I'm not really needed for this part, so I'm using the computer to write an update on our last day @ the Popenki Orphanage (yesterday).
Observations:
I've never been overseas, so I've been observing so many differences in the culture. Just to recap, we're in Tiraspol (sp?) the Capital of Transnistria (an independent territory in Moldova). Their language is Russian, and their alphabet is so different. It's "greek" to us, and weird knowing you literally can't read anything. The country itself, is beautiful. The soil is very dark, but everything is in bloom right now. The highways are lined with huge walnut trees, which is how almost all major roads and highways look. The main streets have lines in the road - but based on how people drive out here, lines are pointless. Most people walk, ride their bike, or take the bus, so there's not a lot of traffic. The busses are like ghetto looking vans (mercedes though!). They don't hold a lot of people. They also have an electric 'trolly' system, but they just look like our buses in GA.
The money is Rubles. The $1 bill (or ruble) is the equivelent of 10 cents. Their money is also smaller. I asked Marc, our host, how much the average entry level policeman makes, he said about $200 dollars. Our other hostess, Ana, only pays $60/month for her 2 bedroom flat. The town is very interesting, and deffinitely has that 'village' vibe. Every house looks so so old, something out of a Hansel & Gretel. I feel like I'm in the set of a movie - filmed in the 40's. Every house (literally every house), has a gate & fence around it, w/ a little garden area in the front. There are tulips everywhere... it's very pretty. Some gates are very run down, some gates are nice (depends on the wealth of the homeowner). But, the rich live next to the poor. There are also tall flats/apartment buildings that look like they are being held together by duct tape. I haven't seen a lot of nice, new apt buildings. Many are just old and run-down. There aren't any big grocery chains, or restaurant chains - it's pretty much mom & pop shops all over. Everything is in walking distance and everyone walks. There is a chain of markets & gas-stations called "Sheriff" (Cher-eeeef). Which is owned by the President's son. Their markets have generally the same stuff we have. The workers wear funny blue uniforms. Oh, one thing they don't eat here is peanut butter! we only found 1 jar in the entire store - most people dn't like it or have never had it.
Food: The locals prepare & eat all meals at home. And we're not talking heating up a frozen meal, or making a sandwich for lunch.... we're talking a home-cooked meal, 3x a day. I've totally looooved the food and all our meals have been awesome! We've been spoiled. They eat a lot of chicken, rice, cabbage, pasta, dill (a common herb), fish, cucumber & tomato, bread, cheese... my mouth is watering thinking about the food we've had! I just love the fact that they prepare all these home cooked meals. There are restaraunts here, we'll hopefully go to one tomorrow. But apparently people don't eat out a lot. They also don't drink beverages with their meal. They drink A LOT of hot tea. Moldova is also one of the largest producers of Wine in Eastern europe.
****I didn't get to finish the post above, it's now Sunday MOTHER'S DAY****
So, the wine here is super cheap. I just bought what I think is a nice bottle of wine for $5.00. Cigarettes are also dirt cheap (if anyone was wondering) :) You can get packs from .70 - $1.20.
This morning, we had breakfast & then went to church with Mark. The church was being rennovated, so we met in the Sunday school room. It was a tiny little room w/ wooden pews. It's weird how you can't understand what they're saying, but somehow you know what it's about. They sang traditional hymns, one was "This is the day that the Lord has made" then they asked us to sing it in English. There were 2 different speakers. Then they asked us to each give a testimony. I sang "How great thou art" and somehow avoided having a panick attack! I was totally outside my comfort zone - but God gave me that gift, so it's really just all for Him. It was a really neat experience. Most of the attendees were little old ladies w/ scarves on their heads, then some young people. But God was there for sure.
