As I meandered through the quaint countryside, one observation struck me as particularly heartwarming. In every village I passed through, I noticed the locals gathered around the ‘cămin cultural,’ or cultural hall, deeply engrossed in music and storytelling. In Romania, these cultural hubs are the lifeblood of rural communities, a place where tradition and togetherness thrive. It’s a wonderful testament to the spirit of these hearty folks, who know that “Cine cântă nu are timp să se pogoare,” which means “He who sings has no time to despair.”

After 211 days on the road, and having traversed 6272.6 kilometers, I’ve danced with the locals in Pogoanele, shared tales under the stars in Jirlău, and now, observed the social heartbeat of Șuțești and Ciorăști.

In the words of the famous Romanian philosopher, Emil Cioran, “Nimic nu eșuează ca succesul”, which translates to “Nothing fails like success.” But isn’t that the beauty of travel? It’s not about reaching a destination, but about the experiences, the people, and the wisdom we gather along the way.

As for border crossings, there were none on this leg of the journey. But rest assured, I’ll regale you with tales of language changes when the time comes. Until then, let’s sing along with a local favorite: “De-aș avea lumea și timp, / Lumea-n țărână aș preschimba / Și timpul în cuvinte sublime”, which translates to “If I had the world and time, / I would turn the world into dust / And time into sublime words.”

So, my dear friends, until we meet again, remember to carry a song in your heart, and a healthy dose of curiosity in your backpack. La revedere! (Goodbye!)

Firstly, the town is renowned for its beautifully preserved traditional Romanian architecture. One can’t help but marvel at the intricately carved wooden gates, which are a testament to the locals’ woodworking skills. An old Romanian proverb says, “Fără muncă, lemnul nu devine lucios”, meaning, “Without work, wood doesn’t become shiny.”

Secondly, the town is the birthplace of the famed Romanian poet, Ion Caraion. His poetry, filled with poignant reflections of life and nature, resonates strongly with the spirit of Ciorăști. One of his famous quotes, “Viața e un zbor pe aripi de dor”, translates to “Life is a flight on wings of longing”, beautifully encapsulates the longing of a traveler like me!

With every step in Ciorăști, one can feel the echoes of the past and the whisperings of the future. It’s a place where time stands still, yet life moves on. And that, my friends, is the paradox of travel!