I've been avoiding this because there's too much I want to type about and too little time to do it in, but that isn't a good way to approach things, so I'm going to do a mad dash and I'm sorry if it really sucks, but I don't have much time (need to study Romanian). Well, I think I've got one week in Romania just about done. Today during training was probably one of the roughest. It just started sinking in...no more lunches with my mom, no more hugs from my little brother (especially since today's his birthday), no more caramel lattes (the only thing I've been able to find is extremely (I mean extremely) strong coffee), no more of my old life. No more Erin in Reno. And feeling dumb in language class does not do much for my moral. But, to buck up, I've got to keep in mind all the things I'm adding to my life...hugs from my gazda sister, whom I can't understand one word of, but a hug works just as well, my gazda mom's smiles and delicious cooking, my new friends. Lots is being added and the other stuff...well, it will hopefully still be around when I get back.
Ok...enough emotional blah blah blah, you probably want to know about what it's like here so far. Ploiesti (pronounced Ploy-esht) is an industrial town of about 300,000 and is very smoky and polluted and not what you think of when you think "lovely Romanian country side", but still has its charm. The streets are not set up in a grid and confuse the heck out of me and both nights I've walked home by myself, I've gotten mixed up, but it all worked out in the end. I'm prepared to admit and accept this: I have a horrible sense of direction. There. I said it. Each morning I get up around 6:30 and take a quick, curtain less shower (surprisingly difficult...water goes everywhere), eat breakfast with my gazda mom and sister and walk to the bus stop (about 10 minute walk), then ride the bus for about 10 minutes, then walk 10 minutes more, then arrive promptly for language training. Ah, language training. I always hope that language will just magically happen and won't be all that tough, but no. It's going to be a struggle and I am definitely one of the weaker in the class. Oh well. After language, we all go to the hub for Romania/PC training and next week we start our practicum, which is a whole nother beast that I'll save for another entry. After training, I walk back through town with some other trainees for about 40 minutes until I'm on my own to stumble through the streets and find my gazda, where a quick dinner is consumed and the rest of the night is spent studying. There. That's my experience so far. There's alot more to it, of course, but I think I'm keeping my gazda mom up because the computer's in her room. So...more to come.
I'd like to add that I don't think I'll be able to communicate much at all during training (the next nine weeks) due to the amount of time being consumed by class and study, in addition to the limited access to internet and phone. I did buy a phone today, but I need to figure out how to operate it and all that good stuff before providing more details. After training, I'm not sure if my communication abilities will improve or worsen...we'll find out.
Noapte Buna! (good night)
6 comments:
Mi-e foarte dor de tine. Te iubesc!!!
I don't know if that is right. You'll have to let me know :)
Sis
Just hang in there with the language one word at a time. How old is your host sister? Weather here has been grand. Ozzie and I take lots of walks. What a wonderful experience you are having. Many of the teachers ask about you and wish you well. Hugs and Hugs! Love, Mom
Take a minute to think about how much you have already learned=amazing! Try not to sprain your brain!
As one with absolutely no sense of direction (Janet snickering) repetition does wonders. Landmarks help, but never rely on trash cans; when Janet was walking to school when she was little her landmark trash can moved...(sue snickering)
Anxious to hear more, whenever..
Well, wouldn't we all be so sad if you DIDN'T miss us?! Reno seems a little empty without you! And as for the trashcan...it was bright yellow and I was 6, and to my credit I knocked on someone's door and they found my house. Sounds like you know the feeling! LOL! Keep smiling!
Overwhelming goodness. Ah to think of the future and you'll meet folks learning the language. You'll be helping them!
language comes in fits and starts, and for a long time you might not feel like you're learning much, or struggling all the time, and then all of a sudden you'll have some good interactions or pick up something and feel like you own the world! learning a language was, at least for me, one of the hardest things I've ever done, but also one of the most rewarding. it teaches you a lot about yourself. also, i'm sure you've gotten the lecture about culture shock, but i've felt it everywhere i've lived (including miami!). Also, it sounds like you at least make a great effort to communicate. it was my experience that the best language learners didn't necessarily make the best peace corps volunteers (myself very much included), nor did they necessarily adjust to the culture any easier for being able to "communicate" a little better. Oops enough sermonizing, but i'm really proud of you!
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