POTD 34: Moldovan Winter

I can’t reflect on my time here in Moldova without thinking about the winter. Black ice everywhere, snow up to your knees, tucking towels and rags in the cracks of doors and window to keep the cold out, the water tower freezing. I have never experienced winter like I have here. And it wouldn’t be so bad if houses and building were warmer. It’s just a fact; you will be cold all the time during a Moldovan winter.

Snow Bunny Buffoon

Yep, this is my second winter in Moldova, and I still can’t walk in snow. I have to leave an extra 15 minutes early to get to school because of how slowly I walk. I have to wear YakTraks, which are like chains I put on my boots to eliminate some of the slipping, but unfortunately for me, not all of it.

And there really is no shoveling of the snow on the sidewalks. Since everyone walks so much, the snow becomes quite packed, but it’s uneven and still slippery. I guess I’m strengthening my ankles.

I can’t even begin to compare myself to the Moldovan. Not only do the women walk much better (and more gracefully) than I do through the snow, they do it in heels. Not to mention they all walk much more quickly. When watching me walk, it’s easy to tell who’s not from around here.

Spring Already?

We’ve had a weird little warm front here. Walking around in my winter coat was making me sweat. I’m starting to wonder if I should get my fall/spring coat out since my winter coat is too heavy. Maybe we’re having a warm winter. All the snow has now melted in Criuleni; so now, I have to walk through this terrible mud. This wasn’t supposed to happen until March or April. I’m not a big fan of the mud.

Mission Winter

Well, preparation for the cold weather has really begun. My host mom has spent all weekend and the last couple days bringing the outside plants inside. And if I couldn’t tell from the empty gardens or the lack of potted flowers on the porch, I can’t help but notice every time I run into a potted-tree on my walk to the bathroom.

In addition to walking into a tree on my way to the bathroom now, it is a dreadfully cold walk. I have the luxury of an indoor bathroom, but my host family hasn’t turned on the heat yet. They did provide me with an electric heater I can plug into my room, which has been wonderful. But the rest of the upstairs is as cold as outside. Showers are quite a pain. If the bathroom starts to smell horrific, it will be as if I’m living like a real PC volunteer.

The school of course, has not turned the heat on yet either. So everyone stays in their coats all day during lessons. And the teachers have started to ask the students to bring in packaging tape and cotton, and I’m sure I’ll see them filling all the cracks in the windows over the next couple days.

My favorite thing is coming home to all the chickens loose in the yard. My understanding is they are eating all the remaining vegetables/plants/seeds in the garden before my host dad clears everything out. The best is when the kitten starts chasing them. Well, she tries to; the chickens don’t seem to notice her or care. But she’s so cute as she tries to play with them.

I must say it is kind of nice being here for two years because I get a chance to see things once more. I can finally anticipate some things based on my experience last year. I kind of like saying, “Oh yeah, I remember that last year.” Makes me feel worldly.