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Life is a lot like walking through the streets of Campulung...if you focus on tip-toeing through all the shit on the ground, you miss the beauty all around.

Blogging The Dream

Recently, David Sasaki from Rising Voices, the organization that funded our Blogging The Dream project came to visit Cȃmpulung Moldovenesc. He met with some of the blogging participants and furthered their technological experience; teaching them how to interview someone and then make a video. The highlight for me (and my parents who were here visiting) was observing the "democratic" voting process to select the topic that would be featured on the video. After clarifying that you could only vote once, there was a clear winner but that wasn't well received by the group so they decided to make a video that would apparently incorporate all 6 options. Here's the final product!



To see David's perspective on his visit to Cȃmpulung Moldovenesc please read his article Blogging The Dream: Mental Health and Healthy Communities

Curent Kills

I don’t mind that winter has already peeked its head through the doors; truth be told, I’m ecstatic, but the fact that the heat on the trains has already been cranked to the max does not excite me in the least. However, as I headed to Satu Mare last weekend my sweaty squirming brought a smile to my face. Luckily the older couple I was sitting with agreed that it was way too hot and we were able to have the window open but not the door because that of course would create Curent…

Where does one begin with the explanation of Curent? Basically, curent is created indoors when there is an open window, door or any other type of crevice that allows ventilation to enter. The change of temperature that this fresh air brings in can cause ear aches, sore throats and bad joints; essentially, any ailment that an individual might experience. Despite the temperature outside, it is not healthy to create curent. Even if it is 100 degrees Fahrenheit and you’re on an overcrowded Maxi Taxi without air conditioning and as a bonus there are raging body odors… you still CANNOT even crack a window open. Effects can be intensified by going outside with wet hair, sitting on or standing without shoes on cement, and eating too much ice cream. Preventative measures include putting cotton in your ears and keeping over-the-ears hats on young children year round. Resulting disorders can be cured by putting a garlic clove or lit cigarette in your ear and of course, by applying varza (cabbage) to the ailing area!

Meanwhile, back on the train; I was quite thankful for the sweet bliss the slightly cracked window brought to me but I still could not prevent myself from overheating. I slowly removed layers of clothing and lowered my socks over the next two hours. Even the old man complained of being too hot but his wife insisted that he was exaggerating. Seconds before I was about to go streaking, the man sensed my discomfort and said I could open the door. While I expressed my undying gratitude to him, his wife simply looked on, muttering a “Tisk, tisk, there will be curent,” under her breath. Before I knew it, out of the corner of my eye, I saw the already heavily dressed woman putzing around with the curtain. No, I thought…could she really be…yes…the curtain (the extremely dirty curtain, probably pre-Ceaușescu curtain) was now wrapped around her body and head, protecting her ears from the curent. I knew then, that the curent may lead to a slow death over the remaining 3 hours but at least I would die with a smile on my face!

Although the highlight of my trip occurred before I even reached my destination, I still had a grand time in Satu Mare. Christina, a fellow PCV, works with the street youth there, including those who huff and prostitute. I got the opportunity to go over to the center where her organization holds a day program and has room for 6 individuals to live for up to two years. We spent some time playing Rummy with a few who live there and I can’t explain how glad I am that we did. Even though the “kids” are in their early twenties, they were so appreciative and excited that we took the time to be with them. While living there, they learn a variety of Life Skills, one being cooking. The center just got a microwave and it was quite entertaining watching them learn how to use it; the genuine awe that one button would jet the door open and another would simply heat the food. I have to admit, after not using a microwave in almost two years I too was a bit mystified!

"Don't Take Life Sitting Down"

The Go Girl. If you live in Romania, you’ll love it. Are you tired of paying 1 Leu to use a Turkish toilet that you just can’t seem to master? Sick of verifying that your tetanus shot is up to date before using the train toilet? Fed up with that desire to emerge yourself into a large vat of antibacterial hand sanitizer after using those rare existing public bathrooms? Well fret no more; you too can now pee standing up! Why let the boys and drunks have all the fun? Get a Go Girl and make your dreams of playing swords and watering nature’s landscape come true!

http://www.go-girl.com/

As a lucky recipient of a Go Girl (thanks to my Godmother), I can’t wait to make an impact or shall I say, a release, in my squatting style. Thus far, I’ve performed the recommended practice round in the privacy of my home. However, I think I might do it again…perhaps it feels a little more natural the second time. When I went for the prerequisite practice round, I hesitated a moment as I faced the toilet standing up…”so, do I lift the toilet seat?” I shrug my shoulders and figure it would probably be for the best. Now…”what do I do with my pants?” I reluctantly pushed them along with my underwear down to the ground. Next… I lifted the coned apparatus to my lady bits hoping to find that so called suction I read about in the directions. No such luck; the suction does NOT exist. This is definitely a two handed job. No longer able to contain my full bladder, I began the flow and drained my lizard (something I’ve always wanted to say.) “Hmmm,” I thought,” this isn’t too bad.” Maybe next time I won’t wait until urination nation is inside my body, for the Go Girl appeared to be having a little difficulty keeping up with the flow of things. Otherwise, it was a success. Once I figure out how to push my clothing aside (rather than to my ankles) as suggested, I’ll be ready to go public. After washing up and heading into my room, I caught a glance of my reflection in the mirror. What in Sam’s hell? How in the world did that large wet spot get on the back of my pants? As I changed clothing, I replayed the entire situation in my mind. Where did I go wrong? Why do all the drunks have their wet spots on the front? Maybe I should seek counsel; who better than Grandma? She raised 5 boys! She’s bound to know! Until then, I will continue the Moving Hover Craft Method for trains and the Annie Oakley: Roll & Shoot for Turkish times.

A Winter Wonder Fall?

Who knew there could be something more esthetically pleasing than the bold crisp tree colorings of Fall or the freshly frosted landscape of Winter? Clearly the combination of both trumps all. Yesterday’s downpours morphed into flakes and by morning Cȃmpulung was lightly dusted in snow. It was actually quite surreal to the human eye; it appeared as if someone let down a life-size backdrop. In the forefront, were bright radiant colors but as your gaze moved slowly uphill, the oranges, yellows and red were sprinkled white. Further up the foothills and mountains, the still green grass had been primped with an untainted carpet and the endless pines were perfectly frosted. For me, it was the ultimate beauty, the best of both worlds – Fall at your feet, unified splendor at your eye and Winter within reach.