There are times when everything goes according to plan. And times when what was unplanned makes one’s journey more memorable, as happened in my adventure this past September 2025.
Having always centered vacations around theme parks for my daughter and golf for my husband, aka Marine (former), this past year he asked where I most wanted to go. While the top places include sites used in Austin films and where the author spent her life, such places would not be so thrilling for the hubby, he confesses. Though, had I made that my ask, he is the sort who always agrees. We settled on destinations just as meaningful to me: Stonehenge and Dracula’s castle. The next day, after realizing he meant for us to go that same year, I sent a private message to an author I have long been a fan of in hopes to meet them for a luncheon whilst in England.
The day job and writing something new or editing something not yet published near in the evenings and every weekend saw time passing quickly.
Boarding the plane for an overnight flight from Boston to Heathrow was dream-like. I had just shut my eyes after takeoff when we were landing. I admit, driving to and from Heathrow on the wrong side of the road was harrowing, even when it was not I who was doing so. More amazing than not going in the wrong direction, two hours later we crested a hill and, suddenly, Stonehenge was there on the right. Making the moment truly perfect, the first sighting was idyllic the backdrop of the green grass surrounding it met the clear-blue sky somewhere on the horizon, the monument standing tall as a byway between them.
We rode the bus up from the visitor’s center, enjoyed a leisurely walk around the site, then meandered back to the visitors’ center on our own. It is not everyone who can spend just the right amount on souvenirs, but I denied myself enough for all I did buy to make certain I hit the mark. True, one can no longer walk through the stones, but we still took great enjoyment from our visit to Stonehenge.
In the end, the luncheon with another of our lovely authors in England did not occur. Whilst we had an apéritif at the hotel, I posted a couple of pictures from our day. I am always glad when another JAFF/Austenesque author/editor/conference-goer sends a PM. The one I received that evening suggested we visit Bath, but a short jaunt from Stonehenge. I shared our having an early flight to Romania.
In the unexpected way life unfolds, she said that if she was going to Romania, there were authors she would very much hope to meet! Fearing it was too late to make plans, I sent the one I was already friends with a private message to ask if they might have time for lunch or dinner. I then held my breath whilst waiting for a reply, having been a fan of their writing for as long as I’ve read Austenesque fan fiction.
The Marine and I spent the meal discussing what else we might like to do in England. I, of course, said the Tower, St. James, and was listing sites from Austen adaptations when I began messaging with both those same ladies I have long admired and we were able to set a tentative day and time for lunch.
Choosing to retire because, really, who doesn’t dread the returning of a vehicle at Heathrow? And strictly in observation, I had occasion to notice that traffic circles within traffic circles cause havoc, and it matters not what side of the road one is used to driving on.
It was a surprisingly short flight from Heathrow to Bucharest. I would be doing a disservice if I did not suggest using the restroom on the plane just before landing. There was not one to use at the airport before going through customs, or in the vicinity of the turnstile that will have your bags. One might venture further if one observes the wait is between 55 and 95 minutes for each of the 5 flights waiting.
The Marine booked us a beautiful split-level room in Old Town, Bucharest, an area designed for tourists. There are restaurants for every type of cuisine you might seek, as well as bars and pubs of every style where one would wish to meet friends.
That first night, we ate at a nice restaurant close to the hotel. We then walked through Old Town, soaking in the atmosphere of so many vastly differing cultures together in this area. FYI, the aroma of authentic gyros mingling with fish and chips and mici is a certain kind of perfect.
We found a microbeer bar playing rock music from the 80s and 90s with sours on the menu. I ordered one called I see dead people that boasted of a bright, fruity flavor, while he ordered his preferred IPA, though one equally obscure. I admit to some skepticism when the beer set down for me was labeled I see dead bunnies. Though personally of the opinion seeing dead people is far less traumatic than seeing dead bunnies after reading Watership Down, I gave it a try. It is a citrusy pale ale I recommend, if you prefer your beer on the brighter side.
We made a pathway through the restaurants, bars, and souvenir shops to, the Marine claimed, the only heavy metal bar in Bucharest. Taking the time to soak in the atmosphere, we sat outside and had an enjoyable hour of good music and conversation.
Day two in Romania, after having breakfast at a little restaurant celebrating van Gogh (see picture below), we spent the greater share of the morning going to one of the older churches in the area and two museums. One showing the history for all of Romania, the other themed more around the city Bucharest and how it expanded.
Taking me down streets not catering to tourists, the hubby surprised me with our destination being a bookshop. The display one sees when they walk in is a table full of familiar treasures.
I was slightly disheartened to see all were the English version, little did I know his mission was not complete. A short distance away was a used bookstore. We perused the shelves until he found me a copy of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice written in the artistic and beautiful Romanian language. It was a treasure I could not resist sharing with everyone that same day, but it deserves showing here again. Next to it is the Great Gatsby, another love story for the ages.
That night, we again walked through the bars, restaurants, and shops to that same alley with the heavy metal bar because right next door is another anticipated destination: Geek Hub.
Making one’s way up the stairs, one sees chalk depictions of famed DC characters. Inside, it is everything you expect: Star Wars ships built from Legos, action figures from movies, shelves with games people can play, and, at one table, a game of Dungeons & Dragons was in progress. Upstairs, those in cosplay had were in an all-day gaming session.
The hubby and I found the drink menu deserved one’s full attention. Though the Dandelion drink called to me because his character is the ultimate kindly gentleman in The Witcher Netflix series as well as in the game Witcher III: Wild Hunt. So did the drink for Slytherin House, the image which comes to mind being the beloved Alan Rickman who played the best Colonel Brandon ever.
At the end of the menu, there are three drinks that embody the entire joy one has taken from the first Final Fantasy game, or, for you younger ones that began with Everquest. The Marine ordered the Health Potion, I the Mana Potion. I cannot begin to express my delight when they came in apothecary bottles, just as one would see in a game.
And the blurb on the menu was correct, the Mana Potion did taste better. My only regret is not also ordering the Stamina Potion. I wish I had the green drink in the photo to make a well-rounded picture to hang on the wall.
The following day, we picked up our rental car and drove to Brasov. If you are considering driving in Romania, highways are being built, a few are in use even now. But if you are not on one so are driving through the countryside, you will enjoy passing through many, many, many little towns. As you do, you are required to slow down, which is, of course, expected. What may be unexpected? In every one of those small towns, the posted speeds go from 50, to 30, to 70 in the same half kilometer. And though I will not share exactly where I was or how I know this, a few towns also have signs that flash frowny faces if one is 2 or, say, 3 clicks over the limit to shame you into better behavior.
I hope you enjoyed reading about my first days of vacation in both England and Romania. In my next post, I will share my visit to Dracula’s castle, Castle Bram, and also with whom we were so very fortunate to have lunch!
Leave a Reply