Drinking, Drinking, and MORE Drinking

12 Things I Have Drank to In Moldova

Drinking, shots in particular, is a big part of life in Moldova.  A meal is not a meal without a glass (or six) of house wine, vodka, or cognac proceeded by a long, complicated toast given by someone sitting at the table.  Every evening my host father raises his glass, says “To our health”, and my host mother and I toss back a shot of our house wine.  The “to our health” is the standard toast, but the following 12 toasts have been proposed to me on more than one occasion. 

 2. Success
11. Friendship
10. Work
9. Happiness
8. Finding a husband
7. Love
6. My future children…..wait, WHAT?
5. Speaking Russian
4. International Women’s Day
3. A long life
2. World peace
1. My Peace Corps service