Wednesday June 20, 2012 – Chisinau, Moldova
I’ve been in Moldova since yesterday. I added a four-day side trip to here as
part of my Euro 2012 adventure in Ukraine. I couldn’t pass up the opportunity (since Moldova and
Ukraine are neighbors) to visit Brittany Hill (Smith Hall 2007-2010) who is
currently serving in the Peace Corps here. We left Kyiv (I’m traveling with a friend) at 8 am and
arrived her an hour later.
Brittany met us at the airport and we took a Rutiera (local bus) into
the center of town and proceeded to go to the Peace Corps office. There we relaxed a bit, let folks know
we arrived safely, etc and then proceeded on a short walking tour of the
city. It is ridiculously hot here
so there was only so much walking around we could handle. We had lunch at a great little Greek
restaurant and back to the Peace Corps office to enjoy the air conditioning and
wi-fi. Some time in the afternoon
we proceeded to the central bus terminal to catch another rutiera to Brittany’s
site in the town of Nisporeni (about 2 hours in a soviet-era bus with no air
conditioning). The adventure was
unfolding. Upon arriving the place
was what I had expected, like other towns I had been to in Eastern Europe. I had prepared myself for a little bit
of roughing it. Turns out I didn’t
have to, Brittany happened to luck out into a host house/family with a very
nice home with all the modern amenities.
We were warmly greeted by Julia (Brittany’s host mom), and we presented
her with a few bottles of Cricova (Moldova’s famous vineyard) sparkling
wine. Then dinner preparation
started ( a four hour affair that resulted in a fabulous meal). “Host Mom” as Brittany refers to Julia
made Placinta (basically farmers cheese seasoned with dill and green onions
rolled in dough and fried in oil), Brittany fried up some delicious battered zucchini,
salad was made and chicken was roasted on the grill – but instead of charcoal
or wood we used dried corn cobs (a brilliant re-use, and I think it added a
little something to the taste). We
devoured the food and chased it down with some great homemade wine. After dinner we cleaned up and then it
was time to watch the Ukraine v. England match on TV (Ukraine was robbed by the
way!). After sleeping till almost
9, we got up and quickly ate and then walked into town to visit one of the
projects Brittany is working on (a construction of a modern dance studio) as
part of her partnership. We then
visited her office, and then made our way back to the house and ultimately Chisinau.
We hung out a little more at the Peace Corps office and then
settled into the apartment that Brittany had arranged for us. We had a fabulous dinner at Pegas and
are now relaxing, reading, updating blogs etc. Tomorrow we are of to Orheiul Vechi (an ancient monastery
built into the side of cliffs).
It’s been great to see Brittany and think back to the day
when she first moved into Smith – I would have never guessed I’d be visiting
her in Moldova five years later.
In the center of Chisinau.
Brittany frying zuchini.
Placinta being fried - delicious!
Burning up the corn
"Host Mom"
"Host Mom's" grape vines
"Host Mom's" plum tree
The view from the backyard
The house.
Me and Brittany
The studio being built
Brittany in her office
