Unfortunately, I don’t think customs would let me through with the super cute pig I saw today at the animal market.    I’d like to upload a picture of said pig, but my internet here is uncooperative.

Before the animal market we went to the regular Thursday morning market which is very much like a farmers market and an outdoor flea market combined.  Our coordinator only gave us 45 minutes for the first market which was woefully inadequate.  My roommate bought a watch and the man selling it used a cell phone to show her the price. Absolute genius!

After both markets had been visited, we went back to our original build site from Tuesday. My ears kept me away from most of the work as we were doing stucco. That sounds just like nails on a chalkboard and hurts terribly. So I entertained myself by making friends with the woman who will be moving into the house.  She took me up the hill into their orchard and we picked walnuts (nuka) off the ground and off a tree. Remarkably I was able to eat them without my tongue hurting or swelling up. They also don’t taste the same as the ones I’ve had at home. We picked apples up off the ground after Eli shook the tree. She doesn’t climb trees because she’ll fall. My kind of person!  There was a pear or two in there for good measure.  We gathered them up in our shirts and took them back “for the mens.”  Wasn’t exactly what I meant when I suggested we take some back, but it worked.

Tonight was the traditional dance and dinner. There’s a lot to say about that, but I drank polinka at dinner and now must sleep.

Google a violin trumpet for something truly interesting. It’s a violin and a trumpet combined and is unique to Romania.