The Odyssey from Odessa...5 May

Ok, this was our first "OH Shit" moment. Normally, we would make a point to buy train tickets and verify times the day before a major movement. But this time, trusting Lonely Planet and the internet, we just gave our selves enough time to buy tickets the morning of. Train left at 11:43, so we got there around 10 or so. So after waiting in line and then pointing to maps for the ticket lady, she looks at us and shakes her head, "No train!" Oh shit... "Bus!" Ok, we ask another lady, same thing. Apparently, recent issues between Russia, Ukraine, and Moldova, regarding Gas and Wine have cause major tensions and they just stopped the train. They seemed to be pointing us in the direction of the bus station and saying 5 minute walk. But it was pouring rain, and we had no idea whatsoever what the bus schedule was, or even if there was a bus. So we jump in a cab and battle traffic and arrive at the shady shady bus station at about 11:20am. Ticket lady not friendly. She writes down that the buses to Chisinau are at 11:00 and 2:00pm. So we missed the 11, we'll take the 2, right? Riiiiiiiiiiiiiight.. No, she just yells at us and points to stuff and we have no idea what shes talking about, or why she won't sell us a ticket. Ben goes wandering to find someone and comes running back in saying that the 11:00 bus is still here. So we talk to the driver, and he says sure, so luckily we got on. He came back to collect money and said 100 Ukrainian, so I pulled out a $20, which is equal and he said fine. phhhhhhhhhhfeewwwww. So off to Moldova we went!

The bus ride was normal until this drunk Ukrainian decides he wanted to talk with us. so he sits down next to Pappy in the back, and then proceeds to put his head in Pappy's lap. Then we became minor celebrities at the border crossing. They kept asking for the Americans to come forward, go into special rooms, and sign a bunch of papers. But, we got to Chisinau early evening and all was good.