The life of a Moldovan peasant

This is a compilation of several blog posts, largely of this one, by Mihail Triboi, a traveller from Tallinn, Estonia. Today, from his kind permission, we want to share it with you.

I want to tell you about life of the rural people in Moldova, those that are the cornerstone of Moldovan economy, those working hard, cultivating their own land, and receiving poor remuneration in return. Two years have passed and I’m back in Moldova, just in time before the parliamentary elections of 2014. People knew I was from the Europe and were curious about life in the European Union. They were about to decide whether should they stick with Europe, or is it better to look towards Russia. Obviously, youngsters are west-oriented, whilst elderly population is oriented east.

We know the results of their choice. Will the life of Moldovan peasant change for the better I don’t know, although I doubt they will benefit from it anyway. But I am sure that these people, this Nation, will keep on being hospitable and cheerful. Delicious food, plenty of wine that is consumed instead of water, all being an integral part of their culture. And because of that I need to warn you that most of the photos were shot on the “A” mode (A for Alcohol mode). Once I woke up and asked for water, but in return I’ve been said: “You’ll have water when back home”, and invited me in the yard for the breakfast, where a jug of wine was part of the menu.

Country is undeveloped as a tourist destination, but is authentic and affordable, with delicious food and beautiful places. If you speak Russian you will have no problem communicating. Image courtesy of Mihail Triboi

Neigbours or relatives usually join each other for the dinner to discuss crops and forthcoming events. Image courtesy of Mihail Triboi

Typical, rural yard. Image courtesy of Mihail Triboi

Geese. Image courtesy of Mihail Triboi

Wells are central to Moldovan villages. You see them everywhere

A green “Moskvich”. Image courtesy of Mihail Triboi.

Type says: “Moldova is my Homeland”. Image courtesy of Mihail Triboi

On the road. Image courtesy of Mihail Triboi

Steep riverbanks. Image courtesy of Mihail Triboi

Small canyons. Image courtesy of Mihail Triboi

The village. Image courtesy of Mihail Triboi

Head of the family is measuring strength of the spirit (alcohol). Image courtesy of Mihail Triboi

Children, wearing second-hand clothes. Image courtesy of Mihail Triboi

Corn is used to feel the poultry. Image courtesy of Mihail Triboi

Cornfield. Image courtesy of Mihail Triboi

Dried corn plants are gathered, too. Image courtesy of Mihail Triboi

Hospitality involves joining home owners for a glass of wine, with delicious snacks: brinza, home-baked bread, and else. Image courtesy of Mihail Triboi

Cheers! Image courtesy of Mihail Triboi

Black hands — sign of autumn approaching. Image courtesy of Mihail Triboi

You can spot beginning of the autumn by looking at the people’s hands. They are black, and at first you might think it’s because of soot, but take a second guess and you’ll know that it’s a burn left from peeling of the wallnuts, whose cork is rich on iodine.

Until the very end I couldn’t decide whether it’s horse wagons or cars that are prevailing in villages. Image courtesy of Mihail Triboi

Pumpkins of varied sizes. Image courtesy of Mihail Triboi

Mamaliga is central to Moldova’s national cousine and is labelled as “food of the poorest”. Nowadays it is not cooked on a regular basis since there is a larger variety of food in stores, but you will find mamaliga in many restaurants, especially in Chisinau. Image courtesy of Mihail Triboi

Food is prepared communally and everybody joins for a dinner. Image courtesy of Mihail Triboi

Autumn is time when the wine is made, and it’s about time to prepare the barrels for the newborn wine.

Let’s wash the barrels. Image courtesy of Mihail Triboi

Gathering grapes. Image courtesy of Mihail Triboi

“Bordei” is cellar in Moldavian, and is a sacred place for the home owner. Image courtesy of Mihail Triboi

More barrels. Image courtesy of Mihail Triboi

Must starts fermentating. Image courtesy of Mihail Triboi

An example of rural private wayfinding: cellar is marked with grapes done in bas-relief. Image courtesy of Mihail Triboi

And another one. Image courtesy of Mihail Triboi

A view on the village from another angle. Image courtesy of Mihail Triboi

A garden conversation. Image courtesy of Mihail Triboi

A horse. Image courtesy of Mihail Triboi

Goat and the boy. Image courtesy of Mihail Triboi

A sincere smile. Image courtesy of Mihail Triboi

There is a holiday in the village tonight! Image courtesy of Mihail Triboi

Everybody joins for a national dance called Hora, that is shared among many balkan countries. If you want to experience Hora, there is one place in Moldova where it is still being done every Saturday, on a regular basis, and it’s in Cahul city.

Happiest dance ever. Come join. Image courtesy of Mihail Triboi

Improvised stage inside of a bus stop. Image courtesy of Mihail Triboi

Even though it’s a long exposure photograph, Moldova at night is charming and you can see stars up close. Image courtesy of Mihail Triboi

You can even walk the Milky Way. Image courtesy of Mihail Triboi

Remember to say “Fii sanatos or La multi ani”, before you drink the wine. It is translated as “Be well” and “Live long”. Image courtesy of Mihail Triboi

Farewell, Moldova. Image courtesy of Mihail Triboi