I forgot to write in my last post that this morning, my boss had to break the neck of the family cat because it was just getting worse and worse after the dogs attacked it a couple of weeks ago. It hadn't really eaten more than a few tiny bits of food that whole time and just drunk water and some milk, it was really gaunt and just basically skin n bones. Even her eyes were sunken and lost in a sea of depression. It was frustrating because she was making progress with her back legs but nothing with her diet... anyway, it wasn't the best start to the day but that's life - or death - I suppose.
Today we helped with the grass pretty much all day, which was AWESOME. Wish I could do that every day. Not but seriously it was OK, we felt like getting away from the house for a while and the weather was a bit cold and wet so the grass that fell on us wasn't dry and dusty at least. And the gypsies, as gypsy-like as they are, are actually fun to work with.
But anyway, we went for a ride afterwards because otherwise I think we'd all go insane (it's our way of relaxing even though technically it's the work we came here to do). I think I had my last ride on Goody before we take him back to the herd tomorrow, and I leave, but at least we get to go to the shepherd boy's house. He is so very nice these days...
Tuesday, 31 August 2010
Rain eases the pain
OK, so I spoke too soon last night. Just after I posted that blog about giving ourselves the day off, we were summoned to help the gypsies with hay bales (my favourite, ooooohhhh how I love the hay....) but luckily that didn't take too long. I was just 2 sips into my beer when it happened. Afterwards, I was another 2 sips into my second beer when we were asked to help with mucking out the stables, another favourite pastime of mine.
I've still not been talked to about the party on Sat night and I doubt I will, given I've now told them this Sat will be my last night before heading off to the other place. I have been told, however, that my favourite little gypsy boy will be getting the boot on Monday because he's been covering up for the others or something. I think he's one of their best workers - yes, I'm a little bias - but he's good with the horses and works hard. Anyway, I'm not gonna get involved. I just feel sorry for the poor lad. And I'm about to leave too. What a week he'll have haha.
Today the miserable weather returned with a vengeance - it seems they were right when they said it literally changes overnight from summer to winter here. I'm cold!!! We're helping with the grass and maybe taking some horses back to the herd afterwards, although I'm not sure that will be possible given how much grass we have to transport and the number of daylight hours left in the day. I'm not particularly liking today and so that makes leaving easier. Rain makes things boring and harder to escape the boss when he's in a bad mood. Also, the boss' wife smokes inside and that annoys me too. I say that now because it's drifting into my face as I type *insert crude coughing noise here*
I've still not been talked to about the party on Sat night and I doubt I will, given I've now told them this Sat will be my last night before heading off to the other place. I have been told, however, that my favourite little gypsy boy will be getting the boot on Monday because he's been covering up for the others or something. I think he's one of their best workers - yes, I'm a little bias - but he's good with the horses and works hard. Anyway, I'm not gonna get involved. I just feel sorry for the poor lad. And I'm about to leave too. What a week he'll have haha.
Today the miserable weather returned with a vengeance - it seems they were right when they said it literally changes overnight from summer to winter here. I'm cold!!! We're helping with the grass and maybe taking some horses back to the herd afterwards, although I'm not sure that will be possible given how much grass we have to transport and the number of daylight hours left in the day. I'm not particularly liking today and so that makes leaving easier. Rain makes things boring and harder to escape the boss when he's in a bad mood. Also, the boss' wife smokes inside and that annoys me too. I say that now because it's drifting into my face as I type *insert crude coughing noise here*
Monday, 30 August 2010
Our 'day off'
Sunday is rest day for pretty much everyone in Romania, which includes my boss and his wife apparently, as us girls were sent on a mission to Sibiu to drop the last guest off at the airport and do the shopping. What they didn't count on was the fact we all desperately needed time off ourselves and it was all we could do to stop ourselves falling asleep standing up all day.
Anyway, I managed somehow to drive the 1.5 hours to and from the airport, and arrange us 3 into some kind of working order in the supermarket (we had the combined mental and physical strength of 1 person), and wanted to collapse into bed when we got home, only to remember they were entertaining friends that night so we had to of course be part of the entertainment. I was too tired even to be good entertainment - now you know that's a bad sign!
It ended up being pretty funny actually, as one of the guests was the old head of police that now pimps himself out as private police hire or something and is apparently loaded... well, he's insane and took a liking to me, so spent the evening being all flirty and silly in Romanian, in front of his wife who like all the other women partners over here, just sat there unmoved by the whole episode. It must just be something Romanian men do here! But anyway, he promised to take L and I swimming and sightseeing in Brasov tomorrow so we'll see if that happens. He also wants me to go and break in his 2 feral horses in the paddock but I'm not sure I'm keen on that... for several reasons.
