Ups and Downs

By far this undulating week has been the most difficult since my arrival.  But let's start with the positives.

After passing a gas station everytime I go into Campina, I finally did the conversion from lei/liter to dollars/gallon:  just be thankful you're not paying the equivalent of $7.20!

Last Sunday I participated in my first orienteering experience-- definitely a great time.  For those unfamiliar with this sport, it involves a map, a compass, and a forest.  Participants must reach various checkpoints marked on the map through combining cognitive, psychological, and physical endurance.  If you don't like feeling lost this sport is not for you!  In true Romanian fashion (apparently) the event started an hour later than originally scheduled.  (I can't neglect to mention that the event was actually supposed to take place on Saturday; we found this out the hard way after driving in circles for about a half an hour wondering where everybody was.)  Iulia, Madalin, and I were able to participate after graciously being allowed to register that morning.  While we brought up the rear (2 hrs. 5 min.), we still successfully completed the challenging course with no injuries and still maintaining our friendship.

Thursday and Friday (depending on the school) marked the end of the school year for the children.  As imagined the children buzzed with excitement.  Each school celebrated with a "graduation"; some of which included the presentation of certificates, while others prepared songs and dances for the families.  I went with Iulia and three of the children to their festivities.  All the children did a great job memorizing various poems, songs, and skits related to the alphabet, numbers, and the seasons-- especially considering the high expectations of the teacher.  After an hour and a half of entertainment I couldn't help but wonder if they had spent the entire school year getting ready for this evening!  (Later I found out that the past month had been devoted to preparation of the event.)

Yesterday I went with Iulia and Madalin to a saltwater pool in Campina.  The nearly perfect weather since my arrival here did not fail us:  80 degrees with a sun-filled blue sky.  Surrounded by the beauty of the mountains, I found this much-needed escape incredibly relaxing and very refreshing.  We later hiked to nearby natural saltwater lakes maintained from rain water flowing down hillsides that contain large salt deposits.  A sight to behold, and another reminder of the work of our loving Creator.

Frustrations this week primarily stemmed from the behaviors and attitudes of the sisters (as expressed in the poem I wrote).  Rarely do they speak to the children without yelling and/or a tone of condescension.  Mentally exhausting for me to overhear daily, I cannot imagine what the children feel as they endure the derision.  It seems that their perceived role is to "keep the children in line".  These principles work directly against the concepts and strategies I present at the meetings, as well as the caregivers' efforts to implement what they have learned.  It is clear the sisters do not put forth the same efforts (although I do recognize that change is slow and difficult).  One thing that exacerbates the situation is the fact that I do not understand them: their perspectives, their beliefs, and their experiences.  But if they don't even show up to the meetings I cannot learn this information from them.  I don't want to fight against them or culture personal feelings of bitterness; I equally don't want to cease trying to elicit change in their tactics. 

A second factor is the unexpectedly large political environment within Casa Sperantei.  This leaves the sisters with the power to generally do as they please without confrontation from the other staff or caregivers.  Even within the group of sisters tension exists--Sister Marisa (the director of the orphanage who supports our approach and recognizes the need for change) can do little to relieve the mired situation.  Oh, and did I mention Sister Marisa must go to Italy for a month to tend to duties related to the sisterhood?  This effectively removes our biggest cheerleader and essentially gives the other sisters even more freedom to utilize their power.

As mentioned before, groups of Italian volunteers and visitors constantly come and go on a weekly basis.  More and more seem to come as the summer rolls along.  Most of the children love having new friends to interact with and teach them new games.  And many of the songs and organized activities they teach the children seem to align with the principles we want to teach.  My encounters with them make me questions whether I should have learned Italian instead of Romanian.  At mealtimes I am merely a presence due to the language barrier; but I suppose it's better than eating alone.  Nevertheless, I definitely feel like an outsider despite having been here longer than most of them.

Ugh...I am ready to hit the reset button for this upcoming week!