4th of July, Accordions on the Sidewalk, and a Birthday Party

I'll start with the birthday party. It was Cesar's birthday this last Wednesday. Cesar is the nephew of Sorin and Catalin, the son of Stella, and the grandson of Eleanora (my host mom). Cesar is a fun and playful now four-year-old who really enjoys cars. Saturday we went to the Niştru River to celebrate his birthday.

I wasn't sure what to get him for his birthday, but felt I should bring something. It is a wonderful tradition in Moldova that people rarely show up empty handed. Instead, they bring food, drinks, or gifts. I have felt unprepared for such a tradition. I did come up with the perfect four-year-old toy, however, and bought two squirt guns. He loved them.

While we were at the birthday party, we got to visit the river, eat traditional Moldovan summer foods, and enjoy new acquaintances and music. The Niştru River is a popular summer resort spot for Moldovans and offers plenty of river-front beaches for swimming. It is also the border between greater Moldova and Transnistria, the eastern area of Moldova that seceeded unofficially from the country in the early 90's.  When swimming in the river, you are at the boundary of an unofficial country. People clearly stay on their side of the river.

At the birthday party. Cesar is in the back right playing with Shelbi.

Pork for the pit

A pleasant little forest between the party and the river beach

You see Moldovans enjoying the river beach in the foreground and Transnistra in the background.

A goat scene painted on one of the resort houses.

Random: and here is a side-walk musician playing his accordion. I hope you enjoy a piece of downtown Chişinau.

Finally, we arrive at the U.S.A.-Embassy-thrown 4th of July party. It cost a little to get in and Shelbi and I were wondering if we really wanted to go. We decided to try it this first year so we wouldn't regret not going until next year. Although I'm glad we experienced it, the occasion proved to be something other than our style. It was rather loud and some Americans made us want to crawl into a hole. On the whole, however, it was a great place to see and meet other Peace Corps Volunteers and Trainees, and hosted some of the best American rock-and-roll performed energetically by a Romanian (I think) group called the FurioSnails.