Fair warning this is a longer post.
Though I definitely missed the barbecues and fireworks this past weekend, we definitely tried our best to celebrated the 4th right. Since coming here, I have definitely become more patriotic (Cue U-S-A chant), not that I didn't feel so patriotic before. There are definitely things that I am not so proud of about America, but after being here a little over a month It's safe to say we are doing somethings not so terribly. I have a whole new appreciation for our education, basic healthcare, and government system because even though there are things that I don't particular like about them, they sure as hell are better than how it is run in Eastern Europe. Maybe I am just naive, but I'd say we really have it pretty good.
So yes, go 'murica.
We began our fourth of July weekend with a trip to a Moldova fair, Ia Mania (Pronounced "eee-ya man-ee-ya") that celebrates their National clothing and traditions. Very American, right?
My coworker Ana and her friend Irka were so sweet in inviting Karina, Mikayla, and I to come with them about an hour outside Chisinau to Holercaini, where the festival was being held.
We did take a few wrong turns (oops) and find ourselves at a checkpoint to enter Transnistria.
For anyone who might not be aware (I know I wasn't before coming here), Transnistria is sort of a fake country within Moldova. Because the country is basically constantly in a state of identity crisis from being combines and torn from different countries and finally becoming independent only in 1992 (such a young country!). Transnistria is a small section of the country that is still under Russia's control. It is not recognized as a country, except by the people who live there. It is all quite confusing, and Transnistria seems to be huge headache for Moldova causing all sorts of problems for everyone. Being an unified country has Moldova very.. stuck. Countries with some pull (ehmm U.S.A) or the European Union are unwilling to help Moldova until they get their shit in order (ehmm Transnistria, ehmm corruption). So that is just all from my understanding of the situation, If you're actually curious I highly recommend reading more into the subject because it is actually quite interesting.
Hard to see.. but those people are totally getting interrogated.
Byeeee Transnistria!
Anyways, I was lightweight having a panic attack as the troops/guard/scary Russians were having people get out of the car in from of us and show their passports. I was thinking to myself, this is when we three stupid American girls get taken and by the Russians and no one ever hears from us again in a territory/country that isn't even formally recognized. Yes. Good job Maddie.
Ultimately though, they just made us turn around because we didn't have passports. The carride was also so much fun, blasting Beyonce and Irka knowing all the words made me feel like I was back in the states with my friends. It's funny how different our lives are from most Moldovans yet there are still a lot of random connections -- like music -- that bring us together. It makes you wonder how different we really all are.
When we finally arrived at the festival it was hotter than hell out, literally the hottest day here in Moldova. We were in an open field so the shade was sparse, but we did find a spot under these tents that were set up for the event. We then all got some really amazing Moldovan food (Placinte and Sarmale -- rice wrapped in either grape or cabbage leaves. The stuff is like crack, I can't stop eating it even if I'm full), but not before Mikayla lightweight passed out because of not eating breakfast and the heat. Once everyone ate, we walked around the vendors who were selling different Moldovan goods and handmade crafts, and of course the Ia-- traditional stitched Moldovan shirts. Then Mikayla proceeded to throw-up (killn' the game!) because of the heat and eating too fast. We sat until the clouds came out and the day cooled off a bit, and continued to eat more Moldovan food (of course). Irka was also extremely entertaining with all her boy stories (at 26 she's already been married and divorced). Irka - this tiny, blonde, Moldovan chick -- is a total bad ass, and explained how most Moldovan men expect to marry a woman who will do everything for them --cook, clean, ect-- and generally be submissive. Irka is not this type of woman, and explained how it's really hard to find a good guy here in Moldova. Definitely made me feel lucky (don't let that get to your head though @Zach). After hanging out and hearing all of Irka's stories, we then took pictures all around the fair because we are quite basic like that and have chosen to embrace it. We then enjoyed live music and ran into some of Inga's friends who pulled us into a traditional Moldovan dance-- which wasn't too bad because it's mostly running around holding hands in a circle, so even I can do it!
We were very silly.
Girl talk with Irka
Cucumber game strong.
ALL of the new friends. These guys were seriously confused why we wanted to take a picture with them. They had performed a traditional Moldovan dance.
Just keep eating.
I want this rug for my dorm.
After returning home we went to our Marine friends' house. They all work at the embassy with Lauren and are very chill. We hung out there for a bit before hitting the Moldova night life which was quite an experience. We also met up with Lauren's British friends (how patriotic right? I'm on a roll here) who were also very fun. The night was really fun, and the Marines love to buy everyone drinks, so really what's to hate.
Around three we all returned back to Lauren's house to sleepover. Another great thing about marines is that they have their own driver to pick them up and take them anywhere. Definitely safer than getting a taxi here..
Lauren's house is sick, by both American and Moldovan standards ("oh yeah there's also a tanning bed and sauna upstairs" -Lauren. Casual, right?) It was actually the first home I'd been in here because there are mostly apartments in the central district.
Signing ALLL the documents so we can enter the Marine house
#notaTaxi
The next morning we enjoyed breakfast on the side porch and we got to meet Lauren's dad, who is super cool and has an awesome southern accent. He is some military high up, and it was very interesting to ask him a billion questions about his time in foreign service. He also was able to give us the whole run down on Transnistria which was very cool.
Then we decided to continue the Moldovan fourth of July festivities by going to a tour and wine tasting as Cricova, which is apparently the World's largest natural wine cellar? It was definitely huge. We drove on a golf cart train thing through the underground tunnels to view where they make and store the wine as well as their private collections. It was definitely neat, but my favorite part had to be tasting the wine. By the end of the tasting, we were all quite giggly and grateful for David (our supervisor) for paying for the majority of the trip with some extra money he found in the budget. Overall we spend roughly five dollars on the excursion. Five dollars very well spent.
ALL THE WINE
After the wine, we stopped at the supermarket and picked up some classic Moldovan foods for a barbecue that Marine Matt had invited us to at their home. The marines are an interesting crew. I alway forget that they're a bit older than us, and it came up yesterday how one of them is 27 and won't be out of the Marines for another two years. It's weird to think that we are at such different places in our lives, but find ourselves living in the same, random country, sitting around the same barbecue. Even with Ana and Irka, they're both 26, but on Saturday it felt as though they were friends i'd known forever.
It's weird how people come together sometimes.
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