Postcards from … Romania

Hello, friends! Florin here.

It’s a pleasure to take you into my world with some stories and updates. Well…in 3 years of Sammatz, my life and values have changed quite a bit. Most importantly, I’ve started to think differently and dream big, you know how life is in Sammatz – super active, lined with interesting and crazy people and full of stories. You fall in love and get into trouble. That’s how it is!

A lot has changed since I came back to Romania at the end of January.

I had planned to go to Auroville in India, but that didn’t work out in the middle of the pandemic. I finished school and recently became part of an NGO with a great team called Tăşuleasa Social. Besides tree planting campaigns, supporting children and youth and bringing people together, we are building a 1400 km trail that crosses the whole country from the northeast to the southwest. The trail passes through some of the most beautiful parts of Romania. Via Transilvanica is literally a work of art; at every single kilometre you will find a stone carved by young artists. So if you are planning a trip to Santiago de Compostela this summer, consider coming to Romania instead and lose yourself in the beautiful landscapes of the Via Transilvanica. During our work, I also briefly joined another organisation that restores monuments threatened by decay, and had a lot of fun on the roof!

In my home village, I am still around a lot with the group of kids I befriended a long time ago. It has grown a bit 🙂 We play football, spend time at the lake or sow vegetables together. For the little ones, this is a group within which they can literally dare to speak; the older ones are now in puberty and have many questions. What strikes me most is that the children feel safe around me.

If we dream of a healthy society, we must all do our part!

During my time in Sammatz I learned a lot for life and realised what is really important for me. In Romania, step by step, I have now found people and projects who have similar dreams and ideas for a better future. I am discovering the sheer beauty of Romania and I am meeting people who are making a difference here.

I don’t know what the future will bring, but I am confident that it will be a good one.

I have to admit that I miss being in Sammatz. With everything that comes with it. One day I will be back, I just don’t know exactly when.

I’m doing good, life is interesting!

Cu drag

Florin Anghelescu, Jirlău, România