something familiar

well, we made it. back home to familiar soil, familiar faces and the works... the last 8 months in poland have been pretty crazy, let alone the last month in romania. but romania, wow... what a place...

as we crossed the border we were greated with men cutting the grass with sythes, abnoxiously loud music and dirty haired kids curiously waving at us as we passed by.

we were working alongside a canadian couple who have been living in romania for the last 10 years working with gypsies in a small village. the relationship between the romanians, gypsies and the missionaries is pretty complex and confusing... such different cultures and strong opinions working against one another, simply writing something wouldn't do it justice.

main street before the traffic jam

main street during the traffic jam

some big smiles for the camera

but we spent most of our time teaching the kids english, helping out with whatever projects were going on and trying to not get attacked by any bivols (which are these huge, super aggressive sort of cow animals). what else... beautiful children, dark haired and big brown eyes... usually dirty and shoeless but craving love. such a contrast of amazing scenery alongside such poverty. it felt like it could have been 1950 and that these people didn't know any other way than the one they have to live daily.