October

This past week has been a busy one. Last weekend my friend Na'Ima came for a visit. We had a great time, and it was really nice to show her around. She was here until first thing Monday morning, leaving on the 5 am bus to Chisinau. On Sunday evening we were sitting in my room, and there seemed to be an awful lot of activity at the house. We were mostly in my room, so I was only peripherally aware of this, but there seemed to be something different going on. Early Monday morning, just after Na'Ima left, Lidia was up and told me that Sunday evening her 21 year old nephew, the brother to the bride of a few weeks ago, had died the night before in an accident in the village. His head hit a tree. That was all she was able to say about it, and I didn't feel comfortable asking for more information. It was too personal, and she was too sad. She spent all evening on Monday helping her sister-in-law prepare the body, and prepare food for the services which took place on Tuesday. It was very sad around here all week.

Tuesday I had already planned to go into Chisinau for a birthday celebration for Teresa's 30th birthday. There were five of us who gathered for this celebration, me, Teresa, Jen, Jenna, and Veronica. We had a very nice lunch, and it was great to see everyone. I had just purchased the tickets for the flight from Chisinau to Frankfurt, and I was feeling so good that this was finally taken care of. The economy is stronger, the dollar and Euro are stronger, and the exchange rate was not as favorable for me as it was last Spring. The price in Euros was the same, but the heightened exchange rate made it a pricier purchase than I was hoping to have to deal with. Still, they are purchased and we will be on our way in less than forty days!!! When I got back to the village on Tuesday afternoon the funeral services and gathering was going on at the home of Lidia's sister and brother-in-law. I had some quiet time at the house, called my parents and told them that the tickets are all purchased, sent some emails, enjoyed the time alone.

The rest of the week was back to the routine: work, walk, read...not much else new this week. It was still a sad week for the family here, and a happy week for me, knowing that everything is now in place for my visit home. Happy birthday this Thursday to my Grandmother, whom I love and miss soooo much. Best of luck to my friend Kim as she gathers support for her petition to keep her community Post Office open on Bailey Island. I miss you all. xoxo, Jami