Bessarabia

Embroidered with vineyards and sunflower fields
There lies Bessarabia on the banks of the Danube.
And if traveling for leisure – to you – appeals,
Come to our quiet Izmail area.
The old Turkish fortress was attacked by Suvorov,
Muslims departed while Christians stayed.
And the history mingles with present-day hope
That the life in my city will never derail.
It’s a city of sailors, travelers’ souls,
There’s nothing like home – they always come back
To the place of hot sunshine, good wine,  cozy homes -
The beginning and end of their difficult trek.
It’s the city of blooming beautiful flowers –
Tulips, roses, asters and cupid’s delight.
We have wonderful lakes for fishing for hours.
The waters are rich in perches and pikes.
Yalpug, Kugurlui and surrounding Plavni
Give you excellent chances to rest and to hunt.
We have roes and boars, woodcocks and – I love it –
When the game is your meal – maybe ringdove or punt.
Oh, the spring is enchanting – when chestnuts are blooming,
Poplar trees waving farewell, reaching clear blue sky,
Youngsters kissing in parks, dreaming and mooning,