Hi Gib,
I have been to Chisinau. I had a decent time, but the place felt like it had bad juju to me. If you can avoid the Tiraspol border, please do so at all costs. My buddy and I were ripped off for a couple of hundred dollars there. We drive on via taxi from Odessa. I won't be making that mistake again.
I also had an incident with an apparent organized criminal.... long story. The girls were very nice, but I have to say that the men were not friendly at all.
The National Hotel has a number of businesses on the second floor. There is a bride agency that also brokers apartments. I recommend staying in an apartment rather than the hotel itself. It's less expensive, and the accomadations are better.
Also, if you're looking for English speakers, look for a pub called Amsterdam. I don't know if it's still open. I was there in April of 2007. But the owner is from Holland and you can get some great advice there. The main part of the city is small and you can see most of it on foot.
One strange thing... we walked around most nights and noticed that hardly anyone walked at night. It was really strange.
Noname.....I had a post on travel between odessa and chisinau, costs $12 for bus AND if you go through Palanca..... you avoid Transniester area and the bribes.
As far as walking at night, it could be dangerous as police are out in force, best to take buses to get around in downtown area. I think there are some clubs on Ismail....with plenty of taxi and smaller type buses taking every one home, city too big to walk home. It helps to have someone who lives there to help you.
Hi Beemer, we ended taking the bus back. Thanks for the info, but we had already found the bus at the South Bus Terminal that avoids Tiraspol.
The police being out in force at night would explain why we didn't see anyone walking. It was a little creepy, frankly speaking. But we didn't run into any problems with the police. Perhaps it was the time of year. We were there during the week of Easter.
Another question for you Beemer. Do you suppose that they left us alone because we are younger looking? We also don't look like typical westerners. I'm asking because I may go back, and I'd like to blend as well as possible.
We stayed right off Stefan Cel Mare, and were able to walk everywhere we needed to go (central city area).
I've been to Chisinau 2 times to visit the same girl. I stayed at an apartment that was managed by 'Adresa'. They have apartments that span the spectrum and I would recommend them.
I thought Chisinau was a nice town with nice people. I'm sure bad things happen, but it didn't seem like I had to avoid them like land mines.
My girlfriend was with me, so I had tour and translation services most of the time. I fended for myself a couple of days while she was at work and found that most people were willing to help (at the market, trolly-bus..etc)The girls seemed to be as pretty as anywhere else you would find in a FSU country, but were one scale 'glammed down' from Kiev (in my experience).
To me, Chisinau and it's women are probably where Kiev was eight years ago in attitude.
I have great memories of Chisinau and frankly miss the place. Haven't been there since 2006 but I do keep in contact with an incredible woman from there. And there were many more around as well.
If I was starting right now - Moldova is where I would go.
'Another question for you Beemer. Do you suppose that they left us alone because we are younger looking? We also don't look like typical westerners. I'm asking because I may go back, and I'd like to blend as well as possible.'
Maybe Noname.....but maybe more because you fit in better. I was walking alone on Sefan to my apt around 11;30 when I was asked something by group of police. I have been told many times, don't show any emotions with a young girl in front of police...expecially if older or look like foreigner....2 strikes for me.
"Maybe Noname.....but maybe more because you fit in better. I was walking alone on Sefan to my apt around 11;30 when I was asked something by group of police. I have been told many times, don't show any emotions with a young girl in front of police...expecially if older or look like foreigner....2 strikes for me."
beemer:
Show no emotion? Do mean affection? (I mean as if you two are a couple?)
Went out of my way in Moldova not to look like a foreigner, especially when with my much younger lady. I've been told I have the characteristic facial features of a local ara person - and I do my best to dress the part and fit in. As I've mentioned previously I always find it amusing, but also a feather in my cap, when a local guy comes up to me with a map obviously asking for directions in Russian. It happens pretty frequently and lets me know I must fit in pretty well.
American usually stand out like a sore thumb on holidays the usually white trainers (reeboks or nike) and baseball cap and large paunch with wife in tow.... and no disrespect to any Americans here btw!
My ladies are pretty particular about things like that. No white trainers. No baseball hats (not my style anyway). No t-shirts. Jeans only on rare occasion. But I tend to go the extra mile. I've even bought some of the pointy shoes men wear over there
hey Jet I have a friend who started a shoe business began imported leather shoes from Belarus and selling over here it didnt last but he had 15 sample pairs all size 9 I purchased 6 pairs at a cost price and some are pointy haha. Shoes I find over there are excellent and very hip I often get comments about them.