What is it that I had almost overlooked that continues to draw me to Moldova?

It could be the wine that keeps me coming back. After all, much of Moldova is a steppe to the Carpathian Mountain range, possessing the perfect soil for wine production. Moldova produces a variety of excellent wines (which sold in London pubs in Soviet days for about $125 a bottle) that sell for less than the price of a bottle of Coca Cola in local grocery stores. It is also home to the world's largest underground wine cellars at "Cricova." A whole underground world, it's registers in at a whopping 60 square kilometers in size, with streets named after famous wines and medieval style tasting rooms. It is a must for any wine connoisseur. So, is the annual Wine Festival every autumn, organized in conjunction with the Moldovan State, which offers foreign visitors free visas during the time of the festival.

A well-guarded legend, published here for the first time, is that Hawaiian singer Don Ho, who came to Moldova to perform a concert, became so tipsy after a sipping tour of the Cricova facilities earlier in the day that he barely made it through 3 songs before excusing himself from the stage. From what I hear, the easy-going Moldovan concert-goers didn't seem to really mind.

It could be that very easy-going nature of many Moldovans that keeps me coming back. Their nature is supported by large and frequent concerts that close down much of the main street and that are of course, totally free. You have to appreciate a people and a city that despite all the hardships it has had to face stops traffic regularly to dance the hora and kick back a beer. That's my kind of place.

It could be the unspoiled village life and nature found just outside the city. If you've never been to a real Eastern European village, your missing out on an unforgettable experience. There are few places on earth where people who don't know you, will slaughter five animals in honor of your arrival and invite the whole neighborhood to drink homemade wine and vodka with you. Moldovan villages are such special places!

In this neck of the woods, bathrooms are still outhouses, outside lighting has yet to be invented, and modern farming technology exists only for the lazy.

But, just when you feel like you could be no further from civilization, you might, like I, hear the familiar tunes of Britney Spears coming from one of the bedrooms of a local child!

I'm not really one for the quiet life though, so maybe this also isn't the main reason why I love Moldova. I like the night life and fun times. Chisinau is so hopping that the New York Times devoted a full story to Chisinau's club scene! A half-million dollar, futuristic super-clubs challenge the finest clubs of Western Europe and America. A good example of what one looks like can be seen by watching the Eastern-European club scene in the popular movie "Euro Trip."

Moldova is a stopping point for refugees who have opened up their own clubs and restaurants, adding an eclectic, cosmopolitan air to the city; this has helped create an excitingly diverse nightlife.

All partying and having fun can, believe it or not, get pretty tiring. So this too is not the reason I am so sold on Moldova.

It could be the gentle air of familiarity found Chisinau that makes me love this place so much. Chisinau offers all the amenities of a big town - restaurants, opera, cinema, clubs, and more, all without most of the hassles that big city life entails. Plus, most everything is an easy walk. And everyone is out walking. In fact, it's impossible for me to walk in the city for five minutes and not run into two people that I know, even if I haven't been in town for a year!

Chisinau is a surprisingly clean city and has recently been renovated in the downtown area. One could even say its become posh. It is almost unrecognizable from how it was when I first visited in 2000. While always preserving it's many layers of rich history, Chisinau is always evolving, always growing, holding new surprises in store for me each time that I return.

I suspect that this is also why almost every ex-pat I have met in Chisinau seems to love it. One ex-pat explained to me that he felt like a member of an elite club. Part of the 'chosen few' lucky enough to know about the existence of this place.

But none of these are the reasons that I just can't stop coming back to Moldova, all though they certainly add to my enjoyment and appreciation of Europe's most hidden country.

The real reason is actually profoundly simple - the wonderfully genuine and sincere nature of the Moldovan people. Anywhere on earth you will find good people and bad people. That is a given. Moldova, however, seems to have a disproportionate number of good people. I mean really good. Not goody-two-shoe-good but genuine, salt of the earth good. Reliable, trustworthy, friends for life. It's been said if you can count your true friends on the five fingers of your hands, you are rich. If that's true, then Moldova stands to make you a very rich person.

Now, you may be thinking, that this is simply my personal experience. It could have happened to me anywhere. It is just happenstance that I met so many wonderful people in Moldova. Maybe you're right. I can only say that I have traveled to many countries and met many wonderful people and spoke with many ex-pats in those countries. Nowhere have I met as many ex-pats who have told me about how wonderful and open the locals are, and what good friends they've made in Moldova.

The people there are less affected by the declining value placed on friendship in the West. When I asked several hundred young Moldovans what are the five most important things in your life the most common replies were "My faith, my family, my friends, love, making a difference in Moldova and the world." A similar poll in America yielded much more materialistic results from it's participants. This difference in perspectives affects not only the individual adherents but the society-at-large in profound ways.

