Do you believe in signs?

  If anyone has ever watched the movie ' Fools Rush In'

... there is a part in there that gives importance to signs 

and how they are put there to aid us clarify the path 

in life. 

  A few weeks ago on a Sunday the next door neighbors 

were having a little informal cookout in back of the house. 

It was small, only about 7 people including me. It was 

a beautiful day and as you can see they were cooking 

kebabs ... which was only about 25% of the total menu. 

  So I was hanging out with the people making general 

conversation and the people knew that my time here 

in Romania was winding down. They asked what was 

next, I told that as of now, the plan was to return 

home for a couple of months then off or actually, back, 

to Africa. One man asked me if I knew where in Africa. 

I told him that I would be going to Namibia. 

  He says "you know, I've been to Namibia" ... I was kind

of taken by this. Why would I be? I have to say that after

all my years of life and of all the people that I've met, 

he is the only person that I've met that's been to Namibia. 

  About 15 or so years ago he was a fisherman and the boat

he was on fished off the coast of Namibia or at least they 

would enter Namibia through the port city called Walvis Bay. 

  As the heading of this article refers to ... signs ... I am taking

this as one. Yeah, we interpret things in our way and I know 

that I am probably magnifying this to suite myself ... but ... 

I find it kind of crazy that the only person that I've ever met

to have ever been to Namibia was sitting right in back of my 

house and is a resident of this town in western Romania. 

  This has to be a sign that confirms the path to 

Namibia was destined to be.

This article is not for vegetarians ...

When there is 3 months or less left in
my tour I try and spend the majority of time with
the people who've been a big part of my life.
This means hanging out, and with
two years of the language under my belt, it's actually
fun to sit around, make conversation (important
things or not) and share in the local activities.

My next door neighbors have a farm they work
with the normal lineup of animals ... cows, sheep,
chickens, turkeys, pigs and so on.

Yesterday, Friday the 19th, I was in my house when
the next door neighbor came by to ask me if I smelled
the cooking that was going on. In fact I didn't, the
reason being that the weather is getting cold and I
had the doors and windows closed.

So I went to see what was going on. What I saw was
a pot of goulash (click here see prior article on how
they cook it) in the middle of it's preparation.



I asked, how come you guys are making this goulash?
My neighbor answered that it was the result of the
passing away that day of a 500 kilo (about 1,100 lbs
or so) 13 year old cow from the farm. They explained
how it died ... it swallowed a spike/nail.

So for that reason they had to cut it up and prepare
or sell the meat that day.

I kind of thought ... what better way to spend one
of my last Friday nights in Romania, than to hangout
with my neighbors and experience what one does
when their cow becomes late.

The best part about this is the scene. Here we are sitting
around a pot of cooking goulash
with the remnants of the cow hanging out with the rest of us.

I mean it was really ... literally the remnants of the
cow hanging with us as we cooked the goulash. Here is
what I am talking about ...



You can see that I wasn't joking concerning the cow
hanging around with us. Those are the cow's lungs.



I really don't know what this is, other than it was
explained to me that it is something that's part of
the lung/breathing system. That's all I know about it.



This is supposed to be the spleen.



This picture could be called ... Have a Heart.



This is the cow's tongue.

I am wondering after writing this article if anyone
who has read this article will return to this blog.

But this is a point that the Peace Corps asks us at
our pre-selection interview. The question is ... are
you capable of accepting sacrificing of goats in
your honor or situations of that nature.

Over my years in the countries, I've seen
all kinds of things like this. It comes down to being
capable of accepting people's cultures, their right
to practice their daily cultural habits in their
own countries, without criticism.

I have found that my experiences have opened my
mind to alternative ways to do the same thing ... live.

I guess without getting out of our comfort zones we
never do get the chance of seeing
life from other peoples perspective.

I really like the fact that I am understanding this, and have
to say that my world has gotten and continues to get
bigger as I eliminate the borders that come from the
mind's perception of what is correct in the way of passing
one's life. The results ... there are fewer ideas that bring
thoughts of judgment. There are fewer situations
where a thought of judgment could exist. And with that
comes the gift of eliminating ideas that bring stress in
one's life.

That's one thing I've always said during my time in the
Peace Corps ... I wonder if I've helped the people as
much as they've helped me.

Today is the kids' favorite day of the year ...

Or is Christmas the most anticipated day of the year?

What am I talking about? Well, the first day of school of
course. Maybe I should rephrase this a bit and say that ...
the first day of school is most probably the parents most
anticipated day of the year.

