A Snowy Day in Piatra

 

It was a snowy day in Piatra.  The sun was just getting up over the valley as the day began.  All seemed quiet in the farm yard and some clothes drying (freezing) on the line added a little color to all the white dazzle.  The walk to work starts with a climb up the hill along a stone fence that looks picturesque in snow.  Even chain link fences look picturesque today.  The dome of the church catches my eye as we top the hill.  Some of the blue houses really stand out in contrast to grey concrete ones. 

There's the well and the main road.  Now down the path to work.  Look there's our colorful building standing out in this snowy scenery.  The horizon over the valley looks a little scary, but the snow covered trees take your mind off of that forecast for more snow.  Ah, here's the front door of work.  Notice the ready snow removal equipment.  Of course, for some people snow means "playing"  in and with the snow!  O look, the sun breaks through as they day comes to an end.  Happy Winter from all the kids at Centru Comunitar Multifunctional Universul. 

Caravana de Craciun in Chisinau

 

Caravana de Creciun in Chisinau (CCC)   Last weekend I was in the capital city and enjoyed some of the holiday atmosphere there.  Of course the "brad craciun" (christmas tree) was right in front of the main square.  There was a special choo-choo train for the kiddies.  I think this is where the caravan theme comes from.  Of course big folks still have to use the public transit, see trolley bus above.  One new thing I noted was popcorn wagons around the square.  You just can't pass that aroma by without wanting a bag.  And Old St Nick, I mean "Mos Craciun"  was around to take pictures.  The National Cathedral in the Plaza is named "Nașterea Domnului"  Birth of Christ Cathedral.  The compass in the sidewalk you see above is a new landmark in Chisinau, only a few weeks old.  It's in front of the main post office marking ground Zero to all points European.  And of course the main street, Stefan cel Mare Blvd was looking all decked out including a full moon.  Chisinau City Hall ( that's "Primaria" in Moldovan) was the most lit up.  I also joined a group of PCV's that went to Mold Expo to the Christmas Bazaar put on by the International Women's Organization for Charity.  Many, many of the embassies here in Chisinau participate with booths that feature their country's foods and crafts.  All the sales go to help the orphanage in Chisinau.  You can see the Santa from Turkey.  He's kind of skinny.  Some Peace Corps patrons and the Peace Corps Booth.  If you check the third last picture above, look for a gentleman with a red sweater in back center.  That's our US Ambassador here, William Moser.  The beautiful painted plate is something I bought at the Russian booth.  (Ssssh, don't say anything, it's a present for my host mom.)  Of course, I got a chance to tell Mos Craciun my Christmas list which is probably a lot like yours.  Health and happiness in the New Year. 

 

Winter is Here

 

I seems just like yesterday the colors of autumn werer thrilling us.  And the sunshine made the sky so blue.  But the river of time has a way of moving slowly on.  And before you know it, there's footprints in the snow.  We had our first snow last Tuesday here in Piatra.  Throughout the village there were snowy scenes just begging for a camera.  The vineyards all frosted in white.  The streets frozen in place with ice and snow taking the place of mud.  And in the rion center of Orhei, the statue of Vasile Lupu is wrapped in mother nature's ermine.  The pedestrians making their way quickly on the sidewalks trying to erase the evidence.  But there's no going back now.  Winter is here.  Stay warm and don't forget your yak tracks.