Inside The Arch

I'm getting far enough down now to put stitches inside the arch.  Progress!  Yay!

Soviet Monuments

These red slabs represent the different years of World War II.  They are very blocky, very direct, and somewhat ugly.  In other words, they're very Soviet and have been in this park around the Eternitate memorial since its inception.  The graves below them, rimming the walkway, are of local men who fell during the battle.  Now, what is interesting is that Moldova was -not- part of the Soviet Union before World War II.  It wasn't part of the Soviet Union during World War II, either.  The Soviets took it from Romania after the end of the war, as part of their winnings.  Another strange bit of Moldovan history on display.

Cherry Blossomed

I finished my Luca-S cherry blossom design.  It came out well, and I am going to get it framed to give to my mother.

Last Of The Change

This is the last bit of the change ceremony as the guards get in place.

Glutton For Punishment

Andreas saw a frame that he wanted to put a peacock into.  I didn't have a peacock done, so.... I had to start one.

Changing The Guard

We happened to go to the monument at the time of the changing of the guard.  It was interesting to watch, but you could tell they don't have the discipline and drilling of the Old Guard.

Eternitate

This park is Moldova's eternal flame monument; it honors the Soviet dead of World War II.  Under the structure are the bodies of the unknowns.  There are patriotic sayings in both Russian and Romanian on the legs.  It is the place Russian sympathizers use for political demonstrations, especially on Victory Day (May 9).  We went the weekend before Victory Day.

 I found the whole place so very painfully Soviet.  There was no tenderness, no curves.  It's all sharp angles and red concrete.