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On a day trip from Chisinau, Kenny and I traveled to the capitol of a would-be country, but seeing as how it's not really a country, Tiraspol isn't really the capitol.
The far east region in Moldova is called Transdniestr (Pridnestrovskaya Moldavskaya Respublika, or PMP, a self declared republic. Despite it's small size, they have their own currency, police force, borders, and leaders. It's also one of the last remaining communist bastions in the world, but that's slowly changing.
Behind Moldova, they would be the poorest country in Europe, though the area that we saw, Tiraspol, didn't seem to be that way. We spent a few hours wandering down the main street taking numerous pictures of the communisty style architecture and Lenin statues. We also made a stop at the Kvint Cognac Factory for a few souveniers, after having sampled it at lunch time (only $.70!).
Crossing the borders we didn't have any problems. We did need to bring our passports and fill out a registration card, but the days of bribing border guards with liquor and cigarettes have passed, and Western travelers can enter with ease. Although, I was nervous the whole time we waited in line, but that may have been because of all the heavily-armed guards.
Even though Tiraspol was fun, it was nice to get back to Chisinau, somewhere we knew we'd be able to get help from an Embassay, if needed!
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