Brasov - A beautiful (and a bit overestimated) tourist destination in the heart of Transylvania, Romania

in travel •  7 years ago 

A new Future

So, a bit after New Year's, we left Bacau -his hometown- with @creutzy and his parents for a few days, to go visit a spectacular, amazing city, the most beautiful city in Romania -as advertised-, Brașov.

@creutzy wanted us to eventually move permanently there some day, and -as funny as it sounds- that's still a possibility, even though I wasn't thrilled by what I saw.

Then again, maybe I did like but just for vacation - who knows. It's different when you visit a place as a tourist and different as a future resident - I think that's what blocked me out from liking the city. The mandatory aspect of that 2 day city break.

About the City

It's not as beautiful as it seems in the pictures -Just like Budapest and other Eastern European cities I've visited, Brașov is -unfortunately- victim of total decay. In some areas it seems like the buildings are abandoned, even though they are perfectly functional with people living in them. It is not visible in the pictures but more buildings are ready to fall apart, and that is because the country probably cannot afford renovating them.

Of course it's still beautiful and you know how much I like abandoned buildings, but is a place like this a place to live?

It is supposed to be a touristy place but...it has nothing but an empty former protestant church as a monument and two small museums. True story. I guess the mountains around it are considered a tourist attraction, but sorry, for me, a forever traveler who has been in many countries that is not nearly enough.

Then again, it's just a town, so I guess for its size those are already plenty (?)

Mountains -yes. Which means no beach around. Which is very needed during the hot summers... Seriously, no water whatsoever - so sad :(

VERY SMALL - Ok, technically it is supposed to have around 300.000 population (less) but the very city center is very small, meaning that even on a Friday night you don't really see people around after midnight or something. Living in Athens, Paris, Rome and now Copenhagen, I think that would be a terrible transition for me... I don't know - maybe not comparing Copenhagen.

Copenhagen is pretty tiny too.

The weather. So, as if it's not enough that there's no sea to go during the super hot summers in the middle of nowhere, of course winters are usually super cold and snowy, talking about up to something like minus 20... -not my thing really, Copenhagen is already too much for me...

Personal View of Things

You all know by now that I LOVE Romania. And not just because of @creutzy. It's a love that started when I was still in high school - still trying to figure out the reason actually. Language, and all. So I wouldn't be against living in Romania [even though much lower living/financial level than Scandinavia or even Greece, my home country].

Brașov is a very particular and interesting place. But there are also personal reasons, besides the 'objective' ones that it would be hard for me to live there:

The last reference to Greeks in Brașov -even though it was a huge community in the old days- is the 2012's count which goes up to a merely 80 people living there. Seriously, I can't move to a place with less than some thousands Greeks, at least. Also -clear that- there is no Greek church, even though they built one back in the old days, which now belongs to the Romanian Orthodox Church instead.

As mentioned before, being a Capital girl my whole life, I don't know how I would react in a town.

Then again, when I moved to Copenhagen I thought it's super small and loved it more than any so who knows? Maybe I have a villager's soul in the end - romantic, simple and all ;)

Moving to a new country is one thing. Moving to your partner's country as a sacrifice is another. And no, love is not nearly enough for a sacrifice like that, I think. I would never expect for my other half to move with me back to Athens - my country, my home, my family and friends, my language, my rules. I just don't find it fair. Because that is my case if I moved there -being all alone. A big price to pay for love.

So in this case the question is, 'what makes you happy?' - and how far would you go? What's more important in life in the end?

I am not a fan of snow. and I don't really like mountains. I mean I do, as view, but since I'm not into winter sports or anything and I love the sea, I don't know I would be able to live somewhere without a bit of water, at least a lake or a proper river...Copenhagen is very fulfilling at this part, especially considering the fact that I have sea view from my new apartment.

Would you commit to something -that big- out of love? Do you think love is enough judge for life decisions? I can't wait to hear your views. Until then, don't forget to smile!

All previous pictures taken with my iPhone SE. The ones below, taken with my D90 instead. Notice @creutzy's subtle happy look, just by being there... ;) Subtle because he was insanely cold, trying to look fancy :P Yeah, the weather was kinda foggy/gray the first day, but the second it was sunny wih blue sky!

