As we return from the peak, Postavarul, we approach the ski resort...most attractive.
We’d completed hiking in the great mountainous region of the Fagaras by Friday afternoon. We needed a rest after some grueling and steep hikes and climbs. We arrived back at the pensione and set about preparing, mainly Jen, who takes care of the culinary requirements, exclusively. I make the tea. The food choices for us have been rather limited on this trip—even the salads have lost some of their consistent crispness and taste. By the time we reached course two, a mix of vegetables in heavy sauce, the food did not taste appetizing or we began to feel rotten. Thereafter, my stomach went into free-fall or -flow while Jen held the fort for a while. Thirty-six hours later I began to nibble on dry bread. Jen went the same way, delayed by about 15 hours. We did much sleeping until Sunday morning when we headed for the second largest city, Brasov, for the New Year.
The previous Wednesday night, at about 2:15am (okay, Thursday) we were awakened by banging in the garden below our room. We thought about it for less than a few seconds and came to the conclusion it had to be...bears. It was indeed. Two large animals were feasting on the garbage, comprising the contents of three large trash cans. Whether it was our imagination although we doubt it, the buggers were bloody large. Fast forward two nights, the period of illness, at midnight, a single bear returned. If nothing else they are consistent and so went through the routine of overturning the garbage cans and picking out tasty morsels. By that time, we’d lost interest in their snack times and extremely messy routines. Did we mention how large they were? However, at 2am I decided I needed some medicine to settle the stomach.
After twenty months of refraining from Diet Coke, I’ve made a comeback to Coke Zero. There‘s no truth in the rumor that the Coca Cola Corporation enticed me back.... nice thought though. What’s the relevance of the drink? In Romania, many of the pensiones have a community kitchen rather than one in each room. So I had a decision to make. Forego the medicine or go to the fridge under the gazebo, the bears’ hangout. Decision time. Man or bear...um mouse? I think the corporation, Coca Cola, would appreciate the decision I made but it’s difficult to say whether it was the catalyst for the cure.
Excuse the image but it's taken in darkness. One of the bears (story above.).
We came to the conclusion some time ago, although not relevant to the above story, is that to appreciate the journey through life and particularly in Eastern Europe, ideally one should have a good sense of humor. It makes a difference. By the way, whether it be Romania, Croatia, Hungary, Slovakia, Slovenia, Serbia and hopefully, more countries to follow, our experiences have been favorable and most times, uplifting. What a world. Who would have thought when we were a mere forty years old ('fall of the wall'), that one day we would develop a firm fondness for the former satellite states of ‘Mother Russia’. Da!
We reach the cabana after 2,400 feet climb and the editor decides to read while I talk to the trees.
We head up a further 700 feet to reach the small peak accumulating over 3,000 feet of elevation gain; the editor gives up reading for scrambling.
One of the pictorial rewards from the peak.
We could get wet on the way down.
That's an option although it would upset us greatly.
Phew! She prefers this option as the trail crosses a road.
Difficult to separate the trees from the forest as we move upwards, the ski resort below.
Another town nestled below the mountains and just beyond the woods.
Cheers,
Jenni and Jeffrey
Jen returns from the mountain and we go walking in Zarnesti, capturing a little flavor of the town. I was so tired at that stage I wanted to 'borrow' the bike...until I spotted the big stick.
We are lined up in order of age, Lluiz on my right at nearly 27 and Sergi who turned 28 on the day. I find myself literally in the middle. Jen and I had the pleasure of spending many delightful hours in the company of these two young men from Spain who do themselves and parents proud. Truth be told, we returned from different hikes—they are in fact, supporting me. Thank you Lluiz and Sergi for entertaining us and adding great perspectives to our discussions. To avoid any conflict, although both young men are from Catalonia, Lluiz makes it clear he's not from Spain while Sergi feels a lot less committed, I think. I trust that clears up any doubts...and opens a whole set of new ones.
No comments:
Post a Comment