Planes, cars and animals

Traveling to Romania was relatively smooth.  No major delays and I was lucky enough to get an empty row on the flight from Newark to Zurich which allowed me to get a solid 5 hours of sleep.  And I had a window seat on the flight from Zurich and was impressed my the massive size of the Swiss Alps while eating my complimenary chocolate.  I hope to ski them someday. 

Upon arrival in Bucharest, I met up with the 6 other volunteers:  Jody (Massachusetts), Sonya (Illinois), Alaina (Iowa), Jane (Los Angelos), Cindy (Los Angelos) and Melissa (Syndey, Australia).We were greeted by one of our two team leader Dan split up into 2 cars for a 5 hour road trip north to Tutova.  Stopped for dinner half way at McDonalds.  It is the same everywhere.  Jane has been a volunteer in Romania 11 times and said that going to McDonalds is a big deal here. She has seen wedding parties eating there before. 

We arrived at Pensuinea Racula (left), my home for the next 2 weeks around 8 pm, got settled in, had a Romania beer and then hit the sack.

Sunday morning came with sunshine and unseasonably warm temperatures. Accompanying the great weather were a sow and her three piglets who were foraging for breakfast behind of the hotel; several stray dogs, fed by hotel staff (and volunteers) - one of which has 4 adorable puppies; many rooster, who thankfully I did not hear overnight; and a man leading a very large bull with a rope tied to his horns at a very leisurely pace.

After breakfast we had an orientation meeting with Mihaela, the other team leader and according to Dan: "his boss and his wife."  She provided information on the Global Volunteers, Romania (including a language lesson) and some background on Tutova hospital (the pediatric recover clinic where we will be working).  Next we went to the hospital for a quick tour and to meet the children.  The clinic is located behind the hotel - about a five minute walk. 

When we arrived at the clinic we were greeted by a family visit for one of the todders - Andrea.  There were very excited to see her and extended thanks to all the volunteers.  The father a man probably in his late 20's or early 30's, didn't speak much English but the joy was written on his face and kept repeating "She is so beautiful."  Her grandmother, aunt, cousin and step mother were also there. 

Next up was a tour and a short visit with the children to help with feeding.  As we walked around, we picked up children (most were in their cribs - where they spend a lot of time).  I had Andrea B., who has an identical twin sister Roxanna, and ended my tour early at the babies (non mobile) playroom along with three other volunteers.  Andrea and Roxanna are behind developmentally.  They are around  1 1/2 years and just recently started walking.  They are very quiet and reserved and so they are gradually being moved to the todder (non-moblie) play room.  Shortly after arriving nurse came in with bottles for all the children, we helped with the feeding and played with the for a bit.

Cindy (volunteer) and Daria. Daria loves to jump and is always smiling. She has recently had surgery to fix her cleft palate. She has trouble eating because of this and is malnurished and underweight.

Upon returning to the hotel we got our work assigments and had a delicious dinner.  Chicken in a tomatoe sauce, real mashed potatoes and a nutella crepe for desert.  I will be working with the toddlers tomorrow.  Noapte buna. (Good night.)