the comfort of hârtie igienică (toilet paper)

Day three here in Moldova, with less than a week away from home, and I’m comfortable, safe, and enjoying the adventure. There are moments (I’m embarrassed to admit) that I get grumpy at the idea of this being my new home for the next 27 months, but I find solace in the fact that my fellow trainees share my sentiments. One of the most comforting things my Aunt Donna told me before I left home was that the people I would meet during my service would become some of my closest friends. I didn’t doubt her, but I also didn’t realize how quickly that would become a reality. While I miss home already (it’s too easy to let the longevity of this commitment settle in my heart and mind), I am now actually looking forward to the development of new friendships (but I swear they’ll never replace what I already have and cherish at home!). My new fear now (aside from the continues one of Moldovan winters), is finishing training and having to live away from these people I am now building bonds with. But alas, when I am focused enough to remain in the very present of each moment, I really am able to enjoy the adventure, beauty, and newness of Moldova.

Yesterday, we were shown around Chisinau, that capital city, for a couple hours. The market was hussling and bussling with foods, spices, home items, clothes, and craft items (oh the stimulation)! Sun flower oil is in high abundance and I’m looking forward to doing some of my own cooking. My host mother feeds me three meals a day, and they all consist of items in a brown hue. I’m incredibly grateful to be taken care of so well, but I do miss my fruits and veggies. Last night, my family asked me what I like to eat, and I told them fruits and vegetables. Tonight, they brought home a big juicy watermelon. I cried on the inside from joy. But it looks like I’ll finally be using that outdoor, hole in the ground, outhouse tonight (the indoor bathroom is for flushable liquids only).

One interesting thing about Moldova (I’m sure I’ll be sharing more) is that they don’t often provide toilet paper in bathrooms, private or public. I’m still learning the hard way to bring my own as I have yet to find a good alternative in the bathrooms that I do use. I don’t know whether it’s bathroom stress or good timing on my part, but I’ve so far been able to stave off using the outhouse. My fingers are crossed I don’t get the dreaded giardia we have already been warned about in excess. They’ve (Peace Corps) has told us to stay away from strawberries, cheese, and mushrooms… yea right! Not when that motzarella looks so juicy or those berries look so fresh. What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger right? …If no one hears from me in a week, it’s probably because I’m spending it in the outhouse.

            We’re incredibly taken care of while still left to learn a lot on our own. Yesterday while traveling in our EE (English Education) group, Chanel and I were almost stuck on a bus to who knows where (we couldn’t pull our money out to pay in time) until a local yelled “Opri! Opri!” (stop) at the driver. Today I wondered through rows of houses in my neighborhood peering through gates and fences until I finally found my home after being dropped off by the bus. I’m the only English speaker living with my host family, but they take care of me like I’m their relative and I can already recognize how much quicker I’ll pick up the language. Two months here and I’ll be more proficient in Romanian than I am in Spanish after studying it for three years. Today I made earrings with/for my host sister Cristina because she saw pictures of the ones I’d made on Facebook (loved that moment). This morning my host mom woke me up with a booming “Bună dimineaţa!” because my alarm had not gone off and all I could respond with was a bewildered “good morning” as no Romanian was flowing through my mind after a dead sleep (how long does jet lag take to fade?).

            In conclusion, while I miss so much about home already, I find comfort in the beauty of new relationships and adventure… and toilet paper, when I remember to bring it with me.