Streets

An observation of the streets in Moldova is amazing.
    The street that goes in front of our apartment is narrow but has traffic coming both ways.  People also use it as a side walk.  Parking is a premium search.  There is a new apartment building going up in the next block so the workers need a place to park.  There is a parking lot between us and the new building but the government has closed it off.  There may be a government building over there.  During the weekdays it is hard to find a spot.  Some people park on the the side walks, or take the spots for our building.
     There are other streets a little wider than ours with three lanes.  One going right the other going left.  The one in the center is what Walt calls a Chicken Lane.  Both lanes of traffic pass using the center lane.  I don't know why there aren't more head on collisions but so far we haven't seen any.
    All main streets in all the Moldova towns are called Stephan cel Mare.  This man was a military man who helped save Moldova from an invasion a long time ago.  The street in Chisinau (where we live).  is wide, two lanes going both directions with round abouts (traffic circles).  There are business, shops and parks on this street.
     Yesterday in our travels to the North we found some brand new highways.  Newly paved.  They were very nice.  They got the money to do this from a grant from the United States.  As soon the new pavement ran out the roads it was rough riding.
     All the roads are pretty rough.  (Except the new one) Some times we nearly hit the roof of the car going over speed bumps or through pot holes.  We got a little lost once so this guy came to find us and take us to where they were digging trenches for a water project.  He was trying to stay out of the pot holes and was driving quickly from one side of the road to the other.  We were trying to keep up but couldn't his driving was to fancy for us.  We were glad to get out and walk around for a bit.  We get pretty tired with all this driving.  I think it is because we are joggled and tossed from side to side and up and down the whole way to where ever we go.
    Some of the roads into the villages and to water sites are not paved.  They are bare rock or dirt.  We see a lot of horse and cart travelers on the roads of all kinds, not in the city though.
      I always wear my seat belt but I noticed that Sis Pinder and our translator Doina do not.  We were all riding in the back seat.  Walt and Elder Pinder in the front wear their seat belts.  There is no way I will be without mine.  Traffic is a white nail, hang on tight, close your eyes and pray experience.
      The roads almost every where are lined with English Walnut trees.  The nuts are green now but people go out and pick them to sell.  We have also seen beautiful fields acres and acres of Yellow Sun flowers.  They are very beautiful.  We also see orchard of apples and peaches which are on right now.  Watermelon and grapes are also being grown here.  People sell these and every other kind of fruit of Veggie you can think of.   People are not hungry here for which I am Thankful.
     Moldova is a good place to be.