It’s hot. Too hot. Too hot to move. Too hot to walk. Too hot to sleep. Now firmly in the grips of the summer, I finally find my feet solidly at rest. I have been traveling since mid-May, jumping from visitor, to vacation, from project, to project. I have finally stopped moving. And at the perfect time too. The stifling summer heat has settled into the Horezu Valley and it is almost unbearable. The long afternoon brings heavy thunderstorms that wash away the humidity of the morning and give us a short reprieve. Even a short walk to town is almost unbearable in the mid-day sun. I find my self seeking the shade of the grapevines during the day, because our normally cool house has become victim to this relentless heat wave.
I linger in bed a little longer each morning, having no real reason to get up. While I am enjoying the rest and the chance to finally be at home by myself, I can’t help but feel restless. Maybe it is just me. Maybe it is my nature. Maybe it is the fact that my best friend is home vacationing in the United States. Or maybe it’s the fact that I have been on the go since mid-May. But for the last few days that I have been home, I have been bored senseless. I’ve tried to put together materials and lessons for summer camp, but that only occupies part of my time. It is much too hot to go for walks. I’ve taken to doing yoga every morning in the front yard after I enjoy my ceremonial cup of coffee, just to keep my brain occupied and my body in motion.
I know I should enjoy and revel in the moments when I have nothing to do. There is a beauty in simplicity. This summer has been so overwhelming, that I should take advantage of this restful time. First there was the trip to Ploiesti, then the Environmental Workshop, then Kyle’s arrival, then the proposal, then Sibiu, then Hunedoara, then the pottery festival, then Kyle’s departure, then Beav’s arrival, then Mike’s visit, then Targu Jiu, then the Delta, then the 4th of July BBQ, then Beav’s departure, then GLOW camp. Did I miss anything?
Looking back over my list of adventures, I should be more grateful for my time at home. And I am, really. The best thing about being home is seeing the familiar, smiling faces of the people of Horezu. On Monday, I made a trek to the post office to mail an important letter. On the way, I ran into one of the assistant principals of the school. He asked how my summer was going and if I would be back at school in the fall. I said “yes, of course, I still have another year.” He seemed genuinely happy that I would be back.
Today I saw several students on my walk to the grocery store. They all stopped and said hello. Yesterday, I was able to visit with my counterpart and her parents. This is why I do like being home. People wave to me as they are driving home. Students stop to say hello. My gazda mom greets me with a smile, a delicious meal, and warm water for a shower, if I have been traveling.
I shouldn’t complain too much. I have so much to be thankful for. And I know I have many more activities to come. On the coming agenda: A trip to Hunedoara, A week of helping an Outward Bound English Camp, Mid Service Training in Sibiu, a trip to headquarters in Bucuresti, and a week or two of 4-H summer camp. I should just enjoy this time of sloth. Enjoy the fact that I have the luxury of being lazy during the hottest part of the summer. I should enjoy this eye of the hurricane, this lull in the chaos. Because I never know what the coming weeks will bring.
To my faithful readers: I have been awful about updating this summer. I promise, updates are coming. Check back shortly for blogs about: Beav’s visit, the awesomeness that is the Danube Delta, and my amazing week as a GLOW Camp counselor.
