Bună ziua, fellow wanderers! Your favorite gnome, Oliver, has just completed an interesting journey of 0.0km. You read it right! I didn’t move an inch from the beautiful city of Târgoviște, Romania. I’ve decided to take a break from my travels and soak in the local culture right here.

During my time here, I’ve observed the city through a different lens. The most fascinating thing I’ve noticed is the way the local people live their lives. There is a saying here, “Viața e scurtă, mănâncă desertul primul“. This translates to “Life is short, eat dessert first”. This quote perfectly encapsulates the Romanian spirit – seizing the day and living life to the fullest.

In my 194 days of travel, covering a distance of 5819.7 kilometers, I’ve been through several cities like Curtea de Argeș, Mioveni, Târgoviște, and Moreni. Each city has been a unique experience, and the journey, just as exciting as the destination.

Whilst in Târgoviște, I found myself humming a local song, “Pe deal pe la Cornățel“, an ode to the beautiful landscapes of Romania. It goes something like this – “On the hill, at Cornățel, The wind gently blows, And under the gentle wind, The wheat head bows.”

Despite not physically moving, this journey has been a mental and spiritual adventure, proving that you don’t need to cross borders to learn and grow. The language of humanity remains the same, no matter where you are. Dragoste (love) and ospitalitate (hospitality) are universal.

Until next time, as they say in Romania, “La revedere“! (Goodbye!) Keep wandering, keep wondering!

Târgoviște, a city that whispers tales of history and culture in every corner, is forever etched in my gnome heart. Here, I marveled at the medieval Princely Court, a remarkable architectural feat that used to be the heart of Wallachia. As I strolled through its stone-clad walls, I could almost hear the echoes of the famous Vlad the Impaler saying, “Eu sunt Dracula” (I am Dracula).

But it’s not all grim history here! I also had the pleasure of experiencing the city’s vibrant art scene. I visited the County Art Museum where I was thrilled to see works of the great Romanian artist Nicolae Grigorescu. His paintings resonated with the words of Mihai Eminescu, Romania’s national poet, “Natura este un templu” (Nature is a temple).

From the eerie, yet fascinating past to the pulsating strokes of culture in the present, Târgoviște is truly a testament to Romania’s rich cultural heritage.