I had the opportunity to visit this small village of 900 people called Plop-Stiubei. Plop is this type of tree. Stiube is a bee hive house. The village was named after people who would meet near the point where there were a bunch of "plop's" and a "stiube" or two. Thus, the village was named.
During World War II, the community was invaded by German troops. As we walked past the church in the center of town, my guide (a local consultant of ACSA) Andrei told me that in the steeple of the church would stand a Nazi watchman sniper to watch out for any incoming soldiers of the Russian army. They were stationed a few kilometers away in the forest. Eventually, it's been said that a Moscovan sniper shot the watchman in the steeple, and the Germans left after a while, leaving the town destroyed with only 2 homes still standing.
World War II Monument
A map of where weapons/soldiers were facing during World War II.
Down this valley is where Causeni is located.
We visited this school where these boys showed off their recent treasures from exploring their town.
Lots of shells from World War II!
We visited the Economic Credit Association in town. Andrei, my host for the day, is the Director. With a 24% interest rate for its members, high like most lending agencies (banks too), it makes it really hard for farmers to invest in anything long-term. The time to pay back is usually less than 2 years. (I'm looking for people to skype with who might be able to consult the organization- please let me know if you're interested and able!)
Country road... take me home.
I randomly attended a meeting in the mayor's office with members of the community and staff from the fiscal office of the State. I think the fiscal office staff were mandated to appear in the village, and a few community members were convinced to come. They voiced their (all negative) opinions about the lack of social services for medical care or the elderly and received no sympathy. And that was that.
Important meeting with the mayor. Champagne, bread, pretzels, chocolate, and little fishies. Okay! This guy had an "extraordinary idea" that would turn the economy around in his town... something called investment tourism. If you're interested please let me know. I'm a little skeptical and confused, but I'll do my best to help.
Moldovan hospitality has got to be some of the best in the world.
The church (steeple reconstructed in the last 20 years)
Orthodox Easter is almost here!
Plop-Stiubei church and water well. I like the well design.
I'm a bit slow at posting all of my photos from last month's adventures outside of Moldova, but here is a collection of images of the beauty I found in Italy. If only I could express it with an Italian accent and express to you the comfortable pace of life there (at least for those of us on vacation). I'm certain, though, that Italians rubbed off on us, too.
Rome. All roads lead to Rome.
Rome. The Eternal City.
Republican Square, Rome.
Why not get a little lost in this cute place?
Trevi Fountain
St. Peter's Basilica (Vatican City)
Vatican
Just outside the Fortress Sant'Angelo
One of many rather unmarked buildings with beautiful art. Rome.
Colosseum. Construction began in 70 AD.
Colosseum
Big gate doors.
We detoured to where most tourists don't go. To the large bigbox Italian gourmet food store, Eataly.
Inside Eataly, we found some tasty beer (Dogfish Head Indian Ale!), cheese, and bread.
The Pantheon. Soft rain was falling in through the hole you see. It was beautiful.
The Roman Forum on a rainy day.
Colosseum
Italian rural countryside near Fara in Sabina.
A farm girl's dream, Italian style. An olive orchard, a vineyard, an old farmhouse and miles of green countryside.
Tired from grand adventures in Rome, this was the best hiatus from the traveling rush we could have ever asked for.
Our home in Florence, where the Renaissance began.
Florence. As one local told us, this river is an integral part of Florence. It signifies the life and health of the city and its inhabitants.
Siena, a medieval-aged city outside of Florence in the region of Toscana.
Everywhere you look, there seemed to be something simple, yet complex, and captivating.
What I love about this video is that I did not dub the music on top. I believe it's Armenian music (not Russian?) that was playing in our microbus. You'll notice that the road is very nicely paved (unlike what you might find in Chisinau). But a local told us there was recently a political election in the city, so the roads in the last while had been repaired and improved quite a bit.
The Armenian alphabet is so different and so interesting to me. I also enjoy listening to Armenian being spoken. To me, the sounds are raw and throaty but yet such a low, soft, rolling song with every sentence. Languages are so interesting and beautiful to me, displaying the diversity of life and complexity of how cultures and civilizations transform the way people speak. I found this interesting article from the Wall Street Journal about whether language influences thoughts and thus culture. Cognitive research in the last few years suggests it does.
One experience I had last fall (just when I thought I was getting good at Romanian!) involved simple small talk with a young gentleman. He asked me about where I was from, what I'm doing here in Moldova, and where I live... And then, he threw me for a loop. He asked me, "Se primește?" I knew what it meant. It meant, "To receive itself?" I asked him to repeat, and he said it again. I had no response. I really didn't know how to respond to that, and thus he scowled and scolded, wandering how in the world I could survive in this country not knowing how to respond to the question, "to receive itself." It turns out that it's a direct translation into Romanian from Russian, and it means something like, how do you receive it here? How's it going here for you? I didn't know much Russian at all then and still don't know much now. Inevitably, there will always be things I miss from my lack of context from spoken languages here.
