Today was my last day of teaching in Mădăraș, which is quite bittersweet for me. I love these kids. In keeping with the Eastern European campaign to fatten up any and all guests, I was given a large amount of pralines and chocolate bars. And kisses. (I love the custom of kissing to show affection. Be warned, my American friends: I'm bringing this tradition back with me).
Later this afternoon, four of my students (cousins to my host siblings) came over with a cake they had baked just for me. My students also gave me drawings, beads, and flowers. I now have more roses than I have ever received at any one point in my life.
Tomorrow I will have to wake up at 4:00 to make the train for Oradea, which is about 9 hours from here. After a few days with the LE volunteers, I'll come back to Harghita county for my second placement. I will end this in order to nap and finish packing before dinner. I've already decided that I want to come back. I adore this village and its people.
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| Group hug with some of my little munchkins |
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| One of the sweet pictures from my students. It warms my heart that an 11-year-old boy would take the time to draw this for his teacher and then unabashedly kiss her on both cheeks. |
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| My teenagers. I love them! Everyone kissed me before they left. |
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| Gifts from my students |
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| Class 2 with their "diplomas" |
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| My desk at the end of the day |
I love hearing about the different attitude everyone has out there; No small talk, straight forward honesty, and very open to welcoming people in. It's interesting to here you talk about how different things are, here and there!
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