This street scene from Tiraspol shows a normal, typical day in the capital of Pridnestrovskaia Moldavskaia Respublica: To the right, residential housing and an office building in the background. A large billboard proclaims the 15 year existence of the republic, with its red and green flag. The smaller, yellow symbol is the coat of arms of the city. Streets are well paved, well lit and fully signposted. People cross the street in an orderly fashion, not jaywalking. Many of the vehicles are Mercedes- and VW delivery trucks, going about their daily business. Private cars include VW Golf's and used BMW's imported from Germany. And like cities everywhere in Pridnestrovie, the trees and bushes are trimmed and kept in perfect order.

Pridnestrovie is a clean, orderly country with a population leading normal, decent lives. Some visitors have called it the hidden jewel of Europe, but we just call it home.