Now don't think that we were totally depressed, we weren't thinking about quitting or anything, it was just a little hiccup. I was planning on the first week being a little awkward but I don't think Brit was, so I think that helped me some. On Friday we went to the orphanage, I witnessed first hand the mothering instincts of women and my lack thereof. When we saw all the little babies they ooood and awwwd and I thought "cool" ha ha. Looking back I just think I needed to warm up a little bit first. But lets be honest I've never seen a guy get really excited when they see little kids. Not that they don't like them but its just a different reaction, I think that I could say I felt a little out of place. Spencer had come to the hospital the day before with me so we were able to confide in each other but friday I was left alone in a sea full of women. After the orphanage, which is actually called section 2 housing, I don't believe Romania has anymore orphanages after the 90s orphanage crisis, we headed out to "the apartments". Which are apartments, ha ha where around 4-6 kids live. They get a little bit more attention here and it is a more homelike atmosphere.
Now I'd like to say something about Romania, it is not what people generally imagine it to be. Its not a cesspool of post-communism, sure there is a lot of cement but it is a good place. Going to the hospital and orphanage made me realize that we aren't really needed here. Yeah we are in the sense that we help out with the child to adult ratio but the orphanage is a nice place, I would take my child there. (ha ha) For daycare, they actually have one on the first floor. The facility is nice, its clean and colorful! They are understaffed at both places but I think that we could say the same for many U.S. institutions. (For example: Hospitals, schools, daycares) We aren't allowed to take pictures at the orphanage but we're not sure why because it is really nice. The hospital I would describe as 'unpretentious' it is not the gem of Romania but they are renovating some of the floors which look incredible and the workers are sincere and genuine. One thing about Romania, that I have noticed is that they don't just build new buildings they take care of what is there, they renovate and remodel and it works out pretty well. The other day Brittany and I were sitting around and I guess I looked deep in thought cause she asked me what I was thinking about (women enjoy saying that) I replied 'urban sprawl'. I'm pretty sure she thought I was nuts but I was just thinking how funny it was that it is non-existent here and quite frankly I think its awesome!
Ok, so I suppose what I am really trying to say is that Romania is doing quite well. The workers are sincere, they are really trying to take care of the kids here and doing the best with what they have. I have been trying to realize what exactly I am doing here the past couple of days and have realized that I am not part of some fanciful American rescue team here to save babies. I am really here to live in Romania while at the same time spending time with orphans who do need attention and love as well as learning about child growth and development. I never really planned on being some kind of rescue worker but it has been brought to my attention even more over the past couple of days.
Enough of that, I need to finish up because you are probably getting bored of reading. We didn't do much this weekend, Brittany hasn't been feeling well, sadly we stayed home whilst our group went to Moldova for a district conference. I have been able to catch up on a lot of journals for our class though, which has been nice. We are both looking forward to a full week of working and I am excited to see whether or not my first impressions hold true, we shall wait and see. Until then 'Goodbye, and I love you' (Bob Ross) ha ha.
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