Friday night I hitched down to the city where some gal pals and I rented an apartment for an evening of girl talk, good food, tons of laughs, and little sleep. This view from the 14th floor gives the city a whole new identity at night time. If this was the only photo you ever saw of the city, you wouldn't recognize it in the day time. Cities are the same all over the world I guess. In the bottom right corner you'll note some juice boxes sitting on the window seal. Although there was a refrigerator in the apartment, there didn't seem to be anywhere to plug in the ancient contraption.After a hot shower at the Peace Corps office and stopping to buy some OJ, I headed out to the main event in the southern city of Cahul. The bus ride down took about three hours, but in reality the trip is only two. The buses stop in several cities along the way, and in between to pick up waiting passengers.
It was really foggy on my way down, but I got the impression that the middle of the country is quite rich with hills that we don't have up north. On the way back up north, when it was less foggy, I was easily reminded of the agriculture dominated, rolling hills of the Palouse. Or, wait a second, was I just passing through the five stages of grief upon hearing this year's Apple Cup score....probably a little of both.
When I arrived at my colleague's apartment in Cahul, some PCVs were still lounging in their PJs, the turkeys were being pulled out of the oven, the mac and cheese (which tasted like it's value in GOLD!) was being topped off, Na'Ima was prepping her cornbread for stuffing (I am now, and forever will be on team corn bread stuffing), the scent of sage was filling the whole apartment, Suzette jumped in to peel fresh yams, Kyle was making both of his pumpkin pies with lots of love, and Pan arrived shortly after to start pouring the homemade peach brandy. This spread was overwhelming even before Jessica and Vince arrived with homemade Pecan pie and carrots sauteed in organge juice and cumin. 
The fastest way to a PCV's heart is through his or her stomach. No doubt about it!
As we sat and ate, we discussed, with no apprehension or sense that this conversation was a-typical of a holiday movie, the things we were thankful for in our lives this year. Among the most popular responses were our friends and family back home who care about us, support us, and send us amazing care packages. Peace Corps staff was up there too, along with a general consensus that we were all happy to be together on this holiday. Shortly after we dove into one of the most intense game of charades I have ever been a part of, followed by two rounds of Mafia (another game), before the sleeping bags were pulled out and we found our respective places on the floor, pull out furniture, and air mattresses. The following morning we lounged for a couple hours drinking coffee, eating pumpkin pie and apple crisp, and thanking Na'Ima for having us! Could not have asked for a better weekend!
The fastest way to a PCV's heart is through his or her stomach. No doubt about it!
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