Zuia Copiilor

Wednesday, late afternoon in early June. Since I last wrote I have had another fun weekend in Chişinău and a good and productive week here in the village. On Friday morning I headed into the city, and then out to meet with Teresa. She has been working to prepare for the new group of volunteers who will be coming a week from tomorrow. She is very organized, and I was visiting more for the company than any real work that she needed me to help with. Eden came out later in the evening, and we had such a good time. On Saturday we were up early and headed into Chişinău for a full day of meetings. It was actually a lunch gathering, and then an afternoon of meetings on providing peer support. Then back to Teresa's town for a birthday party for Lauren, who turned 23 on Saturday. What a fun time! There were 15 of us, and lots and lots of good food and funny stories. Lauren will be leaving us shortly to enter Law school this fall, so it was nice to have this time together. Sunday was spent at the Peace Corps office, and traveling back here to my village life.

Monday morning the day at work started with popsicles for the kids. June first is Children's Day (Zuia Copiilor) and what better way to start the day than with a popsicle. It works for me! Shortly after getting to work, my partner told me that there was a visiting American coming to the village for the day, and did I want to meet him? So, this man turned out to be a native Moldovan who moved to the US in the late 1950's. He was raised in Chişinău, and his ancestral home is the village I am living in. He spoke Russian very well, and since almost everyone here prefers Russian to Romanian, he fit in much better than I do. We had a really nice day, and toured the local winery, along with some interesting sites that I have already seen in the village. The website for the winery is www.purcari.md. Check it out to see the best and the brightest of Moldovan wine making. It's not typical of life here, but it is interesting. Yesterday and today have been routine, but all in all, its been a good week.

This weekend I am headed back into the capital for the VAC meeting on Saturday. I am planning to stay and help prepare any last minute things needed for the incoming volunteers. Next week will be busy for sure. My thoughts this week are with all of my Ream family as Memmy is struggling with her health, and with Michele who is headed out for a family cruise. Keep the letters and emails coming! I love hearing from everyone! I miss you all. xoxo, Jami