Life in Ploiesti

So, it has been a while since my last post and I thought I would throw another one up here. Sorry I don't have new pictures to share at this time, but I will try to get some up soon. I have been here at our pre-service training learning all about the Romanian language and the "Peace Corps approach to Development". It has all been going very well. The language is challenging, but also very rewarding, so even though I spend hours studying it, I don't find it as much of a chore as I thought I would. Immersion is definitely a helper when it comes to learning languages. We have been working on a practicum project here in Ploiesti to prepare us for projects once we get to our site and give us some experience in how to carry out a project in Romania. We were broken out into groups and went out to sites around town to develop and work on various projects. Myself and another volunteer have been working with the environmental office in the mayor's office here in town. We are working on a project in conjunction with the UNESCO (United Nations Economic and Social Council) "world water day" on March 22nd. We are going to distribute a survey to residents of the city to see how they feel about water scarcity and conservation, and then report back to the mayor's office. Then we will help develop a pamphlet and an event to educate the people around here about water issues that the town as a whole faces, which most people seem to not be aware of. It is a very interesting project, and I think we will learn a lot by doing it about how Romanians feel and what direction the country is moving. It is exciting work to be doing. Anyway, we are two weeks into training (20% done) and we will find out our site placements for the next two years in three weeks, so that will be very exciting. It is all good, but there is so much to take in it just leaves you exhausted every day. I am still in that initial stage of adjusting and excitement, for sure, but I think it is starting to wear off and I am starting to settle in here in my new home of Romania. Pa pa for now!