Photos: Autonomous Territorial Unit of Gagauzia, south central Moldova, April 2016

Welcome to Gagauzia!
Flags of Moldova (L) and Gagauzia (R)

Flags of Moldova (L) and Gagauzia (R) at the entrance to the territory.

 

Gagauzian springtime countryside. 

Main highway through rural Moldova, near Gagauzia.

Gagauzian shepherds.

Gagauzian shepherds.

In the National Gagauz History and Ethnographic Museum on Lenin Street in Besalma, Moldova.

In the National Gagauz History and Ethnographic Museum on Lenin Street in Besalma, Moldova.

School kids at the museum, distracted by all the American tourists.

Soviet-era radio.

Note that the stations are identified by city names.

Orthodox Church in Besalma, Gagauzia, Moldova.

Orthodox Church in Besalma, Gagauzia, Moldova.

Orthodox Church in Besalma, Gagauzia, Moldova.

Typical home with fruit trees, in Besalma, Gagauzia, Moldova.

Orthodox Church in Besalma, Gagauzia, Moldova.

Orthodox Church in Besalma, Gagauzia, Moldova.

Early spring garden in Besalma, Gagauzia, Moldova.

Sam was like a rock star with the local kids.

V. I. Lenin portrait in the office of the President of the Kolkhoz,
Copceac, Gagauzia, Moldova.
Spring 2016

President of the kolkhoz presenting to diplomats from the US Embassy.
Note the quote over his right shoulder by V. I. Lenin, and the portrait of
The Last Supper on the left wall.

Lada Niva 4X4 in Gagauzia.

Statue of Lenin in Copcea, Gagauzia, Moldova.
Spring 2016.

Bounty of the kolkhoz, Gagauzia, Moldova.

Lenin statue in Comrat, Gagauzia.

Lenin statue in Comrat, Gagauzia.

Up close and personal with V. I. Lenin in Comrat, Gagauzia, Moldova.

Central Park in Comrat - which means black horse
in the Turkish Gagauzian language.

Orthodox Church in Comrat, Gagauzia.

Spring tulips, Comrat, Gagauzia, Moldova.

Spring rituals, near University of Comrat campus, Gagauzia, Moldova.

Tulips and rebar, Comrat, Gagauzia, Moldova.

Inside the Orthodox Church, Comrat, Gagauzia, Moldova.

Orthodox parishioners, Comrat, Gagauzia, Moldova.

Parishioner kissing the wall beneath the feet of Jesus Christ, Comrat, Gagauzia, Moldova.

Orthodox parishioner making the rounds in the church, Comrat, Gagauzia, Moldova.

Lighting a candle in honor of Tom Quirk and all family who have gone before.

Bell tower of the Orthodox Church in Comrat, Gagauzia, Moldova.

A full table for the visitors laid with the bounty from the kolkhoz, Gagauzia, Moldova.