lehmanrl

[lehmanrl]

I'm so thankful to @izzie_gal for two relaxing, amazing days in Chisinau and for us to end my time in Moldova with a final-for-now placinta party!

[lehmanrl]

Here's a reality check: I'm really moving. As people who know me well learn, I prefer quiet exits, slipping away without formalities and deep interactions. I did some but my heart always hurts too much with many, so I quietly made my first exit today from my beloved host community of Criuleni. I'll be in Chisinau wrapping up final things until my final exit of Moldova on Monday.

[lehmanrl]

Stopped by #BorisDinga yesterday to visit and bring some supplies. I was so happy to see the outer stairs repaired! It's a safer campus for this work.

[lehmanrl]

Had a fun part-day in #Odessa then sadly said "see you later" my besties. I hope they have a great final honeymoon stop in Amsterdam and I see them soon after returning to the US. Highlights of Odessa included Potemkin's Stairs, a big statue of Catherine the II, and this big ol' tough cat at the bus station. Bye bye, #Ukraine! #MyAnimalFriends #ItsACatDanceParty (at Odessa, Ukraine)

[lehmanrl]

Made some friends with a family of hippos in #Zatoka, #Ukraine. (at Причал 80)

[lehmanrl]

Fuzzy screencap of that structure I took the last video from. @melissameyer2010 took the picture while she patiently waited for Amy and me to get our fill of the great views of #Zatoka. #Ukraine #JerseyShore (at Затока)

[lehmanrl]

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I had a blast jumping around in the Black Sea today! Amy & I climbed a tower to get this view. Tomorrow we'll be back in the waves. #Zatoka #Ukraine #JerseyShore (at Затока)

[lehmanrl]

I had fun exploring #Zatoka, #Ukraine, by myself yesterday. Now I'm enjoying exploring it with friends! It's a fun resort town. #JerseyShore (at Затока)

[lehmanrl]

Making friends in #Zatoka! #MyAnimalFriends #Ukraine (at Причал 80)

[lehmanrl]

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We're given the opportunity to say some words at our Close of Service bell-ringing ceremony, but realized that were we to each truly thank those who made our service successful the speeches would last 30 minutes each. So, instead, we shared our love and gratitude through song. Here is the last part of it, which was a sing along. #PeaceCorpsMoldova #COS #HowISeePC @jsayles21 @jchrisflowers (at Peace Corps Office)

[lehmanrl]

And we're off! Us two newly dubbed Returned Peace Corps Volunteers are briefly heading out of Moldova with our visiting besties! Our bus to Zatoka, Ukraine, just pulled out of the North Bus Station in Chişinău. A few days of beach vacation are ahead before our friends head on to Amsterdam and we return to our beloved host country for final preparations to go home. (at Gara De Nord)

[lehmanrl]

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I could watch this all day. Had a great time seeing the #Cricova sparkling wine being made during our tour yesterday. (at Cricova Winery)

[lehmanrl]

Made our way out to #Cricova for an educational and fun tour! (at Wine Tour- Cricova Wine Cellar Underground Caves)

[lehmanrl]

Today was (ceremonialy) my last day as a #PeaceCorpsVolunteer and first as a "Returned" one, or alumna. I am so happy I got to mark the closure of my service with #PeaceCorpsMoldova with a ceremony with @jchrisflowers and @saylesj21, subbing speeches with a musical tribute to our love of our host country. I was so touched to be surrounded by friends and key supports from service, especially @izzie_gal, Eugenia, Ms. Donna, Mrs. Vera, Ms. Aurelia, Tereza, and more. I will carry these people in my heart for the rest of my life! More photos and probably some videos to come... #COS (at Peace Corps Office)

[lehmanrl]

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Thanks to a great recommendation by our friend Tom, we are enjoying an amazing meal and even better music at La Taifas restaurant in #Chişinău. (at La Taifas)

[lehmanrl]

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Happy Independence Day, Moldova! La mulţi ani! (at Criuleni)

[lehmanrl]

We had a great time celebrating Moldovan Independence Day at the Hora Neamului concert at the #Criuleni #CasaDeCultura. Loved the great dancing and looking forward to tonight's concert! (at Criuleni)