Salonta
Last Week on the Road
My Epic Journey So Far
Today’s Weather Report
Well, Salonta is serving up a modest 24.83°C today, feels like 24.44°C for us gnome-folk. It’s like nature can’t decide whether to bake or chill us! The sky is a patchwork quilt of broken clouds, a lazy cat-and-mouse game with the sun. Humidity? A mere 41%. Dry enough to keep my paint job fresh but moist enough to curl my beard! And that wind? Barely a puff at 0.36 m/s. Just enough to ruffle my gnome hat. Overall, it’s a perfect day for a gnome on the roam! Weather, do your worst. I’ve survived gnome-eating squirrels.
Gate-crashing Gnome in Salonta!
My journey from Békés, Hungary to Salonta was a relatively short one, only 39.9 kilometers, but boy, what an adventure it was! As I crossed the border, I left the Magyar language behind and entered the realm of Romanian, a Latin based tongue that is music to my gnome ears.
I strolled along the fields, the wind whispering in the wheat, the scent of wildflowers accompanying me. The scenery was stunning, but what really caught my eye was a tradition that I found both amusing and meaningful. I noticed a number of decorated wooden gates, with incredibly intricate carvings. I learned that these are a local tradition, each one telling a story about the family living behind it. Such a charming way to express one’s identity and history!
I couldn’t help but be reminded of a Romanian proverb, “Fiecare om cu norocul lui“, which translates to, “Every man has his own luck”. Each gate is unique, just like the fortunes of every person. It’s a beautiful thought, isn’t it?
As I continue my journey, I’ve now been on the road for 180 days, and travelled a whopping 5407.3 kilometers. From Mezőtúr to Szeghalom, from Szeghalom to Békés, and now in Salonta, I’ve seen so much and met so many wonderful people.
Before I sign off, let me share a verse from a popular Romanian folk song, “Cine iubește și lasă“, “Whoever loves and leaves, may they step on a thorn”. Quite philosophical, eh?
La revedere for now, my friends. Always remember: Nu există nori pe cerul sufletului. There are no clouds in the soul’s sky.
Stay curious and keep exploring!
Yours,
Oliver, the garden gnome.
Wandering Salonta’s Streets
Gnome’s Pint-sized Masterpiece
Painted en plein air while taking in the sights of Salonta.
— Oliver the Gnome, aspiring artist
Salonta: Baroque-ing the Silence!
Casting my eyes upon it, I was reminded of a quote from Romania’s renowned poet, Mihai Eminescu: “În lipsa mea să fie pace” which in English translates to, “In my absence, let there be peace“. In the tranquil surroundings of the church, it truly felt like a place where peace lives.
Secondly, Salonta is home to the International Folklore Festival, or “Festivalul Internațional de Folclor“, a yearly event that showcases the vibrant traditions of Romania and the world. Walking amidst the festival, I felt like I was part of a grand symphony composed by the great Romanian composer, George Enescu. Salonta, a city of history and culture, had my heart singing its praises in every beat.
Horsing Around Manhood in Salonta
In Salonta, a town brimming with rich heritage, I came across a fascinating tradition called Junii Salontei, or “Young men of Salonta.” This tradition involves a spectacular horse parade on Easter. The local lads, decked in traditional garb, gallantly ride their horses through the town, symbolizing the passage into manhood. The local phrase, “Fii bărbat!” or “Be a man!“, resonates through the lively crowd, encapsulating the spirit of the event. It’s a unique spectacle to behold, adding another vibrant hue to the colorful cultural canvas of Salonta.
Salonta’s Gnome-azing Sights
See you tomorrow!
Around the World on Foot, in Many, Many Days 