I am kind of happy

As I mentioned in many other prior articles, I've

been participating and interested in the town's

Roma Dance Troupe.

I really pushed for the Roma Community to have a full

time active dance troupe. From my other experiences

in the other countries I knew that more important than

the activity itself ... was participation.

When I arrived no one in the Roma community

wanted to get involved in anything of that nature.

The poor Roma man that I've worked with must have

wanted to kill me as almost daily I would bug the

heck out of him ... we need a dance troupe

... we need a dance troupe.

Finally after being persistant the Dance Troupe

organized and now they are pretty much full time.

They don't practice consistently but they are

available as the events continue to trickle in.

I must say with pride that the town's Roma dance troupe

is one of the better ones' around. I could just imagine if

they would practice 2 or 3 times a week without taking

time off. But I don't want to push any more as they need

to manage it themselves at this point. I am seeing that

the Troupe is getting regular invitations.

At the moment they are in the middle of practicing

to go on the 6th of December to Hungary to participate

in a minority festival.

For me, as I go to watch the practice session and with

two weeks left here in town ... well ... I am happy to see

that the Troupe has come along. I see that there is a

person willing to take the responsibility of running

the Dance Troupe. I see dancers who've come a long

way during the last year. They have not only improved

their dance skills they have a new 'air' of confidence

and willingness to participate. This is exactly

what my goal was when pushing for the Troupe.

It wasn't just the dancing, it was to find a person willing to

take the lead. It was also to develop the young dancers

confidence and character that only comes with getting out

and seeing new places and meeting new people.

I am very lucky to have been able to see this before leaving.

Time is winding down

  Well, there's three weeks left in Romania. At this time

in the Peace Corps service it is very bittersweet. 

  I'll be leaving new friends behind and in my case, going 

on to meet new friends in another country. It is at this time

that I usually take time to sit with the people

that have been a big part of my life over the past two and

half years.

  There are also surprises right to the end. One in case 

happened just this morning. 

  When I arrived I would go faithfully to this one coffee shop.

I stopped going there about a year ago because the people 

predominately spoke in the Slovakian language (which I 

haven't learned) ... so I would just sit there while people would

have their conversations. The people knew that I couldn't 

understand and I felt (it was pretty obvious) that they didn't

want me to participate in their conversation.

  So, I decided, what ta heck, there are other coffee shops. So

I tried out a couple until finally deciding on one where the people

would speak to me in Romanian. 

  To me, this wasn't a problem at all. If people want to communicate

... good ... if not ... good. 

  This morning on a whim I decided to go to the coffee shop that I used

go to. While I was there I saw the usual group. One of the friendlier 

guys asked me how long I had left and I told him ... two weeks left

in town. So, we started making a conversation while the other 

people were there and somehow in the conversation it came to 

the point that ... I mentioned that all I ever wanted and tried to do 

here was to be open and friendly. 

  The craziest thing happened after that ... everyone spoke in Romanian.

They spoke in Romanian about all topics. I was kind of surprised 

because for two years they spoke Slovakian only when I was around.

  I know that it is the end here but ending with a gesture like that 

makes me feel good. It isn't a big deal, but I like leaving on a high

note.

 I am feeling that Namibia should be better than them all.
I think that all the experiences and things that I've learned
and take with me will make my time there ... the best yet. 

  But, despite the tendency to look ahead I still have the feeling

of leaving some friends behind. But I am happy to have the melancholy 

that comes from it because to feel that way I have had to have made

some connections. 

  Thank goodness to the internet and technology we will stay in touch.

  But, it is about time to close the curtain on Romania. 

  It has been a good time.