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Today was a long travel day, but before hitting the road, we went out to the small village of Vadu, just outside Constanța to see the Spanish Sparrows that nest within the larger White Stork nests. Then on to the Vadu Marshes for lots of waders. Heard thunder in the distance, but before the rain started, we stood on the shore of the Black Sea, collecting interesting shells piled up on the beach. Once again there was the backdrop of yet another abandoned Soviet factory. Built quickly with likely inferior materials, these buildings are eyesores, no longer needed since the workers no longer need to work in unnecessary jobs.
We drove from 10 am to 6 pm, back towards Bucharest, then north to Brașov. Although the road is divided at times, it is still well-paved as it goes through villages and small cities, with clean petrol stations with food along the way. Leaving the flat plains behind, the northern route takes us into the Carpathian Mountains and into Transylvania. Not high in elevation, yet some peaks have snow. The road winds through some fancy resort towns, an area around Sinaia, catering to skiers and vacationers, with large hotels, many stores, parks and architecture resembling Austria or Bavaria. Some houses sport tile roofs, but metal roofs are equally common, with elaborate peaks with steeples, all carefully pieced together from various colors of metal.
Suddenly the rain turns to large hail (¾"-1"), loudly and rapidly pinging off the roof of the van and smashing into the windshield like snowballs. We're forced to pull off the road as the ice balls cover the road, accumulate in ditches and on the grass. Quite an impressive sight and a bit scary, so glad we weren't outside in it.
Tonight's stay is in the old section of Brașov. The hotel is along one of the old squares, across from an Orthodox cathedral. After dinner across the square, several of us walk the cobblestone streets down to the Black Church. Dating from the 15th century, it is the main Gothic style structure in the country and now one of the most important Lutheran churches in the region.
- comments
Tracey Good thing the hail didn't break the windows, and you were OK,
Cousin Kermit Cousin Kermit writes: Will you have pix from the interior of the Black Church? Glad you escaped the full perils of the hail.
Suzi Cole Sorry, Black Church was closed.
Cousin Kerm Cousin Kerm. Sorry for your sake. Apparently a jewel of a church interior with lots of history. BTW: nice pic of you and Russ linked to this blog installment.