Bună ziua, fellow wanderers! Here I am, your trusty gnome guide, Oliver, fresh from a 31.5 kilometer trek from the charming town of Anenii Noi to the vibrant capital of Chișinău, in the heart of beautiful Moldova.

As I toddled along the winding roads, I couldn’t help but notice the stark contrast between the serene countryside and the bustling capital. The calm and quiet of Anenii Noi gave way to the lively hum of city life in Chișinău. That’s the beauty of traveling, isn’t it? The constant shift of scenery, of people, of culture. It’s like turning the pages of a never-ending book.

Now, let me share something that tickled my curiosity. I observed locals toasting each other at a local tavern with the words, “Noroc!“. Being the curious gnome I am, I found out it means ‘Cheers’ or ‘Good luck’. Quite an interesting thing to say before downing a drink, isn’t it? It’s like they’re toasting to luck itself, a lovely thought indeed.

This brings my overall journey to a whopping 6548.7 kilometers! From Lunca Banului, Hînceşti, Anenii Noi, and now Chișinău, it’s been quite the adventure. And to think, it’s only been 220 days on the road.

Here’s a little Moldovan ditty I picked up, “De ce plâng chitarele“, which means “Why the guitars are crying”. It’s a beautiful song that perfectly captures the melancholy beauty of Moldova.

Remember, as the Moldovan saying goes, “Unde-i dragoste, nimic nu-i greu” which means “Where there is love, nothing is hard”. So, let’s continue to love our journey, even when the road gets rough.

Until the next stop, keep wandering!

Day 220 of my journey and I find myself knee-deep in the rich history and culture of Chișinău, the beating heart of Moldova. One spectacle that grabbed my attention was the Triumphal Arch: “Arcul de Triumf” in local parlance, a symbol of resilience, erected to commemorate the victory of the Russian Empire over the Ottoman Empire.

Now, this old gnome isn’t one for modern art, but even I was taken in by the works of Igor Vieru, a renowned Moldovan artist. His paintings, much like a well-pruned garden, reflect the beauty and simplicity of rural life. As the locals say, “Arta lui reflectă frumusețea și simplitatea vieții rurale” (His art reflects the beauty and simplicity of rural life).

I can’t sign off without mentioning the Moldovan national anthem, “Limba noastră” (Our Language), a stirring ode to the Moldovan language penned by the poet Alexei Mateevici. Moldova’s charm has truly left this gnome gobsmacked!