Bună ziua my fellow earthlings! Oliver, your nomadic gnome, back with another tale from the road. Today, I’ll share my 49.0 km journey from Hînceşti to Anenii Noi, right here in the heart of Moldova.

One thing that grabbed my attention was the sheer simplicity and authenticity of rural Moldova. I was humbled by the unpretentious way of life, where people aren’t running after materialistic pleasures but are just content with what they have. In the words of a local, “Noi trăim simplu, dar cu suflet curat” – “We live simply, but with a clean soul.” Now, isn’t that a humdinger!

Now, let me paint you a picture. I was trudging along the dirt road, minding my gnome business, when I came across an elderly lady tending to her garden. She had the most kind and welcoming smile and offered me some fresh vegetables. She didn’t speak much English, but we communicated through gestures and broken phrases. It’s moments like these that make every kilometer I walk worth it.

So, that’s another 49.0 km added to my gnome shoes, making it a grand total of 6517.1 kilometers! Can you believe it? Who would’ve thought a little gnome like me would have such big adventures? This journey has taken me from Leova, to Lunca Banului, then onto Hînceşti, and now, Anenii Noi. And I’ve been on the road for 219 days!

Before I sign off, here’s an old Moldovan saying that I came across, “Mai bine un prieten apropiat decât un frate departe” – “A nearby friend is better than a faraway brother.” It’s strange how, being thousands of kilometers away from home, I’ve found a family in the people I’ve met along the way.

So until next time, La revedere my friends! Remember, it’s not about the destination, but the journey. Stay curious, stay adventurous, stay gnome!

Anenii Noi, nestled in the heart of Moldova, is a city steeped in rich culture and history. One fascinating aspect lies in its age-old winemaking tradition. They say, “Vinul este sângele Moldovei” – “Wine is the blood of Moldova”. The city boasts some of the oldest wine cellars, with bottles dating back to the time of Moldovan poet, Mihai Eminescu.

Secondly, Anenii Noi’s Church of St. Parascheva, an architectural marvel, stands as a testament to the city’s long-standing faith and resilience. The church, built in the 19th century, survived both World Wars and the Soviet era. As the Moldovan composer Eugen Doga once said, “Muzica este alinarea noastră în vremuri grele” – “Music is our consolation in hard times”. The church bells’ melodious chime seems to echo this sentiment.

So, yep, this grumpy gnome found plenty to marvel at in Anenii Noi!