Travel, 50+, Romania

Romania is one of the forgotten corners of Europe with largely untapped potential. It has been flying under the radar of both the individual tourists and a variety of tour organizers. Sure, it has some, but it never quite got the same lift as most other locations. For a while, there was a bit of a Vampire buzz going on and there were a lot of conversations about possibly wanting to visit "Dracula's castle" and I guess it's still a thing to some. However, here are a couple of examples of the more recent travel conversations I have come across: "No one goes to Romania intentionally", "There is no real reason to visit Romania" and "Are there a lot of Roma in Romania?"

The answer from a local to the last one was "Don't worry, they've all left for rich European countries. Romania is safe." The contemplation regarding the second one got surprisingly plenty of agreement. Not one mention of Dracula, no notes of nature, architecture, history or even Romanian gymnasts. As for the first one... I did and I was not alone. But then, yes. It was quite empty for the most part. And it was the "tourist season", too.

It must have been the sheer gravity of the weight of "People's house" (the heaviest building in the world), also known as "Palace of the Parliament", but that's where tourists pooled up. Especially the Spanish, for some reason. But only inside. Outside, it was empty and I did go around the whole thing (which is a long walk). Listening to the guards say "Go forwards", "Same direction", "Still forwards" and "Whoops, too far, go back."

After leaving, I wandered towards the "most touristy area" in the capital. The streets were lined up with empty restaurants. Only barkers were outside, charming myself and the travel buddy. Making promises they could not keep. "I'll make your deepest desires come true." One pretty girl said. "Just step into my restaurant." A handful of other pretty girls made similar promises, and a few pretty boys placed there for the aunties and some flaming gentlemen, no doubt. I took up on one offer as it was getting to the peckish side of the afternoon. The pretty barker girl did not deliver on the promise, nor did the pretty serving boy, but the restaurant did serve some mean cabbage rolls. There was one other diner. On the whole street.

Even the guy at the football museum, I accidentally stumbled in, was rather in a state of shock for seeing someone in there. Nearly chocked on the sandwich he was chewing. Was the internet right for once? Hitting the road and visiting another city was not unlike the early experience.

If we ignore the train station and it's local traffic, the streets were quickly getting empty. The more touristy the area got, the less people you saw. Just big empty spaces and buildings in a somewhat moribund condition. Empty restaurants, some of which blasted music to liven the scene. A tourist shop where a spaced out lady sat around, staring into the emptiness before her. The only one getting some action out there was a lady serving local snacks for a bargain. And then... that one spot. There was that one spot that collected all couple of dozen of tourist in the whole city in one place.

Allow me to reiterate: This was the high season. I have been to almost every country in Europe and I have never experienced something like this. The ability to enjoy the situation was somewhat overcome with a feeling of "this can't be real". And "Did something happen and I just don't know?"

The third location was finally the charm. Sort of. King Carol's royal summer retreat was the place. As a particularly classy entry, pretty much the first thing us two travelers arriving there saw, was an older lady having a bare bottom whiz. Right there she was, by the side of the main road (in the "woods", mind you) leading to Peleș Castle, possibly contemplating a heavy duty, too. Seeing us made her spring up as she realized the public place was not as private as she had previously thought. I gave her a nod and a smile as she rudely turned her back on us travelers. Not the first lady I've seen flash the world like this, but she was the first one who did not fall and roll over in her urine.

A few more steps and there it was! The concentration of tourists huddling around, waiting to enter a castle. Finally! It was not an tourist exclusive apocalypse in Romania after all.

The Judgment:
In my view, Romania has a lot to see. Many places to explore. Exciting things to experience. The world does not seem to agree. But then, I don't mind. Despite the prolonged dreamy whinging over the lack of tourists, I actually enjoyed the fact. It is not often that you have most places all for yourself. Romania is inexpensive to boot. People were friendly despite the genuine surprise of seeing an actual tourist in a lot of the places I visited. Food was between good and great. Nearly everywhere felt very safe. The weather was favorable. Nothing to complain except for the fact that I did not get to see everything on my list. With all the potential the country has and people moving about more actively (rise in global tourism is massive), it might be a one-off experience, too. We shall see.

Whether you travel in groups or solo, Romania is a good choice. There's something for all ages, although not so much for children as some other European countries. The public transportation functioned just fine. Nearly all places are walkable. People won't bother you unnecessarily (even the barkers only start "seducing" you, if you walk close and seem "interested"). For something a little different, try Romania.

Would I go again? Yes.