As we finally appeared in the city we will have to use the public transport sooner or later. Chisinau is not a big city (aprox. 800 000 inhabitans), but still, you cannot only walk.
You may think you're coming to Eastern Europe, where everything is messed-up and mysterious. But it's not all that bad. Basically, it's not much complicated.
So we have trolleybuses - that cover the most important lines in the city, cost - 2 moldovan lei for a ride. It doesn't matter if you go one stop or the whole route, it's always the same. You buy the ticket at "the conductor" that is present in every troley. He or she always wears kind of purple "uniform" so is easy to recognize. Anyway, you don't have to bother with looking for them, just get in, take your seat and wait. The conductor will show up very fast for sure :)
What's interesting, even when the bus is crowded to imposible extent (you will experience it in the rush hours) the conductor - in unknown way - will manage to squeeze through the crowd and take your money :)
Another mean of transportation - buses - they are commercial what makes them more expensive - 3 lei for a ride. The scheme is exactly the same as in trolleys.
And the last and most characterisitc way - mini buses, very often called marshrutkas, from Russian. The legend says that they goes and stops no-one-knows-where. The reality is not that crazy, but there is a bit of truth in it. So, marshrutka will stop wherever you want, to get in you wave your hand, and to get out you just ask it to stop. However, sometimes it can happen that the driver will just act like he feels like a the moment, for example not stop at all to let you in. Well, that's this mysterious part that you can only agree with...
When it's about their routes, they are fixed, each number goes always the same way so no worries that it will take you to another place than a day before. You pay to the driver.
One more thing characteristic for Moldovans, not only in the buses - unknown people don't really talk to each other. And I don't mean here some serious conversations or even small talks, I mean they don't say a word!
For example in the bus, the conductor (they are exeptions of course) will not ask you to give him money, he will come and just look at you. Then you will give him the money without "please" and take the ticket without "thank you". This thing makes everything easier for the foreigner who doesn't speak the language, you don't feel lost here, you just fit in! ;)
And that's the next reason why it's worth to come here!
Tuesday 11 February 2014
Saturday 1 February 2014
Why would you even get here?
What is so special about this country that it would be worth to choose it from around 200 countries in the world, huh?
That's what I'm trying to determine by being here. But first let's focus on official data.
They say that it's the poorest country in Europe, maybe. The statistics could even confirm that. But it's not a point. There is nothing attractive in poverty.
It's still an undiscovered tourist destination, what for many people makes it interesting at once. How many of your friends were here? How many of them know where it's located? Mine - when I bragged I'm going to move here, reacted like it would be somewhere in Central Asia, along with Kazakhstan! (Yeah, I'm very, very ashamed of them!). Well, that is a plus, defenitely.
It's one of the countries that have the frozen conflict on its teritory. Ever heard of Transnistria? They say is a unique communism times' museum. And you can just go there and check it out. Sounds pretty atractive to me.
Chisinau is the greenest capital of Central - Eastern Europe. That's what I read and that's what is visible even in the middle of the winter - there are plenty of trees. Green leaves are something one must wait for, but spring should be really beautiful here. Another plus.
And the last thing - languages. Moldovan is bilingual country, where most people speak Romanian (or Moldovan - they say you can pick up the name according to your political orientation) and Russian.
Russian is what I've learnt from some time and I want to be better in it. And Romanian is the most beautiful language in the world :)
These points are the reason that made me come to Chisinau. They may be enough also for you. But if they are not, please take your time and let me convince you with my discoveries.
As a bonus - first pictures of Chisinau, district Botanica.
That's how looks every street, full of trees along it.
Polish accent :) Work of Polish Institute in Bucharest from 2012.
That's what I'm trying to determine by being here. But first let's focus on official data.
They say that it's the poorest country in Europe, maybe. The statistics could even confirm that. But it's not a point. There is nothing attractive in poverty.
It's still an undiscovered tourist destination, what for many people makes it interesting at once. How many of your friends were here? How many of them know where it's located? Mine - when I bragged I'm going to move here, reacted like it would be somewhere in Central Asia, along with Kazakhstan! (Yeah, I'm very, very ashamed of them!). Well, that is a plus, defenitely.
