section 2, first timer.

on friday we finally got to go visit section 2 for the first time! (the placement center/orphanage type place that we'll be working in this summer.) after which, we also visited the satellite apartments that a couple interns will work in instead of section 2 in the mornings.

it was different than i was expecting. from everything i'd heard back in america before coming here, i was expecting the worst of conditions. and i was really nervous about being there and meeting the kids. but honestly section 2 is a lot bigger and nicer than i ever expected. like it's not like it's the grand hotel or anything. but it was just nicer than the horror stories that people assume about romania.  and the kiddies. ohhh, the kids. i'm already completely smitten. and i feel like i'm already kind of attached to some of them. from the moment we started getting to know them for only a few minutes, i started realizing how much it's going to rip my heart out to leave them. they are all beyond adorable. i might bawl my eyes out. warning. and wish i could bring some home with me. other warning. if only. i can barely wrap my head around the idea that some of these kids were abused or unwanted. one of my favorite girls had been in a foster home, but ended up back at this placement center because the family already had another young child, and didn't want her as well. my heart might have broken a million times yesterday. but then with every smile or giggle, or even full on laugh coming from one of the kids completely put it back together again, even stronger than before. i'm not really allowed to say much publicly about it, and i'd rather say too little and be safe than say too much and have problems. so, for the safety of the new loves of my life, let's just break it down simply: i completely adore them. and believe me. i definitely would love to talk about it. so if you ever want to have a conversation more privately about it, i could probably go for hours.

and it was beyond nice to have teo there to tell us about the kids. every single one of them completely adores her. with good reason.

after being in section 2, mario joined us and we went around iași to the tomești and dacia apartments, which are where they send kids so that they are in a more normal family/foster home type setting. which thereby leaves room for more kiddies at section 2. ok, don't even worry. just a few more adorable kids to steal my heart. did i mention that they speak romanian? when little kids say "buna." or "ce faci." or "bine." or anything? yeah. probably the cutest thing in the world. ok, so it is most definitely the cutest thing in the world.

moral of the story? 9am-noon, monday through friday for the next three months will be most definitely an adventure. and the best time of my life. definitely.

the stairwells in the hospital.

after our tour through iași from the back of a van (kidding. it wasn't a tour. just the fact that we saw a whole lot of iași while driving to the different apartments.) we went to the children's hospital. walked up 8 flights of stairs, and 2 by 2 were shown what we'll do when we go to the hospital. meaning, we go to the nurse's room, and say 'aveți copii fără mama?' and then go to those kiddies! and love them. sounds simple, we're nervous. we'll see how that goes. i'm more nervous for the interactions with the nurses and doctors than with the kids, naturally. sooo we'll see. haaa.

 view out the window at the hospital.

after that mario left us and teo (psychologist at section 2) took us to the mall for food, and then we walked to carrefour. the most american place i've been in the past week. ha. it's like the european walmart or something. and i think romanians seemed very out of place there. and there were entire sections of the store that went mostly untouched. funny, i know.

 it seemed like a way forever long walk. which, it was long. but after having been there and returning, i completely feel like i know the way and it's rather simple. ha. funny how that works. but let's be real. my feet definitely hurt by the end. and it was nice and sweaty. but i liked being out and in romania. rather than just being in our apartment. and with a romanian native, no less, to show us the ropes. aka, i love teo. we love teo. bonus: sweaty long walk in the sunshine means sweat ringlets in my hair! haahaha. i know that's the last thing you want to see. so guess what? it's what you see. my sweat ringlet from friday's jaunt around iași, romania. have i ever mentioned i kind of love this place? it's highly underrated.