This weekend has been one of those very rare occurences when I had absolutely nothing to do for two whole days! Two full, glorious days to myself. Well needless to say, now that the weather is fantastic outside I desire more than just lying around on weekends off. On Friday afternoon, I talked to Vale’s parents on the ride home from school. I asked if it would be ok if I stopped by for a visit on Saturday afternoon. It’s extremely out of character for me to just invite myself over to someone’s house, but they had been asking me to visit for a while.

I began my Saturday by taking the five-minute walk to town to buy some basic groceries and some flip chart paper. The town square was busier than usual at 11am on a Saturday morning, but the weather is so beautiful, how could anyone stay indoors? After picking up the few necessities in town, I headed home to fix a lunch of berry flavored yoghurt, a banana, soft mushroom flavored cheese, fresh bread, and a cup of coffee. I quickly finished my lunch and got ready for the long walk to Vale’s parents house in the Olari village.

The walk to the Olari village is challenging and rewarding. It is a steep uphill climb for almost 4km but the overwhelming views of the town of Horezu and hills and mountains that create my region’s undulating landscape are completely worth the difficult hike. I stopped to snap a few photos along the way.

It took at least 45 minutes to reach Vale’s parents house. I had forgotten how far it really was. At least the scenery along the way and the radio on my cell phone distracted me from the distance. Upon arrival, Vale’s mom escorted me into the kitchen and tried to get me to eat. I politely refused, as I had just eaten lunch. All I really wanted was a glass of water, as I was hot and sweaty from my hike up the hill. I chatted briefly with Vale’s mom about the garden and the weather and then headed back outside to find Andu. Andu is Vale’s nephew and a student at my school.  He was a few houses down talking to some classmates from school.

After meeting up with Andu we headed up the hill to a big empty field, soccer ball in hand. It was simple enough, a few rock piles to mark the goal, but it was one of the most surreal moments in my life. The pasture that we had chosen for our game over looked the green rolling hills that surround the small town I call home. Horezu was vaguely visible in the hazy distance. The sun was shining warm on my bare shoulders. Wildflowers dotted the gigantic hillside pasture with splashes of white and yellow.  Puffy afternoon clouds bloated with springtime rains were gathering in the distance. I felt minuscule in the face of a wild and unpredictable world and I was ok with that. I was just one 24-year-old American, standing in a pasture, on top of a hill, 8,000 miles from the familiar, playing soccer with a friend. It’s moments like this that confirm my existence here. It’s moments like this that reassure me that I am exactly where I need to be. It’s moments like this that will define my life.

Andu and I’s soccer game continued for hours. We ran around the pasture until we were both exhausted. I’m no soccer pro, but I think I held my own against Andu. He didn’t completely kick my butt. Just a little. The pasture was muddy and slippery from the heavy spring rains that we have had in the last weeks. We both slipped and fell a few times. On one notable occasion, I attempted to kick the ball from Andu, slipped on a patch of mud, and fell square on my bum. We both doubled over with laughter. I learned my lesson of the day: Don’t play soccer in a muddy pasture in skateboard shoes!

The heavy storm clouds began to grow grey and heavy above us so we decided to call it a day. We headed to the house to wash the mud from our hands and legs and escape the impending rain. Vale’s mom fixed us a delicious meal of ciorba and pizza. After the meal, my legs sore, my body tired, and my appetite fed, it was time to say goodbye. Vale’s parents send me on my trek with some sunca and cookies. They are so wonderfully generous. Andu followed me a short distance down the hill on his bike. We said our goodbyes and I continued along my way. The walk home was markedly less strenuous than the walk up. I happily descended toward my house in town and greeted those I passed along the way. Upon my arrival home, I collapsed into my tiny bed. My body sore from the day’s exertion but my mind and heart perfectly content. Days don’t get much better than this.

The fantastic view from the Olari Village Road