Day 10 - Pärnu, Estonia - A Blessed Day

Joan's View

After sleeping in, there was a break in the ever changing rain, so we walked to the nearby farmer's market, Pärnu Turg. We bought some "candy" in the form of red currants and strasberries. Yes, that is correct. They are a cross between strawberries and raspberries. Wish we could bring some back for all of you to taste.

I love farmers markets and this one had lots of local fish. Name that fish, Nick Balog, and you other fishermen:

We made a stop at the Rimi market attached to the same building to reinforce our food supplies. As we were leaving, the rain was coming down steadily. People were gathered at the entrance/exit deciding what to do. Tony opened the tiny, floppy umbrella from the Airbnb and we decided to brave that cloud. Yes, our shoes got nice and soaked along with some clothes. Thankfully, it was a short trek back to the Airbnb. 

Once the rain stopped again, we ventured out to do some more exploring. Tony's idea was to go shopping, but at a bicycle shop. 😒  The shop had great reviews, but it turned out to be mostly a repair shop. From there, we went on the hunt for a restaurant. We passed this school that Tony noticed had woodworking equipment in it. There was a bouquet of wooden tulips in the window similar to the ones that Tony made for our wedding table arrangements, 37 years ago.

Teriyaki poke bowl

We also ate a late lunch at a restaurant along a popular section of the city for restaurants and bars. It's probably hopping at night, but we'll never know. 

Wooden tulips

That section of road where we ate was blocked off by elephants for pedestrian traffic only. Actually, elephants are a symbol of Pärnu and were frolicking all along this blocked off section. Kids were playing on them, but all I could get Tony to do was stand by some. The elephant symbolizes happiness and goes way back into other history of Pärnu too.

We went back to the room because, yes, more rain was coming. We got to do some video chatting with the Noblesville Schroeders and then headed out to mass at St. John the Apostle. We left early to catch the rosary before mass. Here is the church. 

Inside the door, the chapel was through a door on the left. It was a small room and the priest, Fr. Wodzislaw Szczepanik was sitting on one of the chapel chairs. He asked us if we were coming for Saturday mass or Sunday vigil mass. We said Sunday vigil because we are leaving in the morning on our bike. He asked if we would lead the rosary and say the readings for mass because if we were the only ones that came, he would do the Sunday vigil mass in English. After we finished the rosary and just before Father started mass, one person, Natalia, came in. Father said that she was from their Tallinn parish. We had a private mass! 

Father Szczepanik is the parish priest for 30 people in Pärnu. He also travels about 300 kilometers each weekend to help out at Tallinn and Tartu. There are only about 8,000 Catholics in Estonia. We asked for a picture because it was truly a highlight of our trip.

Lastly, we got some all important video time with the other two families, the Wolters and the Balogs. Someone is starting to miss those grandkids. 

Tony's Extras

We got one screen shot from our video calls. This is our youngest Riley Rose Balog. AJ, aka Tony Jr. (by me, and Grandpa Jaime) had some great photos, but at the time we weren't sure how to do a screen shot on my MacBook. Joan needed this Grandkid time.

One of the highlights is definitely a private Mass on Saturday night. This is one of those places that is still trying to recover from the Soviet repression of the Catholic faith. Just think 30 people in the parish, not 30 families. We walked into the chapel with a Priest sitting in the front row with only around 30 folding chairs in the chapel. For me, it was so solemn with Joan leading a rosary and a Priest doing his best English that was there to serve so few people. He was so generous to change the Mass from a regular Saturday Mass to a Sunday Vigil. Then to do it in English for us. What a memory to share with our Bible group. It was special.

Last night in Estonia.