Blogs from Transilvania, Romania, Europe - page 10

I think most people agree that Romania has an image problem. The crudest perception is, of course, of dirty thieving antisocial Romanys looking to steal jobs in Western Europe countries. Clearly this is the perception the Farages and Le Pens of this world want to promote for their own ends. We have had a tremendous time in Romania. Never once have we felt unsafe even at 4 or 5 am in the middle of Sigetu or at Brasov station. Everyone has been incredibly helpful even when they do not speak a word of English. That little old lady trying to find us the carver in Vaduz Izei comes to mind. We have met some interesting people, from visiting émigrés to an orphanage security guard and fellow tourists. When we did not have a way of buying ... read more

A very nice roadtrip through the mountains. On Friday afternoon we left Bucharest and headed towards Predeal via DN1. The trip was quite bad because it was very crowded after Comarnic, especially through Sinaia. On Saturday I went on one of the nicest drives yet: from Predeal to Brasov, via Rasnov and Poiana Brasov (where the view was beautiful), then North through the mountains up to Gheorgheni, West towards Praid and then back South, passing through Zarnesti and Rasnov. The villages there look very nice and there are quite a few fortified evangelical churches (in pretty much every large village). Also, the route from Gheorgheni to Praid is very nice (both the view and the drive). On Sunday we headed to Intorsura Buzaului and had a car crash in Prejmer... It was not too bad, but ... read more

On arriving in Brasov we went to town to have a look. We soon came to the town square with beautiful buildings. No traffic here. We discovered an old hotel restaurant that started in 1914 with old photos about early years. Very nice. The price for dinner is as two hamburgers at home. The reason coming here was Bran castle or Dracula castle. We went in the late morning to Bran, thinking that the buses would be to lunch. Ha. It took forty-five minutes to get a ticket. Bran castle was up and running by 1382. Huge additions were build by 1531. The association between Vlad Tepes Dracula, Prince of Walachia 1448-1476 who spent this early years in Transylvania gave Bran Stoker, the idea of Count Dracula the Vampire. Tepes which means the Impaler, was a ... read more

After a lovely country trip we arrived in Sighisoara, what we now call Sighi. It is a 15th century UNESCO medieval town, that is the old town. Vlad Dracula or Vlad the Impaler was born here in 1431. He is seen here as a hero. Because of his battles with the Ottomans. The church on the hill has 500 years old Frescos. There is the 14th century clock tower, some of the houses are from the Saksen era, 15th -16th century. The Phoenician house is from 13th century. Unbelievable because it is all intact and lived in. So here we went steps and cobble stone road up and up the hill to visit this famous church with the Frescos. When we got there no video or photo allowed. We begged telling we come from far away ... read more

Went to Brasov again for work (at a conference). Stopped at a nice restaurant in Predeal on the way there, then got to Brasov just in time for the first lectures. After the Friday talks were over, I went with Ileana around the city and found a film festival taking place in the main square. So... We saw Kon-Tiki. It was very nice. On Saturday we attended half the talks, then left for Moroeni (where my sister was on a trip with her classmates). We spent a lovely afternoon there, with a nice bonfire, 2 guitars and lots of songs... Then we got back to Brasov. On Sunday we gave our talks and then left home in the afternoon. Total distance: 499 km.... read more