Yours

MeanMommy

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Gosh, looks like such an awesome adventure. It's so fantastic to see more of the world's hidden treasures being brought to light. These towns can truly be defined as art, (even though at first look they aren't as impressive) (even though at first look they aren't as impressive) and I honestly believe the best art isn't publicised, but found hidden neatly away, only to be found by those who are willing to search for it. I always loved Copenhagen. :) Good luck continuing your future and enjoying the adventure. I always loved Copenhagen. :) Good luck continuing your future and enjoying the adventure. Great post, I thoroughly enjoyed it. You have my vote! :)

Thank you! Even though I somehow doubt you actually read my post haha...You know this is NOT Copenhagen right? I currently live in Copenhagen but this city here, is in Romania. And...there's more to it than pictures...I understand it's a lot to read, but sometimes...worth it! ;)

I apologize so much. First comment of the day, I did read through it, but for some reason I I totally got confused. Either way, have a nice day! :)

Its very beautiful it's look like the country where I am visiting now it's pretty
Thanks for sharing it

Thank you :)
Out of curiosity, where are you now then?? :)

  ·  7 years ago Reveal Comment

Beautyfull :D good job

thank you :)

it looks so nie, but as you say the sad reality is other, the same happends in my country: Venezuela.
We have amazing places, beachs, nationals parks, city, but we are in misery, i whould like to visit others countries, for see for myself wich country is better.
thank you for sharing this, and congrats :D good post

I've heard that about Venezuela because I have Steemian friends from there -so sad :/
Thanks for putting it into perspective and glad you liked it! :)

don't worry, thanks to you for posting this.

hey dear,

All I know is that I have this particular phrase that says " following my heart was the most illogical shit I've ever done".

Love is not enough to decide life decisions but it can be one of considerations. Do you love that person enough to be willing to relocate? Is that person, the one who you want to spend your rest of life with, no matter where it is? or even the conditions.

I think that it's always difficult to find a common ground.But hey there's always something from both of party that could be work on and sacrifice that makes it a win-win situation.

With love,
Macchiata!

I would relocate for someone - I've done it before actually...
And, honestly, you never know who you'll spend the rest of your life with - even if you're married already...
The main question is...is the other person willing to compromise as well or are you gonna end up being the one sacrificing...?
Thanks for that sweetie - you don't comment often, but when you do, you're awesome <3
Hugs ! <3 :*

The first photo is like something out of a scary movie. I'd love to be exactly where I want to be ...but YYC is great for my family at the moment. One day i'll move the coast, where I can have mountains and ocean. All within 1h.

It is, isn't it? And it was more than it seems here... I mean this mountain is exactly around/on top of this city, you feel like if there's an earthquake all the snow will come down and kill you. I'm not kidding - I never got that scared from a mountain and with @creutzy we went hiking and camping in Trolltunga, Norway at 1000m altitute last summer...so yeah. Pretty creepy this - I've never seen something similar and I come from a mountain -and sea- country [Greece].
Having both would be amazing. I wouldn't think for one second moving there if there was water - even a river or a lake...but nothing...and as a Greek, living in Copenhagen (a city surrounded by water) I think it would be really hard for me...

Sorry, but Brasov is awesome! Sure, it's not a big city, but it offers plenty of stuff to do. And there's a small mountain inside the city, and it's 10 minutes away from the Old Town, that has a large pedestrian area full of pubs and shit.

Being a big city person and not a mountain person sorry for not seeing the awesomeness there.
Plus, the pedestrian area you're referring to wasn't full of pubs - actually, on a Friday night only one -kinda shitty- was open and a few dodgy bars and that was all... then again winter, but still...

I'm not a mountain guy either. I hate climbing and shit, I'm a lazy fuck. But Brasov's old-timey vibe while still having huge streets and a modern side to it is just cool, if you ask me. Sure, there's bigger, more active cities out there, but it being quaint, while still having night-life options available is part of its charm

I just didn't like it. And I like old fashioned cities and abandoned places - imagine. Huge streets? No,didn't see that. I saw the Mall which was indeed huge and the new apartment buildings there which I liked - modern and all - but Andrei said it's a shitty area (of course, the only one I liked!) I'd rather live in Cluj - for sure. But no one cares what I want, right?

Lol what? Where did that last part come from? You do you, different strokes for different folks. I just think Brasov is pretty cool. Not in love with it, but still pretty cool. Much better than Bacau, in any case :p

I personally like Bacau because it reminds me of Athens a bit but I wouldn't tell it's more beautiful than anything else I've seen in Romania so far 'cause it would definitely be unfair :P

Bacau definitely isn't beautiful. It's clean enough I guess, but beautiful? Naaah

Now that you mention it, it IS clean !!! :D
And then... I'm an artist ... I go for the beauty of ugliness ;)

I want to visit transylvania so bad.

haha... wishing you too then @doomsdaychassis ;)

Wow, @meanmommy, now I understand where you're speaking Romanian comes from! That's so cool you visited Romania and Brasov. Did you also have a chance to visit cities like Timisoara, Sibiu or Cluj? They are a bit bigger and I think they have more attractive sites than Brasov.

Anyway, I totally get you with your love for water and sea. I would also love to live somewhere where I can have it all, both mountains and sea, (like your Greece, which I love by the way even if I've seen a tiny bit of it only :) and where it's mostly warm all year round. That's why I'm thinking Spain would be a good country to test next.

