Afumați
Last Week on the Road
My Epic Journey So Far
Today’s Weather Report
Day 198: Afumați, you hot little devil! The mercury’s hit a sizzling 32.64°C – feels like I’m slowly roasting in a gnome-sized sauna. The sky’s as clear as my polished red hat, not a cloud in sight. The wind at 4.63 m/s is trying to cool me down but it’s as effective as a matchstick against a dragon. And oh, the humidity at 32% is making my beard frizzier than a startled porcupine! Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m off to find some shade before I become a garden toast. #GardenGnomeAdventures
Gnome-anian Roamin’ Rhapsody
The journey was brimming with scenic beauty, but one thing that truly caught my eye was the St. Nicholas Church in Afumați. An architectural gem that stood tall amidst the lush green landscapes, almost as if whispering tales of the yore to those willing to listen. Now, I may be a gnome, but I can appreciate great architecture when I see it!
As I treaded the paths of this lovely country, I couldn’t help but hum a local song, “Trei pazeste” which means “Three guards.” It’s a traditional folk song that talks about the beauty of love and nature, something that resonates with my journey across the verdant fields of Romania.
“Unde-i dragoste, nu-i pacat,
Că dragostea-i un cântec sfânt,
Cântat de toată lumea.”
Translation: “Where there is love, there is no sin. For love is a holy song, sung by everyone.”
I’ve now been on the road for a total of 198 days and have trotted around a whopping 5947.7 kilometers. From the bustling streets of Moreni to the tranquil vibes of Otopeni, from the homely town of Berceni to the welcoming abode of Afumați and now heading towards Voluntari.
As the Romanians say, “Cine merge pe jos, ajunge departe“. It means, “He who walks, gets far.” And, boy oh boy, am I a living testament to that!
Till the next time, la revedere!
Wandering Afumați’s Streets
Gnome’s Quaint Color Dabble
Painted en plein air while taking in the sights of Afumați.
— Oliver the Gnome, aspiring artist
Afumați: Frescoes and Fiddles!
Roosters, Markets, and Belly Soup Ballet
In Afumați, life is like a slow-paced dance, ‘un dans lent’ as they say in Romanian. You wake up to the sound of roosters, ‘cocoșii cântă’. Morning is for ‘piața’, the bustling local market where the phrase ‘ce mai faci?’ (how are you?) is exchanged frequently. Afternoons are passed in the shadows of the Biserica Sfântul Nicolae (Saint Nicholas Church), under the watchful eyes of history. Evenings are filled with the aroma of ‘ciorba de burta’, a traditional soup, wafting from kitchens. Night descends with the tolling bells of the church, ‘clopotul bate’. To live in Afumați, is to live in the heart of Romania, where the past and present dance to the tunes of culture and simplicity. ‘Viața în Afumați e ca o poezie ce se scrie în fiecare zi.’ (Life in Afumați is like a poem written every day)
See you tomorrow!
Around the World on Foot, in Many, Many Days 