By Aditya Acharya

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Diana and Stefan became our guide for the whole day today. Diana and Stefan are our new Romanian friends. Diana was already a friend since some days ago, when she went to receive us from Bucharest, on 1st of May. She is also going to start the same program, MSc in European Forestry from this August 2019. Stefan is a MSc forestry student in the Transylvania University of Brasov. Now we have two Romanian friends too. 🙂

Today, we had free time for exploring the Brasov city. Diana had told that she would be able to guide us around, the whole day if we would be interested. Later, Stefan joined and they became our guide for today. Not all of us, but those who were interested made a group and started our day some time after the breakfast.

There was a Horse Parade organized by the ‘Juni’ people, which falls one week after the Easter. So we went to watch the Parade around the city in the beginning.

Those who are on the horses say, “Hristos a înviat!” (The Lord is Risen!) and other say “Adevărat ca a înviat!” (Yes, it’s true that he is risen!)

We also shouted “Adevărat ca a înviat!” many times. 🙂

After that, we went to the top of the Tâmpa Hill, which is also a nature reserve. Some of the friends decided to go by the cable car and some of us, including me, climbed up the hill on foot. “Bună ziua” – some of the people who were climbing down told us. I asked the meaning to Diana.

“Have a good day!”

And then we told “Bună ziua” to many people who we met on the way. 🙂

“Bună ziua” – some would respond, some would just smile and some would not notice what we said.

But, as the path was slippery, we also decided to take the cable car to climb down.

Then we went to the old town square and watched some performances and ate some snacks.

Saying goodbye is always a bitter feeling. It was quite strange that we became so close friends within these few days (just today with Stefan). Eyes nearly watered while saying “Thank you, and good bye” for them.

We will see you during your own field course next year, Diana. And two of our batch mates will be studying with you for a year, starting from next semester Stefan. Let’s hope that we will meet someday again.

Thank you for your whole day and the company. Best wishes ahead.