Is it your first time in Moldova and first time in Chișinău? How did you decide to travel here?

It was my first time travelling in Moldova, even though the first time I wanted to cross the border was in 2018, when I was spending some days in Iasi (Romania) for an Erasmus + project. By that time, I only had 2 free days and I thought it wouldn’t be enough. Also, during my trips and projects related to Erasmus +, I had the chance to meet people from Moldova and so my desires increased. At some point, by the middle of November 2021, I really wanted to spend one week outside Spain, and flights Barcelona-Chisinau were really cheap, so I just bought them.

What was your first impression of the city? What were the first things that caught your eye or even surprised you about Moldova, culturally or otherwise? Is there anything that you couldn’t get used to living in Moldova?

I travelled a lot to Romania and to different areas of Romania, and I found the food really similar. Each dish with its own adaptations, but quite similar. Another thing that caught my eye was the bright and big buildings from the main street, together with the design and distribution of the city. I found the streets well organized, in a kind of a perfect grid, having all important public transport lines moving from the main street. Something else that impressed me was the big park next to the Triumphal Arch with all the flower shops. This is very unusual in Barcelona.
On the other hand, what was kind of bothering me was the language. I understand that not everybody speaks English, and that Moldovan and Romanian are not the same, but, despite trying to use Google translator and tried to communicate with signs, many people’s answers were: “No English”, and they weren’t even trying to understand me reading Romanian or body language.

What did you see? Where did you go these days?

I have the feeling that I was able to enjoy almost everything. Before coming, I double checked on internet walking tours and what to visit in Chisinau during a 5 day trip. On my first day, I walked around the city. I visited the City Museum, The Triumph Arch, The Cathedral, I walked around the main street, I saw the Stefan Cel Mare’s Statue, walked around the Valea Morilor’s Park, and around the Stefan cel Mare’s Park.
Further, I experienced Opera in Chisinau. By the time I was there, Madame Butterfly’s Opera was being staged, and that evening was perfectly delicious.
Finally, I was in two minds between spending 1-2 days in Transnistria or going to Odessa. Due to the current situation between Ukraine and Russia, I decided to spend those 2 days in Odessa, since I am not sure if there’s gonna be a war, and by then, travelling to Ukraine is going to be really hard. However, I am planning to come back during spring-summer and spend a few days travelling around the country and I hope to visit Transnistria.

Did you try some local foods? How did you like them? Are there any similarities between Western and Moldovan/Eastern European cuisine?

From the first day, I only ate traditional or, at least, Moldovan food. Placinta is one of my favorites. I found Moldova’s cuisine very similar to Romanian cuisine, but not similar at all to Mediterranean cuisine or other European countries. I might have tried some dishes in some local areas from Turkey (or at least, they reminded me what I was eating in Turkey), but I would not say they were the same.
I enjoyed a lot traditional Moldovan food and I would not mind to eat it more often.

Is there anything you’d do differently? Have you any advice for people who want to visit Moldova (and Chișinău)?

Well, for some reason I was expecting snow, and instead I’ve got a lot of rain. Weather wasn’t a big issue at all though, but I would have liked to be able to feel and enjoy the city maybe on some warmer/sunny days.
What’s my biggest recommendation? Don’t really plan your trip. Just let your mood lead you around the city (except if you want to go outside the city for 1-2 days, then you should double check marshutka’s schedules, since they might change during seasons).
Also, you should definitely spend 2€ buying a Sim Card since it is super useful and the signal works really well.
Finally, don’t try to imagine how it would be. Enjoy the experience itself since it is a growing city, full of places to discover and explore.