I went with my room mate, Ana, to her grandparents house in a small village called Ghindaoani near Peatra Neamt. We arrived in Peatra Neamt late in the evening so we stayed with Ana's friends in a small appartment near the centre. This was after we visited a bar where they had a Karaoke evening. The songs were some sort of traditional style with a backing track that sounded like it was played on an mini casio keyboard! After several hits it was nice to go to bed. In the morning Ana and her friend took me to see the town. We took a cable car to the top of the ski slope that overlooked Peatra Neamt. It's a very cute town. We also visited an old church that was erected by Stefan Cel Mare in the 15th Century.

Around lunch time we took a small, packed minibus to the village where Ana told me that they only made the road accessable for cars last year. Before this the minibus would drop you in the highway and you would still have a two hour walk ahead of you, unless you know someone with a horse and cart who is willing to collect you. Ghindaoani's water supply comes from various wells which means the toilets are outside and most people there keep animals and grow their own fruit and vegetables. We took some rabbits that Ana's grandfather gave us and we also took some homemade wine and t(s)uica which is a traditional Romanian spirit that apparently everyone in Romania knows how to make!

That evening we headed to Iasi and spent two nights there with some more of Ana's friends. They were very hospitable and Stefana made sure I didn't go hungry!