"Occupy Moldova"

There's a protest happening in Moldova right now, mostly in Chișinău, similar to the "Occupy" movements that happened in The States a few years ago. They're protesting the recent bank scandal where the equivalent of over a BILLION dollars just vanished! That's billion with a "B" and that's in dollars, not Moldovan lei. So Moldovans have set up tents outside of the parliament building demanding justice. This photo was taken a couple months ago, but the movement has grown since then and PCVs have been on lockdown from going to Chișinău on the weekends just in case it becomes violent. 

People are representing their various villages. Florești is a raion (similar to a county)  near my raion of Soroca.

Pro European Union Protest in Chișinău

While in Chișinău on May 16, we came across a protest. There seems to be a protest every weekend in Chișinău. According to 

http://tv-o.org/video_listing/may-16-2015-moldova-anti-government-protest-hits-chisinau/ 

"Thousands gathered at a rally in Chișinău on Saturday, demanding Moldovan authorities implement reforms in order to bring the country closer to the European Union. Demonstrators marched through the centre of the city, with police securing the area. No violence was reported."

There were so many protesters that they stopped traffic for a while...they finally lifted their banners to let an ambulance drive under.

Chișinău Internațional Marathon

This past Sunday a bunch of us PCVs (and thousands of others) ran (and walked) in the 2nd Chișinău International Marathon (the 1st one was in 1986!)! Well, most of us did the 10k (including myself) and some of us did he 1/2 marathon. There was also a 3k "Fun Run" that i know at least 1 of us did :o]

It was perfect weather and i did pretty good, considering i hadn't trained for it! 1:21 was my time :o]

Left to right: Christine, Rosza, Mike, Ann, me, Rosemary, Aana, Monica.

Hi Jeff!!

You're doing great Rosza!!

Strong work Adrin, Monica, and Ann!

Way to go Sydney!

You did it Christine!! Congrats!

I love this picture! Way to go Rosza!!

Christmas in Chișinău!

From top to bottom, left to right: John, me, Rosemary, Nate.

Me & Rosie

The day after Christmas dinner at the "Embassy House"... notice: NO SWEET POTATOS!!! Moldovans have never even heard of them!!! 😢

Rosie petting Matty at the "Embassy House".

Crăciun (Christmas) in Chișinău

After seeing my Mayor's Office's "frumos" Christmas decor (which can be seen in a prior blog posting), it was good to see that the capitol (Chișinău) decorates to 'almost' American Christmas decor standards. ;op

(From left to right: Rosemary, Nate, Rosza, me, Dominique)