I go by many names in Moldova. For my first 8 weeks in Moldova, when I was with my Pre-Service Training, my host family would accidentally call me Sam, because that was the name of the neighboring volunteer, or Lorenz, because he was the volunteer that lived with the family the year before.
At my new site, I get called Aaron; he was the last male volunteer in the village. From what I know, Aaron served in the village for 4 years, but he has not been in the village for 4 years or so. Not only have I been called Aaron, accidentally, by my host family but also by other people in the community.
This is not a problem and it happens a lot in the US as well, but I believe that there is something more to this than just a slip in memory. I believe that these names are still remembered and misused by Moldavians because these volunteers have made a difference in the lives of the people the volunteers lived and worked with. I hope that when I leave, the next volunteer will be called by my name accidentally, as a sign that I have made a difference.
Friday, August 27, 2010
39. Man of Many Names
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
38. The Best Way to Get to Know Your Community
One Saturday, my mother was working at the church with a funeral, my father was herding sheep. I decided that I should walk around my village. My goal was to walk all the way around the outskirts of my village.
I got about half way towards completing this goal, when a man said hello to me in English. So I stopped and spoke some greetings with him in English and also practiced my Romanian. A woman, around my age, came over and introduced herself and asked if I would like some wine. So, I have always thought that the best way to know my community and the people in it is to always accept invitations unless they look dangerous or I have other plans, and the situation I am describing looked like neither.
So I accepted. I walked into the yard and had a few shots of wine with them. When they drink wine socially, they have a small glass they fill and after the person finishes it, they dump out anything that is left, fill it, and give it to the next person. It is actually a lot of fun, but sometimes difficult to track how many drinks you had had, especially if it is a large group. With a larger group sometimes they will break out a few glasses to go around the circle.
I find out that these people are preparing for a 'Mort Masa', which is a dinner for someone that has died. I believe that the man had died a few months ago, this was a celebration in his honor. The man that died was a Romanian and English teacher in the village and his wife is a retired French teacher. I also found out, that the man who I talked with first is the brother of my host sister's boyfriend. So he told me we were family and I should have another drink. I guess it truly is a small world when you live in a village of 3,000 people.
I got there at 6pm or so and was discussing my life in America and what I enjoyed about Moldova, asking about their family and telling them about my family in the US and what I was doing in Moldova. It was a lot of fun, except I think that everyone was trying to get me to date the 20 year old girl. She was really funny but at times hard to understand because she would switch from Romanian to English in a sentence. It was pretty funny to watch her mother’s face when she said Moldavian women look much better than American women and that I should look for a wife here.
The worst part about this evening, was when her brother in law started giving her a hard time because she had a degree from the university but she was not working nor was she married or has a boyfriend. She was literally crying and every once in a while asking me, “Do you understand?” I felt bad that she was crying, but I could not/did not want to help her for fear that it would be taken the wrong way.
So she and the first man I met went inside due to being upset and/or being intoxicated. I tried to leave, I had been there 2 hours, but the new friends I had made told me to sit down and eat. So I then ate and drank with a bunch of older people in remembrance of a man I never met, plus the people I 'knew' were inside of the house so I had to make friend with the other people at the time. At about 9pm the dinner ended and I was able to leave without disrespecting my hosts.
I have decided that the best times in Moldova are stumbled upon, or when a Moldavian says, "I want to take you to _____" you should take him up on his offer.
Monday, August 23, 2010
37. Feels like fall
These last few days have been wonderful. Work has been fun, I'm enjoying living with my host family and I am starting to recognize people and they are recognizing in the village. My mayor told me that I can have an office in his office and my own key to the major's office if I want. He also said my Romanian was better than the volunteers they have had in the past (I am the 4th), which it nice to hear.
It has been in the low 80's for the last few days. Which feels great because it seems like it has been in the 90's since I have been here (working on my 11th week in the country). I will take it!
But I was told, the cold season is coming quickly. One man told me it was -4 Fahrenheit for a whole month in last year's winter. That sounds a little rough, but it might be better than 90 degree weather... I guess you'll find out how I feel this winter.
I am enjoying these fall temperatures and watching the leaves turn.
Thursday, August 19, 2010
36. What Are You Reading?
This is a conversation I had with my host father (in Romanian):
Host Dad: What are you reading?
Me: Ah, I am reading a book about the problems men have.
Host Dad: Men have many problems, they can not be all in that book.
I am currently reading-
Man in the Mirror: Solving the 24 Problems Men Face by Patrick Morley
One interesting thing I have gotten out of the book so far is: When evaluating and putting priority on things that consume time, ask yourself this question, "Who will be crying at my funeral?" Because when it comes down to it, the people who would cry at your funeral are the most important people. In the end, what really matters?
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
35. Small Thoughts
1. There are two types of shorts in Moldova for a man. Those that go to the middle of your thigh or higher and those that go to the middle of your calf or lower, no where in between. I don't know if that's a Russian or European thing.