After L got drunk (for the first time since being here - she doesn't drink but was too tired to have a quick reaction when crazy man topped up her glass repeatedly) and I had a few glasses too, we retreated back to the guesthouse and had a good lie-in til late the next morning.
Today we went for a ride, me on Myastoza again, and took the nice sunny, but windy weather to rest atop a mountain with some sambos while conveniently avoiding helping the gypsies with the hay baling back at the homestead. That's our version of a day off.
Anyway, I managed somehow to drive the 1.5 hours to and from the airport, and arrange us 3 into some kind of working order in the supermarket (we had the combined mental and physical strength of 1 person), and wanted to collapse into bed when we got home, only to remember they were entertaining friends that night so we had to of course be part of the entertainment. I was too tired even to be good entertainment - now you know that's a bad sign!
It ended up being pretty funny actually, as one of the guests was the old head of police that now pimps himself out as private police hire or something and is apparently loaded... well, he's insane and took a liking to me, so spent the evening being all flirty and silly in Romanian, in front of his wife who like all the other women partners over here, just sat there unmoved by the whole episode. It must just be something Romanian men do here! But anyway, he promised to take L and I swimming and sightseeing in Brasov tomorrow so we'll see if that happens. He also wants me to go and break in his 2 feral horses in the paddock but I'm not sure I'm keen on that... for several reasons.
After L got drunk (for the first time since being here - she doesn't drink but was too tired to have a quick reaction when crazy man topped up her glass repeatedly) and I had a few glasses too, we retreated back to the guesthouse and had a good lie-in til late the next morning.
Today we went for a ride, me on Myastoza again, and took the nice sunny, but windy weather to rest atop a mountain with some sambos while conveniently avoiding helping the gypsies with the hay baling back at the homestead. That's our version of a day off.
I kissed a gypsy and I liked it
Last Saturday night I crashed a local gypsy's bday party. Don't ask me whose it was, I never figured that out, but I definitely got a flavour of gypsy social life - finally! Besides dancing a storm up to a traditional gypsy music (check out http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0IT87-MvBKE for an example of what I'm talking about), a highlight was definitely the arrival of an ambulance. Not to take an injured drunk man away from a fight, but a pregnant woman in labour. Ha! Baby-making factories...
When all 3 of us girls walked to the local hall in the pouring rain, the first person we met (luckily) was the good shepherd boy with his friends. You could see in his eyes he couldn't believe we came. The Swedish girls didn't feel comfortable going in, having been given a talking-to by the boss' wife about watching their association with the gypsies, so I strode in arm in arm with shepherd boy playing the ignorant card should any problems arise at a later date. I had had no such talking-to.
We walked in and his friends all looked in disbelief at their mate who had just walked outside a few seconds earlier then returned with this girl who clearly was not local but still friendly and familiar with him. I just laughed. We sat ourselves in the corner of one of the long tables and after feeling uneasy from all the stares for a little while, just thought fuck it and grabbed Chippy, the 13 year old boy with a growth disorder who looks about 5, for a boogie. He was well into it and even the other young'uns joined the cirlce. I got the reluctant shepherd boy up for a dance and it was quite entertaining.
Then came the other gypsy workers... a few beers down of course. All asking for dances while their patient partners waited in the background. Awkward much? You bet ya. So I carefully chose who to throw some (Romanian) shapes with and hopefully didn't piss anyone off. I even had a dance with the cook at one stage! She loved it.
Then they passed a basket around and all put money in, I assume for the bday girl (or boy, who really knows?!) as an MC shouting out how much each person contributed. It looked like some kind of tradition and I kinda sunk into the corner cos I had no wallet on me... cheapskate!! At first I thought they were auctioning off people and I SWEAR I heard my name, so I kinda freaked out and started working out in my head how many people I had to pass on the way to the exit and if it was possible to do without arousing suspicion... anyway, I was freaking out for no good reason in the end.
A few shots of rakiyo (hideous alcohol which actually was weaker than normal at this party, or I was drunker) and an unforgettable trip to the 'toilet' (hole in ground surrounded by chicken and cow poo out the back *vomit*) later, I saw that it was time to leave... but not before bowing to temptation and actually kissing the shepherd boy. Even after I learned he was only 18. What have I become. I told him, in no uncertain terms, that this was to be a secret kept from everyone and here's to hoping he keeps his mouth shut.
I am bored. I need entertainment. And this is as good as any. Anyway, I've only got a few days before I leave to make sure I properly break his little untainted heart.
When all 3 of us girls walked to the local hall in the pouring rain, the first person we met (luckily) was the good shepherd boy with his friends. You could see in his eyes he couldn't believe we came. The Swedish girls didn't feel comfortable going in, having been given a talking-to by the boss' wife about watching their association with the gypsies, so I strode in arm in arm with shepherd boy playing the ignorant card should any problems arise at a later date. I had had no such talking-to.
