Friday, September 29, 2006

Adventure on the bus

Last night as the”kids” celebrated the birthday of Andrea in the bar, I decided to go to the internet café and had heard that the last bus to my village left at 7:30.. Well as usual, I dashed out of the café moments before the deadline and found myself in a pitch-black rainy night! I navigated the mud patched and deserted streets of Ialoveni to the bus stop (in my finest black sandals). As I rounded the bend I saw that last bus pulling out toward Milestii Mici and. I knew I’d never stop it in time. Fortunately as any good volunteers would do, I already formulated an emergency backup plan – I would call Anastasia. She lived in Ialoveni and I’d have to stay at her place tonight… she assured us previously that her Russian-speaking host family would molest us if we came over, so I figured it was a viable option. I might be a little late in the morning for language classes, but at least I’d get home!

I waited alone at the bus stop deciding what to do. Finally some Moldovan joined me and knowing that desperate times call for desperate measures, I started speaking Romanian to them!!! I was able to tell them that I have Renell and I am a bus…they were quite amused!

After a few more tries, I learned that the young couple lived in Milestii Mici and the last bus home was at 8:30. Once I knew this, I felt at ease and backed up under a tree to stay out of the rain.

After almost a half hour, with the rain still pouring down the white bus pulled up and I felt familiar again, that is until I opened the door and it did not LOOK like a rutiera and further more it did not SMELL like a rutiera!!! I was already in, though, and as we took off into the black night, I looked and did not find the famliar windshield sign displaying our destination and at that moment, I realized it was NOT A RUTIERA!

What I could glean from the conversation around me was this driver’s name was Dick and he had picked up his friends instead of making them wait for the bus… What then was I doing here???? I think at that moment Dick and his friends were discussing the very same thing!!!!! Oh momma!!!

I tapped my new friend on the leg and asked “Milestii Mici”? “Da” she said and turned her attention once again to the young man snuggling up next to her. I was so happy to quickly see the sign for our village and knew I was at least one step closer to home. They started talking to me at this point and I was afraid they were expecting to drop me off here and it was a very very long walk home from here!!!!! Actually in this rain and mud and my best black sandals...IMPOSSIBLE! I communicated to them “I am going to my house!” and of course the next logical question was… “Where do you live?” I said “Milestii Mici” and beyond that… how do you say…… how do I say????? Shit I don’t know where I live!!!!

Instinctively my linguistic and pantomime skills kicked into high gear as I explained I was somewhere past the disco and the soccer fields and beyond the centru and up the hill… Well the driver dropped all his friends off and it was just the two of us to figure out where the hell I lived! I just hoped he understood that he needed to drop me off where the rutiera would normally do so or I'd have NO way of knowing how to get to my house. He didn’t seem too happy having to navigate the bumpy streets of Milestii Mici, but he brought me to the familiar bus stop 5 muddy blocks from my house.

I’d heard about the mud and I’d actually packed some appropriate boots, but they were back in my house as I thought the sun would shine today. Without the trusty penlight attached to my jacket (thank you Mr. Johnson!!!!) I would have stood alone blindly in the middle of the black street and cried! Instead, I was able to take one step at a time over the rushing rivers, which were now etching caverns in the streets. I decided to take the longer route, which offered pavement, and it took me to the magazin that I visit each day after school. My friend Valiere welcomed me in as usual and when I told him I was going to my house he laughed and pointed at my best black sandals, now caked with mud. He suggested in the only language he knows (romaneste) that I call my brother Stefan to deliver my boots for the rest of the way home. Lo and behold, technology once again interferes with the best laid plans and the phone is busy due to internet usage. So Valiere helps me with my homework while I wait for the rain to subside and slowly but surely one dirt pile after another I arrive safely and soundly at home!

Tuesday, September 26, 2006

VISIT FROM THE AMBASSADOR


Today in our training village we met the Ambassador and other dignitaries from the US Embassy. It was extremely informative and good to understand more about the politcal and economic situation here in Moldova.

