Becoming local!

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We have been staying in Ighusi Nou for just over a week now and our optimistic ‘Salute’ with our friendly wave, given to everyone we pass, however often, is finally paying off. The villagers don’t mind us filming and we are even getting asked to take portraits. Despite my misgivings Lisa joins the lads at the local pub for a beer. O rolls up on her bike and is able to act as translator although several lads speak a bit of English. They are all interested in why we have come here and as people with HIV are so ostracized in Romania, there is an air of surprise and (we think) support. We don’t have my little camera with us to show them pictures of the murals we have done so far, so guess we will rectify that one day soon. Evenings are always interesting in the village as things liven up as hay and cattle are brought in and people wander around as it gets cooler. This evening we watch a herd of cows strolling towards the crossroads outside the shop (pub). They split into two groups, each heading in opposite directions, towards their farms. Not one cow goes the wrong way and there isn’t anyone leading them. How do they do that?