A poor country torn between EU and Russia
Moldova, a landlocked state, is located between Ukraine and Romania and thus also in a dilemma between pro EU or pro Russia. Before the Second World War, the country belonged to Romania, then to the USSR until it declared independence in 1991. In the course of the declaration of independence, a multi-ethnic war took place in 1992, which resulted in the creation of today's de facto state of Transnistria in southern Moldova. No country has recognised this de facto state, only with the help of Russia it can survive.
Formerly one of the most prosperous republics in the USSR, Moldova is now the poorest country in Europe. The Transnistrian conflict is a burden on the country and so the economy is largely based on agricultural income. Many of the qualified young people leave the country and support those who stayed at home with payments from abroad. Some pensioners have to live on 50€ per month, cannot even afford electricity and sit lonely in the dark.
Many of the Moldavians can speak both Romanian and Russian, whereas in the capital Chișinău the Russian speakers predominate. Just over 530,000 people live in the capital.
Raw countryside & friendly people
I arrived in the Republic of Moldova via Romania. A small minibus took me from Iași in Romania to the Moldovan capital Chișinău. Since Moldova is not part of the EU, everyone's passports are needed and stamped at the border. Already at first sight I noticed that the country still has a very rough and wild character. Grasses grow freely on the land or chickens run around. And the small minibus had to slalom because of the many potholes in the streets.
What I also noticed immediately is that the people here are much nicer than in Romania. The passengers in the bus asked where I wanted to go, because they saw that I am a foreigner and wanted to help me.
Excellent hostel but some weird guests
My bus dropped me off in the centre of the capital. I had to walk only a few blocks to my hostel, the Amazing Ionika Hostel. In the hostel I was welcomed by a warm Italian who settled there with a Moldavian woman and named the hostel after his daughter.
My first night in this hostel has been hell, because in my room was a very weird Canadian pensioner. While talking he stood extremely close to you, stared into your eyes and left extremely long pauses while talking. In addition, he sometimes started conversations with atomic bomb jokes. During the night he snored so loudly that I could not sleep a wink.
The next day I changed rooms. Also there I had a strange guest with me in my room, who was in bed all week and sleeping. He only got up occasionally to eat something. He had apparently recently been banned from the USA and was now in rehab.
I didn't want to change the hostel, because I liked it a lot. Most of the other guests were very nice. Also the Italian owner was very helpful and offered among other things self made wine for a small price or cheaper tours.
Exploring the city with my Australian friend
I was quite surprised when I met my Australian buddy Chris here again, because I had met him before in Romania.
With him I went out to explore the city. From a tower we first got a short panoramic view of the city and later we walked on to a lake and a beautiful park, where there is a huge red memorial, which reminds of the fallen Moldavian soldiers in World War II. The central part of the memorial is a pyramid of five 25-meter-high stone weapons, at the centre of which is a five-pointed star with an eternal flame. Afterwards we visited a war museum, where a variety of tanks were exhibited. We walked further to a 13-metre high triumphal arch that marks the centre.
Delicious & cheap food in Propaganda café
The city is partly still marked by communist times. One of the most famous restaurants in town is the Propanda Café where you can still feel the Soviet vibe. A great restaurant, the service was very nice, the prices very good and the food was delicious. I paid just over 10 € for a soup, main course and cake.
Nice city to chill
As difficult as it is to see a beautiful woman in Germany; it is as difficult to see an ugly woman in Chișinău. The Moldovan women are among the most beautiful in Europe. They are very friendly and family-conscious but have certain prejudices about western men, of whom they think that they are only here for "quick pleasure". So there are not many women hanging around in the nightlife, probably also because they don't have that much money.
Even though Chișinău is definitely not one of the most attractive cities I enjoyed the city very much. I liked the relaxed atmosphere, some nice parks, the low prices and it is also in a better condition than I thought. Also the weather was still pretty warm and sunny in September, so I stayed 1 week in total in Chișinău with 2 short day trips to the monastery of Orheiul Vechi and the winery of Cricova.
No prescription needed for antibiotics
Moreover, I could cure my cold completely. Already in Romania the inflammation in my throat started to get more painful and slimy. I was about to see a doctor in Moldova, but the relaxed Italian hostel owner told me it was no problem. Simply go to a pharmacy and get an antibiotic prescription! A prescription from the doctor is not needed here. So I eventually followed this procedure and after a few days of using the chemical spray I was free of complaints and could continue my travel.
