My thoughts are populated by many things we'll soon be without. Far greater than our absence from the relics of a land littered with an unfathomable history, is the people who've become family.
I'll give you one story, perhaps my greatest moment here. While working at one of the two Romani childrens centers, called Körnerova, a seven year old boy named Santino accepted me properly. Playing the game 'Telephone,' where a word whispered is passed the full distance of the circle. Each person is supposed to make sense of what they heard and keep it moving. Of course, the best part of the game is looking at what the word transforms into based off either miscommunication or wild running imaginations.
In this case, Santi started the round with a word in his native Romani language. I never did figure out the word's meaning, I just know it brought a thunderous laugh from his friends. Once the fury settled a bit and the attention had turned from Santi, I asked "To slovo, co znamena?" (the word, what does it mean?)
Still stood up from the last bit of excitement, he leaned on to me as I sat cross-legged, and said with one eye squinting, "It was in Romani language." He then leaned off me, and said as though it should be news for me, "I am Romani."
"Ja vim" (I know) I said. He then looked at me for what seemed like ten seconds with his impressive half grin, both hands full of the respective side of my unzipped hoodie.
With what looked like a barely acquired bit of courage he told me, "Jsi Romsky taky" (You're Romani too).
I told him, "YEEEEAAAAH, of course!" Before I'd gotten it all out, he had jumped wrapping his arms around me, giving me one of the more authentic hugs I remember.
He's not usually talking like that. I've grown close enough to Santino to recognize the legitimacy and rarity of such a situation. It was an infinite moment. Pure and cemented into what this place will always mean to me!
