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	*Adventures of an American in Chisinau*

1/18 I saw a man walking on water and it was me! Sorry for the long time since I wrote. I have been getting settled. Chisinau is delightful and I have already made my first presentations at an American Studies workshop. I have had to to go the embassy several times and each time I walk through the city, I wonder about Soviet times (perhaps because the Soviet architecture is everywhere). I think about growing up with all the perceptions of an American born in the 1960s and what the reality of life was really like in the Soviet Union (not so good).

As for the walking on water, I can do it every day--as do thousands of Chisinauians (some in high heels). I am talking about the 1-3 inches of ice that cover most of the sidewalks and many of the roads. It is like a huge skating rink! I am fortunate because I brought something called Yak-Traks with me that fit on the soles of your shoes to give you traction. They work great! So maybe I need to quit thinking that it is a miracle. More to come...

Winter in Chisinau 2006

Chez Grant in Chisinau

1/6 I found a really nice apartment (apartment in Romanian) in the center of town. Picture is to the right. I am afraid I was unable to get an old Soviet-style prefabricated bloc apartment. Alas, I must suffer through living a newly renovated place downtown with its own hot water and thermostat--will be difficult. Well, this is my last post from Macon...tomorrow its Atlanta-New York-Istanbul and then Istanbul-Chisinau. I should be back on-line with e-mail, etc within a week.

12/22 In eagar anticipation of arrival in Chisinau, I redid the website and cleaned up some things...not much longer until I leave. Soon I will be passing through the "Gates of the City"--which are high rise apartment blocks (see picture at right). I realized today that I am expected to give a lecture when I arrive entitled: "How Domestic Politics in the United States Affects its Role as a Global Political Actor." I guess I ought to give it some thought. The next significant event (besides packing) is to secure a place to live in Chisinau. There are tons of choices--gone are the good old Soviet days when choice was something that you could only hope for. I have been told one luxury worth obtaining in my apartment is an independently controlled thermostat--in the old days when many of the buildings were built the city was on central heat--meaning that the heat was controlled centrally by the city and not the tenants of the apartment blocks. Also have an independent hot water heater is an advantage. Much to learn. I have to admit I face some anxiety about leaving home for so long but I think, all in all, it will be a great experience.

The City "Gates" a Soviet Urbanization program undertaken on the outskirts of the city. This the view of Chisinau as you come in from the airport.

chisinau Picture courtesy of Dr. John Rager, 2003-04 Fulbright Scholar

Strada Ciuflea--picture by Dr. John Rager of Amherst College (former Fulbrighter).

11/3 OK, time is getting short (oh, gosh what is the Romanian word for short--ah, yes scurt). I can't believe how time is flying and how much more I need to do to prepare for leaving. I need to pack books, buy supplies, and all sorts of other things. Ada has graciously agreed to continue my language tutoring over the Christmas break and I know I need it! I read yesterday that talks are underway to let the Transdneistria join Ukraine as a resolution to the 13 year old standoff. It will be interesting to see if the borders are still the same when I get there in January--but I am not holding my breath. At the left is a typical scene from a Chisinau street.

9/19 With three and a half months to go, my Romanian is still weak but I have my plane ticket! A stopover in Istanbul would be nice and I am really hoping that Lee can go with me. He will be super valuable in getting my apartment set up and I can use most of his luggage allowance for the flight over (I wound up with about 200 lbs). I set up the blog today and borrowed some photos (with any luck I can start adding my own photos to the site in January).

Cathedral of Chisinau

Chisinau Cathedral