Bucket List

As I was leaving for Peace Corps, my grandlittle sister in my sorority, Anna, gave me some great gifts (literally, as I was leaving - she met me at the airport in New York). She sent me off with pictures of my family and friends that are hanging up in my room and a journal that she had written sweet things in. Besides the heartfelt message, she included a list of things to do - a Moldova Bucket List, if you will. So here's where I'll document the completion of the bucket list. 

A list of things to do

• Visit another country // I went to Czech Republic in December and Italy in March! 
  
  
  
  
• Visit another city in Moldova (that is not on your list) // Clișova Noua was not on my list, but it was lovely!
• Take a photo of a young child // My BFF, Iana! 
  
• Experience a local holiday // I think I've been to a masa for just about every single one by now!
• Take a photo of you and your new family // Only the greatest family EVER.
  
• Learn to ask for toilet paper in your new language 
• Go to the grocery store
• Go to a local fair or market // This is my favorite man's booth at the art piața - when I was there the other day, I told him how much my family liked the dolls I got them, and he remembered me and told me to come back again soon for more! 
  
  
  
• Go to a local museum 
  
• Go to a church service // I've been to a Catholic service and an Orthodox one, so I've been confused for only half!
• Give directions in a new language // Got to show off my direction-ing skills to the mayor the other day when trying to get to Peace Corps office (which is hard by car, guys - do you know how many one ways there are??).
• Take the train
• Take a local transportation route // Only any day I travel. It's love-hate with the rutiera, let me tell you. 
• Go to a local restaurant // So, Andy's Pizza?
• See the world from a new angle
• Hear a story from an old man/woman
• Learn Moldova's history
• Fear something but do it anyway
• Do a community service event // We painted a playground or two!
  
• Take a photo of what it means to live in Moldova
• Ride in the car with a local
• Buy something from the pharmacy
• Find a local version of a dollar store - what is it called?
• Post on a blog // Knocking this one outta the park. 
• Buy a stamp // The number of stamps I bought before actually learning the word for stamp is really astonishing.
• Notice how children dress // Black&Tuna, Black&Tuna, Black&Tuna! Also a LOT of stripes. 
  
• Give food to a poor person
• Buy something from a street vendor
• Eat something new // Can we say... Racituri?
• Go to a cultural event 
  
• Buy a local piece of jewelry
• Experience going to the doctor (hopefully you won't be sick!) // I go to the PC doctor, does that count? 
• Check a book out from the library // I have The Great Gatsby in Romanian taunting me because I haven't opened it.. In Romanian it's, Marele Gatsby.
• Have a pair of shoes that you wear out but don't want to get rid of because they've been everywhere
• Drink local tap water // Anna, you know I'm not supposed to do that! But I have maybe once or twice.
• What does it mean to be American? From the eyes of Moldovans?
• Learn what types of people to stay away from
• See a new store open or an old one close
• Walk the streets
• Drink a local alcoholic beverage // Homemade wine and liquor count?
  
• Know who is in office
• Read some of Mihai Eminescu's poetry
• Listen to Radio Basarabia
• Watch a Moldovan game show
• Watch a movie in the theater // Thank goodness, because what would I have done if I couldn't see Furious 7 on the big screen? The Romanian subtitles only enhanced it.
• Listen to a new song that is popular // Thanks to living with teenagers over the summer. 
• Watch tranta

• Learn about the political parties there // I know what all their logos are..... 
• Learn some Russian or Ukrainian language
• Visit a Moldovan university
• Learn a folk dance
• Learn a local saying // I didn't learn this one myself (and I don't know it in Romanian), but I appreciate being told about "We're not going to baptize our children together," for when you're close but not too close. One I actually learned is "the sun has teeth" for when it's freezing out but the sun is still shining.
• Watch a commercial
• Help your host family cook // My undiscovered skill is rolling блинчики.
  
• Take a photo of where you are living // My backyard is one of my favorite views in the village.
  
• Teach someone some English // I have two English classes/clubs!
• Fly back home
• Watch a sunset and sunrise
• Stay out really late one night
• Whatever you do, don't jump off a bridge! // So far, so good!
• Talk to someone in another language on the phone // I've done this in Romanian AND Russian, despite not speaking the latter. 
• If there is a McDonald's, try something they offer special for Moldova

Thanks for the list, Anna!