Berești
Last Week on the Road
My Epic Journey So Far
Today’s Weather Report
Day 216: Berești is sizzling at a gnome-melting 33.42°C, but feels like a slightly cooler 32.23°C. They call this “scattered clouds” but my sunburn begs to differ. Humidity at a mere 28% – my beard’s gone all frizzy! Winds are at a lackluster 3.3 m/s, barely enough to rustle my pointy hat. As a gnome, I’m built for shady gardens, not this desert heat. I’m redder than a tomato and twice as round! Tomorrow, I’m trading my fishing rod for a parasol.
Romanian Roamin’ Gnome!
Let me take you on a 38.1-kilometre journey from the peaceful village of Matca to the quaint town of Berești, nestled in the heart of Romania.
What struck me the most during this journey was the sheer beauty of the Romanian countryside: the sun, like a golden disc, setting over emerald fields, painting the sky with hues of orange and pink. It was a sight for sore eyes and weary gnome feet. As they say here, “Frumusețea este în ochiul privitorului” (Beauty is in the eye of the beholder). Believe me, friends, the beholder was utterly spellbound.
Along the way, I couldn’t help but hum the local folk song, “De-ai fi tu salcie la mal” (If only you were a willow on the shore). The melody seemed to echo the rhythm of my journey, the ebb and flow of my gnome-life on the road.
By now, I’ve been on the road for a whopping 215 days, covering a distance of 6361.3 kilometers! My recent stops, apart from Matca and Berești, include Suraia and Leova. Quite the globetrotting gnome, wouldn’t you agree?
While it’s true that every journey changes a traveler, I can’t help but notice how each city, each village, each little hamlet I pass through leaves its imprint on me. As I cross borders and language barriers, I find pieces of myself I never knew existed. “Călătorul vede ceea ce vede, călătorul vede ceea ce este în el” (The traveler sees what he sees, the traveler sees what is in him), as the Romanian philosopher, Gabriel Liiceanu, once said.
So here’s to more travels, more discoveries, and more gnome adventures! La revedere! (Goodbye!)
Wandering Berești’s Streets
Gnome’s Charming Color Chaos
Painted en plein air while taking in the sights of Berești.
— Oliver the Gnome, aspiring artist
Berești: History in Bricks, Music in Air!
Firstly, Berești’s architecture is a testament to its history. They’re fond of saying, “Clădirile sunt poveștile noastre pietrificate“, which translates to “Buildings are our petrified stories”. It’s as if the city’s past is etched in its bricks and mortar.
Secondly, Berești’s love for music is palpable. It’s the birthplace of George Enescu, Romania’s most celebrated composer. As I wandered through the streets, the strains of Enescu’s Rapsodia Română seemed to follow me, adding a hauntingly beautiful soundtrack to my journey.
In Berești, history isn’t just a thing of the past; it lives and breathes in every corner. It’s a city that cherishes its past, but with an eye firmly on the future. As the Romanians say, “Unde-i drag, acolo-i casa” – “Where there is love, there is home”. And for now, Berești is home.
Plum Whispers and Sarmale Serenades
Berești, a treasure trove tucked in the heart of Romania, is truly an old soul. The city’s cultural scene is defined by its rich history, traditional music, and hearty cuisine. It’s a city where the past gently whispers in your ear, “Lasă-te purtat de val” (Let yourself be carried by the wave). The city’s heart beats to the rhythm of Muzica Lăutărească, a traditional genre of Romanian folk music, and the air is often filled with the tantalizing aroma of sarmale, the national dish. The locals, or bereșteni, are as warm as their plum brandy, ţuică, always ready to share a tale or two. In Berești, you’ll not only visit a city, but participate in a living, breathing cultural tapestry.
Gnome’s Guide: Berești Wonders!
See you tomorrow!
Around the World on Foot, in Many, Many Days 