Delightful Brasov by day

Thursday, 20 March 2008
We spent the better part of the day walking around Brasov which is charming.
The buildings date back 500 years. There is a medieval wall remaining in parts with guard towers.
The Orthodox churches are on every other block. They are very different, small on the inside with carved chairs built along the sides and chairs elsewhere. Not a formal altar, but tables that can be moved. We have watched many women cross themselves thrice, sweep the ground in front of an icon and cross three times again.
The church courtyards are cemeteries which family stones on which several names are written, quite interesting.
There are many pedestrian walkways with shops and cafes to enjoy. Luckily there are many public WCs as well, always appreciated.
We have been buying groceries and preparing our own food and we are not the only ones traveling in this fashion. Our roomies are not Japanese boys, but girls who are on holiday from studying aboard at Oxford- two from New Jersey and one Canadian. One is Chinese, one is Japanese and the other- 1/2 Portugese. I can understand how the owner of this apartment was confused about where they are from, but they are definitely girls!
We're home for Linner (in between lunch & dinner), a little nap and then back on the cobblestone streets. It's a bit chilly today- long underwear weather, but sunny. Just right!