Weekend in the Country

I feel obligated to write something about the political situation in Moldova, because we are in middle of a heated re-vote for mayor of Chisinau.  On June 9th, the Communist party candidate Igor Dodon won 48% of the vote, but not the necessary 51%.   I am still trying to figure out how this all works, or if more people are expected to vote this time (only two weeks later), and why people are voting Communist. Interestingly, Sunday was the 70-year commemoration of Stalin's deportation of many Moldovans to Siberia (mostly educated and wealthy people.)  In addition, Moldova has an "interim" president who also failed to win the necessary majority vote.  For me, the biggest challenge lies in trying to envision a president called Igor, but it's such a common name here, I am sure I would get used to it. 

I had a fantastic weekend with my friends Eugenia and Tania at Eugenia's parents farm in a village near Orhei.  When we arrived from the packed, sweaty, chicken-filled bus to the village of Slobozea, we sat down for soup and hot bread, fresh from the "cuptor", the wood-fired oven.  I can't explain what this tasted like, but the entire weekend was a feast.  I ate some of the best food I've ever had, including fresh dairy (cheese, milk, and sour cream) fresh bread, cake, and "placinte" (savory pastries), sarmale (rice and meat in vine leaves) fresh meat, and tons of other delicacies.  However, my favorite part was that there was a different variety of homemade wine to try at every meal (breakfast included!) which we shared by passing around a small cup and drinking one by one.  I also got to take part in picking and canning strawberries and rose petals, and killing a rabbit and chicken for Eugenia to take back to her apartment in Chisinau.  I was sent home with a goodie basket, too.  The only thing I really passed on was the "recituri", chicken feet suspended claws-up in a bowl of clear gelatin, which gave me a unique insight into what a chicken's nightmare might be.  It also made me realize I don't like meat that much. 

Finally....Some Photos

 Well, here's the courtyard of my place (see green punching bag).  Below is my lovely living room which I don't really use because I get the feeling I am not supposed to use the lights that much... so sitting in a big dark room is not too appealing, although it does have rockin' silver-speckled wallpaper which is sadly not done justice in the picture.

 Images from Cupcini Institution for Children, due to close in June, currently housing 21 children.  We went there and had a recreation day, hence the face paint and my lovely tattoo.  I was not really allowed to take pictures of the children, and learned after that the staff did not want me to take pictures of the buildings.  It is difficult to describe the enormity and coldness of communist institutions like this one.  At capacity, it housed 450 children.  Wish I could post more pictures, but they are taking too long to download!

 Lastly, a barbecue in the courtyard with Cristina and friends, a good way to spend a Saturday here, drinking a "Chisinau" beer.