M. is eager to serve,
excitedly welcoming me
to his humble city
with so much to see,
yes, so much to see.
He takes my Euros and
gives me change in Romanian leu.
“It’s an estimate,” he says.
“About five to one.”
He takes a pen and pulls up a map,
making a circle around a market plaza.
“This is an area you must visit.
There is a very nice church at the end of it.”
“And here,” he says, circling another plaza.
“Here is where you can get food,
but it is only fast food
like pizza and sandwiches.
If you want traditional Romanian food,
there is a very good restaurant here.”
He draws an arrow to a spot on the map
and prints the name of the restaurant beside it.
M. draws a long line along the river Bega.
“This is a very nice walk.
Very nice walk.
You must do this walk while you are here.
It’s a must.
And you must cross this bridge right here.
It’s not a famous bridge,
but it is my favourite bridge.
I don’t know why it’s my favourite bridge,
but it has been my favourite bridge
since I was a boy.
You must see my bridge.
And you must cross it.”
He outlines a big area of the map
and says, “Here is an older part of town,
but there is not much to see there,
but it is old and maybe a good walk for you.”
M. circles another area.
“This is the university area.
Not much happens there.
But often the students walk down this street
and you can sit and watch them walk by.
Sometimes it is interesting just to watch
university students walk by.”
“The water at the hostel,
you can drink it,
but it tastes bad.”
M. screws up his face as if in pain,
then makes a tiny circle on the map.
“This is a water fountain where you can
maybe fill up your water bottle.
The water tastes very good.”
He smiles.
M. marks a few more places on the map,
talking enthusiastically about each place,
but I have trouble keeping up.
I’m still thinking about the water fountain,
and the walk along the river.
Soon, a couple of travelers arrive to check in,
and M. must abandon our map,
which has circles and scribbles all over it.
“Please come and see me
if you have any questions.
You can have a free coffee
and I can tell you anything about my city.
For sure anything.
I was born here.”
