A week in July 2023
Bucharest is a fascinating destination that has traditionally been overlooked by travelers. Fortunately for me, I spent a short week in the capital city of Romania. Unfortunately, due to not understanding the culture, I didn't allow myself to take full advantage of the trip. However, I did meet a wonderful lady, Oana. Our chance meeting led to an unexpected adventure, which I will forever be grateful for.
The first thing that struck me about Bucharest was how the locals stare, like really stare, especially at people of color. Though it's uncomfortable, it's worth noting that it's just a part of the culture and not a direct reflection of the person being stared at. As a result of this, I was initially hesitant to go out and explore the city. But as I soon realized, this is an experience common to many travelers. Thus, with more knowledge about the culture, you may be able to quickly adapt and enjoy the wonderful sights and sounds that the city has to offer.
Whether you're a person of color or simply anyone seeking to visit Bucharest, I strongly urge you to subscribe to the blog https://www.youtube.com/@romaniac. Although I stumbled upon this blog on the fourth day of my trip, it provided invaluable insights not only on the experience of being black in Romani but also on navigating Romania as a foreigner.
It was fate that led me to meet Oana and her daughters. I was sitting in a restaurant, working, I could sense that they were curious as to why I was in Romania. Just as they were leaving, Oana and I spoke to one another and agreed to exchange contact info and meet for coffee and lunch at her restaurant/bar/club the next day.
I told Oana about my love for travel and my goal of exploring new places. This was the start of a beautiful friendship. We talked endlessly, and it seemed as if we were old friends. One of the highlights of my trip was going to a horse show with Oana and her daughters. Again Oana and I spoke endlessly. We have made plans to travel together next year and possibly as soon as the end of this year and we keep in touch on Instagram.
The horse show is where I met Sorin.
Sorin like many others before him, approached me, and although his English was very limited, he managed to ask for my number. We went out later that night and had a pleasant dinner and conversation. Despite the language barrier, we have managed to continue the conversation beyond Romania.
Don't get your hopes up people, he's not done anything amazing to this point.
My visit to Romania showed me that traveling is more than just seeing the sights. It is about building relationships, meeting new people, and having new experiences. My chance meeting with Oana and her daughters led to an unexpected adventure and an unexpected encounter.
Additionally, my visit to Romania has taught me to be more mindful of cultural differences and to embrace every moment of my travels. I definitely plan to return as I think it deserves a second chance.
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