Suraia
Last Week on the Road
My Epic Journey So Far
Today’s Weather Report
Day 212 in Suraia, and I’m sizzling like a sausage on a summer barbecue! The mercury’s hit a scorching 32.43°C, but who’s counting? It only feels like 31.19°C, they say. Yeah, right! I’ve seen less sweat on a glass of iced lemonade! Clear skies mean no respite, and the humidity at 29%? I’ve seen more moisture in a desert! The wind is a measly 4.33 m/s. It’s like getting a blow-dry from an asthmatic mouse. As a gnome, I’m not built for this heat, I’m meant to be chilling in a cool, damp garden. But the
Palincă Pacing Pedometer!
I’ve just completed a delightful 27.2 km trek from the beautiful village of Ciorăști to the humble town of Suraia. As I journeyed along the sparkling river Siret, I was accompanied by the sweet symphony of chirping birds and rustling leaves.
The most interesting observation? The unusual, yet fascinating Palincă. It’s a traditional Romanian spirit, made from plums. I saw locals preparing it in their backyards, a process they call ‘distilare’. They speak fondly of it as “the drink of the gods” or “Zeilor băutură”, and they weren’t kidding! It kicked harder than a disgruntled mule.
As I travel, I’m constantly reminded of a local song I heard not too long ago. It goes, “Drum bun, drum bun, căci de-aș mai veni, Să mai aduc o veste bună de la mine pentru tine“. The translation is, “Good road, good road, because if I would come again, I would bring another good news from me to you.” Isn’t that just a perfect melody for a wandering gnome like me?
With this little adventure, I’ve now traveled a whopping 6299.8 kilometers in 212 days. I’ve wandered through the paths of Jirlău, Șuțești, Ciorăști, and now, Suraia. And I’ve been treated to the beautiful cultures and friendly faces that these places have to offer.
As I continue my journey, I’ll leave you with a philosophical musing I heard from an old man in Ciorăști: “Drumul cel mai lung începe cu primul pas“. It means, “The longest journey begins with the first step.” Quite fitting, don’t you think?
La revedere! That’s ‘goodbye’ in Romanian. Until next time, dear friends!
Wandering Suraia’s Streets
Gnome’s Petite Palette Ponderings
Painted en plein air while taking in the sights of Suraia.
— Oliver the Gnome, aspiring artist
Suraia: The Stony Serenade!
Firstly, Suraia is known for its well-preserved medieval architecture. The stone walls whisper tales of the past, and you can almost hear the clatter of the horse’s hooves on the cobblestone streets. As the Romanians say, “Arhitectura este muzica înghețată“, which means “Architecture is frozen music”. And indeed, each of these buildings sings a song of an era long past, echoing the works of Romania’s famous composer George Enescu.
Secondly, the city’s history is as vibrant as a summer bloom. It was a key location during the Roman era, and the echoes of their mighty Empire are still evident today. As one of Romania’s greatest poets, Mihai Eminescu, once wrote, “Istoria este oglinda timpului“, or “History is the mirror of time”. In Suraia, the mirror reflects a rich tapestry of cultures and epochs, making it a must-visit for any wandering gnome like myself!
Springing into Romanian Charm!
In Suraia, I stumbled upon an interesting tradition: the “Mărțișor” festival. Celebrated on the first day of March, it’s a way to welcome spring. Locals gift each other small trinkets with a red and white string attached, symbolizing vitality and purity. In Romanian, they say, “Primăvara e aproape, ia un Mărțișor!” which translates to “Spring is near, take a Mărțișor!”. The giving of these tokens is a gesture of friendship or love, and it’s believed to bring good luck. I even received a few myself! This tradition is a vivid reminder that despite my grumpiness, I find joy in the kindness of strangers.
Suraia’s Gnome-nificent Sights
See you tomorrow!
Around the World on Foot, in Many, Many Days 