View from Poiana Brasov overlook – normally you can see all of Brasov from here

The best thing in the world happened last Sunday. It snowed. If you know me, you know I am a literal child when it comes to snow. I grew up in Georgia, where it is hot and humid, and if we got snow it was a freaking miracle.

Here is basically my year round snow fantasy:

I had hoped (and still do) that it was going to snow SO MUCH in Romania this winter because last year there wasn’t very much. One of the best ski resorts in the whole country is located about 12 km away and dang it, I want to ski. Or learn to ski. All I know is how to pizza.

So…I was actually sad originally when I saw that the forecast said snow. It wasn’t the first time this fall that we’ve had a snow forecast and lo, and behold – nothing. So I was not convinced that we were going to get any snow. In fact, I was convinced that it would never, ever snow. I went to bed Saturday night with a bad attitude and some harsh words for the Digi news team and the “Cod Galben” (Yellow Code: a weather alert) that we were under.

When I woke up Sunday, the first thing I did was roll out of bed to the window and with a sigh of relief, saw that there was snow on the grass and cars. AHHHH – finally.

dance of snow relief

The news had said it was going to snow the whole day, so we were in no rush to get out of warm bed.

We made plans to take Louis to Poiana Brasov and to try out our butt shovel sleds. So we rolled out of bed and began the long process of layering our clothing (I am fond of the winter “hobo-chic” look you have to acquire to stay warm).

Louis wearing his winter best!

We finally somehow made it out of the door. I was mesmerized by all the pretty white flakes. Somehow our car got de-iced?! Magic!! (Sorry, Clau :P)

On the way to Poiana Brasov, we saw a car slide out and kill a bench on one of the overlooks. I feel like I see at least one car accident every day, and my reaction is always the same. I just yell, “SHIT” – like, really loudly, every time. No one else seems to care about witnessing all these accidents. I guess it’s par for the course here? Anyway, because it was an overlook I was sure they were going to go over the edge, but thankfully their car stopped sliding.

The roads were just as icy and dangerous, even though they had been plowed earlier. The snow just kept falling and falling 😀

That’s -6 C (21 degrees F)

Poiana Brasov was at least ten degrees colder than Brasov and the snow was covering the trees – especially the evergreens – it just made everything look so peaceful and still. We got out of the car and walked to the bunny slope, I think it’s called Bradul (Brad = Christmas Tree; Bradul = the Christmas Tree). You can see where it is on the map, to the lower left.

Lots of kids were out with their cool sleds, but we had something so much better. Butt shovel sleds. I was so happy we didn’t have to slide on a bag anymore. Coincidentally, my co-workers were telling me that they still don’t have sleds, and that they slide with a bag. Bags are very useful here. Amazing.

Claudiu (holding a butt shovel) and Louis pose near the Bradul slope

Anyway, the butt shovels were amazing and fast. One time I got Louis on my lap and went down the hill with him and he tried to run the whole way. It was hilarious. I guess it’s like when you hold a dog over water? They just naturally move their legs like they’re swimming. That’s what he did, except this was more like air running.

Louis decides which hill to ski next

Overall, the snow day was great. We had a blast. I think  Louis enjoyed himself.

I present to you: Louis’s Snow Day. Thanks, Google Photos!

We are eventually going to get him a nice dog parka so he can stay outside longer. It took him about twenty minutes to become a fully formed snowball. When we got back in the car, I wrapped him up like a dog burrito so he could melt and warm up. Once he was dry, I put him back in the sweater – and then he was so sleepy for the rest of the day. So cute, my little dog snowball.

I made Claudiu stay very still for this picture – look at the perfect snowflake on his hat! 

Night time came and it continued to snow. Here’s a picture of our sleepy street – totally frozen. Thankfully, the temperatures stayed around freezing for a few days, so we got to enjoy the snow for a while. Now it’s all melted, but I have so much happiness in my heart that it finally snowed!