Party in Moldova!

Moldova was full of nice farm fields and small towns but the highlight for my short time there was a May 9 celebration. That is the end of World War 2 and it is a big deal in Soviet Union countries.

While taking a break to fill my water for one of the many wells along the road I met a man on his motorcycle who invited me to a May 9 Moldova motorcycle rally in the nearby town of Bender. The party had started by the time I arrived. Moldovan wine, cognac, Moldovan beer, and Russian Vodka were on the menu. Being the only person there on a bicycle and from so far away (I actually won an award for that) I had a lot of interested people to explain myself to. Over the two days I spent there I can say I've never felt more welcome to a party. Everyone was so excited to drink with me, then feed me so that I didn't get too drunk, then take a picture, then drink with me more! Enough people spoke enough English that communication wasn't too difficult.

On my second at there I rode on the back of a motorcycle as the group paraded around the area to several war monuments and a castle. Veterans came to the camping area to tell their story in the afternoon and then the party continued with a live band, fireworks, belly dancers and a few bike competitions. I was even interviewed for the local television station. By the end of the weekend I had made several dear friends and I went 1-4 in arm wrestling, losing to both Russians and Moldovans.

So it was a wonderful experience in Moldova. Now, on the way out of the country I was given 2 liters of Moldova wine to keep me warm.

Across Romania

Romania had its beautiful moments and it's tiring moments but the camping never failed me.

I traveled mostly through farmland only exiting when the hills became too steep, and this hilly farm country was often amazing to bike through. Several days including picturesque snow capped mountains in the distance. An important point here is that they were in the distance to my right and not the approaching horizon in front of me. I did not go through the mountains but instead had plenty of foothills to make me sweat. Usually the days reached the high 80s. Many of the small towns I went through had wells with a bucket to dip into them or just springs flowing all the time onto the street. These were so prevalent that I don't think their was running water in the houses, just a few wells on every block.

Another common sight were horse drawn carts. Still a very useful way to get around here. The horses would sometimes be on a break eating a front yard at the side of the road. Cows were often doing this too however the sheep always had dedicated shepherds walking them about in large groups.

The small towns certainly had the farming feel, but the cities were very nice with big parks and many statues. I even saw a couple of castles one of which had a moat. Less people spoke English here than I've been experiencing, but I had a lot of people approach me and ask questions. A couple of times cyclists joined me for a few miles as well. Many people bicycled or walked between towns and hitchhikers were common place.

The people were friendly the roads were generally good and I found really nice camping every night. So if you want to see farms and farm animals in a rustic environment then go visit Romania. Be warned though. I was chased by dogs, sometimes in packs, several times a day. So whether it is first thing in the morning and you aren't warmed up yet or you are climbing a hill at the end of a long day, be prepared to sprint.