Chisinau

Chisinau is the capital of Moldova, a state that shares a language with Romania, but was part of the Russian Empire for almost 200 years. Pictured above is Sarmale (like dolma) in the pot, mamaliga (like polenta), and placinta (fried bread with a cheese filling).

An awesome candy bar

There's no Starbucks in Chisinau, but a couple of Tucano Coffees, which are even better!

Old armaments at the Military Museum

The Church of Saint Pantaleon, a Greek Orthodox Church

The Puppet Theater. The puppets had rest that day.

The National History Museum of Moldova holds some treasures. Moldova was on the outskirts of the Roman province of Dacia, hence the she-wolf.

Don't leave your historic stone carvings outside!

A figurine from 5000-3000 B.D.

Ancient pottery from around Moldova

A Greek vase and Scythian chariot top

A Roman / Sarmatian jug

The coat of arms of Bessarabia / Moldova

The highlight of Chisinau is the National Museum of Ethnography and Natural History

The building was designed by an Italian.

A festival I won't be attending

A map of Moldova

That's a large boar.

The art in the museum was amazing.

I can't imagine one of these roaming around Moldova.

More masks

I think Moldova was outside the worst effects of Chernobyl.

Good dog

A statue of Stephen the Great of Moldavia, who ruled with stability in the 15th and 16th centuries despite conflicts with Dracula, the Ottomans, the Hungarians, and the Poles. The ancient Kingdom of Moldavia encompasses Moldova and the Romanian region called Moldavia.

Moldovan crows are a little scary.

Moldova has crawfish!