Take me to Transylvania

So welcome back to the blog! Well, it's been a few days.

In an ironic twist, I spent the most time of my trip thus far in Romania, with the least amount of time to post anything. Well, perhaps that's not entirely true, but the idea of typing on a bus did not sound enjoyable at all.

So, the-trip-to-Transylvania. In the mind of most Westerners, this evokes an image of a far-off, mythical place full of dark forests, gloomy castles, stormy nights, and all sorts of horrible, nightmare-ish creatures.

Van Helsing. What an awesome movie. No, I have no taste in film, why?

One particular creature stands out over all the rest. I'm sure he needs no introduction.

The monster, the myth, the man. Dracula. His name has become synonymous when speaking of Transylvania, and to a lesser degree, Romania.

Dracula has a fascinating relationship with the country of Romania. How I saw it during my visit was a relationship both historic and touristic in nature. As well as a bit, well, fantastical.

I should warn you, there's a monster at the end of this blog.

Tourism in Romania is an industry that takes the Dracula mythos as a means bring visitors into what more awaits them to see. I detected an earnestness in our guide in showing the treasures and history of the region and its peoples, aside from talking about the infamous man in the cape.

This is his "I'm too old for this' cousin.

So much so, that our final day in Romania spent visiting a local village, one of the leaders of the villagers insisted to us during his introduction that the man that was known as 'Dracula' was never such as a vampire. He would know- his ancestors rescued this man from the Turkish invaders centuries ago. I am, of course, referring to the Wallachian Prince, Vlad Tepes I, nicknamed Dracula.

You would think people would know he wasn't a Vampire, and yet...

Vlad Tepes, aka real Dracula, owes his namesake to his father, who was nicknamed Dracul, which translates to 'Devil'. Dracula, a diminutive of the name, translates as the 'son of the Devil'. Tepes translates to Impaler. This refers to his method of dealing with his enemies.

This seems the #1 worst way to die.

As such, this real-life Dracula, a member of the Order of the Dragon, has quite a few qualities we would identify as 'dark' or 'evil'.  However, despite a fierce name and a fiercer reputation, Vlad is seen through Transylvanian eyes as more of a folk hero. In his time, he fought against the invading Turkish army for the freedom and independence of his people.

Like a Wallachian William Wallace. Try saying that ten times.

Even so, as related to tourism, from Bran Castle (Where historical Dracula never went),

To Sighisoara, where he was actually born in:

There's a traces of him.

Castle where he was evacuated from.

Dracula the man, pulls a sway even so. And yet, this is a place that embraces, and yet wants to reach beyond the monster-story to showcase their country.

Let me say my disclaimer and that my own intentions are not "go for the Castle, and not for the Count."

WHY NOT BOTH!?

Transylvania, as we traveled through, was more often than not covered in an eerie, misty fog. As we got further away from civilization and into the Carpathian Mountains, this made ever so more mysterious the countryside.

At night, dogs would howl and bark woefully outside the many hotels we stayed in the alpine woods. During the day they would show themselves to be more wolf-like than anything, so I pretty much have dubbed my experiences with them as "Encountering Transylvanian Werewolves."

Did I mention the werewolves are friendly?

Many of the places we visited were at nighttime, (lots of travel in between far-off destinations) and walking down streets turned into to fantastical imagery:

Even something as a nighttime visit to an Orthodox Church service was especially memorable. A dark interior illuminated by meager candlelight displayed Byzantine art, with the background chanting of the priests and clergy in ancient tongue was otherworldly.

Transylvania is full of myth and magic, and it is there to find, should you seek it out. It's also a place of tumultuous and proud history, as immortal and timeless as a Vampire-Count. I'm pleased to say that I found the Dracula I was looking for. 

The monster at the end of this blog... it was me all along!

Before the closing of the coffin I'd like to say a few more words:

The fact this was recently dug and on Halloween made it absolutely terrifying.

Firstly, if you caught the words 'we' and 'our' in this post,  I am happy to report it is because I have been joined by my mother, Mary Kay West;

Halloween Costumes...aanddd...go!

Who will be joining me as a stalwart travel companion for the next three months.

Mary Kay, Far Away in the North Face coat she loves. Me, I'm just going to freeze enjoy my layers.

And secondly, as I am more than a tad proud to say, I will show. In large size. For you. Yes.

IS THIS REAL LIFE!?!?

Well, it's the Balkans now. Bulgaria is first on our list. So what's here? No idea. We will find out. Until our next adventurous update-

Internationally Natalie! 

With Mary Kay, Far Away. so when's that guest post happening?!