la revedere, românia

I am writing this back home in Bend, OR and still very much jet-lagged. It feels very surreal that I’m in the US and my experience in Romania is over. I don’t think it has fully hit me yet that I am home.

In the final week of my time in Romania, I was happy to have my husband, Mark, join me. I had been telling him so much about Timişoara and all the places I’d fallen in love with during my stay, so I couldn’t wait to show him around. I was eager to share all of my favorite spots with him including where to get the best coffee and pastries and the best spot for a spritz.

One of the highlights of the week was when Mark got to meet my Erasmus friends at a party. It was a great mix of old memories and new connections, and everyone was in high spirits. Mark quickly fit right in, though I think he may have enjoyed himself a bit too much. Let’s just say, by the end of the night, he had made quite an impression!

The hardest day of my time in Romania was when I had to say goodbye to my dear friend and roommate, who was heading back home to Ukraine. Over the past five months, we’d become incredibly close, she was more than just a friend; she had become my person. She was my travel partner-in-crime, and together we explored Budapest, Sofia, and Rome. We shared everything, the good times, the bad, and all the little moments in between. There was no filter between us, and we supported each other through thick and thin. The thought of not having her around was heart-wrenching.

Though the goodbye was painful, I take comfort in knowing we’ll see each other again. We’re already planning a trip next summer to Portugal, and having that to look forward to helps ease the ache of the distance. In the meantime, we’ve promised to keep in touch regularly, starting with weekly video chats to stay connected and continue sharing our lives, no matter how far apart we are. I’m beyond grateful to have made such a special, irreplaceable friend, and while this goodbye felt like a chapter closing, I know it’s not the end and we have many adventures to look forward to together.

During the rest of the week, Mark and I traveled throughout Romania hitting up spots that were on my list since the beginning. For this, we rented a car, with Mark doing all of our driving. We went to Orşova and took a speedboat on the Danube to see the statue of Decebalus, the last king of the Dacians. Next, we made our way to Sibiu to see the famous “eye houses.” These unique buildings, mostly nestled in the historic center, feature windows on their rooftops that are intentionally designed to resemble eyes—sometimes framed by shutters or borders that enhance the effect, giving the impression of a watchful gaze. The design is both whimsical and captivating, adding an air of intrigue to the already charming medieval streets. The city itself carries a mysterious, almost eerie vibe, as if the buildings are quietly observing the world around them. I found this atmosphere both haunting and enchanting, and it gave Sibiu an unforgettable character unlike anywhere else. I can only imagine how magical it would be to visit again in the fall, with the crisp air and autumn colors adding to its charm.

From Sibiu, we spent three days in Braşov, which is nestled among the mountains and reminded us of the Pacific Northwest with how green it was and the access to the outdoors. We took a day off from driving to immerse ourselves and explore the city on foot. We quickly fell in love with Braşov and definitely could imagine living there one day. The city is also centrally located so we were able to make a quick day trip to Bran Castle and Râşnov Citadel. I was so happy to see the inside of Bran Castle after volunteering for the 100k back in May. I was too busy focused on the event to be able to do any sort of sightseeing so I am grateful that I was able to go back and explore.

My last day in Romania was a busy one, leaving Braşov early to be able to spend a few hours in the historic city of Sighişoara. Sighişoara is a charming medieval town in the heart of Transylvania, often considered one of the best-preserved fortified cities in Europe. Its cobbled streets, colorful buildings, and towering clock tower give it a fairy-tale atmosphere. The city is famous as the birthplace of Vlad the Impaler, the inspiration for Dracula, and its Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage site. It was the perfect morning stop before heading back to Timişoara for my last night.

I was awfully depressed coming into Timişoara for the last time but I decided to put on a fancy dress and take photos around the city. Mark and I went for dinner and drinks and just walked around, soaking it all in for the last time. I wasn’t ready to say good-bye, in fact, it felt like I was just getting started in Romania, with making new friends and finding an awesome running club to participate in. I worked so hard to be able to have this experience and it felt like I was leaving as things were starting to pick up. It truly felt like Timişoara became home for me and I just wasn’t ready to leave it behind.

What I’ll miss most about Romania, without a doubt, is the people. In my experience, Romanians are among the friendliest and most welcoming people I’ve encountered in all of Europe. Their hospitality goes beyond mere politeness—it’s genuine and heartfelt. In every interaction, I was struck by how genuinely curious people were about me. They would engage in conversation with a sincere interest, asking questions and learning more about my background. It never felt intrusive; in fact, I enjoyed the exchanges and was eager to ask them about their culture and traditions in return. What stood out most was how everyone was always so willing to help and share, whether it was offering advice or simply exchanging stories. Their openness made me reflect deeply on myself and how I, too, could bring more kindness and understanding into my own interactions with others. There’s a real sense of community and kindness that permeates every interaction, and it’s something that made my time there truly special. In a world where connections can sometimes feel fleeting, the warmth and generosity of the Romanian people left a lasting impression on me, and it’s something I’ll carry with me long after I’ve left.

 As I begin to reflect on my time in Romania and settle back into life at home, I realize just how transformative this experience has been. Despite being 5,000 miles away, part of my heart will always remain in Timişoara. I’ll forever think of Romania as a second home. La revedere, Romania, until we meet again.