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The only tourist in Moldova

telegraph.co.uk

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Re: The only tourist in Moldova

#251

Post by ciceryadam »

g1sm wrote: post #92
userulluipeste wrote: post #84

"Sergiu exuberantly offers up shot glasses of mulberry vodka, pine-needle vodka, strawberry vodka, “medicine” vodka, “78 per cent proof” vodka" Although Moldova has vodka-drinking Slavs in it, the beverages described are not vodkas. Vodka is made of cereals or potatoes, whereas these are nicer-flavored, fruit-based distilled beverages that locals call "rakiu", in English it would be schnapps: https://en.wikipedia.org…

I’m guessing it’s actually răchie from pine cones, not needles. Either way, now I’m curious to try it.

also try https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Borovi%C4%8Dka

The difference between gin and borovicka is that gin is usually a neutral tasting alcohol that gets the juniper berries macerated in them, but borovicka is vapor infused during the distilling process.

One of my favourites is https://www.zufanek.cz/en/product/borovicka-juniper-spirit/

Re: The only tourist in Moldova

#252

Post by kvgr »

userulluipeste wrote: post #84

"Sergiu exuberantly offers up shot glasses of mulberry vodka, pine-needle vodka, strawberry vodka, “medicine” vodka, “78 per cent proof” vodka" Although Moldova has vodka-drinking Slavs in it, the beverages described are not vodkas. Vodka is made of cereals or potatoes, whereas these are nicer-flavored, fruit-based distilled beverages that locals call "rakiu", in English it would be schnapps: https://en.wikipedia.org…

In russia everything is vodka. Sometimes this overflow to english. In europe it is kore distinguished.

Re: The only tourist in Moldova

#253

Post by kvgr »

kwhitefoot wrote: post #223
userulluipeste wrote: post #84

"Sergiu exuberantly offers up shot glasses of mulberry vodka, pine-needle vodka, strawberry vodka, “medicine” vodka, “78 per cent proof” vodka" Although Moldova has vodka-drinking Slavs in it, the beverages described are not vodkas. Vodka is made of cereals or potatoes, whereas these are nicer-flavored, fruit-based distilled beverages that locals call "rakiu", in English it would be schnapps: https://en.wikipedia.org…

78% or 78 degrees proof? They are different measures in different places. Slivovitz, for instance, is typically 70% alcohol. Proof spirit (100 proof) in the UK is 57.06% alcohol by volume, in the US and Australia it is 50%, in France Gay-Lussac defined proof degree and percent alcohol by volume to be the same. See https://www.britannica.com/story/why-is-alcohol-measured-by-...

Slivovitza and other fruit spirits go from 50 to 60 % usually. Depending how much you dilute it. Pure is higher, but it not nice to drink.

Re: The only tourist in Moldova

#254

Post by snowpid »

ClumsyPilot wrote: post #233
monero-xmr wrote: post #218

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Lebanon has a non-functional government where all publicly-owned everything basically doesn't work. Beirut is essentially a libertarian enclave now, where everyone with means has their own solar panels and gas generators, self-produces all power, and the economy runs on paper US dollars and cryptocurrencies. It's amazing what people can do when their governments are non-existent.

How is police / crime doing?

How is Hisbollah doing?

Re: The only tourist in Moldova

#255

Post by surfingdino »

Freak_NL wrote: post #62
brabel wrote: post #30

I was in Belarus recently and it did feel like I was the only non-Slavic person, and tourist, on the bus there (yes, bus, because no European country except for Turkey is flying to Belarus). Everyone else seemed like locals going back home for a visit (including my wife!). But once you get to Minsk, it's actually pretty modern and nice, extremely clean... and clearly a vibrating city with lots of things to do, buy an…

Well yeah, Belarus is essentially off-limits to a large part of the world due to Russia's war with Ukraine. Belarus does seem like a wonderful country at its core, but after the election fraud all progress just froze and the country is (once again) seen as Russia's de-facto vassal state. This sucks for the people of Belarus who got caught up in this, but for the average tourist going there is not something to conside…

It's yet another Soviet country on the Great European Plains. Lots of forests, bliny, potatoes, and vodka. A thin coat of "western culture" (pizza and burger places, coke, etc.) over a poor state governed in a way that's been out of fashion in that part of Europe since 1989, now also a vassal state of Russia. People are "nice", but when you talk to them you realise the want western levels of prosperity (as seen in the movies) with the way of living that fits the mentality of Homo Sovieticus. It's not a pleasant mix.

Re: The only tourist in Moldova

#257

Post by surfingdino »

sandworm101 wrote: post #81
victorbjorklund wrote: post #77

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Russia hasnt taken a single large city since the start of the war. They are struggling to even keep the front intact (which is why Putin now begs for peace). They wont suddenly blast through all of Ukraine and invade a new country just over a night. But sure never hurts to be prepared.

And if it is NATO blasting through Moldova into Ukraine?

It won't be the troops and their missiles and planes have better targeting. They'll be flying over your heads. Still, GTFO ASAP when shit hits the fan.

Re: The only tourist in Moldova

#258

Post by sam_lowry_ »

brabel wrote: post #65
Freak_NL wrote: post #62

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Well yeah, Belarus is essentially off-limits to a large part of the world due to Russia's war with Ukraine. Belarus does seem like a wonderful country at its core, but after the election fraud all progress just froze and the country is (once again) seen as Russia's de-facto vassal state. This sucks for the people of Belarus who got caught up in this, but for the average tourist going there is not something to conside…

I had to laugh at "this country is not safe" :D my country also advised that, but I've been there many times. It's about the safest country in Europe IMHO.

It depends on your definition of safe. You won't be robbed. You may be assaulted on the street at night even in downtown Minsk. But the biggest risk is the state.

If someone in the security apparatus decides that you should be taken hostage, tortured and beaten to death to show off to your government, they will do it and there will be no way for your consulate to help you.

It's tougher for locals. Over 300,000 people out of around 9 mln left the country since 2020, escaping from prosecution, prison or simply as they lost their jobs because of a smiley, comment on social media or just because they were subscribed to an opposition Telegram channel.

You have to understand that street crime and organized crime are virtually non-existent because thugs rule the country.

Re: The only tourist in Moldova

#259

Post by sam_lowry_ »

euroderf wrote: post #88
Freak_NL wrote: post #62

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Well yeah, Belarus is essentially off-limits to a large part of the world due to Russia's war with Ukraine. Belarus does seem like a wonderful country at its core, but after the election fraud all progress just froze and the country is (once again) seen as Russia's de-facto vassal state. This sucks for the people of Belarus who got caught up in this, but for the average tourist going there is not something to conside…

Belarus shot down that hot air balloon some years ago, based on some lame excuse. Pretty sh#tty.

And landed a Ryanair plane, sending an interceptor for it. For that it became a no-fly zone well before the invasion of Ukraine from Belarus soil.

Re: The only tourist in Moldova

#260

Post by lukan »

seattle_spring wrote: post #210
et-al wrote: post #207

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> my 15-countries 2-week solo road trip That's barely a day in each country. Why the speedrun?

If you want a bit of a lark, spend some time checking out /r/roadtrip. Seems like at least a few times a week someone will show a map of their planned route: 8,000 miles across 10 states, 7 national parks, and 14 cities. "Hey guys! I'll be driving this route during a long weekend. Any other places I should stop??"

So is this mainly for a virtual highscore? Gamification of real life, tick all the boxes on your mission list, to feel accomplishment?

I doubt one can see the real gems this way. I travelled a lot, but the highlights were never the famous tourist spots and I would not have felt them as highlight by just stopping by and making a picture. But each to his own I guess.

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