Breaking Into Moldova - Staging

To my readers, I can only apologize for the delay in writing. It took a couple of weeks to get the Internet working on my computer, but I am here in Moldova, and as I seem to be up and running, I can get busy on my blog again.

Today, officially wrapped up the third week of pre-service training, and we are officially finished with 1/3 of our training. One part of my brain can't get around how these three weeks disappeared, and the other part of my brain refuses to believe that only three weeks have passed. Truly, so much has been packed into such a short time, that I can only believe that at least 6 months have passed in the last 3 weeks.

So, let me take a step back and describe staging. I arrived in Philadelphia the evening of June 4th, met up with some other volunteers, including the incredible John and Shelbi Rucker who flew to Philadelphia on the same plane. We had a pleasant dinner with some other volunteers we met (Mexican as a last tribute to foods we won't have for some time).

Several Peace Corps Trainees enjoying their last Mexican Masa.

The next morning, I was up early and out for a walk to enjoy the birthplace of the U.S., and it was an incredibly beautiful day, full of promise and a perfect start for staging. Later, I met Warren, my roommate (and all-around great guy - also a more mature volunteer) and we set off for Liberty Hall and to see the Liberty Bell.

The Birthplace of the United States of America

Freedom of Religion outside the American Jewish Museum

Yours truly by the actual Liberty bell with Liberty Hall in the background

It felt so incredibly perfect to start the voyage of a lifetime with a historical visit to where our brand of democracy was hatched.

The rest of a very long but fun and exciting day was spent with other trainees, filling out last minute paperwork, getting our passports from the Peace Corps, meeting the 66 other trainees who make up the M27 class, and having some insight sessions into what we would be facing in just a few hours. The excitement was palpable and there was a glow around everyone.

Some trainees I had met in Seattle already. Others, I knew from the Internet, but there were many others I didn't know and the exercises that the staging crew had for us to get to know each other were perfect and fun.

After a terrific day, Carl, Rhonda and Glen and I went to enjoy a final dinner in the U.S. at a great little French restaurant. The duck was amazing! After a final splurge, we headed back to the hotel for a last good night's sleep before getting up early the next morning to start our bus ride to JFK in New York.

It Has Begun!

Crazy roller coaster in the last couple of days:

An unbelievable evening on Saturday at Cafe Juanita in Kirkland, Wa. I was treated to an exquisite 5-course meal complete with wine pairings. Not only was the food phenomenal, but the head chef and owner, Holly, worked with my friend Kelvin to create a "Bon Voyage" menu just for me. The courses were truly edible art. Holly does a squab like no other chef. Her duck gizzard salad was so delicate and savory, that I kept wishing there was a way to bottle these flavors for a cold winter night in Moldova. If you have ever seen the movie, "Babette's Feast," this was very much like that... and all for me. Thank you so much, Kelvin, for the incredible going away gift.


Babette preparing the feast

Quails in Puff Pastry from Babette's Feast

Holly - Owner of Cafe Juanita - The true artist!

Add to that I had a chance to have lunch with a college buddy - Vince whom I haven't seen for years. It was amazing to catch up and find that he may be in Germany in January. Christmas in Vienna or Berlin? Hmmm... Sounds like a plan.

The inimical Vince Edd

Then last night, another cool (surprise) going away party with many amazing people. I'm going to have to post pics later when I get them. Thank you to all my many wonderful friends and family who are sending me off in style.

Today... bright and early I was at the airport with bags packed. Despite repacking many times, one bag was a little overweight. The result was a $90 penalty, and evidently I get to pay this in New York and Istanbul all over again. Sigh.

Met and traveled with some great M27s and we landed in Philadelphia late this afternoon. After getting chewed out by the van driver because of all of our luggage, we made it safely to the hotel and a group of us had Mexican food as a last Ole!

Already miss my family and friends. Will work to keep you apprised of this wonderful adventure.