Kiddos and Weekend Adventures: Another 2 Part Post

Part 1:

CHILDREN

I haven't written too much about the children here partly because I am 

worried about saying too much about them (privacy issues)

and also because it's hard to summarize such wonderful little

people into a few short paragraphs!

To satisfy my own conscience I will do some little blurbs you.

There are SO many stories I could tell and all of them eye opening but here are just a few:

• I was at the hospital and I asked for orphan children. None of the nurses spoke English but they led me to a room with 2 children. There was a new born baby just laying on a regular bed that was crying. Next to the baby was a little 5 year old blonde boy who had a cage on top of him and a sheet covering the cage. The little boy was asleep and so I picked up the baby and rocked him. Then I lifted up the sheet to see why this little boy was in a cage. This little 5 year old boy was COVERED in chemical burns. They weren't just on one part of his body but ALL OVER. I asked the nurse what happened and through some very rough translating I learned that the little boy was found in his house in his bathtub covered in the burns and they didn't know how. The little baby was his brother and they were rushed to the hospital together. The little boy woke up right after that, looked down, and starting SCREAMING (wouldn't you?!). The nurses were incredibly wonderful and we all tried to help him calm down...I don't even know what else to say to that except WHAT?!, WHY?!, and HOW?!

• This past week I was in the hospital and I went in to visit a little girl who can't see, speak, sit up, etc. (Not uncommon) Her bed was soaked in urine and hadn't been changed since I had been there the day before (Again, not uncommon). I changed her sheets, clothes, diaper, etc. and waited for the nurse to come in. I asked why she was there and through a kind family that spoke English they told me that the little girl was born healthy but that her parents were very aggressive and had beaten her with a baseball bat. They had cracked her skull several times which left her with the problems she has now and will for the rest of her life. She was a BEAUTIFUL three year old girl that will now spend her days in a crib in an orphanage. She was so gentle and kind and who knows how much she can understand but I hope that her life can be a little bit better now that she is safe and (to an extent) cared for.

• Again, in the hospital--my favorite place in the world-- there was a little girl, about 2 years old with her teeth rotting like nothing I've ever seen. I don't know why she was in the hospital but when I walked in she smiled SO big and ran up and gave me a hug! (I had seen her several times before and she must have recognized me). I spun her around, tickled her, changed her, cleaned her up, gave her a cookie, blew bubbles, blew up balloons and soon enough I had about 8 other children in the room wanting to play with us. I gave out balloons to all the kids and everyone was just SO thrilled. I think that I had more fun with those kids in 10 minutes than I have had in a while. The smiles, laughter, colorful balloons, and singing was the BEST. I felt like a younger, female version of Patch Adams. BEST. THING. EVER.

I really will have to include more stories so that I don't forget them. These children and families are inspiring, uplifting, and wonderful in every way. Goodness, I love my life right now!

Part 2:

Weekend Adventures

So these weekend excursions have taken place over the past 2 weeks and I have

just been too busy (and lazy) to post the pictures

so you get them all together.

Weekend trip one: Touch the hand of the Saint Paraschiva--the patron saint of Iasi.

She was martyred, her body smelled sweet, she's a saint, they mummified her body, people touch her

hand out of respect.

That was probably very inaccurate and very rushed but I am running out of time

to write this post so you can Google it if you want more info...

This is the inside of the church! 

It was 

GORGEOUS.

 

Then we went to the Golia Monastery.

There was a gate, a wall, a tower, a garden...

basically it was incredible.

 

It was actually a pretty small monastery but it was really 

lovely inside. 

Oh, and that's not a little Romanian woman...

that's my roommate Britta.

You're supposed to cover your head when you go inside 

out of respect.

She looks darling.

(As a little old Romanian woman)

:)

 

Here I am striking a pose in one of the doorways outside of the monastery.

Oh, how the silliness continues...

As we sat and contemplated life in the monastery's garden we decided to take silly 

pictures because that's what 20 something 

American girls do.

I have no shame.

We're cute. 

 

Britta and I went exploring through Iasi for the rest of the day and 

fount this really pretty bell tower.

Again, I struck bell tower worthy pose.

I really don't know how to pose for pictures.

Ha.

 

This past weekend's adventure:

The Flower Festival at the Botanic Gardens!

The park was HUGE and we couldn't even see all of it! 

Everything was just magical and I loved every single second.

I think that I enjoyed it more there than I have at a lot of the other sites just because 

I love being outside 

(and what girl doesn't love flowers?).

Best 3 lei I've spent here!

 (Aside from covrig cu ciocolata)

Funny story though: 

Britta and I were wandering down a path when Jenna came RUNNING screaming

ANIMALS!

Jenna REALLY loves animals guys.

She thought that there were bats in this gazebo but...

nope.

Only some teenage Romanian girls taking "sexy" pictures.

