My two years in Romania

During her time in Romania, our very own Giulia fell in love with everything around her. Read all about her experience and see why, once here, you will fall in love with Romania as well.

What has Romania to offer to tourists? Why somebody who has travelled all over the world, who’s seen so many amazing places and lived thousands of adventures, should choose Romania as his or her next travel destination?

Well, the answers could be countless, clearly according to the individual preferences.

But I would like to share with you my personal experience. Not the one of a normal world-traveller, but the one of an expat. The one of somebody who left her home and chose to live in this wonderful country for two years.

I have to admit it, at the beginning I was terrified. Very often Romania suffers from unjustified biases abroad that, sooner or later, catch the ears of all of us. Luckily, I had the chance to learn that this country is no different to any other country in the world. And that those biases have been born out of ignorance and closed mindset. Just to give you a hint of what I mean: I used to walk home alone at any hour of day or night. I’ve never been disturbed by anyone and I cannot say the same of when I’m walking home in Italy or in the UK.

Giulia in the Transylvanian mountains, at Rasnov – Spring 2016

Clearly, Romania has its weaknesses of course, like freezing winters or very extroverted car drivers, but it has so many strength points that everybody who visits it cannot end up but being very positively surprised.

As a matter of fact, Romania has something that many other European countries have lost. It is authentic, and you will learn what authenticity means by experiencing it there.

Authenticity is everywhere; you can find it in their flowery culture for instance. In every city you’ll go, you’ll notice the attention and the care towards the natural world. Every public street, even the tiniest ones, are filled with roses, daisies, tulips and many other flowers. The boulevards of the big cities are packed with huge trees and when May comes, every city looks like Mother Nature just came there walking and then suddenly boomed, literally. This passion for nature touches every part of the locals’ life. In every pharmacy, you will find natural products that help people having a better and healthier life: teas and infuses for every kind of flu or ache, creams made out of calendula and aloe 100% natural, lip-balms with arnica and much, much more. Interestingly enough, the majority of people who live in the biggest cities have actually family members who live in the countryside. In their gardens, they cultivate the same plants to manufacture these incredible products directly at home, together with an incredibly tasty variety of jams, syrups and marmalade. Yes, I am the foody one in the company so all these traditions actually made me very emotional. I love it when I see people taking care of their lives respecting their traditions, even if it makes me a little sad, knowing that in my country this knowledge is almost forgot.

Country road in Dobrogea – Summer 2016

But the authenticity is not only in the products of this country, it comes from its inhabitants. From the way they live, the way they smile at you and welcome you in their house offering tea and cake. From their honest way of talking to you and telling you their stories, in their natural and unconditional will to share and listen to you. And the value they give to time. No matter if we are talking about a day, a month or a season, they’ll always find the time to dedicate their attention to what’s important: family, friends, work, religious celebrations, man’s natural rhythm and time to rest. Everything follows the path of what is fair for the human beings and what’s around them.

How’s the best way to experience all the things I just described here?

Travel through the heart of Romania, Transylvania, Maramures, Bucovina, Banat or the Danube Delta, or even through all of them, the region doesn’t really matter. Wherever you’ll be, go horseback riding and travel through the villages you’ll come across on your road. Stop somewhere for lunch, knock at somebody’s door and then… just enjoy and live the moment.

This is what will make your memories last forever.

Horseback riding in Prod – Spring 2016

by Giulia Andreola