Romania

Romania is simple country with simple habits; it’s people seem to leave a not very complicated life and welcome you in every corner. They mostly speak English and try to help you all the time. They live their lives and let you live yours. We loved Romania!

They have a big past inherited from already well structured civilizations living there like the Thracians, Dacians and Getae, thousands and thousands years ago, followed by Roman Legions, that left their culture, habits and the Latin language as the basic structure for the modern Roman spoken there. For foreigners costumed with Latin languages like Spanish, French, Italian and Portuguese, reading a sentence in Roman is quite a straightforward exercise in going back to the origins of these languages.

An interesting fact is it’s population that peaked almost 23,000,000 inhabitants in 1992, is now declining at fast rates, reaching today approximately the same number as in 1970, that is, 19,500,000.

Romania has a lot History to be told and to be visited; I guess, 10 days are just enough to barely scratch the surface!

Enjoy some glimpses of this beautiful country!

Bran Castle, Transylvania, Romania
The beautiful and famous Bran Castle, near Bran in the Brașov area, in medieval architectural style. Legend goes by saying this is the place where the Count Vlad, the Impaler, son of the Count Dracul (Dracula, as per the novel by Bram Stoker) lived, although he may have lived for a short period of time there.
Bedroom in the Bran Castle, Romania
Queen Maria of Romania lived in the Bran Castle for quite some time and these quarters were her bedroom. The windows give to the main patio of the castle and a vision of the mountains bordering the city.
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Bucolic Farm House Near Bran, Romania
Almost getting into the city of Bran, Romania, we had to stop to take a picture of this farm house. It seemed so calm, the work for the day already done. Even the fields around were at ease at this time.
Tulcea, Monument to the Independence.
The Monument to the Independence from the Ottoman Empire, built in 1879. Later, in 1932, it was reconstructed. It's located in the highest place in Tulcea, Romania. Visible on the sides of the obelisc, there are a huge infantry soldier (Dorobant) and an eagle made in bronze to represent those that were fallen for the independence and the freedom of the country.
Sighisoara, Romania, The Main Square in the Historic Center
In the historic center of Sighisoara, Romania, old buildings share small passages with restaurants and colorful houses. The far right, the house where presumably Count Dracula lived for some time.
Peleș Castle, Sinaia, Romania
This castle of our fairy tale dreams is located in Sinaia, Romania, and was built by the King Carol I in commemoration to the independence of the country from the Ottoman Empire. The region itself, the mountain scenery, it's just breathtaking!
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Bucharest, Romania, The Dâmbovița River.
Practically cutting Bucharest in two, the Dâmbovița River served, long ago, as a water source, while today serves more an attraction than anything else, as it is not navigable.
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The Lemonade in Romania
A specialty in Romania, served in every restaurant, the lemonade is made of big and yellow lemons that render a delicious sweet and bitter taste at once.
Bucharest, Romania, Old Downtown.
The very lively Old Downtown in Bucharest, Romania. Plenty of typical restaurants, theaters and people walking on the streets.
Bucharest, Romania, Old Downtown.
Apparently, people living in Bucharest, capital of Romania, like going to restaurants. And they are not deceived as there restaurants of all kinds, mainly typical ones.
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Vast Fields of Corn
In the Danube Delta, vast fields of crops. In this case, corn used to produce a flour that renders its polenta so delicious! Corn on the cob? I tried one at the foot of the Bran Castle... Wonderful!
The Danube River Delta
In the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve, crossing the river by a ferry while the sun was setting.
Râșnov, The Citadel, Romania
The small rural town of Râșnov, Romania, seen from the highest point in the The Citadel, a fortress built as part of a military defense system in Transylvania.
Râșnov, The Citadel, Romania
The Fortress Citadel at Râșnov, Romania. Located in the very top of mountain in the outskirts of city, it was part of the defense system of region.
Râșnov, Main Square, Romania
The main square of Râșnov, a mostly rural small city in the Transilvania region, Romania.
Sighisoara, Romania, A Traditional House
A traditional house in Sighisoara, Romania. Notice the incidental painting on the wall and the colorful expression of the houses.
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Youth Hanging Around
In one of the main squares of Rasnov, the youth hanging around. Notice them smoking at the same time, although neither one, including the ones standing, were using their cell phones. In fact, it seemed that the use of phones on the streets were more common here than any other places.
Sighisoara, The Parks and People
Many parks all over Romania. This one, in particular, in the city of Sighisoara, holds place for the people to enjoy some calm resting time. Notice how old and young people share the same space.
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