Chris Flowers

Why are you here? Go to http://rcpc.tumblr.com for all of our post!

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English club discussed summer today. They went outside and wrote Have a nice summer! and drew pictures of summer items outside the library. #rcpc (at Criuleni)

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We’re not done yet!

Maybe if you follow us on social media or regularly catch up on our tumblr you have been seeing photos from our Close of Service (COS) conference.  That doesn’t mean we are finished with our time in Moldova.  Our official date when we complete our Peace Corps Service is August 30th, 2017.  We still have 4 more months from the time I write this to finish projects, enjoy the beautiful Moldovan summer, spend time with our Moldovan friends, and to say goodbye to this country and the people we have grown to love.  

For our Moldovan friends, we are hoping to spend as much time with you as we can in the next 4 months.  For our friends and family back home, we’ll see you at the end of summer and will be around before you know it!

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Since 1961, 141 countries have welcomed Peace Corps Volunteers to work beside them in peace and friendship. http://thndr.me/2XKkte

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We've had hints of snow this year but this time ours for real. Happy first snow Criuleni. (at Criuleni)

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A #nistruselfie while we walk off our big vegetarian Friendsgiving meal.

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Today I was invited to observe a scientific conference at The National Museum of Ethnography and Natural History. I'm frequently impressed with the amount of research and publishing done by the staff at the museum. Today I watched the presenters share information on their work with their colleagues. The top photo is my partner Mihai presenting about a photo album he has been working with. The bottom photo is a well done presentation by a university student, Carolina, who was presenting at her first ever conference in her career. #rcpc (at Muzeul Naţional de Etnografie şi Istorie Naturală)

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It's our last day of vacation and we are being sent off well by Mr. Tika. We had a great stay at his hotel. He is the lucky driver of the place's name - he survived a terrible crash in this car he later mounted on the front of the building. It's a reminder, he says, to appreciate our lives. If you're ever in Bacău, stay here! #rcpc (at Pensiunea Soferul Norocos)

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Traditional Dancing

Serendipity  was the theme for the weekend.  To cap off a week of music that started with watching the Eurovision semifinals, continuing through to the Infected Rain concert on Saturday, followed by watching the Eurovision finals in Stefan Cel Mare park in Chișinău, I happened to stumble on a small festival for young craftsman on my way out of town.  I was able to take this video of high school students dancing, in the rain, a traditional Moldovan dance.

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Wishing Peace Corps a happy 55th birthday #PeaceCorpsWeek2016 http://thndr.me/JXU4S9

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4 foods you must try in Moldova

Next time you're in Moldova, bring your appetite. Sarmale Sarmale (sar-moll-ayy) is a typical Moldovan dish that also appears in many other parts of the world in slightly different varieties. Sarma...

The Peace Corps official blog posted an article on the 4 foods you have to try in Moldova.  Three out of four are vegetarian so I can vouch for them as being very tasty.  Sarmalele is one of my favorite dishes I’ve had here and I eat placinta quite often.  Mamaliga is so popular here the kids in our village performed a dance about making it for “Moldovan’s Got Talent”.

You all need to come visit us and try these foods!

-Chris 

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Moldovan Music Monday

Moldovan’s singing Queen’s “The Show Must Go On” to promote buying Molodovan fruit... why yes this is perfect for Moldovan Music Monday.

(via https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HjAay_X5i9Q)

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We thought we were helping make placinte (plah-cheen-tay) but instead we were helping with the borscht. #rcpc #MancareMoldovanesc

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A picnic with the new mayor by the Nistru River. The VP from the raion(county) council and head of the liberal party also stopped by.

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Picnic by the Nistru with the new mayor of Criuleni.

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First sunset in Criuleni.

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 A Field Trip to an NGO - Eco Village Moldova

As a COD volunteer, we can be placed with a library, a primaria (mayor’s office) or an NGO.  Today 6 of my group had the opportunity to visit a Moldovan NGO.  While the organization does educational work throughout Moldova, they are in the process of constructing an eco-vilage located in Rișcova.  Today we got to hear about the work they do and learn about the building under construction.

Much of the work of this organization involves getting youth and community members to come up with ideas for sustainable living.  Many of these groups continue to do the work after their projects are complete.  The eco village also tries to demonstrate these sustainable practices.  The building above is being constructed as communal housing for 2-3 families.  Even without the windows and doors, the construction method keeps the interior several degrees cooler than the outside temperature in the summer.  The house is positioned so that during the winter months, the lower angle of the sun reaches under the eves and heats the ceramic bricks that will pave the floor.

There are also organic gardens that include rainwater/grey-water irrigation and perma-culture arrangements.

And like just about everywhere I’ve vistited in Moldova this summer, there are ripe cherry trees.  These are vișini (sour cherries).

It was a long day.  On the ride out I had to justify us bringing our selfie stick by snapping a couple of photos.  The second is of our group back in the part of the bus that was being launched skyward regularly.

Above: COD volunteers + current 3rd year volunteer at eco-village Robyn

Below:  The rowdy row featuring smiling Chris & Tia plus Clary’s selfie-face.

If you want to learn more about this organization, their website (linked below) is in English, Romanian and Russian.

http://eco-village.md/

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Other volunteers warmed me that hot sauce was rare in Moldova. In happy to report my family has hot sauce! It's no Sriracha but is nice to give some dishes a little kick.