buffer state between Russia and Europe
When Moldova declared its independence from the USSR in 1991, a war broke out in which the region Transnistria declared its indepedence. However no other country recognizes it and the is a post soviet frozen conflict.
In former times this region was also called Bessarabia and it served as a buffer region between the great powers Austria, Russia and the Ottoman Empire. Even today, it still has a strong geopolitical importance, which also explains the increased interest of Russia, which is thereby keeping the EU and NATO at a distance. It has more than 1000 soldiers in this non-existing-country and keeps it alive by sending financial support.
The name Transnistria is derived from the river Dnister, to the east of which the area extends. Transnistria is wedged between Romania and the Ukraine and lies in the south of Moldova. The capital of the region is Tiraspol which only has about 150.000 inhabitants
Like a normal country, Transnistria has its own border, a flag, a currency, a government and vehicle registration.
a non existing country with its own border
After 1 week in Chișinău, the Moldovan capital, I went by bus to Tiraspol. On the border we stopped and the Transnistrian border officials checked our passports but were not allowed to stamp it, because other countries dont accept this stamps. Therefore, you only get a small piece of paper inserted in your passport, on which the exact time of entry and maximum time of departure is stated. The latter depends on the confirmation of the reservation of the accommodation that one has to show to the border officials.
My hostel was the Like Home Hostel, but it was actually a guest house rather than a hostel as the family of the owners were also living in the house. My hostel was almost empty in the first night, only in the 2nd night other guests arrived. The family was very nice and always made breakfast early in the morning and even invited me and the other guests to a cognac one night. There were 2 bedrooms and a kitchen, but strangely there were absolutely NO utensils available. No pots, no glasses, no knives - nothing.
Communism still alive here
In Tiraspol communism still survived to this day. The statues of Lenin shine in a glory as ever or the tank monuments with Soviet stars still testify the power of the Soviet Union. All these monuments are located on the main street named after Karl-Liebknecht, the communist revolutionary leader. In the city there are still classic Soviet canteens, where the die-hards enjoy their borscht near Lenin sculptures and Soviet pennants.
Tiraspol is therefore above all a city worth seeing, for all those who want to see what a city looks like that is still a little stuck in the Soviet era of the 80s/90s. Apart from that there are not too many sights here.
Plastic coins as money
A popular souvenir for tourists are the plastic chip coins with which you can pay in the country. However, they are usually not used for payment. You have to ask at the shops to get this currency at all. Moreover, the Transnistrian rouble cannot be exchanged anywhere, because it is not accepted anywhere except in Transnistria itself.
Another thing tourists should buy here is the excellent cognac that is produced in the local Kvint factory. You can get if for a very cheap price here and its hard to find abroad.
Locals usually have 3 passports
In the evening I went with the others from the hostel to a local restaurant. We were lucky to have a Russian with us, because she could translate everything for us. Only few speak English here.
In the evening we wanted to go to a club, but the only club is closed during the week. People don't have enough money to go out during the week. They don't earn much money here, so most of the younger ones emigrate. The son of my hostel owner, for example, studied in Russia. Many of the people living here have three 3 passports: one Romanian, one Russian and one Ukrainian.
On my 2nd day in Transnistria I visited Bender.
