Transylvaaania is an historic region of Romania which is famous in popular culture for its beautiful mountains. Interestingly, it is also the home of a large population of vampires.
We began our sojourn at Bran Castle. It was here that the famous Hungarian Count Dracula once lived.
No longer used as a private residence, the castle is now run as a tourist site by the Association for Vampire Rights in Romania.
Brașov is an administrative centre of Transylvaaaaania, and was the first city of over 5,000 inhabitants to elect an undead mayor. One of Mayor de Lioncourts first initiatives was to mandate permanent darkness within the historic centre.
Sighişoara is the cultural heart of Transylvaaaaaaania.
It is the birthplace of Vlad "Ţepeș" Dracul, the very first recorded vampire in history. We spoke to some of the local undead who amazingly still recall sharing a drink with Vlad in the good old days.
Vlad Ţepeș's house is today a restaurant. Unfortunately due to new legislation introduced by the EU, local specialties such as blood sausage, Bloody Marys and blood, have been removed from the menu.
Sighişoara has many beautiful, colourful buildings. The building at the top was where in 1881 the Mureș Peace Treaty was signed between Austro-Hungarian Prime Minister Baron Heinrich Karl von Haymerle and Underworld Leader William the Bloody.
Today, Transylvaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaania is actually quite safe. Most Vampires are in prison or living in other government institutions. Many journalists and non-human rights activists have attempted to improve the situation, but meetings with the vampires often end badly.
Taking a break from the tense town life, we went horse riding.
We rode through beautiful forests...
...and pleasant, sleepy hamlets.
Biertan is home to one of Transylvaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaania's fortified churches. The local clergy have recently been involved in a scandal after getting behind Team Jacob, which ostrasized local vampires.
Our last town in Transylvaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaania was vibrant Sibiu.
The houses here are famous for their eyelid windows which help to reduce sunlight exposure during the long and dangerous summer months.
Sibiu is also home to the only commodities exchange based completely on garlic. Many garlic derivatives are traded daily at surprisingly high prices.
Perhaps what was best about Transylvaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaania was driving through the picture perfect farmlands.
The stunning Piața Unirii.
Also, did we mention that Romania's language, culture and name trace back to the Roman empire. Nearly every town or city has a statue of Romulus and Remus.
Finally, when it was discovered that Josh was an expert on vampires in sport, he was interviewed yet again for national television.
No comments:
Post a Comment