Chisinau
Trip Start
Mar 17, 2009
1
Trip End
Mar 17, 2009
Chisinau,
Moldova
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Bought a bus ticket in Odessa for a trip to Chisinau, Moldowa. Asked if the bus will go from Odessa VIA PALANCA to Chisinau, thus not through Transnistria. I often read the advice NOT TO PASS Transnistria cause this will cause problems at the border. So I was shocked when the bus arrived the border of Transnistria. Four order officials asked me to leave the bus and to follow them. We went to a small house, they locked the door and I was personal searched. Great, I was told that I have to leave the country, go back to Odessa and go via Palanca to Chisinau, UNLESS I pay 20 € (they call it a little present). So did I.
At the next border - Transnistria/Moldowa - the same problem occured again. I was told that I entered Transnistria illegaly and that I have to go back - after paying a fine, UNLESS I pay a littler higher fine / transit fee. So I had to pay 10 € (I even bargained - first they wanted 15 €) again. Thatīs what I call a rogue nation.
I was happy to be out of Transnistria, but there was the next problem. The "border" Transnistria-Moldowa is not a real border cause "Transnistria" doesnīt exist, so it is not allowed to enter Moldowa at the "border", I didnīt get a stamp in my passport.
When I arrived Chisinau (at Gara Auto Nord, the ugliest place I have EVER seen in my life) first thing I did was searching for the German Embassy and asking for help, but I didnīt find the entrance. Then I went to the Department of Foreign Affairs, they couldnīt help me and sent me to the Immigration Office, they sent me to another office and so on. Some offices later I got my stamp. UFF!!! What a day.
The remaining hours I explored Chisinau (strange city, every second building is an exchange office), sent some postcards and then went back by bus VIA PALANCA, not through Transnistria.