Since there weren't actually any bats we decided to commemorate her

excitement with a bat picture.

 

 

I loved this little cutout in the gazebo but I didn't know

what kind of picture I wanted.

Remember how I don't know how to pose?

Well I kept on asking Jenna, 

"Jenna, what am I supposed to do with my arms?!"

She was really sweet and told me what to do for this picture.

I felt like I was taking my senior pictures again. 

Thanks Jenna. 

:)

Confession.

I love The Hobbit.

It's one of my favorite books.

Not The Lord of the Rings.

The Hobbit.

 I'm what some would call a closet nerd.

I'm cool with that.

That book is great!

So we found this little hobbit house in the garden and HAD to have LOTS

of pictures taken in front of it.

An almost professional photographer was kind enough to take our picture 

again and again.

Bless his little heart.

 

A silly picture is up next.

 

It was kind of cold outside so we found our way into the greenhouse.

STUNNING.

 

There were literally flowers as big as your HEAD.

 

The garden went on FOREVER and then it turned

into a hilly, pine tree, wonderland.

 

It felt like we were off on some great expedition so here

enters a Lewis and Clark pose. 

I don't know what I was saying in this picture but 

just imagine that it was something profound.

 

There were darling little families with such sweet children playing in the fall leaves.

I couldn't help but take a picture of this little cutie with her apple.

Too bad I missed what happened right after I took this picture

where she punched her brother in the face.

HA!

She looks sweeter here I guess...

That was my weekend!

How was yours?

This week (as in about 15 minutes) I am going to Bucharest and Brasov 

(Transylvania baby!)

and so I will have many more stories and adventures to post.

Dracula's Castle on Halloween?

Don't mind if I do.

:)

**The pictures might be rough though people. Minimal make-up and leggings 

are going to be the norm (both of which make my heart and soul cringe). But hey, I'm in Romania and traveling with girls. If I can endure no make-up days I can do anything. :)**

Country Country Country

So I don't know how it happened but one of my blog posts got lost throughout the week.

So you lucky people get another post this week!

Hot dog.

On Sunday Britta and I came out ready for church and we discovered 

we were twinsies and matched our outfits.

That was worthy of a picture.

Sorry we look pinky orange.

We just glow I guess.

 

That was the nice picture of us (dancing?) together.

 Bring on the gross no-shower weekend adventure pictures then!

So after my roommates and I recovered from a sick, infected,

and pain filled week we decided to visit the countryside!

How did we plan on getting there?

We hopped on a bus and waited until it couldn't go any farther. 

That's how. :)

Don't Britta's bangs look excited to go?

We all were pretty excited and her bangs were no exception.

:)

 

 Jenna and Jodie were excited too!

Who wants to sleep in on a Saturday when you can go on a Romanian adventure?

(Usually us.)

So the country was just plain gorgeous!

Rolling hills, quaint little homes, wells, horses, chickens, cows, fields, gardens, and wild flowers.

Feast your eyes upon Romanian nature at its finest.

 

I suppose this is what I expected Romania to be like before I came here.

We live in the heart of Iasi so we have to travel like 20 minutes before we see houses and not just apartments, shops, and the mall.

 

Are they plowing their field with a horse?

Yup.

Awesome! 

 Here are our shoes.

Left to Right: Jenna, Britta, ME, Jodie

This is us in front of a cute little well on the street. 

They have wells all over the place.

It was like we were in a fairy tale!

Let's just hope that a big bad wolf doesn't pop up anywhere...

 

Nope.

No wolves.

But there were turkeys!

And goats!

 

Were there lots of cars you ask?

(Because that's an obvious question.)

But the answer is no! 

What were there then?

WAGONS!!!!!!!

I loved seeing the countryside and the humble little homes and laid back lifestyle.

BUT

We live in the city.

The closet thing we have to "roughing" it country style is that we have to

fill up water jugs at the church and carry them home.

Here's Jodie and Britta showing how silly we are when we do have to carry water.

 

I can't complain about living in the city though.

The "river" we live next to is always a fun site to behold.

Gypsies (and others) bathing, fishing, and napping by the river

always make for an enjoyable view as we walk.

Well...I have 1 more picture but it doesn't really relate to anything...

We pass this sign all the time and so naturally I have to kiss it.

Naturally. 

:)

 

Well that was that for my lost post.

Sorry it was a bit scattered and not entirely related.

Meh, you're probably only looking at the pictures anyway.

:)

IASI DAYS are the BEST days!

So this past week/weekend was Iasi Days.

Best. Thing. Ever.

Not so good for my wallet or my waistline but it was a joyful occasion indeed.

**Normally I crop, and sometimes lighten, my pictures for your viewing pleasure but I have so many now that you'll just have to battle your way through unedited pictures. Enjoy though!

