Christmas at the Northern Lodge

 

Ho, ho, ho it was Christmas at the Northern Lodge.  That's the nickname given to David and Matt's apartment in Balți.  Their hospitality is well known among their fellow Peace Corps volunteers and Balți happens to be in northern Moldova.  I began my Christmas Day journey in Orhei.  You can see our giant Brad Frumos (Christmas tree) which has ornaments hung in the shape of grape bunches.  This is Moldova!  Santa is wishing you "La Mulți Ani !"  which literally means "many more years" which is something you may connect to a New Year's wish.  You see this whole deal of having a split Christmas here makes it a little confusing as to what to say on December 25th.  Anyhow, there's the church in Orhei where I joined people to celebrate the liturgy of Christmas Mass.  Then it was off to Balți by rutiera which is a trip of about 90 minutes.  When I arrived there in the land of big snow, I noticed a funny scene.  A tourist sign for a trip to a sunny warm beach paradise.   Orhei is a bustling urban area.  David and Matt live in a tall apartment building.  Yes it has an elevator.  4 people max.  Well there's the Brad Frumos here in the Piață here in Balți.  How about Merry Christmas in Russian.

Don't forget Moldova is bi-lingual.  Christmas Day and a vendor is still selling decorations at the outdoor market.  And inside the piață a wondrous display of fresh fruits and vegetables.  Now that really made me feel in the Christmas spirit.  Fellow PCV's were shopping for a new axe to chop wood at home for the sobă.  The sobă is a stove that's built into your house's wall.  Well back to the Northern Lodge.  David was there to greet you with his Santa hat and new Christmas sweater on.  Matt and David put in hours of prep time in the kitchen for today's feast of pulled pork and baked beans with cole slaw.  Not to mention the home made cinnamon rolls.  Santa looks a little sleepy eyed as Janna holds her hot tea thermos with a gloved hand.  A little OJ and Cricova Champagne helped the day along.  Oh Brad Frumos here at the Northern Lodge with gifts piling up ready for a Yankee Swap.  Teresa and Mary, Dan, Matt, Julie, Joe all ready to open presents.  One of the most unique was an electric heated mouse glove/pad in the shape of an angry bird.  Erin got a good one! It came in a bottle.   We're all ready to eat!  Everyone gather round.  After we got a good start on our food, we did some Christmas caroling around the table.  Then everyone got busy skyping their families back in the States.  Most of them were still in their pajamas or looking at presents recently opened. 

Winter Holiday Wishes

 

Well here it is from my front door to yours, a holiday wish for warm winter nights and much joy at the turning of the world to more light.  Here in Moldova they speak of the Sărbătoare de Iărne, the Winter Holidays.  As you can see from the second picture- which is my backyard, it is winter here.  And I am proud to show you our local snow removal equipment.  We've had three to seven foot of snow depending on where you are in Moldova.  The roads up north were closed for several days.  Even transportation from my village to Orhei was out for two days.  You know that song about a 'one horse open sleigh'.   It's an every day experience in my village.  But Frosty the Moldovan snowman takes it all in stride.  He has lots of friends.  We even do the Moldovan hora with Frosty!  But the winter solstice is behind us now.  The longest night of the year.  Time to look forward to the New Year, the Anul Nou 2013.  I had the good fortune to be at our local school for the final assembly before Christmas break.  Since their celebration of Craciun or Christmas comes second in order, that is it comes on January 7th by the Orthodox calendar, the Christmas program was featured as Anul Nou 2013 (as it will happen first).  You can see the influence of Santa or Moș Craciun as he is called in Romanian.  And of course the religious aspect of our celebration.  And a bit of comedy....Moldovan man being flirted with by Rusia, Italia, or Franza.  And many more skits take a final bow.  And I extend my hand to you, dear friend, and wish you Craciun ferecit si Anul Nou.

May your Winter Holidays be joyful and peaceful.

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.