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The only tourist in Moldova

telegraph.co.uk

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Re: The only tourist in Moldova

#281

Post by GJim »

Aspos wrote: post #162
atlasunshrugged wrote: post #18

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Every time I've been to Armenia there are many people visiting, although I think probably 80%+ are diaspora or descendants of diaspora folks edit to add -- not sure Ossetia is technically a country... the Georgians might quibble with you on that one

Went to a hotel lobby bar once and asked guys sitting to the left and to the right of me where are they from. Turns out both were Scots. Asked them what do they think about Scottish independence. One thing led to another and soon enough they started fist-fighting each other. Armenian cognac is great.

I should remind you that the Scottish character can be summed up by the simple observation that Scotland is the only country whose national dress includes a knife in the sock.

Re: The only tourist in Moldova

#282

Post by teractiveodular »

pound wrote: post #129
trte9343r4 wrote: post #16

This would fit maybe in 2019, but Moldova now has many foreigners. Hotel prices went up considerably! For "Europe's least visited country" try Belorus, Ukraine, Russia, Ossetia or Armenia. Traveling to Mariupol as a tourist is the real deal in 2024

BelArus

It's Белоруссия (Byelorussia) in Russian, although Belarusians are not terribly fond of the name.

Re: The only tourist in Moldova

#283

Post by wheels »

SomeoneFromCA wrote: post #273
apavlinovic wrote: post #228

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I am a Croat and no, we dont describe them as Vodka, nor are we aware that people call them Vodka. The beverage you linked is not rakija, and it’s not even similar. Rakija is made from grapes, Vodka from potatoes. We don’t have enough potatoes to throw away

Interestingly but central Asia it is called Arak. Same root.

It's somewhat confusing since there are a lot of things based on the Arabic / Persian word arak (arak, raki, rakı, rakija, etc.) but they're not all that closely related drinks.

"Rakija" would usually be translated as "fruit brandy" (but also overlaps with grappa, and then there are Croatian varieties which throw a lot of herbs and flowers in there) whereas arak, rakı and friends are most in the category of pasties, ouzo and sambuca in their flavoring. Confusingly, the Cretan raki is grappa.

The other confusing thing is that most of these words (schnapps, vodka, arak, rakija) are generic words for distillates, not indicative of a style. Vodka can be made of almost anything, but in contrast to other styles, its heavy filtering and purification (basically leaving not much but ethanol and water) is what makes it "vodka", and where I'm skeptical that the Moldovan booze meets that description.

Re: The only tourist in Moldova

#285

Post by ossobuco »

SomeoneFromCA wrote: post #272
kvgr wrote: post #252

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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

Since what Moldova is Russia? Am I on reddit or 4chan?

Since history is a thing? Beside being part of the USSR, part of Moldova has also been in the Russian empire. Also a good portion of the population identifies as Russian.

Re: The only tourist in Moldova

#286

Post by ossobuco »

swozey wrote: post #103
trte9343r4 wrote: post #16

This would fit maybe in 2019, but Moldova now has many foreigners. Hotel prices went up considerably! For "Europe's least visited country" try Belorus, Ukraine, Russia, Ossetia or Armenia. Traveling to Mariupol as a tourist is the real deal in 2024

I have a Russian friend who is adamant that I would really enjoy and have a great time in Russia. IIRC he tells me to go to St Pete more than Moscow. But I cannot imagine doing that as an American. It kind of makes me wonder if he's messing with me but he hates Russia and Putin and I don't know why he would. I feel like I would be so unsafe. I'm a very "American" looking person and I only know a handful of Russian wo…

It's funny but personally I'd feel less safe traveling to the USA. The chance of finding myself in the midst of a mass shooting terrifies me. Also being robbed, being involved in a road rage accident. If I was black I'd add to that the possibility of being subjected to police abuse. Without considering the chance I'm for some reason snatched and imprisoned in Guantanamo for the rest of my life without any legal process.

Re: The only tourist in Moldova

#287

Post by Tade0 »

apavlinovic wrote: post #228
viraptor wrote: post #128

Earlier quoted context omitted.

These are often described as vodkas in practice, even if they technically aren't. Applies to other eastern Europe products too. For example https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/W%C3%B3dka_%C5%BBo%C5%82%C4%85... is fruit/herb based, but is commonly known as vodka and even was labelled as such.

I am a Croat and no, we dont describe them as Vodka, nor are we aware that people call them Vodka. The beverage you linked is not rakija, and it’s not even similar. Rakija is made from grapes, Vodka from potatoes. We don’t have enough potatoes to throw away

Specifically in Polish "wódka" (vodka) historically could describe any alcohol-based fluid, be it drinks, perfume or topical medication, so I guess it's this broader term that's used here.

Re: The only tourist in Moldova

#288

Post by ossobuco »

sam_lowry_ wrote: post #258
brabel wrote: post #65

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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…

> 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.

Nah, just don't break their laws, it's pretty simple.

European friends of mine visited Iran a few years ago, they even had some hookups with Tinder. I was very surprised at the time, their description felt like the opposite of what I was told about Iran by the media.

Re: The only tourist in Moldova

#289

Post by NooneAtAll3 »

victorbjorklund wrote: post #77
sandworm101 wrote: post #59

Moldova is sandwiched between NATO (Romania) the active war in Ukraine. Please avoid, and if you cannot then please prepare to take care of yourself should things heat up. Every time a conflict starts there are tourists demanding their home countries send helicopters to rescue them. At least remember to register your exact location and details with your embassy. And have a car. Be ready to drive yourself should the t…

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.

does keeping front intact mean retreating or advancing?

Re: The only tourist in Moldova

#290

Post by NooneAtAll3 »

datameta wrote: post #28
generic92034 wrote: post #19

I wonder what will happen to them if Ukraine loses to Russia. I have heard Moldova already has issues with Russian separatists. EDIT: Changed an offensive use of a definitive article. ;)

Fyi: Including "the" changes the meaning - it alludes to imperial language aking to calling the nation The Periphery.

...wtf is "imperial language"?
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