Romanesti (Romania) --------------- Iasi (Muldova)

Hangin. with Andrei

Another long journey (140km), but enjoying the beautiful countryside landscapes that Romania provides just about makes up for my aching legs. A break in the endless journey gets us talking, well attempting at least, to some gypsy kids who provide us with water from a nearby well.
We arrive an hour after dusk in our new home-from-home, chez Andrei. An amazing sumptuous feast awaits us, aubergine paste, fried potatoes and bread. Andrei explains the lack of meat is due to a religious holiday - no problem! There are three places set for supper but only two of us are eating. Andrei explains the third place is to represent the family. We get to eat for three, so. PS: there is a vineyard in the large back garden for wine producing.
Andrei's family are great - he has one brother (Michal) and sister (Anna) and despite language difficulties with his parents, we get by, especially when the homemade wine is opened.

Breakfast feast

Iasa castle

Next day, after a wonderful breakfast outside with the family, Andrei shows us about his city - the university, an 200 year old Romanian house belonging to a poet, the synagogue, the park, the bar (Joker), and finally the castle. Learn about the corruption that allowed a modern mall to be built right beside the castle and how all the young people in Romania seems to have good English due to the Cartoon Network. Very amused looking at students avoid an archway near the university that is meant to cause one to fail all exams if one walks under it.

Soviet styled cinema

Another amazing dinner, this time with the whole family present - a new variety of aubergine paste: this time with red bell peppers and tomatoes. Man, I gotta find out how his mom makes this! She bottles it for the winter and deprives her family of a bottle, by packing one with our packed lunch the next day. Learning all about untrustworthy gypsies from Andrei's father and Romanian history, politics and lifestyle from hanging with Andrei and his brother.

Our escort from Iasi

More homemade red wine and a type of schnapps gets everyone chatting until late.
On checking the route to our next destination in Muldova (Chisinau), we get bad news from our resident expert, Andrei. We must make a huge detour, as our planned route will not be possible unless we were a train. Instead of approx 90km, our route will be 160km. My legs grumble a bit, but feeling supercharged by the combination of the relaxed atmosphere in Andrei's house and the bountiful delicious food.
Next morning, at breakfast outside we are served borsch - we are explained that this is not usually a breakfast dish, but Andrei's mom wanted to show us how it is done in Romania. It's a vegetable broth with noodles, bit contrary to expectations, it is not made with beetroot. Very slow to say goodbye to our Iasa family and don't get on the road until after midday. I get an invitation to return on my way back to Bacau in a week's time. Can't wait.