15 août 2012

Driving along the banks of the Milcov, we could not believe our eyes. It was as dry as Arizona (see photo left). What had once been a playful, healthy river a decade ago is a stretch of dry earth today, barren rocks, a lunar landscape. Indeed, water still flows at the Cascada Putnei, but a third of what used to crash and thunder across the rocks now makes its way lazily to its destination. And the Putna river is empty, too. Vrancea has had two months of unforgiving sun without a drop of rain. The municipalities have cut off the water... [Lire la suite]

How to put the experiences of the last five days spent in Moldova into words. Perhaps a story or two over the next few posts will suffice. During my stay in Vrancea, we climbed the highest hill in the region, Magura - such breath-taking views, such colours, such richness - and on the way back fell upon a monastery hidden away on a dirt track that one could never have spotted from a main road. Tarnita is run by nuns and one of the most peaceful, inspiring places I have ever set foot in. Out of the car we got to investigate. Anyone... [Lire la suite]