A Museum Trip

Rayna, Colsen, and I ventured out in the cold yesterday for a trip to the National Museum to learn a little more about this land we are inhabiting. It's been really cold here (highs in the mid-teens), so any trip out requires bundling up quite a bit (because any trip requires a good bit of walking). So, we walked to the main street near our home and headed into town on a Marshrutka (mini-bus).
 

The statue of a tree above is in the main hall and each branch represents something about Moldovan history or something about the country.  One of the branches and the central "trunk" of the tree represent a wild Buffalo which is one of the old symbols of how Moldova was named.  Prince Dragos from Romania was hunting with his dog, Molda, and the dog was gored to death by a wild European bison (an aurochs) in a mountain stream.  Dragos named the stream in honor of this his favorite dog, and this area thus became Moldovan land.  The aurochs head is an emblem on the seal of both Romania and the Republic of Moldova.

The other picture shows the kids with Stefan cel Mare (Stefan the Great) who was the great prince of Moldova during the second half of the 15th century.  He is quite revered here. 

And finally, here is a topographical map of the country, and a rendering of a traditional Moldovan wedding celebration. 

A good day spent learning more about Moldova!

The Language Barrier

Since we've been in Chisinau I really enjoy getting to know the city, the people, the culture that is Moldova. One way to do this is shopping in the open-air markets. There is a large market in each section of the city, and you can by everything from meat and produce to shoelaces, to valves for plumbing your home. Today I went, despite the 12 degree temperature, but the more I shop the more I realize the language difference is really hindering me. Unlike Western Europe, many of the shopkeepers, cashiers, deli-counter-workers know absolutely no English. It's a little surprising to me since a high school graduate has to demonstrate some level of proficiency. Thus, my ability to buy and haggle is very limited.

Also, I've enjoyed (for the most part) riding the public transportation here which is very reliable. One method is called a maxi taxi which is a Mercedes bus that seats approximately 20 people (but can hold many more people packed in), and these mini buses operate like a taxi in that they will pick you up and drop you off wherever you want within a given route (and a ride is very cheap). But, yesterday I couldn't get off because I was not able to get the driver to work
with me as I spoke English. I had to wait until another person got off, much further from our home than I wanted to get off, and walk the rest of the way.

Needless to say, I'm working on learning basic Romanian. Everyone here either speaks or understands Romanian (while many also speak Russian), and I have tried to learn a little with a CD program, but next week I'm starting with a tutor. I need to become more effective in buying goods in the market(s), and I need to spend less time walking from the wrong taxi stop.

Fulbright Orientation

Yesterday I had a full day of orientation with the folks from the US Embassy here that coordinate
the Fulbright program in Chisinau. It was a great introduction to life and especially to teaching here. The European model of education is very different than the American model in terms of level students enter, typical pedagogy, and how each semester/term/course is conducted. Also, I learned a lot about the Moldovan students (and I'm eager to see if my experience is the same as was described at the orientation), who have a much more work together/come if I want to/pay a bribe for the grade I want attitude.

Above I'm pictured with Leon, the other US Fulbright Scholar in Chisinau this year. He is teaching at the American Studies Center at Moldova State University (while I'm teaching at the Academy of Economic Studies). He's a really nice guy.

In addition to learning about the educational system, we had the head of security for the diplomatic service talk to us about safety and security here. It is nice to know that with basic common sense we are in a safe city. I keep hearing the biggest dangers are traffic issues especially as it relates to watching out for drivers when walking on the sidewalks and crossing the streets. Drivers here regularly drive on the sidewalks, and they often create their own lanes on the roads. I've been in a cab where the driver has come to a red light and he then decided to pull out in the lane of oncoming traffic in order to get to "the front of the line" at the light. Amazing...

Life is interesting here in Chisinau...

Adjusting to a new country (with a wife and four children)

After months of anticipation, we finally arrived in Chisinau the capital of Moldova. It took two shifts to get us all here (I arrived with my three boys on January 6 and my wife and daughter arrived 5 days later), but we are now settled and getting adjusted to a 7-hour time change in a very different place than Lake Park, North Carolina.

Moldova is a great place to be...and the kids are enjoying a real winter!