It's one of the countries that have the frozen conflict on its teritory. Ever heard of Transnistria? They say is a unique communism times' museum. And you can just go there and check it out. Sounds pretty atractive to me.
Chisinau is the greenest capital of Central - Eastern Europe. That's what I read and that's what is visible even in the middle of the winter - there are plenty of trees. Green leaves are something one must wait for, but spring should be really beautiful here. Another plus.
And the last thing - languages. Moldovan is bilingual country, where most people speak Romanian (or Moldovan - they say you can pick up the name according to your political orientation) and Russian.
Russian is what I've learnt from some time and I want to be better in it. And Romanian is the most beautiful language in the world :)
These points are the reason that made me come to Chisinau. They may be enough also for you. But if they are not, please take your time and let me convince you with my discoveries.
As a bonus - first pictures of Chisinau, district Botanica.
How do you even get here?
Moldova is not very easy-to-reach country if you want to do it in a cheap way. Even from Poland which lies pretty close. But one can manage. Getting here, I choosed the direct bus from Warsaw through Cracow by Eurolines. Cost - around 60 euro.
Like for the bus it was quite comfortable, not many people, so I had two seats for me, very warm, the movies going on the screen and very nice company. Although, to lead a proper conversation (like, if you belive in God and why - as I was asked just after I took my seat) Russian or Romanian language is a must. English is not too common.
When you're going to Moldova from somewhere far away - the only option is a flight. You can choose few companies from several European cities, mostly Italian like Bolonia, Milan, Rome and Verona. A lot of flights is possible also from Romanian Bucharest and from Moscow. Less often flights are available from London, Istanbul and few others, even Dubai.
The whole schedule available on the airport website:
http://www.airport.md/full-flight-schedule-en/
If you'd like to travel cheaply there is an option for you - Wizzair.
It covers two Italian airports - Rome Ciampino and Venice Treviso.
It flies to Chisinau from both cities twice a week - on Tuesday and Saturday and the way back the same.
Prices start from 30 euros one way, but you should look for it 3 months in advance.
There is also another option to visit Moldova - coming from the neighbouring countries - Romania and Ukraine. You will find plenty here.
By train: like I read, trains are not popular mean of transportaion in Moldova, they are slow and the infrastructure is really poor. But you can use it to get here from Moscow, Kiev, Odessa or Bucharest.
By bus: from almost every big Romanian city, mostly form Iasi - few times a day. Same situation is with Ukrainian Odessa.
As you see it is not that bad with the transport when you start looking for it ;) So check your options, maybe you'll find out it's for you easier than you think!
Like for the bus it was quite comfortable, not many people, so I had two seats for me, very warm, the movies going on the screen and very nice company. Although, to lead a proper conversation (like, if you belive in God and why - as I was asked just after I took my seat) Russian or Romanian language is a must. English is not too common.
When you're going to Moldova from somewhere far away - the only option is a flight. You can choose few companies from several European cities, mostly Italian like Bolonia, Milan, Rome and Verona. A lot of flights is possible also from Romanian Bucharest and from Moscow. Less often flights are available from London, Istanbul and few others, even Dubai.
The whole schedule available on the airport website:
http://www.airport.md/full-flight-schedule-en/
If you'd like to travel cheaply there is an option for you - Wizzair.
It covers two Italian airports - Rome Ciampino and Venice Treviso.
It flies to Chisinau from both cities twice a week - on Tuesday and Saturday and the way back the same.
Prices start from 30 euros one way, but you should look for it 3 months in advance.
There is also another option to visit Moldova - coming from the neighbouring countries - Romania and Ukraine. You will find plenty here.
By train: like I read, trains are not popular mean of transportaion in Moldova, they are slow and the infrastructure is really poor. But you can use it to get here from Moscow, Kiev, Odessa or Bucharest.
By bus: from almost every big Romanian city, mostly form Iasi - few times a day. Same situation is with Ukrainian Odessa.
As you see it is not that bad with the transport when you start looking for it ;) So check your options, maybe you'll find out it's for you easier than you think!
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