But after all that, that isn't the point of this article. The actual
point is that of a new progressive change is teaching methods.
As a Peace Corps Volunteer we are called on in many diverse
situations to participate. My counterpart is a high school teacher
in the big city which is about 45km ( 30 miles or so ) from this
town. As is usual, bigger city people are more apt to be open
minded.

Almost from the first day I arrived here in mid 2006 my
counterpart has spoken about how in her opinion, teaching
methods are a bit outdated. Right from the beginning I've
been explaining to her that with today's technology it

doesn't have to be that way.

Last year she worked part time in the town's school system and
together we used video (with the 5th grade students being the
teachers) to try and make the students more interactive and
participatory in the classes. We made a few little movies
concerning plants, parts of plants, photosynthesis ... etc. What
happened was the fellow teachers were critical and mentioned
that all it was, was playing. The majority of the teachers in town
are still using their lesson plans from 20 years ago.

I am not writing this article to criticize these teachers. I just
want to describe the situation as it is now. We all know that
to have change it takes effort and getting out of one's comfort
zone.

So, fast forwarding to mid summer 2008.

Over time my counterpart has been thinking about using
technology in her classes. So, during the summer I went to her
house and showed her some of the tools available ... things like
basic podcast (audio clips), filming the most difficult lessons
that the students never seem to get and so on.

So for the last month or so we've been filming lessons of how
molecular formulas react. You know, this hydrogen with this
oxygen gives you this or that. We've put these on a DVD that
will be distributed through the classes. In fact these are really
nothing more than a copy of the lectures that they will receive
throughout the year. The idea being that if they didn't get it the
first time, they can just go to the respective video and
see the lecture again and again if necessary.

Also there are audio clips/podcast that she's put together
which the kids can put on their MP3 players and listen to 

while they are on the bus ... etc.

Each audio clip and film are connected to a certain lesson.
She has the program setup with which film-podcast goes
with which. It is up to the kids to study.

But what is really satisfying for me is what could be (not in town
but in the bigger city). My counterpart's principal is also one
with an open mind. The principal saw what my counterpart was
doing and called a meeting with some of the other teachers
to have her demonstrate.

The result is that there are about 5 younger teachers who
are willing to try these new methods. Each one with a
unique idea of their own as to how they could use the
technological tools.

For those who read this from other parts of the world that
have been using these techniques for a while, this probably
doesn't seem all too exciting. But for here (western region
anyway) this is all new. No one has seen or heard of it before.

Also, thanks to the forward thinking of my counterpart's
school principal they are putting this into the category of 

'pilot project'. With that, it is allowing the budget to buy 

about 60 MP3 players for the students.





One of the original challenges was to have this technological
direction inclusive for the poor kids whom didn't have or couldn't
get the money to buy an MP3 player. But now that is solved and
it will help even the playing field ... so to speak.

Another result ... which I believe will go far ... is that the small
group of younger teachers and my counterpart will meet weekly
or bi-weekly to share their ideas and experiences. Best way to
describe what I think about that is with the analogy ... two
heads are better than one.

How this affects me as a Peace Corps Volunteer is that it always
seems that these things happen at the end of our tours. I've found
that we don't always get to see the result of our efforts. In my
case, I have less than three months left and they are just
today starting to implement this new strategy. As I told my
counterpart, there will be ideas that don't fly and that is part

of beginning anything new. But after changes, tweaking this, 

getting feedback from that and so on, it'll be fine.

But I do know that things happen after we're gone.

An example is from my time in El Salvador and Senegal. There
I was in the agroforestry sector. At times trying to get trees
planted was a little difficult. At one point I would settle for them
planting anything at all.

So like any other Peace Corps Volunteer, I had to come up
with something to convince them to plant trees.

Senegal and El Salvador are exactly the same lattitude 15 degrees,

so the trees that would grow were similar. There was this tree

called 'Flor del Fuego" in El Salvador and 'Flamboyant' in Senegal

see below ...

It is a flowering tree (around May when the rains come) and the
people were saying to me ... why should we plant this tree ... it
doesn't give fruit and it's not even a great wood to use for cooking.
I replied ... the reason why I'd like you to plant this tree is because
every year in May you'll see the flowers and remember that I was
here.

I am lucky that I was in contact with the volunteers that
replaced me and they mentioned that when the trees flowered
(I didn't get to see them flower because it needs at least 2 or 3
from seed to flower) that the whole village was talking about me.

To me, this is just an example of how things happen after
we're done with our tours. And just as those trees have
grown and flowered, I know that so have the effort of
all the volunteers who've ever been wondering if they've
done any good.

