But first…at school there was a Christmas celebration, though
their official Christmas is January 7th. I absolutely love the celebrations, music, dancing,
singing, I have perhaps mentioned before, or several times, this is what I will
miss most. And the kids here are way up there on the cuteness scale!
Doesn’t this looks a bit more l like an American Halloween
party!!
yes, those are oranges in their hands. Though now with big stores in town they can get oranges, most people don't go to them, too expensive. Children are thrilled to get them, I know this because I attempted to take one, apples by the handful they give me, oranges they don't. And a small bag of candy.
yes, those are oranges in their hands. Though now with big stores in town they can get oranges, most people don't go to them, too expensive. Children are thrilled to get them, I know this because I attempted to take one, apples by the handful they give me, oranges they don't. And a small bag of candy.
These boys were hilarious to watch "leave my tail alone!"
Father Christmas, hiding behind that beard is Misha, one of my 8th graders, Great kid but can NOT for the life of him stop talking. He has a bad habit of using Google to write essays and no matter how many times we tell him we KNOW, and they are horrible, he does it again and again. Even has the nerve to proudly read them aloud in class.
The elf, if it's possible for a child to have a "crush" on an old lady, he has one on me. In-between classes, though he is not one of my students, comes into the room to watch me, says nothing, just smiles ands stares. In the hall he always approaches me with a big smile to shake my hand and says "hello" over and over, it's all the English he knows.
Real life princess...
A note about Moldovan woman and girls. I have mentioned how beautiful they are, you will never ever see a "tom-boy". Pink and purple, bows and ribbons, fancy shoes and high-healed boots, long hair required.... tha
Girls dancing in a line across from a line of boys, I will forever be singing ooohh a a oooohh a a ...with the two lines sliding back and forth, when I see this picture
Is this not one of the most beautiful girls you've ever seen!
I went to a neighboring village for a seminar, after huffing
and puffing for days about NOT wanting to go, I gave in only because I knew I could
submit it as an educational “event” on one of my 25 (what feels like 125) page
PC reports. This IS a government job after all, we are not exempt from all of
the regulations and paperwork that comes with that fact. So early in the
morning I dragged myself in the cold and through the mud, only to find a
wonderful surprise, it wasn’t one of the NIGHTMARE vans we have to ride
everywhere, it was a fancy, comfortable, private van. OK, granted, like
everything in Moldova, there was something wrong with it, two men sat on the frozen
ground with the tire off for a while, and when riding a hammer fell and almost
hit my head (because the container holding it fell off the wall). Little did I know
I was in for a great treat ahead …. But that’s me, I always have to complain first.
Many English teachers from this area went. I watched some, from the corner of my eye , listening to my partner and I speaking, no doubt
seeing if they could actually understand the language they teach outside of their
classrooms. Not unusual that people stare at us English speakers. I suspect, on pubic transportation, those that have had English in school, are testing their skills for the first time. That, or it's because, when several of us are gathered, we are LOUD AMERICANS.
First we sat in on a class (tough job – 45 minutes watching one class). Take note, this classroom has a projector (as well as CD player to listen to music that went along with the lesson). There are also appx. a dozen students, whereas we have appx 25 per class... nice....I can tell you this, I can't stop cheating at desks with 2 children each, what a nightmare with a group at one table.
First we sat in on a class (tough job – 45 minutes watching one class). Take note, this classroom has a projector (as well as CD player to listen to music that went along with the lesson). There are also appx. a dozen students, whereas we have appx 25 per class... nice....I can tell you this, I can't stop cheating at desks with 2 children each, what a nightmare with a group at one table.
And then we convened for a meeting to discuss our experience
Much to my surprise the kids put on a show for us. I was
surprised when they did a “skit” about
the “traditions” of an American Christmas (except for the witch they had
running around, it was accurate). They sang several of our carols, much to my embarrassment,
I started crying and had to turn away. My partner was rather confused. I
explained later, imagine if she were in America and the biggest Moldovan
holiday was happening. You are very, very homesick. You went to a
work meeting (that you complained about attending) and the Americans
sang traditional Moldovan holiday songs. Not only would you be surprised and delighted,
you too might cry. I was just as thrilled with Moldovan traditional music they performed.
They even walked around with a stocking to select a gift
from. OK – my gift was a tacky diamond broach made in Taiwan, which will be “special”
to me, but I later asked if they had anything “Moldovan” and I was given a lovely
little Moldovan ornament (although probably also made in Taiwan).
I smiled to myself as I was thinking “these kids had no idea
they have an American in their audience”. I told a teacher to let them know, and she was thrilled.
Then a feast was served for lunch.
Right and down middle: chicken soup, Potatoes (like our wedges), beet salad (very good), carrot salad (my favorite)with a type of meat patty (pork, I hope) around it, very good. Stuffed and cooked peppers, plachenta (NO gathering is complete without - fried bread with stuffing of cheese or fruit in middle), white bread (always white only). Not pictured plenty of cognac and Champaign to go around for the many toasts. yes, even at work events.
So did I learn a lesson about complaining? 45 minutes of
work, a feast for lunch, Christmas show, Christmas gift…. Probably not…
Oh… and I earned myself a certificate! Not sure what it says
but here it is….
Chisinau was decorated beautifully and full of activities. As
you can imagine, there is a special connection between all volunteers, “we’re all
in this together”, but because we are so spread out, and in different programs,
some of us don’t see each other often. Because I don’t travel to the city often, this
has left me feeling pretty disconnected with my group of M28s (Moldova 28, 27
just left, 29 just arrived). But this Christmas many volunteers were in the
city and I happily became part of the gang.
