Happy Old New Year

Happy Old New Year!!   Sounds a little queer to the ear, you say?   Well 7 days after Old Christmas follows Old New Year--January14.   Sunday was "Ajun" Old New Year,  or almost Old New Year, or Old New Year's Eve if you would.  I was in Orhei and saw a wonderful show of Colindi (Christmas Carols) groups from around the raion (county).  It seems that most groups have a story about a goat in their repertoire.  You see a picture of a goat get up above.  And some groups have someone cracking a whip as they sing.  I think that's to give the goat motivation.  ALL the groups have a small hand bell that they ring continuously as they sing or recite poems.  The last few pictures give you a little taste of Moldovan winter styles.  Hey what's this, a picture of my friend Basil and Marilyn in Chicago!  Oh, that's because January 14th--Old New Year's Day is also Svinte Vasile Day.   You guessed it, Vasile is Basil in our Romanian tounge.  There's a famous cathedral in Moscow right off of Red Square in honor of St Basil.   But for today we'll just have to end with a picture of the church in Jeloboc.  La Mulți Ani, Sanatate, bani in buzunar, Noroc, porcul pe masa, fericire și frumos viața!  And may you get a seat on the rutiera.