2019 Moldova

Chișinău's most famous monuments

Back to Chișinău.  A man lying beside the road, drunk.  Dmitry offered to take me to Pushkin's house, as I had mentioned it to him. I had intended going on foot today or tomorrow, but accepted.  Through the backstreets, the old Chișinău according to Dmitry, to the house.  Only one other visitor.  Guide ladies all speaking Russian.  The museum part (not the house) has many letters of Pushkin – and drafts of his poems.  Both full of his drawings.  But most striking – the crossings-out – practically every line.  Pushkin worked on his poetry.  To his house – two rooms: living + bedroom, kitchen.  To think of the things that began here…

A short trip I made to Moldova a few years back, now with explanatory links and photos.

2026 Armenia

This is huge: note the people for scale

 

Well, I guessed that would happen.  As I drove back following Pushkin’s route, admiring the soft contours of the hills and lush landscape, as he did, I descended a hill into Stepanavan.  At the bottom, I could vaguely see flashing blue and red lights. They belonged to an extremely chunky 4x4, done out in army olive green.  Without a moment’s hesitation, the vehicle pulled out, overtook the traffic and stopped at an angle across the whole road, blocking my and everyone else’s path.  A young man in uniform got out, came across, and asked whether I minded answering a few questions.  Of course not, I said, and we both pulled over to clear the road.

A recent trip I made driving around Armenia's mountains, monasteries and huge abandoned radio telescopes...nearly getting detained by the army.