Adventures from Moldova

This is my blog containing all of my adventures as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Moldova.

Tuesday, August 22, 2006

Well, only 10 more days until I can finally go home. I have loved Ames and Iowa State University, however, I couldn't be more ready for my next adventure. I just got back from Colorado where I was able to visit my cousins Angela and Garrett, and my Uncle Tom and Aunt Jan. I went with my Grandparents and we had a really good time. My cousin Garrett and his wife Maggie just had twin boys on June 24 so it was so good to get to see them before I leave. If I didn't see them then, I wouldn't probably see them until they were 3 years old! My uncle Tom told me that while I was over in Moldova he would send me packets of 505 Salsa (it's the really good kind that comes from New Mexico) and Green Chilis from the Southwest as well. I had some chilis while I was in Colorado that they brought up with them from Albuquerque, and they were absolutely amazing. I had never put them on a hamburger before, but it was great! I can't wait until they send them to me. Apparently the food isn't very spicy which is what I will miss the most from home so I am going to have to bring tons of seasoning with me. Maybe I can teach my host family to like spicy things...but I am not going to hold my breath:).

I am getting so antsy about leaving. I, of course, am freaking out just a little bit, but I think that is totally normal. This is the feeling that I had right before I did my triathlon in June. I felt totally alone (even though 600 other people were doing it) and wasn't sure if I was capable of completing it. Of course, then I got to the starting area and ended up having a great time (even though I almost drowned from other people swimming on top of me...no worries though because I passed them later on during the swim!). I know that I can do this but I am certainly nervous!

20 days til Moldova!!!

Tuesday, August 15, 2006


I have found some really cool pictures online so I thought I would share them with you! They are of Chisinau which is the capitol. When I get to Moldova, I will have the opportunity to go on a tour of Chisinau! I cannot wait!


I just got my flight plans as well and I will be leaving Sunday, September 10 from KCMO at 6 AM...yikes (but it's not like I will be sleeping anyway!). I get into Washington DC around 9 AM and then take off for Philadelphia from that. Then on the 12th, I leave NY at 5 PM or so and arrive in Istanbul, Turkey the next day. I have around an 8 hour layover there so hopefully we have some time for sightseeing or something! Who knows!

Monday, August 14, 2006

I had dinner on Saturday night with Alec and Becky Zama. They live in Ankeny and Alec is originally from Moldova. We had such a great time. I loved hearing all about the people and he showed me all sorts of pictures from when he lived there (during Soviet occupation) and on his visits since moving to the US. One of his brothers lives in Ialoveni (pronounced yalo-veen) and is a minister. I am excited to already have a contact in the city where I will be doing training for 3 months. Alec also said that he has a British Missionary there and so that will be great as well because she can help me get around during my first few weeks since I don't know the language. I am so incredibly excited.

Alec also gave me some reading material about Moldovan History. The book is called "The Moldovans: Romania, Russia, and the Politics of Culture" by Charles King. It is all about the different periods of time when Moldova was part of Romania and Russia as well as how they are today as a free state. Moldova is statistically the poorest country in Europe and Alec said that many individuals of the older generation feel that if they had stuck with Communism, they would be better off today. That could be why they elected a Communist President in the last election. It is definitely going to be a challenge and I am really looking forward to it.

Only 28 days left til I leave for staging!

Friday, August 04, 2006

Only 37 more days til I leave....and I couldn't be more ready for it! I just found out that I will be going to Philadelphia for staging and also received the contact information for my group as well. I am in Group 19 but my subgroup is "AA 140." I also found out that I am the only female in that group too which should make things interesting. I hope everyone in my group will be as excited as I am to experience all of these new adventures.

I will only be in Philadelphia for 3 days and then I fly to do 3 months of training in Ialoveni, Moldova which is only about 10K (6.2 miles) outside of the capital, Chisinau. That will be really great because is is only a short distance to the city for things we need or just to do something fun. I don't really know how much free time we will have during the first 3 months, and I am assuming that it will be really intensive. I just can't believe that this time next year I will be able to pretty much speak a completely different language. I want to work really hard so that by the time I leave, I am fluent.