It is Friday again. After a day off, we headed back to the orphanage and to the hospital. I couldn’t believe how much I missed the kids after just one day. I also can’t believe how much colder it is already. I wear my hoodie, my winter coat and a scarf and I’m still cold. Today in Tomesti the temperature was about 40 degrees Fahrenheit. I guess I spoke too soon when I complained about the weather being too hot when we arrived!
The highlight of my day definitely was making V laugh. He has never laughed for me before. He has the greatest smile, but I have never heard him laugh like he did today. I was chasing Georgi around the room playing follow the leader and V thought it was the funniest thing and couldn’t contain himself. I wore myself out running in circles half the morning, but boy was it worth it.
I have been really surprised to see that it is completely acceptable to smoke so much not only indoors, but in places like the hospital – and a children’s hospital at that. Yet, kids are typically not allowed to sit on the floor? I don’t get it.
We worked again with our little “Jacob” again. I can’t believe how much progress he has made since we have been here. We can get him out of his crib, stretch him out, help him sit up by himself, have him stand up to strengthen some of his muscles, hold him and cuddle with him and put him back in his crib without a hassle like we experienced a few weeks ago. I still remember seeing him the first day thinking he has to have something wrong with him. He just sat there, completely stoic. No smile, no babble, no response. Now almost a month later, he is babbling, cooing, humming, bobbing back and forth, rolling halfway over on his own, smiling and laughing.
I also met a 15 year old boy a few days ago on the other side of our floor. His name is Florin. He is in a wheelchair and doesn’t have the use of his legs. I know that he knows who we are because he came to me and said, “Hello.” I asked him what his name was and how old he was and realized he spoke a little bit of English. He asked me for a balloon, but I was headed down to give Dr. Porter and Aaron a tour and didn’t have my backpack. He just smiled back and said, “that’s ok.” I promised him I would bring him back one.
He is the sweetest boy every. I’m pretty sure he has been at the hospital for some time now. It kills me first of all to think that he is in a wheelchair but that he has been in the hospital for a long time. I couldn’t help but compare him to my little brother who is about the same age. Ben plays football, rugby and basketball and hangs out with his friends just like any normal boy his age. This boy doesn’t have the chance to do any of that – his entire life consists of this hospital. He was so excited to just get a balloon – a simple balloon. It makes me realize how much I take things for granted.
Here are a few pictures. Enjoy!
Getting early halloween treats from Dr. Porter. Don't worry, they were gone in 2 days.
Package from Mom = Pure happiness
Super sickie picture, but I had to show you how good "Hagrid" is looking with no blow dryer or straightener.
Van trip for 12 hours
The first monastery
Kala and I outside the monastery. It was absolutely freezing!
They have a little shed outside to light candles for both the living and the dead
The famous "last judgement" fresco
I have a slight obsession with old doors..
Sister Helen, the nun we met outside. She was so kind and sweet to us.
All of the monasteries have elaborate graveyards outside
I had to go to the bathroom. This is the squatter.
The churches here are very pretty
On the drive. It was absolutely breathtaking! Sometimes I felt like I was in the Grand Tetons!
We stopped to take a quick picture on the way.
Another fantastic door to the entrance of the nun's house
The door to enter the second monastery yard. I actually could walk right through it without ducking and lifting my feet up. My kind of door!
The second monastery
This is where the nun's live
Most of them have wells outside
I definitely took a drank of the well water. I was worried it might make me sick, but so far so good!
So beautiful...
Aubrea and I inside of the salt mines
Inside the salt mine tunnel - 80 meters underground
The random ballroom halfway down to the center of the earth!
Outside of the salt mines. If this was in Utah, you know this would be a prime location for engagement photos!
Well, hopefully that helps give you a bit of a visual of some of our experiences here in Romania! It is now Friday night and time to catch up on some homework and do some cleaning.
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