After Sighet

Solitude

 After we left the village of Sighet, where I noted the birthplace of Elie Wiesel across the street from an excellent restaurant, we drove through these mountains. There had been a snow storm the night before and there were road crews clearing the roads. We feared we might have to ask for shelter in the monastery…just joking.  It didn’t look as if anyone was home. Perhaps the nuns had gone to their families to celebrate Easter.

Normally religious institutions where nuns are in residence are called convents, but in Romania they are called monasteries. I think Daniel told me that is because at one time monks did inhabit them, but now nuns do.

Daniel was interested in photographing landscapes. I put pressure on him by saying that he was better at it than I, and that he should tell me ‘where the picture was’. I think that ruined his fun, as he then had to point out the best viewpoint.  He left me alone to do the best I could. And I chose the monastery. It looked like a place that had a story to tell. 

I like the pristine landscape here. Just the monastery perched on the crest of a snow-covered mountain and the road leading to it. Your eye follows the road to the monastery and the monastery is placed on the 1/3 line. The copse of trees in the lower right hand corner balances…dark against light. You can make an allegory if you are so inclined.

As I’ve said in other posts…Romania is a dream of a landscape. No ski lifts. No power lines. No snack or gift shops. Just nature and culture alone on a mountain top.

Daniel, my guide, can be contacted at www.covinnus.com