30th of November, 2021.
When I am trying to talk with a Priest, two ladies walk in and they start to translate for me. The priest slightly say I cannot put my tent inside their garden because the bear can also enter their space but he says I should wait because he is going to talk with somebody.
Some time pass and nothing of him coming back. Is that possible they would just leave me here, abandoned in this cold?
A car arrives and a young man come out to open the gate. I explain to him what have just happened. He seems nice and say eh will check out for me. When he comes back he tells me that the priest are not into letting me stay too much but one of those ladies, who were translating the conversation, offered for me to come to her house. Wow! That is awesome! And in my opinion a quick in the priest’s stomach. I mean, come on, people, shouldn’t you be helping the ones in need?
The two ladies come out. They are sisters. We walk to their home and we talk a lot already. They are from Bucharest but have this holiday house in here, so they are spending a few days off.
When we arrive they tell me their husbands are at home. And I ask, in a surprising tone, how did their husbands take the news of a foreigner traveler coming to stay over night. They would explain to me later why everybody is actually so OK with this situation.
At their lovely holiday home I meet the guys. They are also very nice and kind and we all engage in a conversation. I start to tell them everything about my travels and they are really surprise. They all also love to travel and to hike mountains, which is pretty cool.
After a while they tell me about this television show about China, where traveler are backpacking, some are hitchhiking and camping, but many times they have to ask in the house a completely strange, if they can spend the night there. I mean, of course it is easier for them because they can just tell about the whole “tv show” thing, but anyway, that is the context in which I am introduced to this lovely family. A few days ago, while watching the tv show, they asked themselves what they would do if somebody would knock in their door and ask for such a thing. Ta-dam! Here I am. It happened slightly different of that but still counts.
We have a lovely evening and I also have a nice meal plus tea. We talk about many things including my travel plans for Romania. They tell me stories about Romania and its culture so I also learn more about their country.
Next morning, after a great breakfast, I take all my things and go to finally visit the Pelisor Castle. Is not far from where they live and soon enough I am in there. Wow! The castle is incredibly beautiful! Honestly, “I am shocked! Shocked!” (by Phoebe Buffay) I can barely describe. I am a big fun of “rocky” castles, in a more medieval style but this one, even though it is more modern and fancy, wow, I absolutely loved! Plus you can walk all around the grounds for free and even enjoy a bit of the entrance of it, where you can see another beautiful part of the castle. It is incredible and I think a very good spot to visit once in Romania.
I take some time appreciating the spectacle. Spectacle a little bit disturbed by some teenagers who are taking hundreds of photographs, being loud and a bit disrespectful. As usual. But I have plans of reaching Bran Castle still today so soon enough I take my way.
When I am leaving the castle area I notice something: my wallet is gone. Luckily, immediately I remember where it is: under the pillow I used to sleep last night, in the house. How stupid! Good for me that they don’t live that far away, but still I feel quite an idiot. When I come back and explain everything to them, hehe, they even offer me some money, “Maybe you need for something…”. How kind. But I refuse, of course.
And soon enough I am out of again, hitchhiking in a gas station.