So again, I hope that this project with my counterpart will
develop and flourish. I think that I'll have an opportunity this
time to see how it is progressing. We'll stay in contact after
I leave.

To finish this article I will mention that in an egotistical way
I am feeling good about myself because I was able to help
get this new thinking started. If it works, it could help change
the teaching methods (or at least open minds to alternative
methods) and how could that affect the future of the kids
of Romania?

Where else could an simple old guy like me be a part of
something that could bring such an impact?

It's time to get the ingredients ready ...

As you can see by the drying hot peppers

below ... it says that it's getting that time

of the year when the words 'Nădlac Sausages'

are in the air.

That is only less than 20% of the actual amount of

peppers that are needed to be dried and stored for

the upcoming sausage making season. It's really a

pretty thing to see in person.

For those of you who haven't seen a prior article

from 2006 that explains the sausage making

process just ( click here ).

In the past they explained to me that it was
more expensive to make their own sausages
as opposed to purchasing.

All the ingredients are natural, as is the feed
grown organically for the pigs, the type
of meat used for making these sausages.

That was last year, as the price of food increases,

it is actually becoming less pricey to make their

own. They grow the pigs from birth, plant the feed

and except for electricity and fuel for the tractors

and harvesters ... the farmers are almost
self-sustaining.

My sister visited last year and brought a

Nădlac sausage home with her.

As they say, a picture speaks a 1,000 words ...

so the best way to describe the delicacy that is
a Nădlac Sausage ... would be ... by a picture

of my sister's friend Kathy below.

That picture says it all !

An Anniversary

On the 5th of September will be 8 years since I
entered the Peace Corps. It was the 5th of September
2000 that all my bags were packed and it was off
for unknown experiences and adventures.

It has been more than I imagined it could be.
 There has been extreme lows and
highs. If a person loves and needs challenges.
Then this is the place to be.

I thought a little bit about this article before beginning
to beat on the keyboard. At first I was going to
go into story after story.
One of success followed by one of defeat. I realized
that to try and put 8 years of living in three
different countries with 3 different cultures and
all the stories that come from that into a blog
entry would be impossible.

I just don't know how I ever would have been
able to be where I've been, seen the things
that I've seen, if it hadn't been for the Peace Corps.

The advantage is living in a community for a
few years. It allows you to really know people and the
bonds that are created, are the prize.

I just feel so blessed to be able to be with the people
when they are talking about their thoughts and dreams.
All this in other countries and other languages.

I thought that I would show you some of the people
that's been a part of my life over these years. Each
one unique and special and they all have a place
in my heart. They've been my friends and accepted
me as Paul ... which is all I want.

So without further adieu ... I'll start with the
people from El Salvador ...

This is Osmin and he spent 8 years in the Salvadoran special
forces during their 12 year war from 1980 to 1992.
He was the unofficial village leader, a good man who cared.

Above is Mr. Jose, he was my best friend and had a little
tienda (grocery store) where I used to hang out and drink
coffee. We would talk all the time and he was also a fun
guy to hang with.

Next from Senegal is ...



Demba, my village counterpart ... the village doesn't know
how lucky they are to have him. When a lot of capable
people head out for Europe and more money, he stayed
to fight for his village. He is a tireless worker.

And below is Demba's wife Fatoumata ...



In the Pulaar - Fulakunda language they have a word ...
'kalabante' ... which means - kind of a wise guy/wisecracker.
Fatou was all of that and more, this lady is as funny
as can be. She loves to laugh and ... man ... what laughs
we had.

Then now from Romania is ...



Ioli my counterpart. She is really an incredibly open person
who is progressive thinking. She told me many stories of
the life here in town during Ceaucescu's time.

And the last person is ...



Stefan Farkas the Roma man that is involved with
the Roma Dance Troupe. If you've read some of the
more recent articles you'll recognize him and the
activities we've been working on.

Well, these have been the main players over the years.
There have been many many more. From villagers
in El Salvador to Senegal to the town people here.

One thing they all have in common, is together
we fought for the bettering of their lives.
From standing in the fields at night with Osmin and
watching millions of fire flies while discussing solutions
to the most pressing problems ... to ... fighting against
health problems with Demba in Senegal ... to ...
fighting to develop new teaching methods with Ioli
in Romania ... to ... last but not least, the battle to 

establish the Roma Dance Troupe with Stefan ... it 

has  been one battle after another. But these people 

are all fighters and assets to their people.

There has also been equally as many Peace Corps
Volunteers I've met over the years ...
all wanting to make a difference.

As for me ... it has been such an intense time in 

my life. Everyday there is a new challenge and 

something new to learn.

