We have completed our 4th travel experience and I believe that this one was the easiest yet. We didn’t have too far a distance to travel and it was broken up by a nice hotel layover for a little over 24 hours, which was a refreshing treat. I have included an outline below to give you a glimpse into the experience.
Saturday, 4/7/12
9:12pm – Leave the hostel in Brasov, Romania and walk down 2 blocks to the square with our packs to load the bus
9:46pm – Pull away on the bus
Sunday, 4/8/12
2:15am – Stop for a bathroom and snack break
2:56am – Pull back out onto the road
3:42am – Arrive @ the Romania border & agent boards to collect passports (stamped to exit)
4:25am – Pull across to exit Romania and pull up to the Moldova entrance border & agent boards to collect passports (stamped to enter)
4:48am – Exit the bus to use the squatty potty at the border
5:01am – Bus crosses into Moldova
7:33am – Arrive @ hotel in Chisinau, Moldova
7:57am – Enter hotel with packs; Check-in & store bags in available rooms; wait in lobby
11am – Move into my assigned room with my roommate for the evening, Jenna
***LAYOVER overnight @ hotel for resting, skyping, regrouping, & a shower.
Monday, 4/9/12
9:15am – Take bags down to the lobby & store
9:30am – Cultural debrief meeting with entire squad in conference room
12:00pm – Contact (Sergio) arrives & my team loads up our packs in his van
12:10pm – Pull away from the hotel packed into the van WR style
12:45pm – Stop @ a store (much like a Costco) to get supplies
1:34pm – Pull away from the store to continue on the road
2:38pm – Arrive @ our host home/church and are were welcomed by the rest of the family – Tanti (Sergio’s wife) and their 2 kids, Laura (5yrs.) and Tabita (6mos.) AND our translator, also Sergio; Enjoy a wonderful lunch of soup, bread, cookies, & hot tea.
**Note that this month we will be in this location for only 2 weeks and then will work in a different area for the final two weeks.
I am happy to be living in a family environment again this month. The nest part is that they are cooking for us so we will have the opportunity to enjoy the local cuisine, and if our first meal is any indication . . . we will be eating well.
I am eager to begin ministry with my new team. Please keep us in your prayers and I will update you soon about our experiences here.
