We had our site assignment this morning. They way they communicated our assignments was pretty cool. They drew a big map of moldova on the ground and placed a chair with each assignment in the appropriate location with a label. They drew our names from a hat, read a brief description of our assignment and led us to the appropriate chair. My name was called near the end and I was quite anxious to find out where I would be.
Drum Roll Please>>>>>>>>>
I’m going to be in the raion of Calarasi and the villiage of Valcinet. It is small and has maybe 4500 people. It is an hour and a half from the capital. I don’t have a real good idea about the organization I’m be working with other than they were created in March, 2006. They work to develop the community, organizations, and businesses. It sounds like my first work may be Org Dev which is cool. They have a couple computers and internet!!! They haven’t had a volunteer before.
Next weekend is my site visit. I get to spend a couple days there, meet and select a host family, and see what is happening. It is a solo trip so it should be a bit of an adventure. 
A contest: Try to find as much info as you can and post it in the comments section. Get creative and maybe I will reward you with a post card.
October 10th, 2006 at 7:25 am
How exciting! AND you have internet, so that’s great!
I’m curious: by what criteria are you going to select a host family? cooking? number of children? that’s cool that you get to choose.
as for your contest: what kind of information do you want? Here is a satellite map of Moldova with Valcinet pointed out. Also, when googling Moldova, I found several ads for “Moldovan Women.” Um. . . yeah.
Anyway, I just want you to know I’m thinking of you and praying for you!
October 10th, 2006 at 9:39 am
Hi Ryan
This is the first chance I have had to check on your site and get updated with your life. sounds like things are progressing along. Funny I read your blog stuff and it sounds a lot like Stephainie’s as far as adjusting to a different culture. she is posting in a couple of places they are: http://stephanie1588.blogspot.com/ and http:picasaweb.google.com/stephanie.reinhardt Keep up the good work.
I talked to Troy this week and of course he knows nothing about his brother so what you going to do. Take care of your self
Brian Reinhardt
October 10th, 2006 at 9:21 pm
i want a post card. you know my address.
October 10th, 2006 at 11:39 pm
Hello Ryan, just a note, there are more than one village with the name of the one you are going to. Like the U. S. same names all over. Before I looked at the county, I thought you were headed up North near the Ukraine border.
Here is a good web site to look at: http://ukraine.usaid.gov/lib/moldova/ungheni.pdf#search=%22Calarasi%20Valcinet%20commerce%22
They are predicting snow here on Thursday. What is the best new food or way of cooking it have you have found overthere?
What customs is the most different from our way of life? Thanks for sharing your adventure with us, I know they will be better off knowing you and having you there, and you too will learn so much from those folks.
October 13th, 2006 at 7:05 am
Hey there,
I’m enjoying your updates and remembering my own adventures through them. I looked at the pictures you posted and the first one, with the 4 boys, reminded me of you and your siblings. I’m getting melancholy here so I’ll just say take care and will sms you later. Fair well from your “young” aunt.
October 25th, 2006 at 6:05 am
Happy Birthday!!!!
Since we aren’t sure of your e-mail address we’ll wish you happy birthday this way. Chances are pretty good that you won’t get this on time because as usual I forgot to do this ahead of time. Some things never change. Keeping you in our thoughts. Have an exceptional day.
October 25th, 2006 at 8:18 am
Happy Birthday Ryan, You are a long way from where you started out!
We send our love and wish you well.
October 25th, 2006 at 12:08 pm
happy birthday.
October 25th, 2006 at 12:50 pm
Happy birthday! Hope your day went well
October 26th, 2006 at 3:43 pm
Ryan, just catching up after reading some old posts on the ST1100 forum. Looks like you’re doing great! Your riding buds back here haven’t forgotten you - we wish you a lot of success in this endeavor. It’ll be fun to read your posts here and see the pics. Post at my-mc if you get the chance, I’m sure all would love to hear how you adventure is going.
November 21st, 2006 at 2:27 pm
Wash your dirty linen at home… Wilfred
November 24th, 2006 at 1:03 am
Believe not all that you see nor half what you hear… Julius
November 30th, 2006 at 2:49 am
A penny soul never came to twopence… Bridget
January 25th, 2008 at 11:30 am
Lafarge to buy Orascom Cement for $12.8 bln link