2. Be prepared when you do with your host family to the local Piața (outdoor market) to purchase meat. They do not follow the laws we are use to when it meat quality assurance. Also, do not go if you cannot handle seeing a pigs head cut down the middle. Overall it was a pretty exciting day, too bad I forgot my camera.
3. Moldavians do not really understand 'Hay Fever' or allergies. So most tell me I have a cold and that I should not drink, eat or shower in anything cold.
4. If you hear a loud chirping from a bird, wake up and make sure it is not in your room, or it will wake you up by landing on your pillow.
*These are stereotypes, not facts.
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
34. Name Change
So, growing up my name was Timothy. Only a select few people could call me anything other than Timothy. By the age of 12 or so, I changed my name to Tim when I introduced myself to any new friends. So if someone calls me Timothy, they are either family or have known me since before I was 12 years old.
Well, I now think I am going to change my name again. The people in my new village have difficulty understanding that my name is Tim. Maybe it is because I am nervous and say it fast or because the name Tim is not used in Moldova.
So I have decided to go back to introducing myself as Timothy, but not like we say it in English, but how they say it in Romanian: Timotei. Timotei sounds like 'Tim-o-fey' or 'Tim-o-tey' depending on who is says it.
I just think it will be easier on everyone, and so I stop getting the, "Tim? O.... Timotei". Maybe with my amazing linguistical skills I will be able to fool them all into thinking I am Moldavian.....well, maybe one day.
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
33. Life Lesson
I am a firm believer that everything happens for a reason. I believe that working for 9 months as a consultant for my fraternity, FarmHouse International Fraternity, was a great decision. At the time I applied for the job I wasn't 100% how it would affect me, but it helped me grow in many ways.
One way I have grown by working for FarmHouse is the fact that I learned how important being a part of the community is. It was difficult to be a part of Kansas City because I was only there one week a month, but I realize that is just an excuse. Other than people at work and Kim's Aunt and Uncle, I knew no one in Kansas City, even though I lived there for, on the books, 9 months. I also slowly learned to enjoy the city and take advantage of things even when I was 'friendless'.
This realization and understanding of how my mind works and what I do in situations/places I know nothing about will help me greatly in integrating into Moldavian life. I know I have to utilize the people I know to meet others and go outside of my comfort zone. So I make sure I say hello to anyone I can, I try to speak with Children to work up my confidence in speaking and I try to visit/identify all places of business in my village.
I am excited to work here, lots of things I can do. The language is coming along, I can say what I want to say usually, I just have difficulty understanding what others say do to their accent/voice and my limited vocabulary. I was a little worried about my new host family, but they have been great and we are getting along fine.
Monday, August 9, 2010
32. I am a Volunteer
Friday, August 6, 2010
31. Swearing In
Today I take an oath to serve the Peace Corps and the US Government from the Moldavian Peace Corps Country Director and the US Ambassador to Moldova. After a short conference with my new partner and host family, I will be in my new site!
Leia Mais…Tuesday, August 3, 2010
30. Thinking of Home
Feels like I drove along for years.
this Midwest way of ease it surrounds us.
I can't deny the rhythm here.
And as I pull away from Riverside beside me,
That High Street never looked so good.
I miss my lady even though she often writes me.
She tells me takes of my neighborhood.
Surprise, Surprise, I traveled here.
Four hundred miles from where I'm known.
My friends are here.
A couple years I've spent, I found I have a second home.
As I'm blazing down my trail to education,
There's no bliss in ignorance for me.
I stop and stare, a breath of air might slow me down some.
But that's just fine with me.
Surprise, Surprise, I traveled here.
Four hundred miles from where I'm known.
My friends are here.
A couple years I've spent, I found I have a second home.
I never traveled far.
Two hundred miles to go.
That boulevard will take me home.
Surprise, Surprise, I traveled here.
Four hundred miles from where I'm known.
My friends are here.
A couple years I've spent, I found I have a second home.
Surprise, Surprise, I traveled here.
Four hundred miles from where I'm known.
My friends are here.
A couple years I've spent, I found I have a second home.
Sunday, August 1, 2010
29. A Visit to a Winery
A while back a group of us went to the Milești Mici Winery. This winery has all of the post growth production of their wine underground. They are recognized for having the largest collection of wine in the world (over 2 million bottles) and known for one of the largest underground cellars in the world (34 miles of underground tunnels). Not only do they make their own wine, but they store over 2 million bottles of collector wine from all over the world.
The long and winding underground cellars were created because the area is full of limestone and stone is the primary building material in Moldova. Much of the stone that came from this winery went to the capital.
It is a very interesting place and the best part was the fact that it was cool. It was the closest thing to air conditioning that I have had since being in Moldova.
One of thousands of oak barrels used to ferment the wine. After they bottle with the wine in the barrel, staff physically goes into the barrel and scrub it clean for the next batch:
Proof that this winery has 1.5 million bottles of wine (currently over 2 million) and 34 miles of underground tunnels:
