Last month, I seem to recall that I wasn't too kind about American Peace Corps volunteers I came across in Chisinau: in my latest monthly message, I reproduce a diary entry of the day I met some of them after a day-trip to Tiraspol. By way of recompense, I invite you to read the journal of Seanne Hanke, a Peacecorps volunteer currently stationed in Chisinau at this very moment- until reading it, I had quite forgotten the horrible mixture of ice and mud that lines the streets there at this time of year.
Guess what? The Trans-Dnestr problem is yet again hitting the headlines in Moldova. The BBC reports that the Organisation for Co-operation and Security in Europe is trying once again to resolve this dispute, whilst the Russia Journal mentions Russian compliants that the previous peace proposal has been abandoned- a plan which would have seen a continued Russian presence there until 2020.
I fear that politics is becoming too prevalent on this monitor, so I'll try to find something else to write about. Should you have the inclination, various Moldovan women advertise their services as potentilial spouses on the romantic-sounding AmoreUSSR.com. You could also consider making a donation to the Moldova Aid Project, which organises lorry-loads of goods and equipment to a hospital and orphanage. It can't be denied that such organistions have their heart in the right place, but this BBC report highlights some of the bureaucracy and corruption the well-meaning, but inexperienced charity workers have to deal with.
