Chisinau

Moldova is not famous, nore is Chisinau. This is for a good reason. Moldavians are not allowed to travel to the Schengen countries. The only places in the neighbourhood where it is easy to get in is Turkey, Ukraine and Belarus. Not the usual tourist destinations. Moldova is isolated and offers little job opportunities. I got the impression that there is a common feeling of depression - of have given up. There are two big obstacles for them to enter the EU: They have a reputation of illegal activities such as human trafficking, drug smuggling, money laundering and a generally corrupt society.

Second: The breakaway region of Transnistria is effectively a separate country within the borders of Moldova. Transnistria is strongly pro Russian. They have suspended all trains with exception of a daily train to Moscow. With a dispute like that looming they wont get any approval by the EU. 

I established that they are not proud people, with one exception. The Soviets have build vast tunnels, which would function as a bunker for the elite during war. High ceiling salon await the visitor. The entrance door is camouflaged and looks like Batman's Cave. Nowadays it is a vast wine cellar. I tried a wine supposedly from 1987. It was very sweet and not so good. I stayed at a hostel near the MALLdova. The staff spoke good English and all spend some time in the US because they have won a National English contest. But now that they are back they shouldnt be around tourists telling stories of  other countries all time. Its not healthy.

I met the funniest Japanese person till date and had a lot of fun drinking wine with ang getting on the Buchaerst bus together.

The city consist of two main roads - make that one - that is lined with a few too big buildings and exchange booths. No hustle, no bustle.