Moldovan Entertainment

On Sunday, my family and I went to Chișinau for some entertainment.  Carnival rides!  I did enjoy going on a couple rides myself, although I think I found more pleasure in simply sharing in happy, fun moments with my family.  Also to my delight, we had salty popcorn and cheap ice cream.  A combination of all these things?  Pure and innocent entertainment for the day.  'Tis indeed the little things in life.

Yesterday after class, my classmate Michael came over to help restring my sister's guitar and practice a little our musical instruments (guitar for him and ukele for me).  My host mom had been telling me about her neighbor who dances in a traditional Moldovan group in Chisinau.  Last night, she brought out the costume for traditional dancing and insisted I try it on for some photo opp's.  So indeed, I have one more thing checked off on my to-do list for integrating.  I will need to learn how to dance traditionally, too, however.  In time!

The Lay of the Land for the Next Two Years

I had my host  visit last week.  I could not be happier about where I am to be placed for my 2 years of service- which will begin on August 3.  I had a 2 day visit last week, where I met my partner organization and also my new host family.  My partner organization, which is my primary place of work for the next two years, is called, "Service Agroinform."  A telling name, the organization is part of a web of organizations throughout Moldova that assist farmers and rural businessmen in developing their new/existing businesses by offering them the tools they need.  What are those tools? Technical assistance; consultations on business matters and technical support; assistance in accessing funding for business ventures requiring additional financing; roundtable discussions; and business management resources.  Service Agroinform is funded by ACSA, the National Agency for Rural Development.   The mission of the Agency is sustainable development of rural communities through setting up and developing a professional network of information, consultancy and training service providers for agricultural producers and rural entrepreneurs.

Some of you reading this probably have dreamt of me toiling away in the fields of Moldova.  Although I do aspire to get a taste of daily farm life here, my focus will be more on the business side of things.   Making sure that the production in the field is profitable when it goes to market.  Even more, my hope is that I could help increase the value of agricultural /rural products for a few farmers/community members in my area and hopefully their profit margin as well.  Certainly, this is one goal of Service Agroinform.  I will be working alongside the director and also the staff and local consultants to accomplish this.

So to my knowledge, this is the direction I will be headed for the next two years.  No doubt there will be a few detours and stops along the way in other areas of interest: teaching English/Business English; hanging out with kids, discovering Moldovan traditions, learning Romanian… That last action is the priority at this point.   Cine vrea să vorbească în limba română cu mine?  Hai, noi vorbim!  (Vorbiți mai rar, va rog!)...

Although I haven't been on any farms here yet in Moldova, I have hiked through some pretty territory near the town of Cricova.  Check out the landscape!