Sure, old traditional mentalities are not always healthy, and Moldova's growth has been hampered by less positive mentalities which also unfortunately continue to persist. The less wonderful side of Moldova though only helps serve as a magnifier of the wonderful side filled with great people and traditions.

So while the common accusation of Moldova's being "trapped in the past" may not seem so good and certainly is far from being a totally true declaration, I can only say judging from my experience, I like spending some time "trapped in the past."

Moldova's greatest asset in the end is not its wine, its clubs, or the layout of its capitol city. It greatest asset is its people.

They are why you will love Moldova.

Moldova is a true original with a character all its own. It possesses a compelling otherness that will always stay with you and a people who will capture your heart. That is why you too, may end up coming to Moldova again and again.

Moldova makes a great trip from Romania by car or plane and from other European countries via direct flight. It will definitely add a unique aspect to your vacation that most other travellers still don't know about. You may even decide to stay a little while longer like I did. Most ex-pats I meet in Moldova, in fact, came there for a few weeks, or a few months, a few years ago.

My final advice, if you come to Moldova is to try to buy an airline ticket that has an open-ended return. Odds are it will come in handy.

Moldova Footnotes

To meet up with Ex-pats go to the Hash Run that meets every other Sunday http://www.ch3.md for more information.

For a good meal

Green Hills Nistru - With three central locations, Green Hills Nistru is a Chisinau legend. Go here and a good meal is virtually guaranteed. The menu is diverse, international, with prices that make this dining experience a must. Try the chicken goulash, my personal favorite, that comes with a side of rice for less then $4. Centrally located on Stephan Cel Mare Boulevard next to the Organ Hall, Mihai Eminescu street (on the same corner), and on 31 August 1989 street next to the excellent Symposium French restaurant, which is run by the owners of Green Hills Nistru.

New York - Missing home? Try the the Turkish-built entertainment and dining experience that is a true hit. The food combines the best of American, Turkish, and Moldovan fare in perfect presentation. Sit by the window at night time and you will see the New York skyline. Work off the calories with a game of bowling in super-modern alleys, in a country where bowling is considered "hip" or play a game of billiards or one of the many electronic games housed in the New York complex. You'll forget that you're more then 7,000 miles away from the Big Apple in no time! Located next to the Hotel Dedeman across from ULIM University in the City Center.

To Catch A Professional Baseball Game In Europe....

....Come to Moldova, of course. The completion of a major baseball stadium near the city's circus building is due by the end of '05. Games have been going on since before the fall of Communism - 1987 to be exact.

Other Must-Sees

So-Ho night club, City Club night club, the Circus,the Organ Hall, the Opera House, Kathmandu African Restaurant, De-Ja-Vu bar, the Cricova Underground wine cellars tour. Use the contact information below or ask your hotel concierge for directions and more information.

Useful Web Sites

Cricova Wine:http://www.cricova.md/eng/, http://www.cricova.md/eng/cellars/

Pictures of Moldova: http://www.photo.md

Tourism: http://www.turism.md/eng , http://www.welcome-moldova.com/

Volunteer

Young people are changing the face of Moldova and taking the initiative to start-up community service projects. They are always looking for a good-spirited volunteer to work with them in whatever way possible.

Information On Tour To Romania

Due to the overwhelming number of readers have requested the opportunity to participate in an opportunity tour of Romania, the author of this article, Kevin Stillmock, will be arranging a tour starting on May 6th, with several later tours planned as well. (a possible second tour later in May is under consideration).

The tour will last 7 days with the option to add days based on individualized personal requests. Airfare, hotel accommodation, and most meals will be arranged at special discount for those participating in this tour, with the bulk of the costs refundable to those who decide to invest in a personal getaway, second home, or investment property in Romania.

The opportunity in Romania is now. Prices have already shown sharp increase in many regions in recent years and months. This trend is expected to continue in the short term. The word is getting out on Romania and the novelty of investing there won't last too much longer. Neither will the great bargains and investment opportunities.

This tour will be fast-paced and take you to the most promising areas for investment and residence throughout the Country. You will fly into Bucharest, the capitol city of Romania, and our base for this tour. You will become well acquainted with Romania's largest city before journeying to Transylvania, Europe's soon-to-be new Switzerland, and to Romania's Black Sea Riviera.

Whether you are interested in purchasing a home, an apartment, office space, or simply to make a great investment in real estate in a soon-to-be European Union superstate, this tour will familiarize you with the opportunity and the country. Moreover, our specialists will work with you individually to meet all of your specific needs!

For articles on Romania by Kevin Stillmock see below:

• Romania's Road To Heaven - Romania's Road To Heaven
• Romania: Europe's Final Frontier And Next Hot Spot -  Romania: Europe's Final Frontier And Next Hot Spot
• Romania - Investing in a Land of Unexpected Opportunity  - Real Estate In Romania  - Investing in a Land of Unexpected Opportunity