“Travels to a Different Time” : 20July1974: Simeria, Romania: Ducks and Chickens Running Around the Street

Up early to perform my morning ablutions and readying for my next destination Sebes. I had to take a bus to Sibiu to get to the main road. A toothless peasant in front of me reeked of wine and we were sandwiched in. I had to mash my way out. I got my first ride going to Sebes on a large diesel truck and we were going at a good clip until we got to two railway crossings with a 20-minute wait at each one. We stopped at a restaurant and he bought me a beer. Romanians are generally a friendly lot. Sebes was totally uninteresting so I pushed on to Simeria walking past stunned Romanians staring at me. An Australian couple picked me up next and took me to Simeria. I walked to the campground and pitched my tent next to a Romanian doctor who had recently visited Montreal. I had yet another cold shower and it felt good to get the grime off. Afterwards a whole litre of water and three ice creams. It was a charming small town with ducks and chickens running around the streets. I walked along the river which was muddy yet Romanians were swimming in it. I returned in the campground just in time as rain thunder and lightning struck. Unfortunately a few things got wet in the tent. Damn Romanian rain!