Greetings, travelers of the World!

Have you thought about how some random meetings with random people shape the perceptions about a particular country?

Yes, the nature, the architecture, the arts, culture and history of one country mean a lot but I believe that the people from that country we meet, or sometime bump into, could make even more impact on how we see, feel or percept that country. I suppose these meetings could be much more important, in fact.

For me, Romania is relatively close. It is only a few hours drive with the car. Probably that's one of the reasons my compatriots usually do not explore that beautiful country, or not as much as they love to brag about the tourist "pearls" of Asia or South America, let's say. Moreover, there is this understanding that Romanians are no so different than the local population in my country.

To which I strongly oppose. It's true, we have some shared moments in both our history but our cultures, languages and psychology are quite different. And that also reflects into how people look.

Now...

Let's jump into some particular "meetings" I've got. Hm... isn't a rendezvous a better word? Probably it is. But I'll stick to "meeting".

This guy with the uniform, what is it about? There wasn't any performance or parade that day. Why is he dressed like this? And why his girlfriend isn't happy with what I am doing? :D

This guy, taking a break with a cigarette while squatting. I suppose he's a bartender or he has a profession that requires him to stand up for long periods of time.
Hey, why the long-sleeved shirt and those shorts? Doesn't this looks like a disparity to you? Me only? ;)

Now this tough old guy with that passing truck carrying the tractor with the old trailer.
That picture is so unique to me. Some may say it's a coincidence.

But I bet 100%, such picture cannot be seen anywhere in Western Europe!

The next two photos I captured through the windows of our bus and they speak loudly. They are of Romanian gypsies. First, I have to say we also have lots of gypsies in my country. Probably that could not be the most politically correct statement as recently the society uses "Romas" instead. So pardon me, if I hurt here someone's feelings, that is not deliberate.

Romanian gipsies made me such a positive impression. I saw many couples where the men were dressed with impeccable black suits wearing big black hats and their women were wearing beautiful red dresses.

That man below is working on some copper vessels, widely used at the Balkans, so he isn't in a suit but the black hat is on his head.

Red dresses. Exactly like that young woman, obviously trying to put her baby to sleep in their yard.

I remembered this young man is he was definitely in love and waiting for it's love. I could read his anticipation. This was at the entrance of an old museum.

This staircase could be found at the birth place of Dracula. Probably as a tourist one would expect a silent, moody or even dark atmosphere around but the place was nothing like it. A colorful vivid town where I met this musician, playing Romanian traditional music on his accordion. The acoustics were awesome!

The county building. An old man leaving it in black suit, beautiful hat and interesting pullover. A women is entering the building at the same time but they don't look at each other at all. No emotions on their faces. My guess... the Romanian bureaucracy isn't nice to handle.

While traveling, I noticed many Romanians use bikes to commute. So European, right? Much more often, than we do in my country... That's a sign, in my humble opinion, that Romania is more developed and bike-friendly. Thus, cleaner and more eco!

A waitress, having a short cigarette-break, sitting on that paved tunnel-road.

Good she didn't mind me taking that photo!

Two people, sitting next to each other, not talking at all, just staring at their phones. Not paying any attention to the flock of pigeons around them. Phones... another modern dope...

Same place, different moment and different angle. That young woman with her toy dog waiting for someone. Smoking a cigarette, again. By the way, I saw many young people smoking.

Crossing the road. I hope you will agree with me there is certain magic in the exact moment when the green light goes on and all those people who were impatiently waiting suddenly start walking... What are they dreaming of? Where are they all going to?

Here I saw a young shepherd. How many young shepherd have you seen? ;)
I realize this is not the best paying job so he must be doing it out of passion? Or he just loves being outdoors alone, surrounded by animals that trust him? I think this speaks volumes!

And here, the photo with the biggest contrast, probably... A young woman is feeding the pigeons while a young man passes by her. Everyone in his own universe. One - full of compassion and care, and warm feelings. The other - centered around technology, not interested in the real world and all those beautiful creatures, just a foot away...

Well, I love the colorfulness of Romania and its people.

Each picture there tells a story...

Each story I heard there shapes my perception of beautiful Romania...

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