Braşov (Kronstadt)

At the beginning of our 18th week of travel, it's time to wash up properly again. This applies especially to Rango, who once again smells more like a dog than I would like. So on Monday morning (September 18, 2017), our first stop is the campsite shower at Camping Aquaris in Sighişoara. After initial skepticism, the big guy seems to really enjoy it, probably because of the warm water. Afterward, we have breakfast and I start packing for the journey to Braşov. In the meantime, we accompany Marlon and his team to the train station, where we also meet again shortly after 1:30 PM. Luckily, the train is a bit late, otherwise it would have been quite tight (regular departure 1:47 PM). Around half past two, we finally sit in the train and arrive in Kronstadt around 5:00 PM. A campground listed in my map app doesn't exist again, but I get the tip to visit the Kismet Dao Hostel on the edge of the old town of Kronstadt. Said and done. Unfortunately, the owner's dog is currently living there, and Rango greets her in his own special way. So we are advised to try our luck in one or two other establishments. After not having any luck in 3 other hostels, we return to Kismet. Since we had announced our return, the owner takes her dog home and we can stay in a double room for two nights - staying in the common room is again rejected with reference to other guests. We spend the evening in the communal kitchen in entertaining company. The big guy is allowed to be petted by everyone as they please and does not cause any problems for the other residents.

On Tuesday morning, I take a short walk with the big guy in the vicinity of the hostel, and then in the early afternoon I set off on a longer walk through Braşov. It takes me along Strada Republicii to the Black Church and further to the St. Nicholas Church, where I can send some mail back home. In a roundabout way, I go northeast through Parc Turnui to find some treats for Rango at a Kaufland store. The big guy will be delighted with about one and a half kilograms of beef bones the next morning. Then we climb the centrally located hill on which the Cetatuiă Braşovului stands, passing through a villa district for the upper classes. We walk around the castle once, because from up here you have a magnificent view over the whole of Kronstadt and become aware of the contrast between the old town and the huge panel housing estates adjacent to it. The city must have grown enormously in the last few decades. After descending from the castle hill, we walk a few more kilometers through the evening Kronstadt. Among other places, through Parcul N. Titulescu, over Piaţa Sfatului, and along Strada Postăvarului back to the Kismet Dao Hostel. There, the big guy can doze off in our room while I enjoy the evening once again in lively company. Especially Amagine, an older Canadian who seems to have traveled a lot, skillfully keeps the conversations going. With two girls from southern Germany and Vlad, who has been traveling around for almost ten years, we play a round of foosball in the hostel basement late at night before the day ends shortly before four in the morning.