Tanja’s thoughts
N 45°41'06.5'' E 028°24'33.3''We were talking last night and Denis said that he envied me a bit when I was allowed to go out and get the things we needed or make inquiries while he was writing. So now I envy Denis because he has just left and I am writing… no, it’s not quite like that… I am happy to report a little now:
Moldova! On the way to the border I got more and more excited, in a positive, curious way of course. What should I imagine this country to be, preferably nothing, I think to myself at the same time. After we cross the border, it feels different, although I immediately think to myself that it might be my imagination. Just because I know I’m in Moldova doesn’t mean it feels any different… let’s wait and see.
In any case, it is clear that people here are not used to travelers in our form. In other words, people dressed as colorful as parrots pushing their bikes forward. We wave to each other and laugh. What pleases me greatly is the fact that I can read Cyrillic writing on the stores and signs here. Not that we have any particular knowledge of Russian. But hope dies last. By which I mean it can still happen. We soon realize that we can already communicate more here than in Romania. At the moment, I’m only writing about my very first impressions. For example, I also have the feeling that people don’t want to look at us too much, even though they actually want to. I think that is meant very politely. I am more rude. For example, take a look at your neighbor’s table to see what’s there. Then we all have to laugh again. Last night we sat at a table in a street pub. Denis enjoyed taking photos of the different cars and we looked at the streetscape together. At some point I realize that guests have sat down at tables behind us and are watching us. We also have to keep a close eye on things, because when we go into a small store here, I stop for a moment. Everything is well sorted, lovingly presented and arranged. Cookies and sweets are sold individually. One more reason why I was absolutely speechless when the girls each gave us a sweet and the bigger ones a picnic bag… People who certainly have less than we do meet us with so much generosity.
