Bran Castle

Surrounded by mystery and legend and perched high atop a 200-foot-high rock, Bran Castle owes its fame to its imposing towers and turrets as well as to the myth created around Bram Stocker’s Dracula.
Built on the site of a Teutonic Knights stronghold dating from 1212, the castle was first documented in an act issued by Louis I of Hungary on November 19, 1377, giving the Saxons of Kronstadt (Braşov) the privilege to build the Citadel.
Although Stoker never visited Transylvania, the Irish author relied on research and his vivid imagination to create the dark and intimidating stomping ground of Count Dracula, leading to persistent myths that it was once the home of Vlad Tepes, ruler of Walachia. While the association with Dracula is sketchy at best, the castle continues to hold a strong attraction for all fans of the Count.
From 1920 to 1957 Bran served as royal residence, a gift of the people of Brasov to Queen Marie of Romania. The castle is now a museum open to tourists.
Narrow winding stairways lead through some 60 timbered rooms, many connected by underground passages, and the castle overlooks the picturesque village of Bran. While we were there Sister Hinson and Telford looked for Edward of the famed Twilight series, but he was nowhere to be found! We had a great time looking!!!! We also had a wonderful dinner at a restaurant high on top of a mountain with a view of Bran Castle. The restaurant had a reindeer that loved to have his head scratched.

Peles Castle, Sinaia Romania

One our way back to Moldova we were able to tour some beautiful places. Peles Castle was probably the most beautiful castle I have every seen. Our tour guide was Elder Banu (he served in the Romania Bucharest mission) and he did a wonderful job of showing us everything and making our stay in Brasov memorable.
Nestled at the foot of the Bucegi Mountains in the picturesque town of Sinaia, Peles Castle is a masterpiece of German new-Renaissance architecture, considered by many one of the most stunning castles in Europe.
Commissioned by King Carol I in 1873 and completed in 1883, the castle served as the summer residence of the royal family until 1947. Its 160 rooms are adorned with the finest examples of European art, Murano crystal chandeliers, German stained-glass windows and Cordoba leather-covered walls.
The furniture in the Music Room is carved of teak, a gift to King Carol I from the Maharajah of Kapurtala in India, while handmade silk embroideries adorn the ceiling and walls of the Turkish Salon. The ceiling paintings and decorative frescoes in the Theater Hall were designed by the renowned Austrian artists Gustav Klimt and Frantz Matsch. Over 4,000 European and Oriental pieces dating from the 15th to the 19th centuries are on display in the armories.

Biertam and Sighisoara

Our first tour at the seniors conference took us to the beautiful village of Biertam. This is the historic site for one of the 7 Citadels erected by the Saxons for protection against invaders from the east. The Citadel in Biertam has a rich history dating back to the 1400's. These citadels were the primary protection for the Turkish invaders. They were built as self contained little cities. They usually had their own water and a large supply of grain and other types of food. They could sustain long periods of siege and attacks. One of the most interesting parts of the citadel was the matrimonial prison. If a couple was having issues, they were put in this small room for several months together! And, over the 400 years of use, there were only 3 or 4 divorces!! I think I will recommend this to President Schmit and the Bishops!!
Next we were off to scenic Sighisoara in the Carpathian Mountains, where rumor has that this was the home of the notable Vlad the Impaler, aka. Count Dracula. We did not run into him, but we did dine near his birthplace (there was no blood on the menu however). Vlad got his name because he would impale his enemies on poles to discourage the Turks from trying to invade his country. The Romanians actually think he was pretty cool. The scenery was very beautiful and very European. The Russian influence in Romania was not nearly as vivid as it is in Moldova.

Senior Conference

On April 13 - 15, the Romania Bucharest Mission held a conference for all the senior couples in Sibiu, Romania. Sibiu had the distinction of being named the cultural center of Europe in 2004. We were able to meet in the Sibiu Hotel Imparatul Romanilor, originally build in 1555. But, it was remodeled in the 1880's!! The hotel was beautiful and we all were quite surprised to have such nice accommodations. The rooms in this hotel were gorgeous. We had presentations each morning with tours in the afternoons. It was very uplifting and informative. Each couple was able to talk about their assignments and give a spiritual message about service here in this part of the world. Elder Hinson gave the senior couples a preview of the presentation he has been asked to give at the YSA conferences that will be held in Prague, Berlin, Amsterdam and Southern France. Sister Hinson gave a personal sketch about our family and made specific mention about our parents (Leonard and Leona, Robert and Maxine) and the examples they set for us. We came away renewed and ready to take on the challenges that face all missionaries in the mission field.

Pro Aris School for Visually Impaired Children

Pro Aris’s main purpose is the rehabilitation and social integration of blind children or children that are visually impaired. The association promotes family solidarity ensuring that children have a more normal life. This association is oriented to help families which have visually impaired children by creating positive life learning conditions, and providing more specialized educational opportunities for skill development and social integration. Children come to the school following regular school hours. They arrive between 12:30 and 1 pm. They begin learning activities about 1:30pm. The activities are varied and include, hand work (crocheting, knitting), physical exercises, games, computer skill learning. The children leave the facility at 6 pm. Elder and Sora Hinson had the opportunity to work with the president of this school. This lady is a work horse. She works nonstop doing whatever it takes to make this school a success. When we first visited this facility it was just a mud hut. We would visit this facility and find her plastering walls, tearing out walls, hammering, shoveling, etc. She also looks for and finds help for so many needy families. (The disabled in this country are ignored, and many wish they would just go away.) This lady works hours helping the poor and needy. LDS Charities was able to provide floor tiles, wall tile, paint, new table and chairs, 2 exercise machines, and new sink and faucets for the bathroom. We also provided food kits that included flour, sugar, oil, buckwheat, and rice. Some of the young single adults from the branch helped us put these kits together. We were able to hand out the kits at their opening ceremony. This work is so rewarding!!!