So, I've sort of skipped some time here. It's been a crazy few weeks and our internet has been, unfortunately, spotty. I actually have a computer to write on this time, which means I can write fuller, more complete sentences now. It's kind of fabulous.
Okay. The last time I blogged, I talked a little about Sighisoara. Sighisoara was, for the most part, a dream come true. We worked in villages and with elderly clubs. It was quite the learning experience and is something I will never forget. People wanted a lot of prescription meds, which we are not licensed to give out at this point in our education. And Ibprofen and Tums only go so far. In fact, we've decided they're miracle drugs that we're going to give to everyone FOREVER. But we did what we could for the people we saw. We did have some problems in the last village with people taking advantage of our system. There were mostly legitimate claims, but some people came in at the beginning and then sent their children in later to get even more drugs. The kids all had the same symptoms: back pain and a headache that sits in the temples. We think they need to be a little more creative with their supposed ailments, but we can't really say no in case they really did need the medications we had.
In Sighisoara we were also able to watch the Euro 2012 football (soccer) matches. I watch for Christiano Ronaldo and other various good looking players. And for Spain. They really make football into The Beautiful Game. We're all rooting for Spain because half of the group will be in Madrid during the finals. EPIC. We watched every match at a classy institution known as Babylon. We ate pizza every night from a place called Quatro Amicii and watched both matches in the dark rooms at Babylon. Eventually, the owners knew our names and would hug us upon arrival toward the end of our stay. We still miss the Babylon crew.
We left Sighisoara (sadly) and went to Botosani to help at an orphanage. The drive there was unbelievable. We drove UNDER cliffs and over mountain passes without guard rails. Roads in Romania are bumpy and chaotic. While it was outrageously beautiful, it was also terrifying. I will post a video sometime of the drive. Unfortunately, it won't really do it much justice. Long story short, we survived and have all of our limbs in tact.
The orphanage, called Deb's House, was amazing. We bought shoes for all of the children (13 in total), which they promptly hid from each other so as not to risk swapping and thievery. These children literally share everything: clothes, shoes, toys, rooms, books, etc. They work together well though and are happy together. Deb's House is actually a wonderful situation for these children to be in, considering, of course, the fact that they are orphans. Conditions in orphanages are not usually as good as they are at Deb's. These children were all lined up to be adopted by Americans when Romania entered into the EU, which cancelled all adoptions outside of the EU. Additionally, the biological parents still have "claim" on these children and have the right to deny an adoption. So, even if someone wanted to adopt one of the kids, their "parents" will always say "No". These kids are stuck right in the middle of a heartbreaking debacle.
But we played with them everyday, mostly football and hand games. I played more Rock, Paper, Scissors, Cat's Cradle, and hand slapping games in those 5 days than I ever thought possible. Still, I will miss those children everyday. In fact, there is one little girl I would seriously consider adopting if it were a possibility. All of them deserve good homes and a happy environment to grow up in. And Deb's provides that for them. One can only hope they keep living happy lives after they leave.
The bad part of Botosani was the BUGS. We went to a park one day and it had a giant pond of stagnant, nasty water. Which is a breeding ground for mosquitoes. I now have roughly 70 mosquito bites on my arms, legs, and face. I look like I have the pox. I've been taking Benadryl like it's my job. Da! But, I'm surviving and trying to hide from society as much as I can.
And now we are in our final destination, Bucharest. I'm not a big fan of Bucharest, but I'm willing to give it a second shot. Our train ride here was, in a word, hellish. No air conditioning? In 95 degree weather? For 9 hours? NO PROBLEM in Romania. I downed 2 litres of water in no time, but I sweated every ounce out. Getting off the train and going to eat McDonald's was the greatest feeling ever. Plus, I got a super sweet souvenir from McDonald's: a Euro 2012 glass with wristband included. Can't get that in the States (which, p.s. is the GREATEST COUNTRY IN THE WORLD. For REALS. I love 'Merica!)
Five more days and I'm home! I will miss my group and the natural beauty of Romania. I can't say I will miss the bugs or the heat, but it has been a great experience overall, full of adventure and madness. I'll try to write one more blog before I go and a few picture/video blogs when I get back.
Until then, La revedere!
Down with Ronaldo! Fabregas Forever!!!!!!! Heh.
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