typically, I haven't had to pay for that leg of the trip. To get from that village to the main town, I usually pay 8 lei. Those drivers willingly take my money.
So, how you ask does one wave down a car? You stick out your arm, and if a car is willing to give you a ride, then they stop, if they are not willing to, they keep going. Then you hop in. Sometimes, the car will stop to pick up other people too. For example, this morning, the car I was taking to the nearest town stopped a few times to pick up other passengers. It makes sense. The more people they have in their car, the more money they make. A driver will get 32 lei if they have four passengers compared to just 8 if they only have one.
It is also completely common for people to get from the main road to my village by hitchhiking. I have yet to be the only one in the car. Instead of having a regular bus service, people make use of other people. So, as I have learned, in Moldova hitchhiking is completely normal and costs money. In the United States it is uncommon and free. Maybe it is more common in Moldova because people trust each other more. It could also be that there is more of a need because people in Moldova live in remote locations but can't afford cars. The government may also not be able to afford to provide public transit. So, if you miss the bus in Moldova, and want to get somewhere, just stick out your arm when you see a car and ask if he or she is going where you want to go.
I also learned to today that Tic Tacs do exist in Moldova. When I did my grocery shopping, I bought some.
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Return to Chisinau
10/9/2011-11/9/2011: Visit to Chisinau
10/9/2011
I spent this weekend in Chisinau, primarily for a meeting of one of the volunteer run groups. This one is called RISE. RISE works with Moldovans and Roma within Moldova to help combat stereotypes and help reduce inequality and discrimination between the two groups. Roma is the correct term for gypsies. I missed the first part of the meeting because of my bus schedule, but the meeting seemed to cover logistics and be a brainstorming meeting.
You may have noticed the date, and thought "what was Courtney doing in Chisinau for a whole month?" The answer is that because I have to teach the date the British way, with the day and then the month, I have decided to do that for this post. I might do it for future posts, but I am not sure.
Anyway, after the RISE meeting, I went to lunch with some fellow volunteers, some of whom were from my training, and all were from my program, English Education. We went to a restaurant near the center of Chisinau and had pizza and talked. It was nice to talk to other volunteers after a couple of weeks on my own. It was a good opportunity to discuss our common problems. Later on we met up with some other people and went to a restaurant to hear a band play. One of the band members is the current safety and security head for Peace Corps Moldova. Later on, a couple of us went to the hostel that we were staying at near Malldova.
11/9/2011:
Today marked ten years since the attacks on the two towers and the pentagon, along with the deaths of the passengers aboard United 93. It was interesting to reflect on what my life was like ten years ago and compare it with today. For example, 10 years ago I wasn't even in high school yet, and now I have finished college and am living in Moldova halfway around the world teaching English. I also realized that only people 7 years younger than me would remember the attacks. It is strange to be old enough to remember a significant event like that, but be one of the youngest people that are able to do so.
Anyway, to commemorate the attacks, some of the students from another volunteer's school went to the embassy and laid flowers and lit candles. It was a nice showing of support from children who were barely old enough to remember the attacks and aren't from America. It just shows the global impact of the events of that day.
Later on, I made my way back to Peace Corps headquarters, hung around for a bit, and then walked over to the North bus station. Moldova is a really beautiful country so I enjoyed looking out my window on the trip back to my village. I enjoy being around other volunteers, but at the same time I am glad I am a little isolated so I can have a unique experience. One of the reasons I am glad I joined the Peace Corps is because I get the chance to be totally immersed in another culture. I would miss out on that chance if I were able to see other Americans whenever I wanted. Besides, I can still be in touch with them and people back home via the internet.
I don't know when I will go back to Chisinau, but I am glad I am far enough away to have something of a genuine Peace Corps experience.
10/9/2011
I spent this weekend in Chisinau, primarily for a meeting of one of the volunteer run groups. This one is called RISE. RISE works with Moldovans and Roma within Moldova to help combat stereotypes and help reduce inequality and discrimination between the two groups. Roma is the correct term for gypsies. I missed the first part of the meeting because of my bus schedule, but the meeting seemed to cover logistics and be a brainstorming meeting.
You may have noticed the date, and thought "what was Courtney doing in Chisinau for a whole month?" The answer is that because I have to teach the date the British way, with the day and then the month, I have decided to do that for this post. I might do it for future posts, but I am not sure.
Anyway, after the RISE meeting, I went to lunch with some fellow volunteers, some of whom were from my training, and all were from my program, English Education. We went to a restaurant near the center of Chisinau and had pizza and talked. It was nice to talk to other volunteers after a couple of weeks on my own. It was a good opportunity to discuss our common problems. Later on we met up with some other people and went to a restaurant to hear a band play. One of the band members is the current safety and security head for Peace Corps Moldova. Later on, a couple of us went to the hostel that we were staying at near Malldova.
11/9/2011:
Today marked ten years since the attacks on the two towers and the pentagon, along with the deaths of the passengers aboard United 93. It was interesting to reflect on what my life was like ten years ago and compare it with today. For example, 10 years ago I wasn't even in high school yet, and now I have finished college and am living in Moldova halfway around the world teaching English. I also realized that only people 7 years younger than me would remember the attacks. It is strange to be old enough to remember a significant event like that, but be one of the youngest people that are able to do so.
Anyway, to commemorate the attacks, some of the students from another volunteer's school went to the embassy and laid flowers and lit candles. It was a nice showing of support from children who were barely old enough to remember the attacks and aren't from America. It just shows the global impact of the events of that day.
Later on, I made my way back to Peace Corps headquarters, hung around for a bit, and then walked over to the North bus station. Moldova is a really beautiful country so I enjoyed looking out my window on the trip back to my village. I enjoy being around other volunteers, but at the same time I am glad I am a little isolated so I can have a unique experience. One of the reasons I am glad I joined the Peace Corps is because I get the chance to be totally immersed in another culture. I would miss out on that chance if I were able to see other Americans whenever I wanted. Besides, I can still be in touch with them and people back home via the internet.
I don't know when I will go back to Chisinau, but I am glad I am far enough away to have something of a genuine Peace Corps experience.
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