I am going to attempt to make Mayfred's chocolate chip oatmeal cookies tonight. I may have a little trouble finding baking powder, but I'm going to give it a shot. It is Andrea's birthday on Thursday and I figured every body would appreciate a chocolate chip cookie since they've never heard of them here. I know I will not find Brown sugar and it will be a trip to the magazine while I go through my list in Romanian. I will need UNT and Frisca Alb and something de copt.... Not to mention the utensils in my family home are probably limited and I KNOW they don't have any PAM! I hope they turn out!

I really don't have anything new to add, so I will try to get some pictures up soon. I am not doing too well with my language acquistion although I've only been here a litte over a week, so I'm not going to worry. It is hard... and my family has no patience with me struggling through every word for conversation.. it is just easier to speak English... but... gotta get in some conversations! Every day is busy - and so far enjoyable. Peace Corps treats us right even got a copy of Newsweek. Hoping I have time to read it, but I have chocolate chip cookies to bake tonight!

write to me at binksink@gmail.com !!!!!

Wednesday, September 20, 2006

Rules Rules

Last night while finally getting a chance to connect to the internet on my family’s computer, my Elena was playing around with my digital camera and hit the power strip to the computer (which sits soooo conveniently in the doorway) and I was instantly disconnected. She then told me that we can only go online once daily. I have yet to figure out if that is a village rule or a household rule. One way or another, I am very limited to my access to you. So I am writing on Microsoft Word and will cut and paste during that precious internet time!

Yesterday I thought I was going to get voted off the island. My language lessons brought much frustration! Instead of crying right then and there Andrea and I were reprimanded for laughing. (Don’t tell Diane Tripp!!!) We promptly explained to our profesor de limba romana that if we did not laugh, we would cry. He did not really care. He is 23 and getting married the day after tomorrow, so he is all business and we’re hoping to loosen him up once the wedding is over! His name is pronounced ee juan. (Jon). Actually he is sooo sweet. Anyway…. Today was mult bine and maybe there is a chance that they’ll keep me around long enough to do some damage in another village at a later date. We’ll see.

We feel like kindergarteners… and I guess we are. We learned today the names for grandmother, grandfather, mother in law etc… One of the voluntari in our group, Chris is worried that his “host” sister who is two and learning to speak is going to run circles around him in no time and he is probably right. I have decided to stop speaking to Stefan and Elena and concentrate on communicating with mama Rodina. She knows NO English. We sit at the table over tea and laugh because neither of us knows what the other is saying. I’m usually armed with my dictionary and we generally get something figured out. She is a nurse and works in a neurological pediatric unit. She often practices language with me at the kitchen table. She always wants to help me with my homework! Sergiu works as a supervisor in the local vineyard. He seems very patient and friendly, although I’ve only been able to communicate with him a few times.

Life is calm and slow here. I walk home from school with my backpack on (thank you Megan II) and I just look around at the homes – they are all decorated very beautifully with stucco and brick and stone and cement. Elena says I’ll watch Desparate Housewives with her when the new season starts. I guess that’s incentive enough to keep up the language studies!

Tomorrow we will go to Ialoveni… (Yah lo vein) and meet with the other 36 voluntari from our group. It is called a hub site day. Twice weekly we jump on the unbelieveably crowded and dangerous? Bus to Ialoveni. It is there that we come together as a group and learn the technical portion of our jobs. On the other days, I walk through the village past the goats and chickens and millions of dogs to the home of our profesoara for language and cross cultural training. The animals generally don’t seem to mind, but the first billy goat stared me down a bit. I thought maybe he could smell americanca on me.

This is a crazy undertaking, but I am still convinced that it is the right move for me.

Monday, September 18, 2006

let the games begin!

Hey! I have so little time with the internet, that I have decided that the only way to really keep in touch right now is through this blog. Please feel free to leave comments or e mail me so I can write back!! here is the group getting to leave Philly for Moldova.. having no idea what the adventure will bring!


Some highlights so far...