We walked in and his friends all looked in disbelief at their mate who had just walked outside a few seconds earlier then returned with this girl who clearly was not local but still friendly and familiar with him. I just laughed. We sat ourselves in the corner of one of the long tables and after feeling uneasy from all the stares for a little while, just thought fuck it and grabbed Chippy, the 13 year old boy with a growth disorder who looks about 5, for a boogie. He was well into it and even the other young'uns joined the cirlce. I got the reluctant shepherd boy up for a dance and it was quite entertaining.
Then came the other gypsy workers... a few beers down of course. All asking for dances while their patient partners waited in the background. Awkward much? You bet ya. So I carefully chose who to throw some (Romanian) shapes with and hopefully didn't piss anyone off. I even had a dance with the cook at one stage! She loved it.
Then they passed a basket around and all put money in, I assume for the bday girl (or boy, who really knows?!) as an MC shouting out how much each person contributed. It looked like some kind of tradition and I kinda sunk into the corner cos I had no wallet on me... cheapskate!! At first I thought they were auctioning off people and I SWEAR I heard my name, so I kinda freaked out and started working out in my head how many people I had to pass on the way to the exit and if it was possible to do without arousing suspicion... anyway, I was freaking out for no good reason in the end.
A few shots of rakiyo (hideous alcohol which actually was weaker than normal at this party, or I was drunker) and an unforgettable trip to the 'toilet' (hole in ground surrounded by chicken and cow poo out the back *vomit*) later, I saw that it was time to leave... but not before bowing to temptation and actually kissing the shepherd boy. Even after I learned he was only 18. What have I become. I told him, in no uncertain terms, that this was to be a secret kept from everyone and here's to hoping he keeps his mouth shut.
I am bored. I need entertainment. And this is as good as any. Anyway, I've only got a few days before I leave to make sure I properly break his little untainted heart.
Sunday, 29 August 2010
Horse trek #2 - caput!
After a surprisingly comfortable sleep in a tent next to the shepherds' station (pic to follow), we set out for another trek towards the UNESCO village we stayed at last time with the pastor, his wife and cute little boy. Again, their service was great as was the food, and I gave myself time to contemplate buying cute little hand-knitted socks the next morning. Seems they charge through the nose for any hint of tourist opportunity. And yes, I could've bought some and supported local custom but they were really expensive (for what they were)!
The day's ride wasn't too stressful, not more than 4 hours in the saddle, and again the scenery is just beautiful. I haven't ever really explained what it's like to ride in Romania but imagine neverending fields of grass, lucerne, corn etc framed by bush of all densities sporting an array of shrubs and trees that shield the burning sun and shelter serene bush tracks. Sometimes we pass by fruit trees which are full of ripe fruit at the moment, and we pick some off to eat as we ride. It's probably the best riding country I have ever been in.
The following day, post-pastor, we hit the trails expecting a long ride ahead but it didn't seem at all too bad. The sun was out again in full steam and for some reason I chose to take the track beside the forest not inside so I got plenty of opportunity to top up my tan. Also got an opportunity to bolt up some hills which is always welcome. Goody was a good boy for me.
Finally got home and realised it was indeed Saturday... the gypsies left punctually because they had a local bday party to attend at the hall a few metres up the road. I was itching to check it out, I haven't seen much local gypsy custom in full force here and in all honesty, I do miss the ol' discotheque. So I donned my high school rebel hat and took a left to the hall instead of right to the guesthouse when we left... and it was a choice well made. I think I need a new post to explain it all...
The day's ride wasn't too stressful, not more than 4 hours in the saddle, and again the scenery is just beautiful. I haven't ever really explained what it's like to ride in Romania but imagine neverending fields of grass, lucerne, corn etc framed by bush of all densities sporting an array of shrubs and trees that shield the burning sun and shelter serene bush tracks. Sometimes we pass by fruit trees which are full of ripe fruit at the moment, and we pick some off to eat as we ride. It's probably the best riding country I have ever been in.
The following day, post-pastor, we hit the trails expecting a long ride ahead but it didn't seem at all too bad. The sun was out again in full steam and for some reason I chose to take the track beside the forest not inside so I got plenty of opportunity to top up my tan. Also got an opportunity to bolt up some hills which is always welcome. Goody was a good boy for me.
Finally got home and realised it was indeed Saturday... the gypsies left punctually because they had a local bday party to attend at the hall a few metres up the road. I was itching to check it out, I haven't seen much local gypsy custom in full force here and in all honesty, I do miss the ol' discotheque. So I donned my high school rebel hat and took a left to the hall instead of right to the guesthouse when we left... and it was a choice well made. I think I need a new post to explain it all...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
