Dracula Lives 5: The Train of the Soulless

Steam locomotive

I am standing in the middle of the Muntii Maramuresului Natural Park, in the Malamuros region. From Viseu de Sus we take the Soulless Train, a narrow-gauge railway, deep into the forests of the Water Valley. The train is somewhat reminiscent of the Rasenden Roland on Rügen, also a steam locomotive. The water valley is a popular excursion destination for Romanians. Families, tourists and school classes bring life to the dense forest. Actually not bad. In a clearing there is a restaurant suitable for the masses. Stressed staff at the food counter feed thick chunks of meat and side dishes in a piecemeal manner, which would be just acceptable if it weren't for the extreme sound of some Romanian folk songs. Let's call it music, it prevents any communication. Anyone looking for peace and relaxation in this idyllic landscape has come to the wrong place.

Obelix would say that the Romanians are crazy. Nevertheless, I'm quite happy not to visit any churches this time. I finally find peace and quiet away from the forest rest area.

A sign at the edge of the river warns against swimming here. There is a cross right next to it, with another sign underneath it with the names of two people who drowned here. What many underestimate: Within a few seconds, the shallow river can swell into a raging torrent that carries large boulders and tree trunks with it. Anyone who swims here in the wrong place and at the wrong time has no chance.

This is literature

River Viseu

The train of the soulless

takes you with him,

bothers you,

clouds your senses.

He's spitting on you

into the flawless one

Landscape,

that you carelessly urinate into.

Oh, why

hurts

my stomach?

Enjoy it anyway,

as long as you

can still feel.

Shadow.

A vision: What if there was blood stored in the huge vaults of the wine cellar instead of wine. Where is Superman, where is Superwoman? The Master of the Univcerse is a tax fuzzier. Winnetou dead, Old Shatterhand on a business trip. The K-pop group BTS sings me to the sleep of the soulless. I am King, you are Kong. Together we are Tik Tok. Are we still ticking correctly? That does not make sense. But! This is literature.

Shadow.