As far as moving into a country as a sacrifice, or doing anything as a sacrifice, I'm not sure this would work longterm. Unless it's coming from a place of desire for adventure, of love for a new way of life, it wouldn't work. One of the partners would end up feeling frustrated. I don't know, but that's my 2 cents :)

Let me know when you come to Romania next, I (still) live in Bucharest, I would love to show you around a bit. Hugs!

Well actually my main motivation was the Romanian boyfriend - but I always had some weird connection to Romania for some reason.

From the cities you mention I've only been to Cluj (which I LOVED!) and then Bucharest -of course!-, Bacau (where @creutzy is from), Turda (well, we went for the Salina and saw also the city but meh...), Sighisoara, Medias and a general Transylvanian tour - this was my 3rd time in Romania.
In English we say '3rd time is the charm' but in Greek we say either '3rd and good/lucky one' ooor...'3rd and the poison' which seems more accurate about this particular time.

I loved Barcelona so definitely think about it girl, yes!!! I have a Romanian friend here in Denmark, she moved from Granada for work and still misses it ...

I think sacrifice wise you're right. Even though, if I do something I want, then it's not really a sacrifice. I'm confused as well about all this...

I should come again soon and meet up with you in Bucharest!!!!!! Hugs back !!!!! :* :* :*

That's so cool, you had quite a tour through Romania.
Haha, I didn't know about that Greek saying, I hope this 3rd time wasn't too poisonous for you :)))
Yeap, I've been a couple of times in Barcelona, we're also thinking about Valencia, cause it's less touristy although not as beautiful...but we'll see what we choose in the end.
If you do decide to come back to Bucharest, make it more towards spring/beginning of summer when this crowded and rather polluted city becomes green and more breathable.
Keep in touch around here & on discord! Have a beautiful day! xoxo

Unfortunately it was, but here's to new things, new visits, new life !!! 2018 is still new so I'm hopeful !
I totally should !!!
Buna ziua draga mea, te pup! :*

thanks. have a nice day

I don' t see his @creutzy commenting here!!hehe!!

I think this place is miserable..I wouldn't go there..

you are a citizen of the world... don't do this to yourself. Also the sacrifices you make should be up to the point you can bear them. Not above that level.you don' t want to end up in a few years telling him 'yes but I made the sacrifice to leave copenhagen and come here', do you?

Well, he's not very active lately, but I don't think he would anyway - considering our situation at the moment.
It's not that bad, it's just that as you say, I'm a citizen of the world - indeed, this is how I define myself, so I think something like this would be too small for me.
Then again...where does love take you? That's the question.
Indeed, if you do something like that you have no one else to blame but yourself. A serious life decision is unfortunately only on you - not fair to blame him for anything in the future. The thing is...would I take this decision?
Most people from my environment say no - for various reasons I can't begin to analyze here.
But to be honest, I'm still considering it if it's that important to him and that's the only serious dealbreaker between us...

I wish I could be more helpful...I don' t know where your freedom ends and where the other half' s freedom begins..

I would move if I loved someone, but maybe not to a place that I felt like this when I visited. Like you (even if I lived in Scandinavia all my life) I don't like cold weather, well I like the beauty of winter, but I always freezing. i would not move to a country that is colder... And No water... I lived in a small village once for a week... +35°C and no water. Terrible, I love to have a sea near me.
The photos are great nut some places don't look very friendly. I hope you find your "best place" to live in this world soon <3 I guess Copenehagen is rather great?

I agree but I kinda feel that I felt like this because I knew why I was going there, you know? That it wasn't just to visit, but to look around at the place I'm supposed to live...so maybe I took it all wrong because of that.
I bet you do like the sea from your pictures haha!!! :D
Copenhagen is my place so far. I start feeling more and more like home here. But this was the case with Rome too a few years ago and yet I left it for Denmark, so...who knows! Gypsy hearts are difficult to trust :P

very nice sightseeing post! more exquisite photographers. Your shots are very high quality and successful. the weather has made the atmosphere more dramatic, which is great!
congratulations :)

Haha indeed, fog helps for a spooky effect!!!
Cok tessekur ederim komsu! :*

I like this post which bring us inside the machinations of your weighing a tough decision. I can relate! I think it's tricky to move somewhere just for love and that there needs to be at least a bit of personal interest for the new place otherwise it's a recipe for resentment.

It is isn't it? But I guess, when there's love indeed (and it is mutual) you can work stuff out. Love always find a way right???? :D

sometimes love DOES find a way!! Hope it does for you ;-)

Thanks for posting this, I haven't been there in over a decade and it's nice to see it again :)

Although personally I don't think I could commit, maybe compromise a little bit and stay for a short amount of time there :)

Best of luck xx

That's not a bad idea at all, I wonder how I never thought of that! (maybe 'cause I'm a bit 'all-or-nothing' 'black-or-white' kinda person haha!) To be fair he suggested we split our time between there and Athens so I guess that's always an option ;)))

Yeah, that’s a great alternative chick :) wishing you all the best xx