Back to the old world.

I've got to stop looking so serious in these shots...
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After finally prying myself away from Budapest I landed in the very scenic town of Sighisoara, Romania.  Its the start of a scenic route by rail to Brasov and the maps are correct.  The train winds its way through some very old mountains and at the intersection of two valleys and up on the hill lies the old town of Sighisoara, crowned by the main attraction of the Citadel: a large church with many towers and spires scraping the clouds.

I was met at the station by a woman and her husband touting for their pension.  This is the easiest way to get a room in many parts of Romania as the hostel crowds aren't large enough to create a market yet.  As it turns out her home/pension is in the heart of the town and only a thirty second walk from the citadel square, which was featuring performances by many a brass band... mostly playing old marches.

On the way back into town I passed a farmer out walking his cows.

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While the historic side of the town is moderately interesting; Vlad (the Impaler) Tepes was born here and his birth house is now a restaurant serving hot dogs and hamburgers, the real attraction for myself was the scenery.

With the square packed full every afternoon with German and Romanian tourists I had to make my escape.  Looking across the valley I spied a nice hill rising up promising a commanding view of the townsite.

After checking maps and getting lost anyways I made my way eventually to the other side of town and headed up a goat path-literally, there were goats- and crested the hill a short hike later.  I was rewarded with not only views of the town and citadel but also of the next town around the corner of the valley.  Fantastic!  The villages are your picture perfect, old world, idyllic mountain towns; red clay tiled roofs, small animals grazing about, and each house with its own miniature vineyard.

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I had brought some snacks with me from the market in town and proceed to have myself a picnic, drinking in my surroundings with quiet satisfaction.  And no tourists.  My food finished and hunger sated I decided to stay a while ( I'm in no rush to leave a view like this)  and read some more of my book.  On the way back into town I passed a farmer out walking his cows.

Sad as I was to leave this picturesque village, the train was calling me to move onward to the next stop: Brasov, through the highly scenic mountains and hillside.