Another day, another celebration.

Last night brought back another sudden awakening. Bad dreams, waking up delirious. Where am I? I think I have a test coming up in some subject, forgot to feed the dog...Wait, I don't have a dog. Am I at my friends house and I'm going to walk home at 4 a.m. again? Dang, I hate walking home.

Oh yeah, I'm not in Kansas anymore.

I woke up around 7 a.m. finding host mom Nina frying something up with sunflower oil. It smells good, I hope she's got the coffee going. Yes, I smell coffee! Today is the celebration of the Romanian Language in Moldova. 20th annual if I understood correctly.

I walked to the center of the town, just next to the Ştefan Cel Mare statue. Everyone has flowers. I'd better go buy some too. I walked to the florist and ask her for help. I don't know what I want, but I have money, and want something beautiful. I spend 25 lei, which is just a little over 2.5 bucks. It's a pretty bouquet although, I'm not sure what constitutes pretty. I walk with the bouquet to the center but not before I'm stopped by a russian speaking man. His town sounds aggressive, but that's normal. He says something with the word bouquet. And not knowing a lick of Russian besides "Yes, No, Beer, lighter" I smile and say a polite, "Poftim?" or "Come again, excuse me" Then continue walking.

At the ceremony the Romanian teacher at the high school gives a speech about the importance of the Romanian language, and that Russian speakers should attempt at learning the countries language. Then I hear my name. Surprised I remember the conversation we had earlier about "saying a few words" Oh lord. I thought we were talking about tomorrow's inauguration to open the school year. I hadn't prepared anything, I'm decent in conversation, but anything requiring a full-blown speech is going to take some preparation.

"We have a Peace Corps Volunteer, Ahmad...Ahmad where are you"

My heart forgets to beat for a second or two. I walk forward and throw my arm in the air. Smiling, nervously.

She continues to talk. Thank god. The speech will wait until tomorrow. Thankfully.

"Ahmad has been in Moldova for 2 months, and he speaks Romanian beautifully" Thank you for noticing I thought to myself, I know a word or two. Heh. I set back into my spot and receive the comment that I was used as an example with a chuckle and a relieved smile. Safe with my flowers and my briefcase, I hide back in the crowd.

The speech is over and I thank the Romanian instructor, I think I just found my tutor for the upcoming months. Then something happens, it starts to rain and I'm in the middle of dancing the Hora. The national dance of Moldova. I haven't really danced the hora and considering there are a few multiple forms I'm relieved yet again to find out that we are doing the simple, "in and out slightly moving right" version. The dance is over and a well dressed older man approaches me.

We talk, and I practice my speech I had written for the next day with him. Who I am, where I've been, where I lived, my family, no I'm not married, I don't know if I want to be, maybe, ok we'll see what happens in two years. He's a very polite man and begins to reach into his briefcase. He gives me a book filled with Romanian poetry. I'm filled with joy as he begins to sign the inside cover addressing it to me.

I thank the man, hand's me his card and we're on our way. After the most intense hour I've had in a long time, I walk to the predominately Russian speaking Piaţa (market) and practice my non-verbal communication. I need bed covers and a roll of toilet paper.

Better make that a couple rolls of toilet paper.

Peace.