I left Odessa on 24 February

[justadude]

I have lived in Odessa for one year but I got out 3 days ago. I left a few hours after the first explosions in Odessa. While walking out of my building I met a young woman who was also fleeing. We drove my car with my dog across the Palanca Moldova border.  It took 5 hours to cross. Finding Lodging in Chisinau is very difficult at this time. She stayed with me for one night then got on the bus to Paris.

The next day I started working on helping 3 girls get to Moldova, one of whom has a car. They took 19 hours to cross the border. One of them is with me, one went to Poland to be with her fiancé and the third is staying alone.

I told the one with me that it took a war for her to go on a date with me.

[Gipsy]

It's good to hear from you, and that you are out of any danger...
Stay safe...

[Orchid]

I told the one with me that it took a war for her to go on a date with me.

Ещё война как мать родна.     

[andrewfi]

I truly hope that you have not and will not be tasking advantage of any young women.

Remember, you have a track record. Words spoken in jest can often reveal deeper truths.

[NS1]

Glad you got out and happy you helped some folks where you could

[justadude]

One girl stayed with me for a couple days then she found a Moldovan family that took her in. Meanwhile I'm in Tiraspol for a couple days. Crossing the Transnistria border was easy and uneventful. I find it hard to believe but I can't pay for anything with a visa or MasterCard nor can I get money from an ATM. Transnistria might seem like an ironic choice, given that Ukraine is under attack from Transnistria's mother country. On the other hand, it might be a safe place because Russia would have no reason to attack here. Nevertheless I think I'll be moving on in a day or 2. Maybe Romania or Poland.

[rosco]

At least you kept the dog this time.

[Contrarian]

At least you kept the dog this time.

He gave one of them away.

[Contrarian]

One girl stayed with me for a couple days then she found a Moldovan family that took her in. Meanwhile I'm in Tiraspol for a couple days. Crossing the Transnistria border was easy and uneventful. I find it hard to believe but I can't pay for anything with a visa or MasterCard nor can I get money from an ATM. Transnistria might seem like an ironic choice, given that Ukraine is under attack from Transnistria's mother country. On the other hand, it might be a safe place because Russia would have no reason to attack here. Nevertheless I think I'll be moving on in a day or 2. Maybe Romania or Poland.

Stay safe.

[justadude]

I stayed in Moldova for about a week. I've been in Romania for about a week. I am amazed at how nice the roads are here. Night and day with the roads of Odessa. The roads I've seen here are almost as good as the roads in California.

 While driving to Sibiu, I went through a 1800m mountain pass in a snow storm, dodging jacknifed bigrigs. It was a bit dicey in a 2wd Fiat 500 and no chains, but not as bad as some of my experiences in the Sierra Nevadas in a Mini Cooper.

I have an apartment booked for the next week here in Bucharest. I volunteered at the refugee center at the train station for a couple shifts. I even  got a hug from a babushka.

That's about all for now.

[Lord of the Dance]

I stayed in Moldova for about a week. I've been in Romania for about a week. I am amazed at how nice the roads are here. Night and day with the roads of Odessa. The roads I've seen here are almost as good as the roads in California.

 While driving to Sibiu, I went through a 1800m mountain pass in a snow storm, dodging jacknifed bigrigs. It was a bit dicey in a 2wd Fiat 500 and no chains, but not as bad as some of my experiences in the Sierra Nevadas in a Mini Cooper.

I have an apartment booked for the next week here in Bucharest. I volunteered at the refugee center at the train station for a couple shifts. I even  got a hug from a babushka.

That's about all for now.

Kind of you to volunteer at the refugee center JAD. Glad that you are safe and sound. Dare I ask about the motorbike project? Guessing it got left behind... would've been epic if you rode 'er out of there! 

[andrewfi]

Glad you're OK.
Better out than in,

[justadude]

I stayed in Moldova for about a week. I've been in Romania for about a week. I am amazed at how nice the roads are here. Night and day with the roads of Odessa. The roads I've seen here are almost as good as the roads in California.

 While driving to Sibiu, I went through a 1800m mountain pass in a snow storm, dodging jacknifed bigrigs. It was a bit dicey in a 2wd Fiat 500 and no chains, but not as bad as some of my experiences in the Sierra Nevadas in a Mini Cooper.

I have an apartment booked for the next week here in Bucharest. I volunteered at the refugee center at the train station for a couple shifts. I even  got a hug from a babushka.

That's about all for now.

Kind of you to volunteer at the refugee center JAD. Glad that you are safe and sound. Dare I ask about the motorbike project? Guessing it got left behind... would've been epic if you rode 'er out of there! 

No, unfortunately the scooter and all my tools are still in my garage in Odessa. I paid rent on that and my apartment for March. I probably won't pay for April. My losses, maybe around $2k, are pretty small compared to that of others. In March 2021 I decided not to buy real estate in Odessa, because of the Russian threat at that time. I have my bicycle on the back of the car. If I wasn't able to reach the border due to traffic, the bicycle was the backup plan.

[Lord of the Dance]

No, unfortunately the scooter and all my tools are still in my garage in Odessa. I paid rent on that and my apartment for March. I probably won't pay for April. My losses, maybe around $2k, are pretty small compared to that of others. In March 2021 I decided not to buy real estate in Odessa, because of the Russian threat at that time. I have my bicycle on the back of the car. If I wasn't able to reach the border due to traffic, the bicycle was the backup plan.

A man with a plan - I like that.

[justadude]

This scene took place a couple weeks ago in Moldova. I thought airing up the tire on a Lada with a bike tire pump was very Eastern Europe

[justadude]

I got in a fender bender two nights ago, followed by a guided tour of two Bucharest police stations. It turns out that driving without an international drivers license in Romania is a felony. One officer had enough compassion to allow me to order one online, after which that line of inquiry was abandoned. Now we're down to determining whose at fault, a topic on which the other driver and I do not agree.

[justadude]

I met a couple of 19yo Romanian sugar babies, both of whom are super cool. I'm planning to hang around Bucharest for another month or so, maybe longer.

I conducted my first free English lesson for refugees yesterday. I'm trying to find office space and organize more for next week. Some Ukrainians are interested in this to help them become more employable

[Manny]

You're certainly very adaptable. 

Where are you staying there? A hotel or an apartment?

[BillyB]

I met a couple of 19yo Romanian sugar babies, both of whom are super cool.

War has brought you new opportunities. When life serves you lemons, make lemonade.

[AvHdB]

I met a couple of 19yo Romanian sugar babies, both of whom are super cool.

War has brought you new opportunities. When life serves you lemons, make lemonade.

I suspect JAD won’t be serving or making lemonade.

[justadude]

You're certainly very adaptable. 

Where are you staying there? A hotel or an apartment?

An ABnB apartment. I'm looking at some more permanent options.

[patagonie]

This scene took place a couple weeks ago in Moldova. I thought airing up the tire on a Lada with a bike tire pump was very Eastern Europe

No guy! I do it myself sometimes, so Frenchies do it also! 

[rosco]

I got in a fender bender two nights ago, followed by a guided tour of two Bucharest police stations. It turns out that driving without an international drivers license in Romania is a felony. One officer had enough compassion to allow me to order one online, after which that line of inquiry was abandoned. Now we're down to determining whose at fault, a topic on which the other driver and I do not agree.

I commandeered a taxi in Bucharest one Saturday night many moons ago. A great laugh until I drove back to where I collected it, where the irate taxi driver was standing with 2 of Romania's finest.

100 euro gets you a long way Lol