Reaching the waterfall from the forest and then onto the glacial valley.
A different perspective of Balea Lake, the other side.
One of the benefits of international travel, particularly when staying outside cities, is the quality and variety of people one comes across. This can be broken down into two categories: Those we meet on trails and others in the suburbs, particularly guesthouses and places that have communal dining rooms and kitchens or outside lounging areas. We meet locals who are on holiday and internationals who are usually hiking and exploring. Perhaps it’s the common interest or, similarity in pursuing goals and activities but generally, we are blessed to meet so many people who are considerate, interesting, some stimulating, and who provide us with differing viewpoints and attitudes to life while we all ignore the noise of the political classes and the fallout that follows.
In each country, one finds different approaches to tasks and aspects of life. Initially, it's easy to criticize a method that differs from one’s own, particularly when one has used such style together with the majority of fellow citizens or at least those in one’s city. At times, it is easy to wonder why people choose a way of life or method of approach to an aspect of life. However, when one understands the thinking behind the idea, one often questions one’s own ideas or, at least sees the logic and sometimes, the advantages of such differing course of action. Of course, we are focusing on issues, approaches and styles rather than values, when we make our comments. It is sad to realize, actually tragic, that so much prejudice exists in the world, much of it because of ignorance and worse, deliberate inculcation.
Just over the past few weeks, we met a number of former Romanians visiting their country of birth. In an earlier missive, we mentioned some of our discussions we enjoyed regarding the former socialist republics of Eastern Europe and Romania, in particular. Israelis have been aplenty and surprisingly, we’ve come across a lot less Germans than we normally do. Meeting a fellow South African in a synagogue was a coincidence and pleasant surprise.
We met Mark from England and his partner, Vaida, from Lithuania. We spent time conversing with them for a couple of hours and on the following day, gave them a ride to the trailhead where they decided to join us on the same trail. The conversations continued as we hiked up to the cabana as well as when we returned from our different trails, later.
We mentioned Sergi and Lluis, the wonderful, young Spanish men we met in the kitchen at a great location and the delightful hours we spent together over the next period.
During a big hike on the Bucegi Range, a great place indeed, we came across Val and Val. How were we to distinguish between the two hikers when they shared the same names? Thankfully, Jenni had the solution. One was a woman, the other a man. Valentino is one of those guys I can't help taking an instant liking of despite him wondering why I was an African and not black. He and Valerie, Romanians, now live in London. It seems there's common ground amongst South Africans and the locals—many of us live somewhere else. Val gave us a couple of insights of Romania as well as what it's like working on girders 51 floors high in London. I think our tricky climbs are much easier.
It should be said that we don’t go out of our way to meet people as we like privacy and our own company although we love, at least, encounters and discussions. Nevertheless, after meeting lovely people, one departs feeling fulfilled, better informed and uplifted. It is also a reminder that in a world that at times seems ‘upside-down', decent people come along and restore one’s faith in humanity. Simple connections have an enormous power.
A view as we crest the mountain and gaze at the glacial valley with the hotel up ahead on the next mountain.
A view elsewhere, Bucegi Massif: Hence, a justification for our statement of equally or better hikes than at what we thought was our favorite place. Who's mixed up?
Not a 'zebra' crossing but shepherd and dogs took the mob across the road.
Storm following us from the valley below.
Clouds parting to reveal a mountain wall.
Balea Cascades viewed from height.
Hotels reflect.
Cheers,
Jenni and Jeffrey
I was caught pinching an overhanging apple, Eve. The kind owner of the property came running, summoned us and bestowed upon us another dozen apples. Who says 'crime' doesn't pay?
Some photographs filed at the end for an extra peek for 'guess who'?
What I term 'a cartographer's edge of a continent' as we look down on the 'island'.
We've seen a few males, in one crises or another, racing their sporty, convertibles up-and-down this 'track', recklessly.
Returning from a peak, arriving on the ridge and finding the clouds dissipating.
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