The bus that took us from the capital (Chisinau) could not navigate the streets directly to my house, so all the volunteers and others got off the bus to help me bring my luggage - it was hilarious!!! Eight people walking down these incredibly crumbly streets pulling my red luggage! It reminded me of Romancing the stone!!!

Anyway... I got to my casa and my family consists of a mom and dad Rodica and Sergiu -35 years old. The children Shtefan (pronunciation) 12 and Yelena (15) are sweet as brinza placenta! And they speak fluent English and are both VERY smart!!! They have taken me in as a brand new toy or maybe a family pet!!!! Stefan is at my side keeping me on task every minute that I'm home (and not taking a nap). "Renell sit here and watch tv with me!" Renell here are your shoes" "Renell take a picture for your father" ..... because I was telling him my dad builds houses and I wanted to get a picture of the bathroom ceiling before they put tiles on it..." "Renell.. time to take a shower!!!! " (ugh shower they call it... plastic tub for a sponge bath...) Stefan always gets the hot water for me... The good news is that the village that I am in (pronounced Milleshtee meech) has a new initiative to get water to everyone's home. Sergiu is working hard and has remodeled the bathroom with new ceramic tile, pedestal sink and NEW TOAlata!!!!! We won't be able to use if for a month or two, though. So for now when I wake up first thing in the morning and have to pee... it is out to the backyard outhouse where I rouse the chickens and the rabbits that are currently being fattened for dining... not really liking that yet very very very smelly!

When Rodica and I try to communicate we usually quickly reach an impasse and it has been a joke that she calls ..... "stefan" and he comes running to help! Last night I asked him what the weather will be tomorrow so I knew what to wear - Stefan looked at me like I was crazy and said "When you wake up you open the door and look out and then you will know!"

Elena told me that she has been wanting a volunteer for many years as her friends have had one, but there is a waiting list. They were so excited to get the opportunity but she wanted a boy and not an older lady... she said now that she knows me I am not the old woman she was thinking and my personality is just like "Daniel" the boy who she was thinking of that lived at her friends house and she already loves me. She gave up her room for me and it is Foarte Bune. (Very good@) That is all I say in Romanian so far!

Speaking of that.. today is my birthday! My family brought in two balloons and a cake with one candle (foarte buna) and they sang happy birthday in English and gave me a clock for my room! Some of the volunteers in Milesti Mici want to try to find a bar to go to tonight to celebrate. So it comes and goes... I have been having a hard time getting to sleep... listening to music, reading and practicing Romanian conversation in my head. I am enjoying my time in my room, but Stefan and Elena miss me... pretty soon the novelty will wear off!

The very good news is that education is important here... seems it is a leftover attitude from the soviet era - but most students need to leave the country to get employment.

Today was my "first day of school" and I walked to the bus stop all by myself!!! In many ways it is like living life all over again! I met two big goats on the way to the bus and was just hoping they wouldn't smell my americanca and butt me or something. WhenI mentioned the goats to another volunteer, they did what they always do.... laugh at my pronunciation!!! Goat....ha ha ha!!! They give me crap about being from Minn neh SO ta 'cause they think my accent is soooo pronounced!

Well... I think that is it for now... I am not especially fond of the food, but it is good, just a little different and my stomach is rather picky. I still have tootsie rolls and licorice left, so all is well! I had a great mushroom salad at a birthday party last night. Always serve tomatoes and bread - the family gatherings remind me of the Iron Range so I feel right at home! The same food is served over and over until it's gone... everything is conserved here. Miss you and would love to hear from you!! OH my address: This is PC Headquarters in the capital.. I will be there often so send mail!!!!!

Renell Pettinelli PCT
Corpul Pacii
Stre. Grigore Ureche 12
2001 Chisinau
Republica Moldova

Here is how you call me the country...remember the time is 7 hours later here.

011 373 268 plus 5 digit number

5 digit number is 68 -7 -85 for my home...
If you call me and they don't understand ask for Steven!!!