- Medieval Landscape with Haystacks
I’m back from Romania. I have begun to work on my photos and had a hard time choosing this first one, but I think this photo says Romania. Here are my favorite haystacks…you’ll be seeing more of them!
We spent a lot of time in the countryside. I wanted to see farmers, gypsies and village people dressed traditionally. I think I was a bit late, at least 15 years late, but some of the old way of life exists and we (Daniel Gheorghita, my guide and I) did our best to photograph all that we could. We had cold weather most of the time, including snow and rain. That kind of weather keeps farmers indoors. Doors were shut and stoves were blazing to heat the small pastel colored cottages favored by Romanians.
We did see shepherds with long haired sheep scattered over the fertile grasslands. Horse carts were always on the road, empty wagons flying past at a mile eating trot and loaded wagons slowly hauled up long sloping hills.
We met gypsies, some were prosperous with two cars and fine horses in their barn “earned”, we were told by the gypsies themselves, from begging in Germany.
We stayed in medieval citadels such as Sibiu and Sighisoara. Daniel was a landscape specialist and we climbed the surrounding hills for the best viewpoint of the walled citadels and church spires.
Daniel had special foods particular to each area that he looked forward to. I’d just order what Daniel ordered and enjoyed some new foods such as Shepherd’s Bag and Papanash. I photographed some meals and I’ll be telling you about every delicious bite.
Here’s Daniel’s website if you think you might want to visit Romania.