Bostaniada, or Pumpkin Festival, was the third part of our trip, and the one I was waiting for the most. But, as it oft happens with expectations, it was the one I liked the least.
I didn’t get to go this year, so I cannot say anything about improvements. Perhaps there were some, and my commentary is severely outdated. Last year, however, some of the major problems were people flow (same gates for both exits and entrances), lack of shade (unless you were willing to sit down and order in one of the eateries), and lack of places to sit down (unless, yeah, eateries).
The areas of the festival were clearly marked on the map, but the map itself was off the course (it was literally the last thing I saw, mere minutes before leaving), and the markings weren’t anywhere on the territory. If they were, then I didn’t see them, which is rather similar to them not being there at all, if you ask me.
Again, this commentary is for Bostaniada 2014. I hope this year saw some improvements.
On to the pictures!
Our bus stopped next to this wood processing place. I don’t know how active it is, but it wasn’t in operation on the day of the festival.
To make your way to the festival, you follow this lovely rural path, with a small cornfield on the right and a creek on the left.
The creek’s got a couple of bridges over it.
This particular one being tiiiiiiny.
I’m very excited by all bodies of water and bridges, so I think I crossed it like twelve times before going further. By that point I got separated from my group, which only served me well, as I wasn’t there to eat, drink, or be all that merry.
Another bridge. I love this shot, I dunno why.
You can actually see the creek running under that one. It’s practically invisible under all the shrubbery in the above shot, but it’s there.
Lots of abandoned buildings in the rural parts of Moldova. Urban, too, but I figure in rural areas it’s more pronounced.
You pass by some flowers…
… encounter some wild animals …
… like this poor unfortunate pink elephant, with severe skeletal and thyroid problems.
Nightmare material right there, especially coupled with the music they were playing. (Kid corner, imagine Barney-style songs.)
Third bridge, yet another creek shot.
Aaaand, we enter the festival.
This is where I let my photojournalism and reportage skills just shine through unobstructed.
Sincere apologies.
These three dudes look like one same dude, but I swear they were different dudes. I guess we all look like clones when wearing denim and black.
Bought a candle from these lovely ladies. And then complained about it on Twitter. As one does.
After eating a piece of pumpkin pie, I left the festival territory and wandered around in the once-woods, doing what I do best.
Taking photos of trees ‘n stuff.
Like I said. The festival map was literally the last thing I saw at the festival.
Aaaand, that’s it for this particular tour! If you missed parts one and two, you can find them here: Hincu Monastery and Codru Reserve.
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