Heading back to Brasov, we take a detour out past Rasnov, rising above the flat plains of farm and sheep land, and into the mountains to drive past beautiful forested hills and the popular ski resort area of Poiana, where Brasov residents come to ski. A very nice drive up into the mountainside with only the one little town, and single cottages scattered here and there. Forty-five minutes into our drive, we stop at a scenic pull over on the top of the mountain range with a great long view into the valley of Brasov. It is a beautiful sunny day, and the vistas are marvelous – but so also is our surprise picnic of local meats and cheeses which Cristina has all laid out in plastic tupperware containers accompanied by homemade Tuica – the plum brandy – made personally by Yuntz. In addition to our treats, we all get keepsake shot glasses to take home – after we’ve had our fill of the rocket fuel otherwise known as Tuica. Ay yi yi! And Yuntz keeps pouring it! You don’t want to say no, because you don’t want to offend him – but one is more than enough for me.
This is a lovely little break from the bus riding. It’s easy to enjoy stretching our legs and milling around at the top of the overlook while we feast our stomachs on the excellent snacks and our eyes on the gorgeous scenery.
All too soon its time to go, as we saddle up and make the now quick trip down the mountain into Brasov. We have the rest of the afternoon free, so Ed and I strike out into town in search of shoes (this is supposed to be the best place to buy shoes – as is confirmed by my friend Natalie!). Strada Republicii is undoubtedly the best place to shop, every other store is a shoe store (Cristina was so right in not walking us down this street yesterday afternoon!). Ed and I stroll up and down, looking at different options. I’m really just looking for some comfortable walking/hiking shoes that can double as casual evening shoes as well and I do find one perfect pair, but unfortunately, they don’t have my size. So off we go, but strike out not finding anything else of interest. I’m not in the mood for boot shopping (which is what Natalie has told me will be the best), so we just give up on the project and wander around through the packed shopping streets, window shopping and enjoying the beautiful day.
Back at the hotel later, we meet Jimmy, Ray, Pam and Kevin for a drink then head over to Sergiana, a restaurant we had scoped out before leaving for the trip – and one that Cristina recommends (she bought the meat for our picnic there). It’s located downstairs in what might have been some sort of a cellar at one point in time, but now has a ton of different rooms and dining areas with cool arched ceilings and brickwork walls. We had gone by earlier in the day to ask about reservations, which the girl at the desk said they didn’t take, but they would be waiting for us “in location” when we arrived later. Cute. Except not so cute when we did arrive and the same girl asked us if we had reservations, which of course we did not, and she said it would be 20 or 30 minutes to wait. But if you don’t take reservations….then why are you asking….and why are other people on your list for reservations? Frustrating!
But, we decide to wait it out because A) it is supposed to be a good place, B) it is really, really close to the hotel, and C) we just didn’t want to go out wandering through the town looking for an alternative. We sat ourselves down around this weird little short bar in the middle of an alcove, tried to order pre-dinner drinks, didn’t work, ended up just watching the craziness going on with a fully packed restaurant and people coming and going. Finally we were seated at a table in the bright “white” area of the restaurant (as opposed to the dark, stone walled area of the restaurant) which proved best because we could actually see the menu and what we were ordering!
The food was fabulous. We all got different things, the Gulyas soup (much more reasonably priced tonight) for Ray (plus maybe a chicken breast? Now I can’t remember who had what!), Pork Schnitzel for Jimmy, something else I can’t remember for Pam and Kevin. I had Sarmale – I’m not missing out on these delicious little stuffed cabbage rolls, and Ed had the Ceaunu lu Tusa – which was basically pork-palooza on a plate. This huge serving of pork belly, homemade sausages and pork ribs served with polenta and sauerkraut. Oh my God! Delicious – but HUGE! Add in great beer and wine in these cute little pitchers and we were all quite happy and sated at the end of the meal!
Afterward, we walked with everyone back to the hotel, but then continued on down the street to take night shots of the Brasov Prefecture building, so beautifully lit, looking like it was bathed in gold. Then over to the Romulus and Remus wolf statue, in silhouette, back lit by the Metropolitan museum. So beautiful at night!
Then it was finally time to return to the hotel, to once again luxuriate in our room, this time with the door shut and a very restful – and peaceful – evening full of undisturbed sleep!
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