Dracula Lives 3: Find Me

Except for one, none of the group had left the hotel the previous night. Apparently he just wanted to look around, maybe grab a beer or two. It didn't stop there. A mysterious stranger passed him a picture on the way. "Give it to the tall guy in your group. He should start searching here!" she ordered him and disappeared into the thick, misty forest. Apparently someone here has an increased need to be found. "Find the clock and you'll find the clue!"

VERBUM...

Kronstadt is Brasov

Our first stop today is the old town of Brasov, the former Kronstadt. There has been a small change to the program here. Lucia is bursting with energy. She has a cultural treat for us. The group is still going through the process of self-discovery. The enthusiasm of the group for cultural delicacies is still academically restrained. Our bus driver is a virtuoso in his field. He guides his bus through the narrowest streets, turning the monstrous vehicle around where others have already given up with a plain car. We get out.

Not for people with agoraphobia.

Now Lucia is in her element, unstoppable: "Kronstadt, founded in the 13th century by the Teutonic Order under the name Corona (how visionary!), is now a major Romanian city with around

250,000 inhabitants, was one of the centers of the Transylvanian Saxons. Until the second half of the 19th century, Germans were the most populous group. We will now walk together into the old town. Toilets are on the left here..."

Going to the toilet is extremely important for older tourists. It shouldn't drip.

"We're now walking into the old town. I hope you're not claustrophobic. Because we have to go through Strada Sforii, one of the narrowest streets in the city." I was just about to switch off when she gave me goosebumps and said: "As promised, here is one of the highlights: the black church, one of the most important historical buildings in the city!

The foundation stone of this beautiful Gothic building was laid in 1383. It is dedicated to the Virgin Mary, burned down in 1689, leaving only blackened walls, hence the name Black Church."

The black church

Did Dracula have his bleached fingers involved when the church burned down? He, or his followers? Without a doubt, the first trace of Dracula can be found here.

The clock! VERBUM DOMINI MANET IN AETERNUM

VERBUM DOMINI MANET IN AETERNUM

Latin is not my area of expertise. Uwe comes rushing towards me and points to the church clock. I asked him if he could translate the Latin. He says no. "But Claudia, my sister. She teaches Latin!" Perfect. Uwe goes on this trip with his sister and his mother, a very old, vigorous woman. Like me, they come from the Palatinate. That connects. Lucia calls the group together. "Before we enter the church, please note the six-ton bell in the bell tower. It is a masterpiece. Come, come! We are going inside!

Oriental prayer rugs inside the church.

Churches have an overwhelming fascination for me. At the same time they have something dark, almost threatening, so mystical, cold. Interestingly, this one is equipped with a variety of carpets that, hanging on the galleries, tell their own stories. As if Lucia had guessed my thoughts: "Here inside you can see beautiful oriental prayer rugs, collected by Saxon merchants. They had a lively trade with the Turks. And please also note the organ. With 3993 pipes, its 4 manuals with 56 keys each, the pedal with 27 keys and 63 sounding registers, it is the largest mechanical organ in Romania."

So many numbers make me switch off. Uwe and Claudia join me. I'm not getting anywhere like this. Where should the clue be? On the clock? Woven into the carpets? Should I dismantle the organ? There is no clue here.

I didn't smoke!

The group was already outside. Claudia said she wanted to take another look at the inscription under the church clock. I'm alone. My eyes wander through the nave, up to the organ, the pulpit in the foreground, then back over to the galleries. Over 200 oriental carpets are stored here, the largest collection in Europe.

My hands feel the walls, I shiver at the sight of these old historical walls. I reach an alcove bathed in blood-red light. Smoke rises surrounds me. A blue something calls me, puts my mindless body under its spell. A feeling of nausea arises within me. My stomach is floating, like it was back in Pattaya (see blog about Pattaya). Time suddenly no longer exists. "BUT I HAVEN'T EATED A COOKIE WITH HASHISH AT ALL!" I shout with all my might at the icy blue. Just get away from here. Just forward! Feg fon hir! (The blue takes over my grammar.)

I look away, mentally tear myself away!) Run towards the exit. "More light!", (supposedly Goethe's last words on his deathbed). I shout: “Liiiiiiight!!!!”

Claudia opens the portal and is taken aback when she sees my panicked face mutate into a grimace. And answers puzzled: "I translated the Latin words. But we can also wait until the marijuana wears off."