‘We are in Transylvania; and Transylvania is not England. Our ways are not your ways, and there shall be to you many strange things.’

-Dracula




Romania is one of the most mysterious, beautiful, friendly places I have been.  This two week trip was something I did before a conference in Sibiu by Societas Ethicas: Ethics and Immigration.  I visited Brasov, Sighisoara, and Sibiu, with a few day trips.  Perhaps I will write a longer reflection later, but for the time being, a couple of short lists and photos.

Reasons to go to Transylvania:

Bran Castle-setting of Dracula (once you get past the tourist traps outside)
Fortified churches
Tours of castles still being renovated (see tower roof shot below)
Dramatic children: independent and interactive
Beautiful weekend weddings throughout town
Sarmales: cabbage rolls filled with meat or mushrooms and accompanied by polenta with cream
Picnics on hilltops
Mandy's: jarred natural vegetable spread (for picnics)
Safe and clean
Gorgeous cafe terraces with cheap espressos and mineral water
Nice (if slow) trains
Pretty language (easy to read if you know Italian)
The 'scary stray dogs' are actually cute lost puppies (but I did hear they can be vicious in the countryside...)
Music everywhere
Friendly people with fascinating stories to tell

Brasov from Casa Cranta hotel terrace

Lost puppy

Midieval castle renovations




Sighisoara: a unique stay at Pension Am Schneiderturm

·      Spending time with the owner of the inn in Sighisoara, I also meet a local boy who goes to the German school.  They owner has done a lot of traveling himself and speaks English, German, and French along with some Italian.  They teach me some Romanian words and tell me about a famous squirrel in town who made it to youtube, and then about bats that live in the tower.  They tell me about the market and how the kid likes to climb things, anything he can find in the village.  We drink the local wine, but switch quickly to the lightly flavored elderberry juice until the stars come out.