The gal on the left, that is Sydney, more than anyone
she has kept me connected with other volunteers. She is young enough to be my
daughter be we have become good pals. Next to her is Gina. We didn't know each other very well at this time but by the end of the week we were good friends.
Christmas Eve Sydney, Gina and I walked to the center just
as it was getting dark. We were thrilled at what we discovered. We ooohhhed and
aawwwed, we laughed, sang, shopped, drank mulled wine.
This isn’t just any pizza, it’s our CHRISTMAS pizza (and beer). As we ate our pizza we spoke about how depressed we had been, but that night changed everything. It more than cheered us up, it gave us “Christmas
Spirit”.
What gave us the most laughs is this…..
Notice how Mary and Joseph are so real? Now look at the
kings! WHAT were people thinking when this was created? I’ve never seen this
kind of thing in America, can you imagine the protests! so it’s even funnier when you consider this is a
former communist country.
Crossed eyes? Can angels get glasses?
Now we know this is NOT politically correct, but someone
dubbed this king the “terrorist king”.
Christmas Eve another volunteer, Kevin, joined us and the 4
of us headed to a catholic Christmas Eve mass. I haven’t been to mass in more
years than I can count but I thought it would be a great experience. As we
approached, outside the church was a Christmas tree with a statue of Mary beautifully
lit, inside the church it was dark lit only with candles, the conjugation was
singing “silent night” in english. It was beautiful.
But then the lights came on and the mass began. It was odd
mix of Romanian, Russian and some English thrown in. We were in the back “standing room” only. All Catholics
know there is a lot of kneeling involved in a mass, including, for many people here,
doing so on the floor of the standing-room only section (not me thank you very
much). I amused myself throughout the mass watching a little boy pretending he
was kneeling when in fact he was only squatting. I knew it and he knew I knew it as he kept an
eye on me each time. Soon I was tired of standing (and watching the boy squat lost it's humor) and someone near me didn’t
smell so good, when communion began, out I went. It wasn’t long
before the others joined me. Just another surreal life-moment, a catholic mass
on Christmas Eve in a small Eastern European country.
Outside concert with traditional music. we danced the (sorry for the misspelling) hoorah (dance) with many locals! Very fun.
Outside concert with traditional music. we danced the (sorry for the misspelling) hoorah (dance) with many locals! Very fun.
Christmas Day. Christmas started with a breakfast at a Turkish restaurant, fitting since i would be leaving for a trip to Turkey in a few days. Yes it seems strange for a breakfast, but they had a breakfast menu of omelets. Best part was the beautiful latte.
Christmas night I joined 3 other volunteers singing on the
main street of Chisinau. I was led to believe it was a “group” that would be
singing, hence the reason I agreed to join. Only song I have sang out-loud in
decades is “happy Birthday”. When it turned out to be 3 others I thought to
myself NO WAY JOSE ARE YOU GETTING ME SINGING IN PUBLIC ON THE MAIN STREET OF A
CITY. But I was pretty much put on the
spot, a candle put in my hand. Oh well why not…. At first I felt really stupid,
but it wasn’t long before people stopped to listen, took photos, and a child even
danced. We attracted people who spoke English. Most of my singing was simply
“la la la la” since I had no idea of words after the first verse of each song. So I admit, it was fun, but yes, as usual, first
I did complain. Another surreal-life moment. Singing on the streets on
Christmas in a small Eastern European country.
After this we went to a restaurant none of us had been to.
It turned out to be a Ukrainian restaurant. They were serving a special - Turkey! I was visualizing a home-cooked
American turkey dinner, stuffing, gravy, mashed potatoes, squash… but not so of
course… Turkey was good, surprisingly my first since arriving in Moldova, which
is odd considering they are often peeking in my window.
Sydney, Carol and Arun
Sydney, Carol and Arun
After dinner we went back to the lights, drinking mulled
wine and laughing yet again at the crazy kings. We stayed until the lights went
out at midnight then headed back to our hostel. It was a very very fun Christmas day....
The remaining days, before I left for my vacation, was filled
with lunches, shopping (I was on a hunt for Russian Christmas decorations,
which I found) and just ol' hanging out… by the way, these actually say “Happy
New Years”.
To top it off was Kentucky Fried Chicken lunch
and a Baskin Robins ice cream Sunday. Cost an arm and leg but it was worth it.
Then it was time to be off for holiday travels. So Christmas this year – yes – I said it myself and then out loud for all to hear! “I am happy”.
This is me being HAPPY. PC lessons learned, happiness isn't guaranteed, when you feel it, acknowledge it, let it creep into your conscious thoughts. Be grateful for those moments, they can be few and far between.... Peace Corps... no one said it would be easy.
This unique Christmas experience I will hold dear to my heart and will reminiscence upon for years to come…..
And from my much-loved 6th graders.... MERRY CHRISTMAS 2014!
Then it was time to be off for holiday travels. So Christmas this year – yes – I said it myself and then out loud for all to hear! “I am happy”.
This is me being HAPPY. PC lessons learned, happiness isn't guaranteed, when you feel it, acknowledge it, let it creep into your conscious thoughts. Be grateful for those moments, they can be few and far between.... Peace Corps... no one said it would be easy.
This unique Christmas experience I will hold dear to my heart and will reminiscence upon for years to come…..
And from my much-loved 6th graders.... MERRY CHRISTMAS 2014!
С Рождеством!