After Church, we walked to an open air market or "bazzar" It was like a giant flea market/farmer's market. Very interesting variety of stuff. Lots of fresh produce, herbs, lots of homemade cheeses - then all the cheapie plastic "made in china" type stuff. We did find a local artist who carved these little figures out of roots. They were so unique. He got a lot of our business today. :)
We went to a restaurant called "Andy's Pizza" where they sold mostly American food. However, it wasn't quite American - it definitely had a European flare to it. It must be like the Chinese food we eat in America (not like traditional authentic Chinese food). We went home, changed - then met up with Ana and a group of people from her church. They play volleyball on Sundays in a school gym. It was quite fun - I didn't stink as bad as I thought I would. Anna, Betty, Mike and I walked home, stopping at Sherrif's (the local market). We got some tea, candy & wine (just some stuff to bring back to the states).
PLEASE PAY EXTRA CLOSE ATTENTION TO THE FOLLOWING:
Ladies: If you ever visit the country of Moldova... Do NOT, I reapeat, do NOT wear any open toed shoes without stockings or socks. You will pretty much look like the village idiot - and other ladies won't stop talking about your feet. No lie.
Another observation... everyone is soooo bundled up out here. Apparently, the weather has been much nicer recently. It's Spring, and it was in the 60's most of the time, a little rainy, windy on some days.. but I would definitely wear a light jacket. Out here, they look like Georgians dressed up for a snow storm. Lots of layers, jackets, hats - boots... the babies & kids are sooo bundled up. I guess I was just surprised - we didn't think it was that cold (another reason why we stick out so much).
When we were driving to the Orphanage this week, we were driving through the country. There were tons of fields of yellow flowers, and we couldn't figure out what they were. We found out, that they were rape-seed plants used for making canola oil. They were so pretty. This is a gorgeous country... rolling hills, lots of farmland, trees... the people seem genuine, a little serious, lots of traditions & pride here.
Tomorrow is Victory day, the day marking Transnistria's independence from Moldova. The only problem is that no other country in the world recognizes Transnistria as it's own country. It's just an independent "state". The money is worthless outside the borders. There will be a huge parade & celebration all day. I look forward to seeing that. I can't help but think about all the orphans. There are 3,000 orphans living in orphanages. There are even more "social" or "economic" orphans (kids w/ parents in jail or who have substance abuse problems). Total, there are 500,000 residents in Transnistria. And to think, currently, there are no opportunities for Americans to adopt these children. They are absolutely precious, talented, but living in environments that just choke out any opportunity to grow into their full potential.
We made some awesome progress out here... we developed great relationships with the Director of the Popenki orphanage. She knows our hearts, that our intentions are good - and hopefully this will pave the way to get other orphans out, into foster homes, and eventually adopted. Kari, Chris, Anna & Aaron are pioneering this - and we know God will lead them down the right path to find a way to make this work.
So, it's 8:35 pm, local time, and we're @ the office talking w/ our families back home for Mother's day. I miss my baby girl so much - but didn't mind sharing some mommy-love to kids w/out moms. I'm beat...
Happy mother's day to all the moms. Thanks to everyone for the prayers this week. I look forward to going home, but I'll be sad to leave this place. Friday (day 4 @ the orphanage... our van broke down before we could leave, so we hired a taxi to take us. We sat & talked to the staff a little bit, then watched the kids practice their marching for their Victory day celebrations. We got to break out our kites, and fly kites w/ our 1st grade buddies. Those kids have never flown kites before, so it was awesome to see their eyes light up. We then rushed to eat a quick lunch... then over to the "babies" side (not babies, but 1yr to 7yr) Anna got to spend a lot of time w/ Igor (her future son) He's so adorable, sweet, and just AWESOME! We played w/ all the other kids before saying goodbye. I was sad that we didn't actually say goodbye to our 1st grade friends.
I've gotten such a different perspective being here. We have so so so so so much. Yet these people are content w/ what they have. I can't wait to come back someday...
bye for now...
Kari and Victor - one of the cutest little boys
1 comment:
THANK you for the shoe tip, I would never have known. I may need to meet with you and you give me first timer tips:-)
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