I mentioned that journalists attended the event at the American Corner in Ungheni. Here is the article:
"Comentariile vorbind american electoral experienţă"
See
http://expresul.com/2010/12/11/oaspete-american-vorbind-despre-experiente-electorale/
Saturday, December 11, 2010
American Corner, Ungheni, presentation
Pictured here: the Director of the American Resource Center (who oversees the American Corners program) and me in front of the painting of Dimitrie Cantemir (for whom the library is named) and Peter the Great of Russia. Pictured also is the coordinator of Ungheni's American Corner.
The topic of my presentation was "Campaigns in the US." Somewhat appropriate that in my last post I referenced the tank on the hillside, since the jargon/terminology used to describe campaigns (indeed, even the word "campaign": "a connected series of military operations forming a distinct phase of a war") -- the air war, the ground war, field operations (grassroots organizers who are "in the trenches" and "on the frontlines") is full of military references.
I was expecting to speak to a group of high school students who were studying English and to some members of the general public. Instead, I was speaking to a group of political party leaders from Ungheni, who were apparently all coming together for a meeting for the first time. This included representatives of all of the major political parties -- the Democratic Party, the Liberal Party, the Liberal Democratic Party, the Communist Party, and political reporters from the local newspapers.
I began with the lecture presentation I had prepared, but after about 10 minutes or so, it became clear that a seminar-style discussion would be more appropriate for this group of leaders. This presentation was to last about an hour; instead, more than two hours answering questions. I would have loved to have stayed longer so that I could have asked more questions of them about Moldovan campaigns. But I learned quite a bit from the questions asked of me (and the interactions among the various party representatives)
It was an honor and a pleasure to spend the afternoon with such a distinguished group of leaders, and I appreciate the librarian's putting together such a forum for this type of exchange -- between and among parties in Moldova -- and the US. I hope the participants found this to be a useful and interesting exchange. I think this kind of dialogue shows the value of the American Corners programs.
When I was leaving we brainstormed ways we might continue our discussion, through skype and email, and I am hopeful that with technology I will be able to maintain my connections and work with Moldovans even after I return to the US.
American Corner, Ungheni
On Monday I travelled to Ungheni to make a presentation at the American Corner at the library Dimitrie Cantemir.
The American Corner has an impressive collection of books and movies. Those interested have a wealth of materials at their fingertips. The American Corner also provides computers and internet access
For those of you wondering about Moldovan geography, Ungheni is to the West of Chisinau, on the border with Romania. (It is on the River Prut, which separates Romanaia from Moldova on the West)
The other American Corners are in the North (Balti) and South (Ciadir Lunga), so these American Corners, along with the American Resource Center in Chisinau, are a great outreach effort on the part of the US Embassy here in Moldova. (You can see my blog for photos of the Balti (October) and Ciadir Lunga (November) American Corners.)
When we stayed in Iasi, Romania (for the vist to the painted monasteries in Bucovina), we were quite close to Ungheni. (Which made me wonder why we crossed the border in Leuseni and not Ungheni, but apparently the distance might be shorter crossing at Ungheni, but the roads to Leuseni take less time?)
As we approached Ungheni we drove by a big Soviet tank on display on a hillside, and I was reminded of the battles fought here during WWII. (Back in September I blogged about the big diorama of the Iasi-Chisinau battles of 1944 at the Museum of History in Chisinau)
You can find more information about the American Corner from the US Embassy's website:
http://moldova.usembassy.gov/american-corner-ungheni.html
Friday, December 10, 2010
Tangled
On Sunday we made our 2nd trip to Mall-Dova, the "American-style mall," during our time in Moldova.
We had won a gift certificate at the Bazaar for a meal at the Woking Noodles restaurant. (Chinese is Peggy's favorite) So we had a delicious lunch.
