My trip to Romania kicked off in Satu Mare, the city where my friends held their wedding ceremony. Since the wedding was our main focus, we didn’t spend much time exploring the city itself.
Instead, we found ourselves unexpectedly preoccupied with an urgent mission: finding a washing machine. Why? Well, a few bottles of Gammel Dansk—a Danish herbal liquor—had exploded in our car trunk due to the heat, flooding everything, including our wedding clothes. 😅 On top of that, I decided to treat myself to professional makeup for the occasion. And let me tell you, it worked wonders—so much so that the groom, who’s my friend, saw me and asked his bride-to-be, “Who’s that girl?” LOL. Whoever says makeup can’t change a person clearly hasn’t met me that day.
The wedding itself was an absolute blast! I’m so grateful my friends invited me—it gave me the chance to experience Romanian traditions, indulge in amazing food, and sample some great drinks. But that’s a tale for another post.
The city
When we weren’t tangled up in wedding prep, we did get a chance to wander through Satu Mare. The city has a faded grandeur, with its past glory peeking through buildings that desperately need restoration.
Situated close to the Hungarian border, the city is a blend of Hungarian and Romanian influences. A prime example was the Hotel Dacia; once a stunning venue for important events, it now stands with a slowly deteriorating façade and barred windows.
Walking around, I could feel the post-communist vibe that reminded me so much of my own hometown during my childhood.
Is Satu Mare a typical stop on a Romanian road trip? Not exactly, but it’s sometimes refreshing to visit places that aren’t on every tourist’s map.
