Bună ziua dear readers, from the charming town of Șuțești, Romania!

Yesterday I embarked on a 20.4km trek from Jirlău to Șuțești, a journey filled with picturesque landscapes that took the edge off my grumpy demeanor. The lush green fields and the scent of wildflowers in the air were nature’s own version of aromatherapy. But it was the locals, with their warm smiles and hearty “Bună ziua”s (that’s “Good Day” in Romanian), that truly made my journey memorable.

I was particularly struck by the sight of an old, gnarled tree along the road. It stood there, a silent sentinel of time, as if whispering the tales of everything it had seen. It reminded me of a phrase I once heard, “Un om fără istorie este ca un copac fără rădăcini“, which translates to “A man without history is like a tree without roots” – a thoughtful musing for our journey.

Speaking of journeys, let me update you on my stats. Having trudged 6247.5 kilometers in 210 days, with recent stops at Cioranii de Jos, Pogoanele, Jirlău, and now Șuțești, my tiny feet have seen more of the world than some dare to dream.

As I continue my journey, I am reminded of a beautiful Romanian folk song that goes, “Pe unde-am umblat in lume, Lumea mi-a fost mai dragă, Dar acasă, mama mea, Nici o floare nu-i așa.” It means, “Everywhere I traveled in the world, I loved the world, but home, my mother, there is no flower like it.”

The language change was not an issue as I’m still in Romania. But each town has its unique charm, and I’m excited to keep learning and experiencing new cultures.

With that, I bid you La revedere (Goodbye) and look forward to bringing you more tales from my travels. Until then, remember: “Călătorul înțelept nu-și face bagajul cu lucruri, ci cu amintiri.” – “The wise traveler doesn’t carry things, but memories.”

La revedere!

Ah, Șuțești! This Romanian gem is a testament to time itself. One of the most fascinating things about it is the Casa de Piatră or the Stone House. This isn’t just any old house – it’s an architectural marvel, built entirely from river stones and mud! It’s like something straight out of a fairy tale, or perhaps a verse from the famed Romanian poet, Mihai Eminescu. He once wrote, “In fata casei tale de piatra…” which translates to, “In front of your stone house…”.

Secondly, the city is a cultural hub, particularly when it comes to music. It’s the birthplace of the renowned Romanian composer, Gheorghe Dima. His compositions are a true reflection of the city’s soul – melodious, complex, and deeply moving. In Romanian, we say, “Muzica este hrana sufletului”, meaning, “Music is the food of the soul”.

So, if you’re ever wandering through Romania, make sure to stop by Șuțești. This small city will leave a big impression!