31/03/2019
Moldova Tourist Visa Available..
When someone thinks of France, the imagination runs wild; at least mine does! I like to picture myself sitting under the Eiffel tower, sipping cappuccinos at a cute little cafe, while the smell of freshly baked bread fills the air and maybe a skinny man with a long waxed mustache and a striped shirt rides his bicycle through the cobblestone streets. As he passes me he winks and tosses me a macaroon… Yeah, that sounds like France. Then again, maybe that’s just my imagination. My point here is that France, like several other European countries, is easy to picture. We’ve seen photographs, it’s been romanticized in movies, and maybe we’ve even dreamed about visiting. But this blog post isn’t about France, it’s about Moldova. Take a second to picture Moldova, go ahead, I’ll wait……
What came to mind? Where did you go? What did you see?
If you’re like most Americans you probably had a hard time with this exercise. Why? Sadly, we don’t know much about this beautiful little country. When I first thought about going to Moldova with Word Made Flesh I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. I didn’t have any preconceived notions, I hadn’t spent hours dreaming about what life would be like in this former Soviet Republic. I was most certainly excited, but didn’t have any knowledge about the country aside from its location and a bit of its intriguing history. Is it cold? What language do they speak? Did the air smell like freshly baked bread?
I’ve been here for two months now, and I’ve fallen in love with this place, with the culture, and most of all with its people. Now if asked to visualize Moldova I’d be able to share for hours of its beauty and hidden uniqueness. However, for time and interest’s sake, I’ll whittle it down to a few of my favorites. So here goes, here are five things that surprised me about Moldova.
A Deep Sense of Community:
When first arriving in Moldova, especially Chisinau, one may be tempted to think that it is a land and a city like any other: busy, industrious, and full of people who are keen to go about their own business. However, this impression is not one that lasts! Once a conversation is started, a warmth and a deep sense of community exude from Moldovans in city and village alike. Even the big city of Chisinau begins to feel rather small after a few weeks, as former strangers begin to form one’s new community!
The Beauty of the Land:
Chisinau is full of parks, nature, and lot’s of greensapce. Beyond Chisinau lie beautiful fields of wildflowers, rolling expanses of hay, corn, and sunflowers, beautiful villages nestled in valleys, and vineyards as far as the eye can see. By night one can witness more stars than thought possible; by day, vivid blue skies and gorgeous clouds. The beauty seen in Moldova does not waver!
Incredible Food and Hospitality:
“Ai mâncat? Vine, mânînca!” are likely some of the first Romanian words one will learn when visiting Moldova: “Did you eat? Come, eat!” Although the dishes vary as far as culinary style is concerned, the grand hospitality and sense of welcoming that the food is served with never changes.
Dedication of the People:
There is a deeply rooted spirit of hard work and dedication found in Moldova that is hard to match. Excellence in vocation, education, and culture are a strong part of the Moldovan spirit. Coupled with the generosity and hospitality mentioned above, any visitor will find that an invitation to partake in the rich history of Moldovan culture is extended often and warmly!
Rich Culture:
Statues, memorials, shrines, and other historical markers are found in every city and village. Nearly all Moldovans speak both Russian and Romanian, and many take delight in reciting poetry. Centuries old traditions in dance, food, and ceremony are passed down from generation to generation with the utmost care, creating a beautiful, close-knit, and longstanding culture all its own.
So why did I tell you all of this? Am I secretly being paid by the Office of Tourism for Moldova? No, though it would be a lovely place for your next family vacation. I’m telling you this because there is certainly no place quite like Moldova. When you think about Europe I hope that you now include Moldova in that picture, because such a beautiful country full of such wonderful people is not to be overlooked. Indeed, I want you to know the Moldova that I’ve grown to love!
