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“It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop.” Confucius
We had a monumental moment today.
We crossed 500 kilometers!
And, even better, we actually found the 500-kilometer marker and got a photo with it. Yippee! 🎉
Well…I found it.
Massimo was waaaay ahead of me, casually walking through an open field, when he walked right past the thing.
I started yelling. Then screaming. Then yelling and screaming some more.
Eventually, he realized I was trying to get his attention and came back. The dang marker was practically hiding in the bushes. I’m still shocked I saw it.I’m
500 kilometers.
Only 900 more to go. 😳
And naturally, because every “important” milestone on this trip requires some sort of physical sacrifice, I had to wedge my arm through a bunch of branches (which drew blood from my hands) to get the photo. In the process, my hair got caught in the foliage.
A few of those prickly little green stickers grabbed onto my hair and refused to let go. Massimo had to pick them out one by one.
I was not about to transport these little green guys in the next town.
500 kilometers down. Nature: 1. Me: 0.
Massimo was in heaven this morning. Alexandra made him a special breakfast…bruschetta. An Italian delight. 🇮🇹
I’m not sure there is a more Italian way to start the day than having an Italian man eat bruschetta in Romania. Even his espresso was made the way he likes it…piccolo, piccolo.
Lucian and Alexandra were wonderful hosts, but they were also fascinating people.
Lucian spent eight years living in the UK and speaks perfect English. He has traveled all over the world; Asia, Africa, South America, Europe, and beyond.
Alexandra spent 17 years living in Spain and is fluent in Spanish.
Together, they’re raising their daughter to be trilingual, which is pretty remarkable.
Their lives and experiences are quite unique compared to most people we’ve met in Romania, and we had some wonderful conversations about life, travel, different cultures, and the world in general.
I thoroughly enjoyed our time with them.
Walking out of Archita means we have officially left the region of Terra Siculorum and entered Terra Saxonum.
Another invisible line crossed. Another region conquered. Another opportunity to wonder exactly where the heck we are.
The route for today was supposed to be 27 kilometers, but we discovered a shortcut.
Only 18 kilometers!
Hallelujah!
Of course, there is always a catch.
The shortcut took us along a major road with a ton of traffic and very little shoulder to walk on.
So instead of wandering peacefully through the Romanian countryside, we spent a good portion of the day playing “Don’t Get Hit by a Car.”
But we survived! 🙌
One of the highlights of the day was meeting a lovely Ukrainian man named Sergio, who now lives in Romania.
He was out walking with two local men, picking flowers for his wife.
Thankfully, everyone spoke English, which makes conversation…and connection…so much easier.
Sergio noticed my Garmin watch and immediately said:
“Oh, I love Garmin. They make the best products. I’m a runner and use mine every day.”
Naturally, I told him that Garmin headquarters are in my home city.
He was very excited to hear that connection.
The conversation eventually turned to the little videos I make for you guys through Relive. I pulled out my phone and showed him a few.
He loved them.
Now he wants to make videos of his runs in Romania to share with his friends and family back in Ukraine. 🇺🇦
And then he casually mentioned that he is a member of the Royal Rangers, which was started in Springfield, Missouri.
So when I told him I’m from Kansas City, he knew exactly where it was.
And just like that, a random encounter on a Romanian road somehow connected Ukraine → Romania → Kansas City → Springfield, Missouri → Garmin → running → Relive videos.
This is why I love travel.
You never know who you’re going to meet, or what strange little web of connections will appear.
Breaking The Law!
On one of our breaks, we were sitting at a “magazin” shop (it’s similar to a little market) that was closed but had tables and chairs out front.
The cops showed up.
One of the neighbors must have alerted them that there were strangers in town.
The man who owned the shop lived next door and told us we could sit there and he’d open at 3 pm but we’d be long gone before that…we just needed a place to rest for a minute.
No arrests or tickets…so far.
Today was otherwise pretty uneventful. There wasn’t much drama, which again is probably good for us but terrible for the blog.
Massimo and I both commented that today’s walk felt different. I don’t know if it was the landscape, the route, or the fact that our shortcut took us through two towns, but for the first time on this trail, today felt more like a traditional Camino in Spain.
There was something about the roads, the villages, the people, and the rhythm of the walking that felt familiar. I really enjoyed it.
The folks at the Via Transilvanica headquarters told us that this hike isn’t intended to be a “Camino-style” pilgrimage. It’s simply a long-distance trail. And I understand the distinction.
But today? It felt more like a Camino. Just with more Romanian roads, fewer pilgrims, and a slightly higher risk of getting run over.it was quite enjoyable.
I’m exhausted and still not feeling well so I’m cutting it short for tonight.
See ya back here tomorrow!
Much love & gratitude. Namaste 🙏
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These terrible tan lines are going to take years to get rid of. Ugh
We also met Alex along the way. He has accommodation along the shortcut route specifically for bikers. He was working in the fields when we met him, and he had lost a piglet.
Yes.
A piglet. 🐖
Like in Winnie The Poo.
We exchanged phone numbers so we could let him know if we happened to find it.
Unfortunately, no piglet sightings to report.
A rare photo of me…in the wild.
Trying to locate our accommodation for the night. Massimo made the booking this time and forgot which place he booked. Mamma Mia!
