Bucharest City Tales: Visit the Romanian countryside

Columnist Eleonore af Schaumburg-Lippe writes in her weekly column about life as an expat in Romania. This week she explains why one should visit the Romanian countryside. Have you lost your mojo or do you just want to experience something you are not used to? Then a trip to the Romanian countryside can for sure be recommended. Life in Bucharest and the bigger cities of Romania can be hectic, as much as joyful. So sometimes you therefore have to go somewhere to relax, enjoy life and regain energy – which can of course also be done if you live in a big city. But I must admit that my personal retreat is a trip to the Romanian countryside. Nothing compares to going into a whole different environment – like a little village and appreciate the, some would say, simple things in life, that make a big difference. Going to the Romanian countryside is not only for expats in Romania, but also a cherished escape for Romanians living in bigger cities. And as a tourist you can’t visit Romania without a trip to the countryside. It will be a trip of a lifetime, and you haven’t really visited Romania if you haven’t both spent time in a bigger city, and in a small village of a few hundred people. Life in the Romanian countryside may seem simple to some people, but there are genuine values to be found there. You don’t need to pack a lot for this trip, go by car, train or bus, lease a friend’s countryside house for a weekend, or go with some friends to their little countryside heaven. Organize a barbeque, bring a music system and then on the way there buy fresh meat and vegetables for a salad. With these, you are ready to enjoy a Romanian barbeque as part of your trip to the countryside. This is also a good idea for spending the spring or summer in Romania. Go for walks around in the small villages, and say hello to the local people, buy some fresh eggs from them - and enjoy these countryside eggs, their yolk is the yellowest you have ever seen, and the taste… it can’t be explained, it has to be tried. Maybe you will see a cow or two on your way which will inspire you to buy some fresh cow milk: either heat it up so it’s warm or drink it cold. Again the taste cannot be explained, it is so delicious! You might bump into a local shepherd and ask if you can walk along with him and his sheep, then you can get to know the life of a shepherd, and enjoy the long walk and the beautiful landscape. Enjoy a walk or a picnic in the green forest - remember to bring shoes for muddy areas. Find a good stick to use and then climb a hill or two. From the top of a hill you will be able to see an even more spectacular view; or just sit on a sunbed in front of your little Romanian house and read a book or some magazines and relax. The relaxation recipe is simple in the Romanian countryside: spend a weekend with your friends or family, singe, dance, laugh, enjoy the natural homemade meals, and then match some wine or plum brandy tuica- homemade by one of the neighbors or by your friends. The food can usually be cooked in an outdoor kitchen (even improvised on a terrace). You can also enjoy the meal on an outdoor terrace build for the same purpose. Eat bread with homemade cheese or zacusca - again this is something you can buy locally or get from your friends, who made it in autumn, and now it is ready to be eaten. Watch the food steam and boil, and remember to announce the barbeque chef! After a day enjoying the landscape, you will feel your energy levels going up. Try not to bring computers, leave work behind enjoy the green trees, the blue sky and listen to the birds singing. Breathe in the fresh air and appreciate the little Romanian countryside heaven you have found, just enjoy life. Because this is what it is all about.