TRAVEL. CULTURE. FAMILY.
Visiting Someone Who Chooses to Stay “Behind”
In terms of location and development
When times were rough in Romania and nobody saw a future for them in the communist country, my ancestors packed up their things and fled. Some before and some after the revolution and fall of the soviet union.
My grandmother’s brother was one of them. Together with the rest of his family, he moved to Germany. But he didn’t last long. Not even two weeks and he was on his way back to Romania.
He couldn’t stay any longer. He didn’t like it in Germany. The country wasn’t for him. He said.
He chose to go back.
And stay behind.
He chose to stay behind in his hometown. Behind in terms of development but also location. Things weren’t available and survival wasn’t easy. But he loved it there.
And still does.
He’s been there now for over 30 years after everyone left. Of course, he’s not alone. There are Romanians still in town. There are neighbors he’s good with. But there are none of his…
