Sunday's trip to Orhei

This Sunday we took a trip to Orhei. 

Orhei is around 45 km away north of →Chişinău and stretches along the river Răut, which is eventually flowing into the river Nistru (Dniestr) near Dubăsari. The valley of the river is rather wide in and around Orhei, so that it almost forms a plain. About 29,600 people live in Orhei.  The trip there took about an hour over fairly good roads but places along the way were under repair.  We were awed by the bright sunflower fields.  Cooking oil made from sun flower seeds is quite common and popular here in Moldova.  We attended catholic Mass in Orhei in a beautiful church that was over 100 years old.  Early in 2005 rennovation of the structure took place.  The priest from Stauceni comes to say the Mass and was our driver this morning.  He is pictured above in the blue shirt.  This is Parinte Hisgani of the Divine Word Congregation.  He is a native of Fiji Islands and speaks Romanian and English very well.  Also along today were fellow PCT's  Georgiana and Yvette (not pictured) and Georgiana's host mom, Olga of Stauceni.  Moldovan catholics call their priests "Parinte" or Parent instead of Father as we do in English.  Today's message:  Go in Peace, the Mass is ended.