Now, thousands of miles from home, Kamas is discovering her assignment is about much more than sharing her farming know-how with Romanian farmers. The holiday season has become an opportunity to share as well as learn, and a season to connect with others in spite of differences.

"Christmas starts here on Dec. 6, when St. Nicolaus comes the night of the 5th and fills the kids' shoes with great stuff," Kamas said.

Not just any shoes. Just as Homer children search for the biggest stocking they can find to hang "by the chimney with care," Romanian youngsters set out the biggest pair of shoes available.

"Boots seem to always win as there is more room for stuff," Kamas said.

And with that, the season takes its first step.

The following week, kitchens become beehives of activity with much cooking being done and company welcomed.

The weekend before Christmas, church choirs gather. For Kamas, joining a choir was an extension of her activities in Homer.

"My experience with the community band in Homer was such a positive thing for me that I knew that joining a musical organization of some kind would help me integrate here," Kamas said.

Evening choir rehearsals are every Miercurie, or Wednesday, and Kamas has performed with the choir at the Emenescu Theatre, outdoors in a park and in the Citadel Catholic Church.

"We also do a candle walk, where we meet at one of the churches with candles and walk around the Citadel singing Christmas carols," Kamas said.

Although the lyrics are sung in English, they also are sung in Romanian, German and Latin, which makes for some "interesting homework assignments" for Kamas' Romanian language tutor.

In addition to singing, Kamas also is helping with three different craft circles. Two are with elementary students; one is with teenagers.

"They were all interested in what 'the American' can contribute with ideas," Kamas said.

Taking up the challenge, Camas helped the students make Christmas cards and pin cushions. She also made angels using macaroni and sold them at a festival. That particular craft brought much amusement, as Romanians had not considered macaroni as art.

Selling her crafts turned out to be another kind of cross-cultural sharing.

"I sold them in a different way they just don't do here: one for five, two for seven and three for 10, and then a sale on the last day," she said of her pricing. "Sales almost never happen here and they found that quite odd."

While at the fair, Kamas made a one-on-one connection that put all differences aside, a moment that stands out as "one which I will likely never forget."

The woman with whom Camas shared her booth spoke no English. Kamas admits her Romanian is at the first-grade level. That left the two with very little to talk about, but when she heard her booth-mate start humming a familiar carol, "Silent Night," Kamas joined in.

"Then we hummed another one, and another. No words, but the message was clear as the bells that ring here: Music is the universal language and everyone wants 'Peace on Earth,'" Kamas said. "We smiled and hugged each other, knowing we both understood the same message. That's the day I went home with a huge smile, totally exhausted and very, very happy."

The night before Christmas is celebrated at church, followed by families taking turns singing to friends and other families. Add to that offerings of tea and cake and "everyone goes home happy and full."

Christmas morning, Romanian children awake with the excitement of seeing what Santa has brought.

"We don't have much 'commercialism' here, just a lot of very sincere folks who appreciate the circle of love they are part of," Kamas said. "I have been fortunate enough to be included in this circle and so will take part in the festivities."

McKibben Jackinsky can be reached at mckibbenjackinsky.@homernews.com.