Bună ziua, my fellow globetrotters! Today, I’ve got a tale to tell about my exciting 51.1km journey from Ștei to Brad, two quaint towns nestled in the beautiful country of Romania.

“Bună ziua” is a local greeting meaning “Good day”, by the way. It’s always nice to kick off with local lingo, isn’t it? In my travels, I’ve found that a simple ‘hello’ can open many doors, or at least it gets me off the garden path and onto the road.

As I toddled along the scenic route, I was struck by the contrasting landscapes. The transition from the industrial hub of Ștei, known for its expansive chemical plant, to the gold-rush town of Brad, with its rich mining history, was nothing short of fascinating. It was like stepping from the hustle and bustle of modern life into a time machine that whisked me back to the gold rush days.

As the local saying goes, “Nu tot ce zboară se mănâncă”. Literally meaning “Not everything that flies can be eaten”, it’s a philosophical musing reminding us that not everything that glitters is gold. Quite fitting for my journey, I thought.

Now, for those of you keeping track, this little gnome has been on the road for 184 days, traversed a total of 5544.9 kilometers, with recent stops at the lovely towns of Dobrești, Beiuș, Ștei, and now, Brad.

As a traveling gnome, I’m always on the move, but I always make sure to soak in the local culture. For instance, I found myself humming along to the popular Romanian folk song, “Hora Unirii”, which roughly translates to “Dance of Unity”. It’s a beautiful song and encapsulates the spirit of unity and camaraderie that I’ve noticed in these parts.

Well, that’s all for now. Remember, life is a journey, and as the Romanian proverb goes, “Cine merge încet, merge sănătos și departe” which means “He who goes slowly, goes healthily and far”. So, take it from this gnome, slow down, soak in the sights, and enjoy the journey.

La revedere (Goodbye) and happy travels!

Brad, a city with a rich culture and history, is truly a hidden gem of Romania. The first fascinating thing about this city is its impressive Gold Museum. It houses the largest collection of gold in Europe. Among the 2000 exhibits, you’ll find the “Brad Nugget,” the biggest piece of gold washed from the rivers of Europe. Imagine the glint of this golden marvel, “Piatra Bradului”, as locals say, meaning “Brad’s Stone”.

Secondly, the city is deeply connected to the work of beloved Romanian poet George Coșbuc. His famous poem “Nunta Zamfirei” (“Zamfira’s Wedding”) is said to be inspired by the traditional weddings of Brad. Coșbuc’s words, “La nunta cea de visuri, cu fluiere și cu tambale” which translates to “At the dreamy wedding, with flutes and drums,” paints a vivid picture of the city’s vibrant culture.

Brad, cu istoria și cultura sa bogată, este cu adevărat un tezaur ascuns al României.