Moldovan Adventures
As I sit here writing this, it is going on midnight, and a cool breeze is wafting through the open window. I can hear frogs singing their night choruses to each other, and of course the local dogs throwing in their two cents for good measure. There's a lace curtain rigged over the open window to seal out the maddening mosquitoes that plagued me several hot nights ago, and the rain that fell today has been a welcome relief from the heat wave that has been rolling in with approaching summer. Every so often, I get a whiff of the lit candle sitting on the windowsill beside me as the breeze carries the hint of it's rosey scent past me. Because I've had two cups of coffee today, sleep is somewhat elusive, and I feel pensive, wordy, and somewhat nostalgic.
Someone asked me why I hadn't posted at all this month. Was it because I had a problem with the month of May? To which I replied that I did. The truth, however, is that the pace has suddenly picked up, and I find myself with more than enough to do, and less than enough time to do it all. But I'm enjoying this new speed, and the opportunity to actually get some things accomplished at long last!! Because of this new busy phase, I haven't taken many pictures, and for some reason, I feel I have to include pictures in any new posting or it won't be interesting enough to read, like a picture book without the pictures.
But thanks to the coffee, you get a piece of my mind anyway. Lucky you! As I become more acquainted with Moldova in general and my community, in particular, I am beginning to see more of the ongoing problems that the people of this country deal with on a daily basis. Some are problems that can be found in any country in the world, but others are more specific to the people of Moldova, and oftentimes, very heartbreaking. We had a seminar with many of the youth from the community several days ago. In it, they were asked what life is like for those whose parents are working abroad to make ends meet. As soon as the question was out, several kids broke down and began to cry. They miss their parents. Some live at home alone without parents because mom and dad are in other countries (often illegally) trying to make enough money to support the kids they have left at home. Others live with relatives or one of the parents while the other is abroad. Almost all said that they would rather have their parents than the money that their parents are sending back to them or the commodities that that money can buy. Many do as they wish while their parents are not around to supervise, and school attendance is often very low while alcohol consumption is very high.
Speaking of alcohol, that's another problem that seems to be on the rise. Granted, it's not a problem specific only to Moldova, but it is definitely a growing problem within Moldova. So many people here have fallen under the curse of the bottle, and can't seem to break its spell. If I were to just think of the five neighboring houses across the dirt path from my home, I could confidently state that three of those houses contain alcoholics. That's more than half, and in one tiny portion of the community. The number of alcoholics within the entire community is tragically staggering. Another heartbreaking statistic would be the percentage of local youth that consume more than their fair share of alcohol on a regular basis. The lack of available jobs, combined with the old soviet dependancy and new democratic leanings has combined to form one hell of a depressing brew for many of the locals. Many seem to think the only relief to be found, lies in a cheap bottle, or ten, of vodka. Not only does this alarming spread of alcoholism affect the individual holding the bottle, but it also affects the family living with that individual. Children witness a vicious cycle of alcohol abuse, leading to verbal abuse, oftentimes escalating to physical abuse, and the ensuing excuses that are made for that behavior. It's no wonder they see nothing wrong with resorting to the bottle themselves.
Local and national corruption is yet another of the plagues that eat away at the frail foundation that Moldova is trying to build on. Not only is it found in almost every political facility, but it is also rampant in the school systems, the medical institutions, the transportation industry, and almost every other form of business, institution, or organization that exists within the country. It is accepted, defended and embraced. No wonder bringing positive change is such a challenge! If the people that beg for change are the very people who turn their heads at the obvious corruption or excuse it as a necessary evil, how can they expect to bring honest change to their floundering country?
Don't get me wrong. I'm not saying the future of Moldova is completely without hope. But the mindsets of the Moldovan people as a whole will have to change first before the structure of Moldova ever can. I think that if Moldova does improve, it won't be an overnight change. It will take several generations to move past the Soviet mindsets that have permeated so many past generations and continue to influence the present ones. But maybe true change is the change that happens slowly, consistently, progressively over time. Maybe that's the only change that will really stick, and so, I can only hope to be a tiny little fragment in the process of change within this country. I think I'm OK with that, and I'm willing to do whatever little part I can to help encourage that positive change for Moldova's future. Plus, I'm starting to get really tired and my thinking is getting fuzzier. The cool breeze is picking up a bit, and the candle is starting to burn lower. Guess that means it's time to turn in. Tomorrow's another busy day, but I'm looking forward to it, and what it has to offer.
I promise to start taking pictures again soon. I also promise that not all my entries will be as wordy, and somewhat cynical as this one, but from time to time, it's good to take a realistic step back, and see the more serious side of things as well as the lighter side. Hope I didn't depress anyone, but if I did, promise me you won't go drown your sorrows in the bottle. Drink a cup of coffee instead. :)
Well, I've finally compiled some pictures. Snippets of the past month. This is a park in the city of Balti. Must be Springtime!! Beautiful isn't it?
Another view of my village of Recea. I love the view of the village lying next to the lake. So picturesque!
And this is a picture of my neighbors and their cow. During the day everybody puts their cows out in the fields attached to chains staked in the ground. The cows just walk around in lazy circles grazing. One day when I was running through the fields a baby cow snapped his chain and tried to go running with me. He was just like a little puppy excitedly scampering after me. But I couldn't bring a cow home, and say "it followed me home. Can I keep it?" So, against it's protests, I had to drag it back to its chain and re-attach it. He moo-ed after me as I ran away. I went back and visited him a few days later, and he was so excited to see me. He kept moving his head to all the spots he wanted me to scratch, and was again very vocal when I continued on my run. Who knew baby cows were as fun as puppies? 
