Little Easter

As mentioned previously, Easter in Moldova operates a little differently than it does in America.  First of all, Orthodox Easter begins the week after America's Easter, and it runs for about 8 days.  On the last day, a Monday, everyone goes to the cemetary to have their food blessed (again) and to have little picnics beside the graves of loved ones.  The cemetary is prepared for this, as it is strewn with built-in picnic tables and benches.  I rather like the idea - it seems to celebrate the lives of those lost rather than morn over them.  And as it is done yearly, Moldovans seem to stay in closer contact with those departed than we do in America.  [Or maybe it's just me, but I've never gone to a ceremony outside of a funeral.]