VIATA!

So we JUST got back from a week at Viata, which is a summer camp at Straja (town). This was the last week of the summer and it was absolutely amazing!
Straja is called "the city on the hill" because it basically is. We hiked up it with our backpacks to get ready for the 7 day Retezat trip. Yea....basically it took us 3 hours and it was much more of a mountain than a hill. It was a good time but made me think..."hmm, so nothing I did this summer seems to really prepare you this..." On the way we stopped to get water from springs and all that good stuff. mmhmm.
Seeing how kids really act in Romania is much different than learning about them. Communism really drains life out of society and Viata (which means life) is a program that helps kids learn to work together and trust each other through adventure education. It is a huge deal to see kids working together in a post-communist culture - it's very groundbreaking. We did a lot of rope-course activities...both high and low...and a lot of other good camp stuff too such as; campfires, night-hikes, etc...
Leaving today was quite difficult. I was very close to all the kids in my group but there was one who was particullarly difficult to leave. Her name was Roxianna and she was by far the smallest girl in our group along with Mihaelia and was an absolute ball of fire. The first day I met her we went Rock Climbing (o yea...did I mention I climbed a big rock...that was terrifying but woot!!!) and Roxi scaled the rock like nothing...she was faster than anyone in the group and showed no fear, even for being as small as she is. Everything we did the whole week she exceled in and really seemed to brighten up as the week went on. Last night I learned that her and Mihaelia were both from one of the orphanages in Romania, which is why they were both so small. It was hard enough to leave her anyway but, I do not know what kind-of conditions she is going back to so...its quite difficult.
This week also really brought to light the difficulties a new language will create. We have started our language classes, which are going well and a lot of fun but, it is still difficult to really say things. This put a block on being able to communicate with the kids in some ways but, in some ways it just helped us to learn new ways of communicating like dancing, singing, laughing, etc...
It was a great week.
In 2 1/2 hours ( 6pm) we are going to move in with our host families. I am really excited to finally be settled somewhere and be able to unpack and find out where my things are (living out of a suitcase can only be done for so long). I am also really excited to be in a home and learning about romanian culture that way, shopping on my own, walking through Lupeni, etc....I am hoping to take a trip to the Piazza tomorrow (its a little outdoor market with fruit, vege, meat, etc...stands in the middle of the town. Its fanatastic! I will send pictures!
That is basically it for now. My "Miss. Independent" stage - if that is what you call it - is definently wearing off. After going through two weeks of really not being able to communicate with people back home, even if i wanted....I am realizing how much I take for granted the ability that most of the time I do have that priveledge. That was really difficult this past week..something would happen and I would want to share it with people back home and then think...."nope, can't do that". However, I am glad that we were in a position where we were not able to correspond, i think it was good for all of us individually and as a group. We grew a lot closer because we were the only ones around to talk to about what was going on.
Side Note - By mid-October we will be living in the apartements and are fully intending on making Thanksgiving dinner when the time comes. It should be a really interesting version though...one, being as we are in romania celebrating it and two, there really arent many (if any) places to find turkeys or chicken...so maybe we will eat mutton. woot!
ok, really, thats all for now.
peace and love!