I Climbed a Mountain to Touch Winter’s First Snow

Summary

The author recounts a memorable day trip to Sinaia, Romania, where they visited Peles and Pelisor Castles, rode a gondola up a mountain, and played in the first snow of the winter.

Abstract

The narrative begins with the author's relief from the summer heat and their surprise at the public's reaction to their attire in the cooler weather. They describe their journey from buying mandarins in a summer dress to experiencing the chill of 3°C weather at the train station. The adventure truly starts with a taxi ride to Peles Castle, where they are impressed by the grandeur of the Romanian king's residence and the simplicity of the nearby Pelisor Castle. The highlight of the trip is the gondola ride up the mountain, offering breathtaking views of snow-covered peaks, and the author's determination to touch the first snow of the season. Despite the challenging descent via the Old School Trail, the author reflects on the difficulty of hiking and their limitations as casual hikers. The day ends with a warm drink, a delayed train, and a satisfying meal, concluding a day filled with unexpected adventures and the joy of experiencing winter's first snow.

Opinions

The author initially underestimated the cold weather, requiring additional clothing at the station.
They found Peles Castle impressive and Pelisor Castle charming in its simplicity.
The gondola ride offered incredible views that the author wanted to capture permanently.
The author was unaware of Sinaia's reputation as a ski resort, which explained the presence of snow and ski facilities.
They were determined to touch the snow, showing a childlike enthusiasm for the experience.
The author acknowledges the physical challenge of the hike, especially with the thinner air at high altitudes.
They admit that they are not cut out for serious hiking after attempting the Old School Trail.
The author appreciated the multilingual skills of their taxi driver, Gigi.
They enjoyed the simple pleasures of playing in the snow and the scenic views, despite the physical exertion.
The author found the delayed train to be a minor inconvenience in an otherwise eventful day.
They ended the day with a sense of accomplishment and exhaustion from the day's activities.

I Climbed a Mountain to Touch Winter’s First Snow

Even our taxi driver was excited

A light dusting of snow — the first of the season we are told Photo by Erilyn Wedd

I’ve been complaining for the past three months how hot it is. I was so hot last night I slept with the windows open.

When I woke this morning, it wasn’t hot but it certainly wasn’t cold. I put on a summer dress and walked down to the grocery shop to buy a couple of mandarins.

Erilyn had some crazy pink sunglasses which I thought were attracting attention. No. It was me! People were looking at me as if I were crazy.

It was 3C but I wasn’t cold until I sat down at the station. I put on my scarf, beanie and gloves. Thankfully, we didn’t have long to wait. I was starting to get cold.

On the train to Sinaia, I warmed up, drank my freshly squeezed orange juice and ate my panini. When we arrived at the station, Erilyn gave me 2.5 leu cash to go to the loo. I knew there was a reason I needed her. She negotiated with a taxi driver 25 leu. The drivers were 20 but they were all busy so cab it is up to Peles Castle.

Our cab driver was lovely. Not only spoke English but 4 other languages as well!

Peles Castle was huge. Built by the first king of Romania, Carol I and his wife Elisabeta. While we were here, we thought we might as well see the other castle Pelisor Castle, not as grand but more beautiful in its simplicity in my opinion.

Then, encouraging one another, we went on the gondola up the mountain. Oh, the views were incredible. Our eyes drank in the snow-covered mountains. I wanted to imprint those glorious mountains on my retinas indelibly. We had no idea Sinaia was a famous ski resort. That explained a lot!

The views! Snow on the mountaintops for the first time this winter! My photo

We hopped off the gondola. In my case it was more tripped off and kept running. I don’t know what craziness overcame me at that moment but I wanted to walk up to touch the snow. I chose the path with a fence.

I figured it would help me but the fence ran out before we reached the snow. I trudged on, slipping occasionally on the loose gravel but with Erilyn’s help, managed to stay erect. I was determined I was going to touch that snow! And touch that snow I did!

The Old School Trail Photo by Erilyn Wedd

Then the walk/slide/hobble down stopping on the pretext of taking photos to take a breather. I don’t think the thinner air up here was good for my lungs because I was struggling to breathe. Gees, that trail was harder than it looked. It was called the Old School Trail, marked easiest, the Happy Bear Trail, most difficult, and the Fairy Trail, medium. We had to admit we’d never be serious hikers.

We read this after we came back down from the Old School Trail. Photo by Erilyn Wedd

Back on a gondola for the fast ride down, a quick free loo stop and called Gigi again, out multilingual taxi driver.

Erilyn and me playing in the snow Photo by Erilyn Wedd

We arrived back at the station just in time for the 15.31 train but after a lot of misunderstandings, we learned it was not coming, cancelled or was having mechanical difficulties or all three and we had to wait for the 16.43 train.

We resisted these and had a mulled wine instead Photo by Erilyn Wedd

My throat was getting hoarse again so Erilyn gave me some chocolate- coated ginger and a sachet of honey. We both drank a ( very) hot chocolate which sustained us for the hour train ride back to Brasov. Our Bolt driver dropped us to Sergiana’s for dinner after which we walked back to our apartment, both totally exhausted. Travelling solo, I usually do one activity a day – today I did four! Total walking distance is 5km not all on flat ground. Goodnight.

Can’t get enough of these views Photo by Erilyn Wedd