Transylvania Trip: Day 3

"Romania to the outsider is a place that exists more in the popular imagination than on the map." 

--Anthony Bourdain

When you tell people you are going to Transylvania you get one of three responses: "Transylvania that's a real place?" or "Transylvania, oh it is just beautiful there." or "Transylvania isn't that where Dracula is from?" And the answer to all of these comments is yes.

We woke up that morning in our quaint village town and headed to the museum in town. While walking to the museum we saw a tour bus drive up and then we saw teenagers waving from the window. "Wow, they are really friendly," we hear someone comment. That is when Ben realizes they are not just any teenagers, but a group of 11th graders from his school. Once they get out of the bus we chatted for a short moment with them and then we went on our way. We thought it was funny to randomly meet up with them--small world. Then we went to the museum where we learned the history of the town, customs, fashions, and traditions.

The Torocko (Rimetea) village.

More of the village.

Pottery displayed in the museum.

Photographs of the village from the 1900's.

This chair is for a husband (L) and wife (R). If the round
ends are facing each other all is well. If the sharp ends are
facing each other you better come back later.

We left the village mid-morning and headed to the land of 'Dracula'.

"Gypsy" mansions are built in a very unusual style and are
left half way complete so they don't have to pay taxes on them.

On our way we got pulled over by the police.
So let this be a lesson---don't speed in Romania. 

We arrived in Segesvar (Sighisoara), to an old fortified Saxon town. We walked up a hill towards an old Clock Tower and then heard a brief history of the town. The town gained popularity for its numerous merchants and craftsman. It is also where Vlad Dracul, father of Vlad the Impaler (Dracula) lived (and possible birth place of Vlad the Impaler). Vlad the Impaler is believed to have helped inspire the author Bram Stoker in his novel Dracula. However, that is where the association ends. The real Vlad the Impaler killed thousands of people in and out of battles and he gained a reputation for his methods of execution and tortures. So did he drink his victims blood? I don't think so. The truth is Bram Stoker probably heard the name in his travels to Transylvania and thought it sounded right for his novel. He most likely knew very little about the Prince of Wallachia. 

The Clock Tower.

These men walked around the city beating the drum and
saying the history of the city in a variety of languages. Very amusing.

Announcing the history.

One of the main squares.

We went up to the Hill Church that over looked the town. It also had a lovely yet slightly creepy graveyard.

By the church.

Overlooking the town.

Ben wearing his favorite hero, Batman. He wanted to show that
Batman is the better human to transform to a bat :)

Going back down the hill.

Cafe with a nice view.

After wandering around the hill we went back down to have a quick lunch. Just as we were finishing lunch a cool breeze rolled in and rain clouds opened up on us.

This was Vlad Dracul's, father of Vlad the Impaler (Dracula) house.

After the quick rain storm we continued to walk around and take in the wonderful scenery. 

Orthodox Cathedral.

Yes there is a Dracula cafe, and no we did not go inside.
We were too afraid, but not too afraid to pose with the
kitschy Dracula cut out. 

Traditional clothing.

We left the town of Segesvar (Sighisoara) and headed to our host families for the night. That night we were split up into groups of 4 and 5 and sent to homes of Hungarian speaking families. The families spoke no English and our group spoke very little Hungarian. Luckily we had one person in our group, Richard who was excellent at translating. We had the traditional shots of palinka, soup, meats, and dessert. I am certain that I gained 10 pounds on this trip because of all the rich food we were eating. It is hard to resist the temptations of a Hungarian home-cooked meal.

With our bellies full and another full day of traveling ahead of us we went to bed. Happy to have survived "Dracula" country and eager for more beautiful sites and adventures in Transylvania.

The house we stayed in. The family was very nice.