Romania Reflections

Before we left Perth, we were warned by many to be careful in Romania, especially of the Romany gypsies. We would like to announce that contrary to popular belief, Romania is a very safe country to travel in. We have not come across many gypsies, and the ones that have crossed our path are totally harmless. We have concluded that all the scary gypsies seem to have gone to Italy and Spain. We certainly had to be more guarded there than in Romania. Even accounting for us having a rental car and not being on public transport much, and spending more time in smaller towns, we would like to assert that Romania is very safe.

Romania and its people do seem very progressive and affluent. The road conditions here are much better than Bulgaria, and with wider lanes. Both public and private houses and buildings are well mantained, and even the few abandoned ones don't look too sad. There is much infrastructure work and restoration going on. I don't know if we are seeing the country from rose tinted travelers' glasses, but there is a positivity and confidence in the air.

The Romanians are very warm and friendly. Like Bulgaria, we did not experience much if any of the post communist suspicion stereotype. What we did find were warm, open, intelligent and educated people who are interested in talking to us and hearing about Australia. They have a strong nationalistic pride. Many wanted to know why we chose to chose to Romania, and stay for such a long time (6 weeks). Even for those who work away from Romania, Romania is still very much home. Their ties to family are strong. Romanians are beautiful. They take pride in their appearance, always present well. Even if they are in tracksuits, it is fitted well and worn as a matching set, sometimes with the whole family in the same matching set. I do try (without much success) to remember to apply some lipstick in a feeble attempt to look less shabby in my travelling / hiking clothes.

We could wax all lyrical about the Romanian food. Suffice it to say that although we walked and hiked much, it is a miracle we did not leave Romania looking like an overstuffed sarmale (cabbage roll).

Romania is a stunning, jaw-dropping, beautiful country. We explored some of the alpine regions of the Carpathian Mountains, and the valley of the mighty Danube River. For the first time in Bucovina region in the north-east, we saw churches intricately painted on the exterior only to walk inside to see more frescoes. Architecture is varied as it is incredible. The Saxon homes and Fortified churches in Transylvania, the wooden churches in Maramures and the oh-too-pretty cupcake buildings of Oradea were our highlights.

Oh Romania, we should have visited you much sooner, stayed much longer, and we do hope to see you again.Read more