Two Photos for the Upcoming Presentation

Two Work Projects

Work Projects

This posting I thought that I’d tell you about two projects that I’ve been spending some time on. The first is a compilation of photographs from all members of our Peace Corps group. Our last joint conference is in April; called the Close of Service conference, although most of us will still have another three months before winding up our service here in Romania. It is my plan to have a CD slide presentation complete with music to present the photographs of our two year effort here.

There are two categories and two separate presentations. I asked each volunteer to send me five of their favorite photos of volunteers and then five of their best pictures of Romania. So far I’ve gotten a good response from the group and have assembled the views of Romania into a presentation of over 230 slides. The volunteer portion of 180 photos has to run a little faster to its music for there is only so much viewing of each other that we’ll be able to bear. I’ve entitled this part of the program, “Faces Only a Mother Could Love”. The plan is to have a copy of the CD available for each volunteer to use as a remembrance of our work and of each other.

The second project that I’ve become involved in is a brainstorm of mine. My assignment with the organic farmers association has enlightened me to both the great difficulties and the opportunities that most Romanian farmers face. I’ve come up with an idea to plant Walnut trees (you may call them English Walnuts but they’re really Carpathian Walnuts – check out Wikipedia) on small plots provided by rural landowners.

I’ve been encouraged by other Peace Corps volunteers who see this as an opportunity to assist their communities in generating some income and putting land to use that currently is underutilized. Walnuts grow naturally here and many rural households have an old tree out back that they harvest in the fall, but nowhere do real orchards exists. I’ve had fun working out the idea of it all and bouncing that idea among colleagues, but now, it’s time to turn an idea and an inspiration into actual progress. I’ve always been a pretty good thinker – the doer part has usually been my problem, but this plan appears so solid and useful that it needs to get done.

This posting has been more about my mindset than about observations of my surroundings, but staying busy and accomplishing small steps has helped me gain a sense of accomplishment. I’m excited about the outcome of both the picture gallery and the walnut project. Both pictures accompanying this post are included in the slide presentation but that’s all I’m showing anyone. The rest will remain behind closed computer doors until the premier next month but if you’re interested in more details of the walnut project, let me know.

Moonset over the Sahara

Berber Woman of Matmata

Olives in the Madina Market in Sousse

First Crocus and Tunisia

First Crocus and Tunisia
Blog Entry 10-03-07

Reporting the first blooms on the earliest of the 85 crocus bulbs (brandusa de primavarii) that I planted in the little flower bed outside our block apartment building last fall. 85 bulbs in a small space will make a fairly impressive display in a few years as the bulbs naturalize. Even now the bright little yellow and gold flowers of the snow crocus brighten the area. The three strawberry plants I set in last spring have multiplied and are beginning to leaf out in several new spots.

Yesterday the neighbors trimmed back some of the branches of the cedar trees leaving more sunshine to come to the patch which will make a positive difference this year. Now, if I can only teach them to pile the fall leaves from the cherry trees atop the bed to form a mulch, then I will have left a legacy.

No pictures this posting of the crocus – first year so they are a little thin as expected - pictures instead of Nancy and my trip to Tunisia. We spent a week’s vacation stationed by the Mediterranean Sea near Sousse. It is a well developed tourist center catering to many English, French, Romanian and other European tourists looking for a bargain. Only three hours away by plane from Cluj, it was also convenient for us.

The main attraction for us was not the fine sand beach or the clear water, but seeing a new country, a new continent. Three Peace Corps companions spent the vacation with us and none of us had the least sense of being in an unfriendly country or culture. We were welcomed. Sometimes, too welcomed, as it became easier for us to use our Romanian and explain that we were from Cluj in order to deflect some of the aggressive salesmanship that is practiced there. Only a few hawkers knew enough Romanian to deal with us – they knew every other language though - so by saving we came from our adoptive homes we escaped some of the sales pressure.

The country itself was fascinating. The home of the Berbers and Carthage and ancient Roman ruins and 52 million olive trees and the scene for much of the first Star Wars movie and desert oases of date palms Tunisia surprised us with its diversity. Parts of the country were pastoral beauty, parts rugged scenery, part sandy scrub, but all of it interesting.

Romania and Tunisia have much in common. In some ways Romania seems more advanced, but in others, particularly agriculture, Tunisia appears to have established a more sustainable economy. Both countries also share some obvious problems, particularly trash disposal and other environmental issues. Development is never easy and in some areas not wise, but it appears that in both countries there are segments determined to bring their nation into modern society and segments unwilling or unable to grasp the change necessary to accomplish that goal.

We Peace Corps volunteers, by our example hopefully show the better part of advancement. Perhaps it’s only a few crocus in the garden in early spring and an attitude that suggests, these crocus will be here for years, long after Nancy and I leave. They’ll be here to brighten your path, and we plant them not only for ourselves, but for you.