The Roads Are Driving Me Crazy

The roads and the driving habits around here take some getting used to. The drivers remind me of NYC taxi drivers; you go as fast as you can, where you can, however you can. Traffic signs are merely suggestions, and pedestrians have no business being on the road. Speed limits are nonexistent. There have been many times when I have been scared for my life as I walk on the sidewalk and a car zooms passed at 50 miles/hour in what would be considered neighborhoods in America.

The only road sign I have seen in Cojusna, other than children crossing signs.

The roads are pretty bad. Giant potholes are everywhere. People fill the roads in with rocks (not gravel, rocks the size of baseballs) and broken plates or tiles in attempt to smooth it out. And walking on the road isn’t pleasant either. It’s basically like hiking a rocky terrain while dressed in professional attire carrying a heavy backpack.

At first, I thought walking on the giant rocks and tiles was harder than just filling the potholes with dirt. But when it rains, the water all flows down into the valley and all the dirt washes away. And walking uphill on only mud is not fun. The rocks are the only things that keep me from slipping and sliding and falling on my butt, although not a guarantee.

Recently, they came and repaved part of the road that leads to my house. I was so excited when I first saw them working on. I thought this would be a blessing. But now, the drivers can zoom through this windy street, and I have to walk with extra caution.

And just to get a sense of how bad the roads are, if my explanation wasn’t enough…Chisinau advertises itself as the city with bad roads.