DAY 1 of Iasi Days:

We were unbelievably starving after coming back from the clinic and institute so

naturally we stopped for meat on the side of the road. :)

I pointed to a giant thing of meat and waved money in front of me.

They figured out that I wanted it. :)

DELICIOUS.

Best hunk of mystery meat I have EVER had!!!!

After chowing down we decided to meander on into the tent that was filled with smoke, dancing, music, and old men.

Did we dance traditional Romanian dances with drunk old men?

Yup.

Was it incredible?

Yup.

I LOVE ROMANIA!

(and dancing, and my wonderful friends here!)

After the dancing somehow we ended up back at our apartment and the following things happened.

Jenna, Heidi, and Debra took their pants off to reveal the leggings they bought.

Then Heidi and I compared our "food babies" that are growing from

eating so much.

 DAY 2 of Iasi Days:

Did I mention that they have interesting, new, and wonderful food?

I did?

Well here are some pictures anyway!

Did I eat an entire pig leg?

Yup.

(The picture comes a little later.)

There are vendors everywhere selling tasty sweet, sweet treats.

One of my favorites was this little homemade gingerbread cake.

YUM.

 

This little shop knew us pretty well by the end of Iasi Days.

We were there every day.

Okay...2-3 times a day.

Seriously people.

They had these doughnut things covered in chocolate, crepes, and grilled corn.

I love them with all my heart. 

Bless their little Romanian souls.

So day 2 continued with us coming home from the clinic and finding this graffiti wall.

This is us trying to look hard core.

Success?

No.

Silliness?

Yes.

It was cold outside but I dislike wearing pants.

Therefore, Britta and I made a pact not to wear pants for the rest of Iasi days.

Leggings as pants = A terrible fashion faux pas

BUT

Leggings as pants= The most comfortable outfit ever! 

Here we are showing off our legs.

Sadly I don't know how to pose for pictures. Ha. 

Sometimes I do yoga in the mornings.

Sometimes I do it outside on metal poles.

Again the silliness continues.

(Jodie is first and I'm second)

Well, at least my balance is improving...

Hala Centrala= Center for cute and cheap coats, hats, gloves, and very friendly people.

I kept blowing kisses to this little boy.

She was such a friendly woman and had such a cute little sailor son!

Shops, shops, and more shops.

I felt happily lost in a sea of fur, wool, and pleather.

It was fantastic.

Day 2 concludes with a pig leg and a giant sausage.

I don't even like meat and yet I ate mine AND about half of Britta's.

I was wearing my stretchy non-pants pants which allowed this to all be possible.

Too much information?

Probably.

I'm pretty sure my parents are the only ones reading this anyway...

:)

Day 3 of Iasi Days:

Rain, rain, rain, I love/hate you, rain, rain, rain. 

All. Day. Long.

Thus, we donned the same outfits we wore the day before (NO PANTS! :) ), grabbed our umbrellas, and set out to spend our monies on cheap scarves, toys, FOOD, and hats.

Our neighbor Bianca weathered the storm with us for a while too!

I so love that girl!

Oh! I bought a coat!

It's red, perfect, gorgeous, and any other pretty adjectives you can think of.

I've always wanted a red coat so thank you Iasi days for making my dream come true.

P.S.--I seriously don't know how to pose for pictures.

I look like I'm in pain half the time but just look at the coat people.

DID I MENTION THE FOOD ROCKS??????

We made our way through the storm to clean the church and this is what we found.

Miles, and miles, and miles of people standing in line waiting to touch the dead hand of the patron saint of Iasi Days.

Isn't that interesting?

They blocked our way to the church so we had to talk to the police so they could let us pass.

I live the craziest life don't I?

Here's Jodie and I in the rain in front of the line!

Yeah for rain!

The elders took us out onto the balcony to show us the line wrapping around the church.

It was so crazy!

I really admire their dedication to wait in that line though. The elders said that the people wait in line for about 3 days to touch her hand! 

It's fascinating isn't it!

Oh ya, here are the elders!

Elders: Bennett, Stintson, Benson, and Cox.

They have been such wonderful assets to us while we have been here and translate sacrament meeting for us every week.

As we walked home from cleaning the church we passed by the place where I got food every single day for Iasi Days.

This nice man had served me time and time again and when he saw that we were there again he ran out to meet us and so I needed a picture with him.

:)

While Jodie was taking the picture he started kissing my cheek.

And then again and again.

HA!!!!

Then he pulled a sign out of his jacket that asked for my name.

I couldn't stop laughing it was so funny that he had it all prepared.

Sorry cute Romanian Iasi Days man my heart belongs to sweet orphan children right now!

To top off Iasi Days we passed by Gelateria MoMo.

(My nickname is MoMo for those who didn't know!) 

 Well that was the past few days...

Complete and utter silliness most of the time but boy was it fun!

:)

Iasi Days = A mighty fine success!