And we wanted to check out the new Disney movie, Tangled. Wow! We loved it! (Even though we watched it in Russian with Romanian subtitles) This was our first movie theater adventure in Moldova. We loved the comfy seats. And we purchased tickets as you would for a theater, selecting our individual seats (which are priced differently, according to how good they are). We paid 55 lei per seat (about $4.50 each). I think we may have to go back and see it in Russian again next weekend! (And Peggy recognized many words - da, nyet, spasiba, yablaka)
Thursday, December 9, 2010
IWCM Winter Bazaar
I had volunteered to work from 10 am to 2 pm at the Bazaar and had arranged for a sitter to watch Peggy at home. At the IWCM meeting, however, I learned that this is a great event for kids and that Peggy's friends from school would be there. So, we all piled in the taxi to head over to the MoldExpo together.
All of the Embassies had booths, where you could sample foods and crafts from their countries. (My favorites: the cucumber sandwiches from the UK and the mulled wine and ginger cookies from Sweeden. Peggy's favorite: the nachos with cheese from the US) And there is music/performances on the stage all day (except when the winning raffle ticket numbers were called!) The Ambassadors and spouses and Embassy staff from many nations come together to raise funds for charity in Moldova. (I believe this year's beneficiary will be a rehabilitation facility for children recovering from TB)
We were mindful of the limited room we have in our suitcases on the way home, but, we did find a few very special handicrafts at the Bazaar. (And all of the proceeds go to charity, so this helps to rationalize purchases as well)
Here is the link to the IWCM website - so you can learn more about the events and programs of the International Women's Club here in Moldova
http://www.iwcm.md/
Tempus Fugit
After my Judicial Process class on Thursday we went to the Grill House for lunch, which was delicious (and topped off by a chocolate fondue extravaganza). On the walk home, we stopped in the Green Hills cafe for coffee. (Which was my first visit to the cafe and the market, even though it is across from my apartment!)
On Friday morning we went to MoldExpo to help set up for the International Women's Club Winter Bazaar fundraiser. We helped the US Embassy booth unpack boxes of books to sell. (In the process I found a cool book for Peggy, "We the Kids," which is an illustrated text of the Preamble of the US Constitution) Impressive array of foodstuffs for sale -- and BAGGIES!!! -- fortunately, I have enough left from my care packages to get us through our last few weeks here. (Thanks, Beth!) The US Embassy raised the most money last year at the Bazaar, so they got a bigger (the biggest?) booth this year.
After our shift, we went to the Beer House for lunch. They have their own microbrewery, so I was planning a sample draft beer - but - it was another cold and snowy day, so I tried one of their warm beverages instead. Another disadvantage to my falling more than a week behind on the blog - I can't remember what it was called! But I think it was beer, whisky, and honey, mixed together and served piping hot. It definitely hit the spot, whatever it was. On the walk home we stopped in the Bucuria shop to sample some chocolates. (I changed my leftover Romanian lei and Ukranian hryvnia there as well. The money changing kiosk inside was actually how I found the candy shop in the first place, way back when)
We were so sad to see Ramsay leave, but we'll be reunited in Florida soon. We were able to share our favorite things (and everyday routine things) in Chisinau - and also to explore lots of new places, too. In fact, Ramsay discovered things that I didn't know existed. Like, we have HBO!?! Somehow, while I was working, he found all kinds of American TV shows and movies - in ENGLISH?! I am sure that I surfed thru the channels when our cable was first hooked up - and all I found was CNN International and BBC World News (which is what I watch) in English - and we found Nickelodeon and Disney Channel for Peggy (but even then, some of Peggy's favorite shows are dubbed in Romanian and others in Russian) The first time he switched on the TV, Ramsay found more than a half dozen channels with American TV and movies - in English. Unbelievable. Well, the truth is I just don't sit down and watch the TV. I am either working, or playing with Peggy, or on the internet - but not watching television. I think it also varies based on time of day, whether the shows are in English or dubbed in Russian or Romanian.
In any case, our week together flew by much too fast, but we were so pleased that Ramsay could come to visit Moldova
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)