Life with Lydia

In May, I went to Moldova for a few days with my brother and sister-in-law! View from the top of the hill at the "Candle of Gratitude Monument" in Soroca, Moldova. This is the Dniester river separating Ukraine and Moldova. I took a small bus from Odessa, Ukraine to Chisinau, Moldova. I stayed in this Airbnb with my brother and sister-in-law, Alina  The next morning, we walked around Chisinau. Above is pictured the Nativity Cathedral. We then drove a few hours to Alina's small hometown - Drochia. We stayed with her family for a few days in the house she grew up in.  Her village is so neat and beautiful. It's like going back in time. Some of the delicious food her family made for us. It was great getting to meet and speak Russian with them as well! I was a little out of practice, but they were very kind :) They butchered their pig while we were there, which is a yearly tradition. It provides meat for them year-round. Definitely an interesting process to watch. A beautif

  I got to spend a few days in Odessa, Ukraine - the beautiful city by the Black Sea <3 In the courtyard of our Airbnb apartment. I really liked the pretty vines growing on the old buildings. And the neat stairs inside the building A cool painting on the street wall. Also passed by this old castle looking place. The Odessa Opera and Ballet Theater! We wanted to go to a concert there, but the concerts were sold out :( A delicious meal in this cute outdoor restaurant behind the Opera house.  They even had blankets in case you got chilly ;) Odessa's city garden  The Transfiguration Cathedral and the Memorial to the Unknown Soldier Walking through the streets of Odessa. It was quite busy and there were many street performers. We did a lot of walking that day, and up and down many steps too :/ Odessa's sea port. The Black Sea!!! The water was really cold! And there was this neat old piano that I had to get a picture with ;) Georgian food and also my favorite Russian dish - Pelmen