Day 13

One of the hotel hounds; he got soft-boiled egg for breakfast. Every time he sees me, he comes running.

Radu and I in front of a church in Barlad
There is grafitti on just about every surface; this is a more artistic version of it.

Game day; Trent with Radu and Oana. We'll miss you, Trent!

It's day 13 and a Friday; does that make it like a Friday the 13th? It kind of feels like that. My buddy Trent is leaving, and we're all down about it. The kids at school will really miss him, and I will, too. The kids are asking him to come back next year and telling him how pretty Barlad is in the winter to try to entice him to come back sooner. Of course, there's no program at the school during the school year, but who knows? Maybe they'll convince him to return next summer.

Today was game day. We decided that Trent was in charge of activities since it was his last day. We watched a few more presentations, one from our fellow volunteer, Trevor, and two from students. Then most of the students played games. Alix, Andrea, Radu and I went for a walk and took some pictures of a church I had seen and liked. Gheorghe was in the second group; it was his last day with us because he's going to watch the meteorites in the countryside next week, so I stayed at school to play Scrabble with him, Maria, and our volunteer, Amy. Maria beat us by 10 miles, as usual. She scored 67 points on one word (Amy, who was winning before her, helped her do it!). Then we said our goodbyes, boarded the bus, and headed back to Tutova. Trent said that the realization that he is leaving hit him right then; he looked sad. Mihaela brought us some bite-sized pasteries to cheer us up a little on the ride back, but realized halfway there that she had left her purse--and all her money--at the school. Fortunately, when she went back 40 minutes later, it was right where she left it and all the money was still there. Would that happen at our schools in Texas? Somehow I just don't think it would.

We had birthday cake for Amy, who is turning 19 tomorrow, after lunch. Then a group went back to the clinic; I'll go back at feeding time, 5:30, and I hope I can get someone to take a few pictures. I won't look good--it has been rainy and humid all day today--but the babies will. Hopefully they're not eaten alive with mosquitos. The rain has brought cooler temperatures, which is a blessing, but the curse is the mosquitos. This is the last night with Terri as my roomie; she, Trent, Eve, and Lila are headed out tomorrow. Eve and Lila are staying in Bucharest for a few nights; Trent and Terri are headed to Amsterdam on two different flights but hope to meet up there to hit the red light district together. Amy and I will ride with them on the train and part ways at the train station. We're staying at the Hotel Capitol, which is right in the center of Bucharest and close to most of the attractions. I've read some reviews that worry me, but hey, when in Romania . . . . I'm just hoping there aren't bed bugs. Anything but that!

I can't take my computer with me, so this is La Revedere until Monday. Keep your fingers crossed that Amy and I find our way around Bucharest safely!