UPDATES
MICROECONOMICS AT THE ORPHANAGE
On 9 May I partnered with the international NGO Winrock to teach Microeconomics at an
orphanage and boarding professional school. The program involved separating roughly 25 youth
s into four groups each with a unique business idea. Throughout the two day summit we tackled everything from realistic goal setting to budgeting, and culminated with each group completing a
draft business plan. The photo to the right is of some of the attendees receiving awards for the most well written plan
COMMUNITY CLEANUP DAY THE REMIX
Community Cleanup Day was a fantastic success again this year. Last year we had roughly 15 participants. This year we had nearly 25 participants who collected trash with alacrity and enthusiastic smiles. The town’s people looked on with bewildered faces, but the participants showed no shyness. The day ended with a trip to the local forest and a BBQ. The photos are of some participants collecting trash and the BBQ subsequently after.
VISA GRANTED
Legally one can only apply for a Russian Visa in the country where one's passport was granted. If one can prove they are a legal resident of another country they may apply in that respective country.
Here is my experience.
- Given there are no documents from the Russian Consulate in Moldova I find all documents available on the US Russian Embassy website and carefully fill them out.
- Order Invitation from Russian travel service, reserve hostels, air tickets, and prepare documents for the consul
- I go to the consulate (4 hours on a bus each way) and am told I need the original invitation from Russia DHL’d to Moldova, and am given new set of documents
- Back to the consulate (4 hours on a bus each way) I am told that the visa will be done in one week with a double fee.
- Last time at the Consulate (4 hours on a bus each way), I queue outside until I tell the guard in Russian that I am an American and want a visa. He accordingly allows me to cut the line. Visa is granted.
Above and below are photos of the Russian Embassy and queue outside the consulate nearby. I am leaving for Russia on 3 May for one week.
A CELEBRATION
A new French 'Brasserie' opened in Moldova's most upmarket shopping center aptly named MALLdova. Oddly they have Fish & Chips on the menu as well as tempura veggies. Regardless of the unfocused menu the service is impeccable and the food tasty and well presented. A friend from my Peace Corps training group who never swore in to become a volunteer, but instead stayed and found more suitable work outside the Peace Corps guise just returned from Moscow and St. Petes and we met to celebrate and exchange some travel tips
GARDEN
Below are a few photos of my mini herb garden. The basil was grown from seed I procured in Rome, the cilantro from Russian seeds, and the rosemary from vacuumed sealed sprigs.
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