Frost and Carbon Monoxide and Strangers

Written: November 8, 2007

Yesterday I woke up to find the first frost! My host sister and I cracked the ice puddles on our way to school!

And last night, my carbon monoxide detector went off. I was halfway between running around like I was decapitated when another volunteer rushed over, forgetting his phone, to bring save my life and let me borrow his non-defunct alarm. Well we were going to meet him midway between our houses but of course he went one way, in the dark without phone, and we went the other, in the dark without flashlight. It probably would have been more quick to accept the “it’s malfunctioning” idea if it hadn’t been yelling “WARNING! CARBON MONOXIDE!! WARNING CARBON MONOXIDE!!!” and if another volunteer hadn’t ACTUALLY had a CO problem. “But at least you won’t die if you stay awake.” Today I'm getting a new one.


Written: November 5, 2007

I was on the way to the capital to open up my bank account. It was weeks ago. I was looking out of the green van as we passed through the market area. Raised up, looking down on the passing world. A tanned, sun-wrinkled, work-toughened man was lugging something behind him. He was serious and concentrating, without noticing the other people around him except maybe when he would weave between people. And then he changed. He stopped and shook another man’s hand and he had this smile on his face, this genuine, life-changing smile. That smile was just waiting for someone to provoke it. And we drove passed and I had to turn my head to the left to keep my eye on him and his handshake, his enjoyment. Within a single encounter, his wrinkles slackened and his nails weren’t so tough anymore. His burden wasn’t so heavy and I stopped thinking that Moldovans were cold.

And on the way back from Orhei (one of the few sizeable towns in Moldova) we were in the back of the bus, squished in the left corner with a woman on my right with a eager smile. We were talking over her to our colleagues outside – in English, of course. And she instantly started up conversation – in Romanian, of course – found out I was a twin and gave me a big smoosh of a hug, so tight my glasses were crooked. I wonder what she would have done if she knew we’re both twins?! Given us each a kiss?

Even culture prep can be built from (or lead to) stereotypes. In preparation for not necessarily having running water, we can end with the following situation:
Host mom: How often would you like to shower?
Trainee: I don’t know, once a week?
Host mom: That’s it?!

I don’t want to ask for too much. I don’t want to waste too much money on plumbing, electricity or gas, but I don’t want to assume that people are poorer than they are. Which would most insult you?

And how is “hullabaloo” in the thesaurus but not “humanistic”?