Remember the Grandfather in Moonstruck? At one point, conversation going on like a tennis match and he looks around the table…”I’m so confused!” That’s me. I’m so confused. It’s day something or other, I’m not sure which so, for the title, I’ve just give the name of one of the places we visited today. We’re actually staying in Sighetu Marmatiei, Romania and the Ukraine border is very near here. We’ll cross tomorrow, hopefully, it will only take a few hours but who knows?
I adore the squares of old European cities and towns. Sibiu is quite old,built in the 12th century, the largest and wealthiest of seven walled cities built by German settlers called Transylvanian Saxons. It’s home to the first hospital in Romania in 1292, the oldest museum in1817 and the first book published in Romania was published in Sibiu in 1544. In 2007, when Dave and I were last in Sibiu, it was named a European Cultural City; it’s easy to see why!
So much of the old ways still exist…there are still shepherds who live with their flocks and men who go out in the morning with their cows and all return home at night where the cows will be milked. Who do you know who could be alone with their own thoughts day in and day out and not go crazy? I like love the solitude but a few in our group shake their heads; perhaps not liking or not understanding.
Every now and again, I’d see an old woman, bent over with age and, probably, arthritis, walking purposefully on her way from somewhere to somewhere else. I hope she found family and love when she arrived.
Alicia@ eco friendly homemaking says
Oh these pictures are so great and what an awesome trip you have had!!What a blessing to have traveled to these places!
Petra says
Awesome pix and special memories! Thanks for sharing!
Colleen says
It looks like you are having a wonderful time. I like the way you travel, seeing as best you can in brief glimpses, how life is lived in other places. Your photos capture those moments. God Bless . . . safe travels back to the Cove.
dori says
Very interesting! Adventurous! I love the people, so simple and naturally. The church is beautiful!
Whimsey Creations says
Thank you so much for sharing your trip with us. I love those eyebrow windows – too wonderful!
Anonymous says
So much of your views, especially the people seem from another era… full of character and mood… I can 'feel' the place through your eyes.
Mr. Stumbles says
The women work and the men drink; much to be said for that !
Midlife Jobhunter says
Looks like a grand trip. Also sounds like we travel alike. Have enjoyed reading and traveling with you. Your photos so telling of the lives you are seeing.
Wobegon Cottage says
Solitude..I am looking for some. My daughter and her family just left from a nice visit and I am babysitting two grandchildren today so I don't think I will have any until this weekend. You trip looks so interesting. I love all the pictures you are taking. I feel lilke I am almost with you. god Bless (Alice)
GLENDA CHILDERS says
This makes me miss Eastern Europe a lot. I have never been to Romania, but Moldova is similiar.
I grew up saying "klicks", too. (in Viet Nam.)
Fondly,
Glenda
Timi says
You had such an exciting trip!!! I am glad that you are now in Romania and you like it :o)!
I hope tomorrow everything will be fine and you don't have to wait hours at the border…
Your photos are so great! Thanks for sharing with us!!!
Take care!
Jane and Lance Hattatt says
Hello Sandra and Dave in America:
We were so very pleased to see this post come up in our Google Reader and to know that all is well with you.
Your schedule seems to be remarkably hectic and so it was with something like relief that we read that you had had time to sit and relax in the park and wander through these wonderful rural places. You must feel at moments that time has stood completely still. All of this is so very interesting to us and we now really do feel compelled to travel eastwards.
Marydon says
Awesome pictures, Sandra. You are truly sharing life there so realistically. Such a romantic newlywed couple … such a different life than we are so accustomed to.
Solitude … I welcome it whenever possible.
Enjoy, Sandra. Loving your sharing your trip with us. Be safe.
Have a great day ~
TTFN ~
Hugs,
Marydon