I knew I was going to love Romania, but I wasn't expecting how head-over-heels I would fall for Brasov. I think a big part of my love affair had to do with the hostel I was staying at. Kismet Dao Hostel felt immediately like home. It was clean and comfortable, the employees were incrediably kind and helpful, the rooms were spacious, and they even had a backyard and an entertainment room. I also met some fantasic fellow travelers, which always makes a place more fun, including a guy from Pittsburg who had been traveling for nearly 2 years! Now thats stamina. And of course I have to also mention Zara, the hostel pup who was so endearing.
Aside from the fantastic hostel atmosphere, the city of Brasov was a breadth of fresh air. It is small but there is a lot to see and do. The hostel employees told me all the places I needed to see including churches, towers, squares, bars and restaurants, and the Brasov Hollywood-esqe sign. It was enough to keep busy for at least a couple of days, and I really enjoyed just leisurely wandering around. The Brasov sign can be reached by either a hiking train or a lift. The day I went up it was cold and rainy so I opted for the lift, but I was dying to actually hike the trail. Beyond the 2 days I spent in Brasov, I also did a tour offered by the hostel to 3 nearby castles, and made another day trip, with my Pittsburg friend, to the charming medieval city of Sighisoara. I'll post separately about those trips.
In the end I decided to extend my stay in Romania an extra day, and if I wasnt on a schedule to make it to Amsterdam to fly home by Oct 2nd, I would have stayed much much longer. I will defintely be planning another trip back to Romaina to see more of the country and even to spend more time in Brasov.