The last European country I lived in was Romania. It is what you might call an unspoilt country, relatively off the beaten path as far as tourism is concerned, but there are some wonderful places to visit. The top photo is a street scene from the small Transylvanian town of Sighişoara, which was the birth place of Vlad Ţepeş, the historical figure on whom Dracula was based. The house where he was born is now a restaurant, which serves such typical Romanian delicacies as pan-fried brains. There is a plaque on the wall stating that Vlad Ţepeş's father, Vlad Dracul lived here and that his son was born here in 1431 and spent the first four years of his life in this house. Drăculea means son of Dracul. After suffering abuse as a prisoner of the Turks, Drăculea went on to exact his revenge by impaling Turkish prisoners on stakes, where they took up to 48 hours to die an agonizing death. Ţepeş means Impaler.
The second photo is of Piaţa Unirii in downtown Bucharest, which is where I lived. You can see that capitalism is beginning to transform this once grim communist bloc city.
The third photo is of the fortified Saxon church of Biertan. You find fortified churches like this dotted across Transylvania. The villagers took refuge in them during the periodic invasions by the Ottoman Turks.
ooh - did you learn to do the transylvania twist???
ReplyDeleteI hope you're going to publish a book (or two) about your travels, including photos. It would be a remarkable read.
ReplyDeleteToasty, it is very kind of you to say so. I have plans for an autobiographical travel book about my odyssey, but first I would really like to get The Mongolian Girl published.
ReplyDeleteThe first photo reminds me of Greece. The chalky exteriors are very pretty.
ReplyDeleteSo interesting. And your photos are stunning, as always!
ReplyDeleteVery stunning photos!
ReplyDeleteNice photos, would be nicer if you post some Romanian babes photos too
ReplyDeleteAloha Ian:
ReplyDeleteThis is a sumptious blog! I'm grateful you found mine, so that now I can follow yours.
Warmly,
After looking at these photos...I think we got to visit this place...
ReplyDeleteNice photos, simply stunning, love the fortified church & this photo inspire me in some way! love it!
ReplyDeleteI agree with Toasty. I love reading about your travels- your photos and descriptions are amazing! Thanks for that!
ReplyDeleteThank you for your nice comments.
ReplyDeleteGee Golly. That's an interesting history. Sigh. Dracula is infamous! Romania in a few pics looks a little...calm. Hmm. I wonder about the secrets it hides.
ReplyDeleteI love how ironic it is that the birth place of the son of "Dracula" is a restaurant. Genius.
ReplyDeleteScotch eggs are much nicer than pan-fried brains.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos. I never knew those tidbits about dracula. Very interesting!
ReplyDeletei think the appeal (for me anyway) about romania IS the lack of tourists. i don't like being a tourist.. but i would love to travel.
ReplyDeleteHello there! I found your blog through a very funny comment you wrote on a post on Passive Aggressive. Glad to find an interesting new voice. Love your photos, and I look forward to exploring older posts and your writing sites. (I'm a writer, too, and definitely have the travel bug, although I've only visited 20 countries so far.)
ReplyDeleteYour photos are amazingly clear and wonderful...thanks so much for stopping by. I'm not sure how that works with addictions, but when I find out, I'll post it..thanks again and have a great weekend...;) *
ReplyDeleteIn Europe, the most fascinating and beautiful place I found is Romania. Stunningly beautiful place !!!!!! Don't miss it.
ReplyDelete