After presenting the talk “Secure Your Data: Security is No Longer Only for Experts” at ConTech2024 hosted by RoOUG in Bucharest, Romania, I had the opportunity to meet many interesting people. This is one of the things I enjoy most about Oracle events—they provide not only opportunities to explore new Oracle technologies and learn new skills but also to network and connect with fascinating individuals.
This time, one of the people I met was Adrian, a gentleman who not only asked insightful questions about my presentation but also engaged in a deeper conversation beyond the technical aspects. We talked about his professional journey and his background, and I learned that he was from Chișinău, Moldova—a place I had always wanted to visit but knew little about at the time.
As we continued our discussion, I promised that when I eventually visited Chișinău, I would reach out to him, and he would show me around. Can you believe it actually happened?
So, instead of my usual technical posts, let me take you on a little tour of Chișinău, Moldova, from my brief visit there. Follow along below!
“Witamy w Moldowie” meaning “Welcome to Moldova at the airport.
Like many airports, as soon as you leave, you’ll encounter several informal taxi drivers offering rides for a fee that they claim is “cheaper” than the recommended rates. This happened to me as soon as I left the airport, but I chose to take an official taxi, which charged a fare closer to what was expected for my destination—the city center.
The flag of Moldova and the national coat of arms on a building, likely a government or public institution, in Chișinău, the capital of Moldova. The flag of Moldova consists of three vertical stripes: blue, yellow, and red, with the country’s coat of arms displayed in the center of the yellow stripe. The coat of arms features an eagle holding a cross in its beak, a scepter, and an olive branch, symbolizing the country’s sovereignty and Christian heritage.
The building in the background is the Triumphal Arch (Arcul de Triumf) located in Chișinău, Moldova. It is one of the city’s most iconic landmarks and serves as a symbol of Moldovan history and identity.
This is the Nativity Cathedral (Catedrala Mitropolitană Nașterea Domnului) in Chișinău, Moldova, along with a modern monument featuring a cross, located in the adjacent Cathedral Park. It is one of the most significant landmarks in the city.
This monument is the Eternity Memorial Complex (Complexul Memorial Eternitate) located in Chișinău, Moldova. It is a significant site dedicated to honoring those who lost their lives during World War II and other conflicts.
This is a miniature statue of The Little Prince, inspired by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s famous novella, located in Chișinău, Moldova, near the Valea Morilor Lake. The statue represents the beloved literary character standing on his small planet.
These two pictures perfectly capture an amazing time spent with Adrian in Moldova. The first, at the cozy Lake House BrewPub, was all about great food, laughter, and meaningful conversations that brought us closer as friends. The second, near the magical Christmas Market, with its bright Ferris wheel and festive atmosphere, felt like a celebration of the simple joys of life—hot drinks, holiday lights, and good company. These moments reminded me how powerful events like those organized by Oracle can be—not just for professional growth but for building genuine connections and creating memories that last a lifetime.
Hi! I am Bruno, a Brazilian born and bred, and I am also a naturalized Swedish citizen. I am a former Oracle ACE and, to keep up with academic research, I am a Computer Scientist with an MSc in Data Science and another MSc in Software Engineering. I have over ten years of experience working with companies such as IBM, Epico Tech, and Playtech across three different countries (Brazil, Hungary, and Sweden), and I have joined projects remotely in many others. I am super excited to share my interests in Databases, Cybersecurity, Cloud, Data Science, Data Engineering, Big Data, AI, Programming, Software Engineering, and data in general.
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