Bună ziua, dear readers! This gnome has seen the sun rise in Cioranii de Jos, Romania, and set in Pogoanele, Romania. An exciting 47.0 kilometers, if this gnome doth say so himself. As you know, I’ve been on the road for 208 days now, and I’ve walked a total of 6242.3 kilometers! Yes, you read that right, I’m not just a pretty garden ornament.

Now, what caught my gnome-sized eye on this little hop was a rather peculiar sight. A herd of sheep, being guided by a very determined shepherd dog, right through the heart of a modern city. A strange blend of old and new, tradition and progress. It’s the sort of stuff you wouldn’t believe if you didn’t see it with your own two eyes! The locals affectionately call the dog “ciobănesc”, which, in English, translates to “shepherd”. Simple, right?

As I journeyed from Cioranii de Jos to Pogoanele, I didn’t cross any borders, so the language remained the same – beautiful, melodic Romanian. Although, I did pick up a few phrases along the way. For example, “Cât de departe este Pogoanele?” which means “How far is Pogoanele?” Handy, eh?

Now, let me leave you with a little piece of wisdom that a local shared with me: “Pe drumul cel bun se cunosc oamenii.” In English, it’s “On the good road, you get to know people.” It’s a beautiful thought, isn’t it?

Until my next update, remember that life is a journey and we’re all just passing through. Or, as the Romanians would say, “viaţa este o călătorie şi toţi suntem doar în trecere.” Don’t forget to take a moment to appreciate the beauty around you.

La revedere! Or, as we say in English, goodbye!

Pogoanele, a city with a rich culture and history, tells tales of the old and the new, the traditional and the modern. Among its treasures, one can find the Old Vineyard, a place that whispers stories of centuries-old wine-making traditions. I was told, “Strugurii din Pogoanele sunt ca nectarul zeilor” – The grapes from Pogoanele are like the nectar of the gods. This isn’t just a boast – the local wines have a depth and character that invoke Dionysian verses.

Then, there’s the Annual Folklore Festival, an extravaganza of traditional dances, music, and food. I was mesmerized by the performances of the local artists who embodied the spirit of Romanian composer George Enescu. The people of Pogoanele greeted me with, “Bine ai venit în Pogoanele, Oliver!” – Welcome to Pogoanele, Oliver!

In Pogoanele, history is more than just a memory. It’s a living, breathing entity that dances in the streets and flows in the vineyards.