So, I've been doing a bit of running here in Moldova, trying to stay out of Francesca's way and such (I figured if I'm not there, then I can't do anything wrong right? right) So every time I want to run, I've let Francesca know using my broken English "I uhh....fugi?" and Francesca would just dismiss me with strange look as I tried to act out jogging. I shared this with my coworker Anna today, and she laughed because "fugi" also has an alternate meaning.. "to escape". So yes, I may have been using running as an excuse to escape Francesca, but no wonder she was so confused with me.
The Romanian struggle continues. Ay, what a mess. Anna was kind enough to provide a new translation though, "Alergat in parc" (jogging in the parc)
I thought this buzzfeed article was hilarious and some of the ideas were spot on, so I had some commentary of my own:
9 things you experience as an intern oversees-- Moldova Edition.
#1" Constantly converting everything.. like what time will people in America respond to my texts/emails.... how much my lunch cost in U.S. dollars (usually $2-3)... the time even, converting military into uhh not military..? the list goes on and on.
#2 " Any time I get a pronunciation I am doing a small victory dance in my head. The one time I was mistaken as a Moldovan after only a few Romanian words, I was embarrassingly ecstatic.
#3 I have yet to really bring any American traditions, but I will keep you all posted.
#4 "Feeling a sense of pride in your volunteer work" - I do feel a great sense of pride in the organization I am working for, even after two short weeks! I was beyond thrilled when our fundraising event this Wednesday had more than double the participants as the previous event.
#5 "Mastering the art of non verbal communication" - This is Francesca and I all the time. Hand gestures fo dayz.
#6 "Learning the local culture" - The local customs were definitely an adjustment (ehemm, taking my shoes off in the house) Also, many people great with hugs and kisses on the cheek which I was very awkward with at first.
#7 "Trying the local food" - I don't mind the food here at all.. nothing really strange, they're just big on soup (bors).
#9 "Realizing Punctuality is relative" - Punctuality definitely is not enforced. The public transportation here is on crack, there are trolly buses and minibuses, and the minibuses quite frankly look like those sketchy vans that creeper drive.
Other Moldovan things:
The Prime Minister of Moldova of Moldova stepped down today after only three months in office. Everyone here at work was a buzz with the news, saying how he was being investigated for not only having faked both his high school and university diplomas, but also the disappearance of one billion dollars. Moldova seems to be a very split country, of pro-European and pro-Russians. My coworkers explained that the communist/socialist party was currently the majority and how there really isn't any urgency from the younger generations to vote, which is huge. The small former soviet republic seems to have a bit of ways to go with forming a governing system that isn't corrupt.
Back to the countywide with my new host fam!
Always more cherries.
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