Brasov, Romania - Land of myth & mystery
A 22-hour bus trip from Prague across Eastern Europe was definitely worth the trip when I finally found myself deep into Dracula territory, Brasov, Romania. Land of mystery, myth, legends and mountains. I was here to tackle them all.
Brasov is right in the heart of Transylvania, made famous by Bram Stoker regaling us with tales of Vlad the Impaler or Dracula to you and me. As Romania’s second largest city, Brasov is a mere two hours away from Bucharest. Not as busy as the capital, you can really sense its rural roots when watching a tractor-driving farmer winding down a dirt road.
Romania has always held a fascination for me because of the myths and legends surrounding the country, making it a must-see on my list of places to visit. But beyond searching out vampires I though I could do a little mountain climbing as well. I mean who wouldn't to climb the Carpathian Mountain. It was the sense of adventure that had me hooked, but knowing what a great story it would make for all of my friends sealed the deal. Despite my fear of heights and my distaste for nature, I wasn’t put off, I was too excited about the challenge of it all, I was game for anything.
When travelling there are something’s you just never can prepare for fully. You’ve got guides to help you prep for the climb, but what do you do when you realize that most Romanians have never seen a black person before. I found the realization quite alluring. Sealed off from the rest of the world due to their communist past and their current poor economic status, Romania may have McDonald’s and Nike stores but the only black person they might have seen would have been on a television screen. So it’s a good thing I’ve always liked attention because boy did I get it. Everywhere I went people just gawked at me. It didn't really bother me because it was more amusing then offensive. I was a rare thing and everyone wanted a good look.
My most memorable example was when I took a personal or gypsy train to Sighasora, for a taste of local culture and a cheap means of transportation. When I boarded the train and started to read book, I had a strange feeling that I was being watched. I was right and boy was I watched. The whole train was watching me. One lady even switched chairs so that she could stare at me without craning her neck. Little kids were playing games of who could touch the black girl to see if my colour would rub off. Everyone was really nice and lucky for me, I meet a man who spoke English and got to have a bit of conversation.
Throw in my American passport to the mix and people were clamouring to seize their rare chance and ask me anything and everything. I was asked about things from politics to the ratio of tongue rings to girls in New Orleans. And I took my opportunity to have a little fun and lead them to believe that yes, every girl in New Orleans does have a tongue ring, maybe a bit wrong, but how were they to know. I was even invited to one villager home for dinner and to meet his wife because she would never believe he had met me. I had a lot of fun and to this day I still have a place to visit due to my new friends.
After a few days travelling, I finally decide I’d been playing around long enough and it was time to tackle my mountain. I had come to climb a mountain and dam it I wasn't leaving till I did. So I got myself a guide and was on my way to Bucegi Mountain to faces my fears and to tempt fate. The climbing up part was easy mainly due to the fact that I cheated and took a cable car up the mountain. I never realized how hard it was going to be. At the beginning it was a piece of cake, but as we climbed further down the mountain, I soon realize that it was going to get harder. It had rained the night before, so the path was slippery and muddy. I soon began to wonder where I got the idea to climb down a mountain that was 2065 meters height. I must have been out of my mind.
There was a whole lot of drama going on during this climb, with me slipping and falling about every 10 minutes or so. I was bleeding and crying and cursing my self for thinking I could do this. At one point I even thought about becoming a wilderness girl and living in the mountain just so I didn’t have to climb anymore. But, then, I remembered I hate nature and had no alcohol or entertainment. I wouldn't last an hour, so on I climbed.
My guide was always calm with me and always very encouraging. So I figured if he was like this then I should try as well. So nearly four hours after we started I finally made it to the bottom. I have never been so proud of myself in all my life. Sure I was in tears and injured but I had done it. And I was so happy to be back on solid low ground that I literally kissed the ground I was standing and made my way to a bar. I needed it was to settle my nerves. This trip to me is like one of the MasterCard ads:.. Guide 100 euro, .. boots 50 euros... a pint of beer 15 pence.. Yolanda making it down the mountain alive.. priceless.
