Today we left the orphanage feeling almost entirely successful. We were able to see the teachers from the orphanage, talk with the director and explain the sports and craft equipment we had brought to the respective persons. The Physical Education teacher especially seemed very happy with the various goals and rackets and nets and balls he (and the children!) now had to play with.
We also managed to leave without too many gifts being given the other way, although we have a huge number of fresh walnuts off the trees, and bags of apples and pears. The director also presented us with an amazing cross-stitch picture that the children had made. It is beautifully intricate - I thought at first it was a photograph of a painting!
We then drove to Chisnau, the capital, and have looked around quickly. It is an entirely different place to the northern villages like Vascauti. The large (communist-built) buildings tower over lovely parks - it is reminicent of a small-scale New York or a London, but the poverty here is still evident. Many houses are run down, and there is an obvious well-off / poverty-stricken divide still.
For most of the afternoon we visited Milesti Mici, the largest wine cellar in the entire world. It is just outside the city, it is owned by the state, and there are over 1.5 million bottles stored underground there. We tasted some of the wines (we had different favourites) and ate lunch before leaving for the city.
We have penned a letter to the Compudava Foundation regarding the pump motors for the boiler system. We feel this is a pressing issue and so are hoping to set the wheels in motion as soon as possible.
I must sleep. My eyes are heavy and there is much driving and customs and driving tomorrow.
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