Moldova: Transnistria

Transnistria is a Russian-speaking separatist region in Moldova.  The hostel owner took a few of us on a tour, driving in his car.  This area is often described as "Russia 30 years ago".  They have their own currency, and they receive support from the Russian military.  When crossing the border, I received a 10-hour visa from the Russian army.  It did feel like it was stuck in time.  There were old cars, Lenin statues, and Soviet-looking monuments all over the place.  We had lunch in a canteen full of communist paraphernalia, decorated in a lot of red.  We had borscht and pork with potatoes.  The train station felt abandoned and looked like it hasn't changed in 20 years, but it is still used for just one train per day.  All over the place, there was a feeling abandoned places, but they were still used by a small amount of people.  On our way back, we stopped at a liquor store, where I got a bottle of walnut brandy, recommended by the tour guide, for less than $2 (USD).