La Mulț Ani

Today was Sunday, the one day of the week that is absolutely free for us to do with what we please (minus swim, ride on a motorcycle, cross a boarder, cycle without a helmet, drive a car… or anything else Peace Corps forbids). I slept in an hour past my usual wake up usual. Happy Birthday to me! I walked into the wash room (like a bathroom minus the toilet, that’s outside) to find a giant bouquet of red and white roses sitting on the sink. My eyes teared up with surprise and memories of Dad’s flowers for his girl’s birthdays. I said good morning to my host family and got hugs and kisses and well wishing for the next year. Everything else in the morning was simple and pleasant. I ate breakfast with my host mom’s grand-daughter (Rebecca, age 6 and adorable) and then went back to my room to study for my language proficiency test. Susanna (another granddaughter, age 14 and brilliant) was helping me with my homework for a bit, then left to work in the magazine with her mom (magazine=convenience store in Moldova). I heard the dogs going crazy outside, but that’s all the usual so I kept on with my work. My host Mom called me outside. Me (still unassuming) went to find out what was up and found my fellow volunteers and entire host family crowded out front. There were “happy birthdays”, “la mulț ani”, a cake, smiles and some videos being taken (let’s not publish those). I was beside myself and again felt some leakage in my eyes. We all went to the lake for a BBQ and games. After cake (dessert first), my host parents poured everyone glasses of homemade liquor (made from cherries I think) and toasted to my health and to hundreds more years. Homemade wine made its rounds, placenta (homemade Moldovan pastry and pronounced “pla-chent-a”) was enjoyed, and bbq-ed meat over a smoking wood grill was also served (with spicy ketchup). It was awesome. Thanks Moldova and company for a fantastic introduction to 25.