I'm no expert in skiing and have skied less than a handful of times in my life actually. Thus, although this video may make you dizzy, I'm pretty proud to show you my zig-zaggy view from the mountain in Tsaghkadzor, Armenia. It was truly beautiful. Being a girl from a farm in western Nebraska, I absolutely love open spaces that leave me with plenty of fresh air to breathe in freely. Nebraska offers perfect sunsets across a flat plain, leaving you with feelings of joy, contentment and freedom. The top of this mountain left me with the same feelings. The view was expansive. I could see for miles. There were very few other skiers on the mountain, an extra plus. Our training was held in the ski resort town at the base of this mountain.
In addition to that, we decided to ski the morning of International Women's Day, highly celebrated in much of the world (but for the United States perhaps). We women were welcomed with congratulations by the ski rental staff and told we could ski for free for the day! We paid maybe 2 dollars to go on the second lift up to a higher point on the mountain, but the skis and the first lift for free! I did indeed feel honored that day.
Matej from Slovakia teaching Kate from Georgia how to walk up the mountain with skis.
One tourist stop in a small village in Armenia was of these women making lavosh (which is like a big tortilla). I have never tasted any lavosh soo good!
This is one sample of a skit of many performed during our training in Armenia. Topics included: volunteering, discrimination, stereotypes, intercultural dialogue, and democracy. This week, I hope and plan to post a number of videos from Armenia. Get excited!
After a few weeks
back in the Republic of Moldova, I'm back into the swing of life here. As you may remember, my primary work
placement is with ACSA, the rural extension agency in Moldova more or less. Unfortunately, they have not had any more
funding since I arrived at site. Since
January, they have not even paid salaries to any ACSA employees, which includes
the 3 employees in our office (plus part-time cleaning lady and part-time
accountant) and all of our local consultants (paid part-time). Thus, the situation has been pretty bleak and
difficult. The federal government must
agree to fund ACSA for the next five years hopefully. They say they will have an answer by April
22, but they've given several deadlines like this with no results. What they seem to not understand on the
national level is that some offices are closing out of necessity and may not
reopen so easily. Our office has stayed
open almost every day on a volunteer basis.
Some farmers still come in to complete paperwork for grants/subsidies
previously received from the federal government. A handful of farmers every week come in to
ask questions on other matters.
As my primary work
placement hasn't had much work for me to do, I continue to focus my efforts in
other areas. The biggest area is youth
development. Last week on April 3, the English
teacher I've been working with implemented a GLOWworkshop for ten 10th grade
girls, focused on self-esteem and self-confidence. I was really proud of her! The girls weren't all that excited to be
there at first, but by the end of the workshop, they were enjoying talking
about the topic of self-esteem and doing activities that they wouldn't
otherwise do. Video below is an activity
that helped to explain what GLOW Girls Leading Our World) was all about.
Last weekend, Moldova ATiP had
an informational session on anti-human trafficking efforts in Romania. The leaders of the marketing campaign, Not
For Sale, which is a program of the Ratiu Democracy Center in Romania, shared about their efforts in mobilizing youth and adults in Romania in
educating society on human trafficking, risk factors, and also preventative
measures to take. Also, a person from La Strada in Moldova, came and spoke about the organization's Hot Line (Linia Fierbinte). The call line is available 24/7
for anyone in Moldova or abroad who suspects trafficking of persons; has
missing family or friends who may have been trafficked; or is concerned that
they may be trafficked themselves.
Finally, I must
share with you my "spring (almost) has sprung" evidence. At least there are new baby animals around:
Baby puppies and a kitten at my host family's house in Cricova (family from last summer).
I'll end with a list
of other things that have made my last couple weeks:
My host dad told me
the last time I visited that he started putting ginger in his tea. Okay, it's
not that big of a deal, but the first time I made ginger tea and he tried
ginger, he cringed and afterward would not at all go near it!
My host family
bought a travel package to visit other countries, one week per year for the
next three years, on vacation. Since
when did my host family get the urge to travel?
And since when did Misha think he could overcome his fear of
flying? Once again, I'm happy for them
and slightly amused that they would do this, knowing that a few months ago they
said they have everything they need and could want in Moldova. Why would they leave? ("Vacation, sight-seeing, cultural
enjoyment, and new perspectives!" I said previously. Maybe they believed me,
that it's quite fun to travel.)
My roommate,
Lindsey, is pretty much the best. She's
a good friend, a good cook, a clean roommate, one who will share her food and
clothes (expanding wardrobe, woohoo!), one who allows me to bounce my crazy
work ideas off her, and one who makes you go out and exercise with her. We're a pretty good team!
We had a fantastic
Easter celebration with a few close volunteer friends, celebrating the
sacrifice and resurrection of Jesus.
We're so blessed!
