Well, you guessed it…the Romanian BM disease finally got the best of me. I was out of commission for a couple of days and leery to travel (or simply leave the house) for a couple more. On several accounts it was quite a cultural experience. My gazda mother had all the right cures. By far the greatest being a simple shot of whiskey. Despite her confidence in grandpa’s cough syrup; I just couldn’t bring myself to stomach it, especially when I can’t even stand the special sauce when I’m not sitting on the toilet. On the other hand, maybe I should have been a little more willing to succeed because later that night…I gambled, and definitely lost. However, I was able to change my not so proud moment into a proud one the next day in language class when I was able to say in Romanian that I shat my pants. Ain’t no shame in the Peace Corps game. My professor was quite impressed by my skills or perhaps maybe it was my lack of humility. Nevertheless, she offered me some special “dust” so I could travel to Bucharest later that day with confidence. At first I was hesitant to digest this pixie dust, but as we translated the directions I realized she meant powder, “powder for oral suspension.” I’m not sure what that means but the Smecta worked and I would highly recommend it for any of your traveling needs. I won’t leave home without it!
After I recovered I went on a day trip to Targoviste, which is about an hour west of Ploiesti. This is the city where Vlad Tepes impaled all the Turkish soldiers, and also where Nicolae Ceausescu and his wife, Elena, were executed. We visited Princely Court where Vlad, as well as other Princes of Wallachia, resided. Additionally, we checked out Dealu Monastery, where the head of Mihai Viteazul AKA Michael the Brave is buried.
This past weekend I went to visit my new site, Campulung Moldovenesc, where I will live for the next two years starting in May. I went on my first overnight train ride, which took approximately 8 hours. The town has about 20,000 people and is surrounded by beautiful landscape. It is on the Eastern side of the Carpathian Mountains and the Moldova River runs through town. I'm excited to go back and start exploring. I will discuss more details next time as far as what I'll be doing and all that jazz but I suppose you should know that Campulung is the home of the Wooden Spoon Collection!
I recently befriended a stray puppy on my way to the center of town. The poor fella just kept following me, so of course I had to stop and play with it...3 times. Yes, me who is deathly afraid of the Romanian Vagabond dogs and generally any other type of creature that can move faster than me – so basically anything alive. But there just comes a time when you yearn for that special touch of a friend. Vlad and I became instant pals. Unfortunately I had to unbefriend her two days later on account of contracting fleas. Okay, so maybe I was just attacked by some sort of foreign insect in the night but I had to come up with some excuse for as to why little Vlad has not come to visit. You’re probably thinking, “Excuses, there just like assholes. Everyone’s got one and they stink,” but you know what? At least it’s not my pants this time!
And good news, we finally beat the 8th grade basketball team…obviously Katinka was on OUR team! Please check out the new photos and captions for any informational tidbits AKA my personal take on the situation. I also added links on the right for my new town and for one of the organizations with whom I will be working.
After I recovered I went on a day trip to Targoviste, which is about an hour west of Ploiesti. This is the city where Vlad Tepes impaled all the Turkish soldiers, and also where Nicolae Ceausescu and his wife, Elena, were executed. We visited Princely Court where Vlad, as well as other Princes of Wallachia, resided. Additionally, we checked out Dealu Monastery, where the head of Mihai Viteazul AKA Michael the Brave is buried.
This past weekend I went to visit my new site, Campulung Moldovenesc, where I will live for the next two years starting in May. I went on my first overnight train ride, which took approximately 8 hours. The town has about 20,000 people and is surrounded by beautiful landscape. It is on the Eastern side of the Carpathian Mountains and the Moldova River runs through town. I'm excited to go back and start exploring. I will discuss more details next time as far as what I'll be doing and all that jazz but I suppose you should know that Campulung is the home of the Wooden Spoon Collection!
I recently befriended a stray puppy on my way to the center of town. The poor fella just kept following me, so of course I had to stop and play with it...3 times. Yes, me who is deathly afraid of the Romanian Vagabond dogs and generally any other type of creature that can move faster than me – so basically anything alive. But there just comes a time when you yearn for that special touch of a friend. Vlad and I became instant pals. Unfortunately I had to unbefriend her two days later on account of contracting fleas. Okay, so maybe I was just attacked by some sort of foreign insect in the night but I had to come up with some excuse for as to why little Vlad has not come to visit. You’re probably thinking, “Excuses, there just like assholes. Everyone’s got one and they stink,” but you know what? At least it’s not my pants this time!
And good news, we finally beat the 8th grade basketball team…obviously Katinka was on OUR team! Please check out the new photos and captions for any informational tidbits AKA my personal take on the situation. I also added links on the right for my new town and for one of the organizations with whom I will be working.
