SOME COOL LINKS:  Mostly about Moldova

Moldova.org  good for news and events in and about Moldova.

Clipa.Siderala  works to provide better lives for orphans.

Peter Myers' Blog contains the adventures of a Peace Corps teacher in a nearby village.

Mary Magoulick's Blog a colleague of mine from GC&SU, who is on a Fulbright in Croatia this semester.

SPIA the School of Public and International Affairs at the University of Georgia--my graduate alma matter.

  Links to all of my on-line ramblings and other useful information.

  

The Moldova "Quasi-Blog" VI:

Flag of the Republic of Moldova

 The Adventure Continues...and continues...but will eventually end...

 

The fountain in Parcul Stefan cel Mare in Chisinau (summer)...

     Which one is Stefan and which is Vasile Lupo?  Hint...in addition to greatness, Stefan is a saint.

Pastoral scene near Floresti

What else--a Marshrutkya!

   11 June...Lists of my time in Moldova...As I have only a few weeks left, I am reflecting some on my time here.  I started to make a "top ten" list about Moldova and realized it really ought to be several lists.  So here goes...

10 Best things I did in Moldova...

  1. Got involved with Clipa Siderala and went to see orphanages.
  2. Got to teach in Moldovan universities.
  3. Made great friends with Moldovans, other Fulbrighters, Foreign Service Officers, and Peace Corps Volunteers.
  4. Visited my students in their villages.
  5. Learned Romanian.
  6. Had visitors (Vickie, Lee and Dan) from the States.
  7. Joined the gym.
  8. Went to Orheiul Vechi.
  9. Drank Moldovan wine.
  10. Walked across the frozen lake.

The 10 funniest thoughts and questions that crossed my mind in Moldova...

  1. Are those chickens on the Marshruytka that I am riding?
  2. I wonder if there is a place that teaches Gaugauzian?
  3. Is that a statue of Stefan cel Mare si Sfint...he looks different for some reason?
  4. Does the grilled beef tongue come with mamaligia--or do I need to order mamaligia seperately?
  5. How does she walk in 6" heels--especailly on ice?!?
  6. Does anyone have any wine at home?
  7. Could I get extra corn but no mayonaise on my pizza, please?
  8. Is he speaking Russian or Romanian or is it a combination of the two?
  9. Where does one find gold sequins to sew on see-through material?  (appropriate to ask both men and women).
  10. That was a fancy, nice, new Marshrutkya--with any luck it will be on route 127 next week.

Some of my hopes for Moldova (and Moldovans):

Prospertity
Peace
Opportunity
Good Life
Fancy, new Marshrtukyas for every route

Actually, the last one is, of course, a joke because I hope for Moldovans a life better than what is here now...one where there are no orphanages or pensioners going through the garbage looking for food...

   The "City Gates" as entering the city from the airport.

One half of the gates (close-up)

The "gates" and some of Botanica as seen from Ciocana.
   
   
   
   

 

Adventures of Dr. Chris Grant of Mercer University/2006 Fulbright Scholar

 

Moldova Patria Mea means Moldova, my homeland...my guess but my Romanian to English translations are imaginative if not always accurate...

E-mail me: john.christopher.grant@gmail.com or grant_jc@mercer.edu

IM me on Yahoo: chris_grant1234...