At the time of this writing I have a little over three
months left here in Romania and I am looking
forward to going to Namibia early next year.

I am ready.

Dance Video

Here is a video clip of the Roma Dance Troupe
on the 29 of August 2008.

The beginning and end are cut short by 5 seconds.

It was taken at dusk as you can see so it is a little
dark and the angle was so - so. It was the best
location available at the time.

Hope you like it.

Never Easy

Well, the mini-Roma festival and Nadlac days was
held. Here's what happened.

In prior articles posted this month, I mentioned that we
were going to have a little Roma festival on the Friday
night right before the yearly 'Nadlac Days'.

Also, it was going to consist of 4 dance troupes and one
musical group.

As the heading of this article states 'It's almost never easy'
... well ... it wasn't easy this time either. What happened was
one group showed up and that's it. The others ... of course ...
waited to the last minute to cancel or in one case ... didn't
answer their phone. The head of the musical group said that
they couldn't come because a friend got into an accident.

Despite that, they trekked on and of course, it was a bit
shorter than planned. The two dance troupes danced great and
... in the risk of being bias ... our dance troupe danced with
heart and showmanship. They could use a little more practice
but they have that showmanship that one can't teach.

Stefan, the Roma man in charge was disappointed, and rightly
so. He worked hard to organize the festival. But nothing is lost
as there are always things to learn for the next time.

Fast forwarding to Saturday.

The town's dance troupe was slated to be part of Saturday's
extravaganza. There were flyers placed throughout town
with the list of events. There were at least 10 dance troupes
(Slovakian, Hungarian, Romanian, German and Roma) and
musical groups to perform that day.

The activities began with a parade from the Mayor's
office to the central park.

Upon arriving and after a speech or two, the entertainment
began.

From the time the parade arrived in the park to the time that
the Roma troupe was supposed to perform was 4 hours. It was
becoming cold and I actually ran home to get a jacket between
performances.

All the time I can see the Roma dance troupe inch up for their
chance. I see that they are next in line and then all of a sudden
... where did they go?

Immediately in my mind came ... no, this couldn't have happened.
All the positive things that have happened to these kids could
be destroyed in a matter of minutes.

Like I mentioned in one of the prior articles ... after their trip to
Constanta ... they were transformed. They were self motivated, and
they practiced hard to be ready.

The mayor (to his credit) helped the troupe out by donating money
for these skirts for the girls. See picture below ...

What happened was that the man in charge of the events (he's
the man that's the boss at the town's cultural house) told Stefan
(the Roma man) that they would go on an hour an half later than
the original schedule. That sounds normal at events, sometimes
things like that happen. But ... and there's always a but (in this
case it was more like ... butt ... with two TT's).

The Roma troupe was supposed to go after the German Dance
Troupe. They were lined up and ready to go. They had been waiting
for a total of 5 hours at that time. It was cold they were hungry and
in a matter of minutes ... they would have done their 6 minute
dance routine ... then finished.

But no, the Butt that's the head of the cultural house told them
that they couldn't dance at that time and maybe if they waited,
in about an hour and a half more, they could.

As I was waiting for them to dance I looked around and saw
many, many Roma people from town in the crowd. When I
realized what had happened, I noticed that almost all of them left.

The part that angers me a bit is that ... they were the only ones'
put out of order. The rest of the acts went on on schedule.

What I am really concerned about is that the kids may lose their
ambition. It would be normal. What do we adults teach our kids?
If you work hard, you'll go places in this world.

And here and now ... what ... what do you tell these kids? I went
to their practices and I'll tell you, they worked hard. My heart
kind of cried for them.

For their effort what did they get ... second class treatment.

Tell me how do you convince them to continue?
These are impressionable kids, they are good kids too.

I have to say at this point that it is only the work of
one man ... the cultural house man.

Personally, I don't care about him, I care about those kids.

I went to Stefan's house and he was discouraged. We talked for a
few hours and I have to say that I know how he feels. For me this
isn't the first time I've seen this. I saw things like this in El Salvador
with the campesinos and in the village in Senegal with the Fulbe.

I know that the only way to overcome these things is to persevere,
stick with it and to continue to carve one's place in society.

But in the world of the impressionable young ... all it takes is one
instance like this to make them want to quit.

I am telling you that this Roma dance troupe has potential. They made
such a transformation in just under a month. They have natural stage
presence and energy that only the town's award winning
Slovakian Dance Troupe has.

I am going to use everything I can and know to encourage them to
continue on. I know that in time all these things will be in the past.

It's for these kinds of challenges that I continue on in the Peace Corps.