We arrived in Brașov, Romania a week ago. It is located in the region of Transylvania, which sounds cooler. In route to Romania, we had a week of vacation split between Beijing and Kiev (blogs on China and Kiev still to come).
After 6 months in Asia, it felt a bit odd walking around Europe. Every car stops at the crosswalks, which somehow confuses us and makes us crash into each other as we attempt to cross the street.
Our first day in town, as we passed the 5th bakery and 3rd ice cream shop within a few blocks, Ethan and Logan were bouncing up and down and screaming that they loved Europe. However, when I pointed out that we won’t get to eat Asian food daily, their faces changed to sadness.
We love free walking tours and take them every chance we get. Below is our free walking tour group in Brașov.
Our tour guide led us to the major sites in Brașov while attempting to entertain us. Below is The Black Church (15th century).
Below is a statue of Honterus (1498 – 1549). According to our guide, he published the first map of Transylvania, founded the local elementary, middle and high schools, brought the first printing press to the area, authored books, and founded the first library in town. He also became a priest, changing The Black Church and those surrounding to Lutheranism. He died at age 51, making me feel like a bit of an underachiever.
Below is “Rope Street,” built in the 15th century for firefighting brigades after a fire had destroyed much of town. I guess there are not that many sites to see in Brasov, because this makes all the tour itineraries. It is the 3rd narrowest street in Europe, and, well, quite narrow.
St. Nicholas church, a Romanian Orthodox church built around 1500 AD, has remains from frescos on the exterior walls.
Below is our house in Brașov. There is a sweet dog living next door that puts his head to our window and tries to open it when we eat. Yes, you read that correctly. I did just say something nice about a dog. I might even buy him a doggie biscuit and open the window… but I haven’t gone quite that mad just yet.
And the nearby park.
springtime in romania! beautiful!!