The Gaina Mountain. I might easily say that this is my favorite topic so far. Mainly because I have spent my entire childhood not far than 20 kilometers from it`s peak. So you can already imagine that the date of 20th of July was the most expected event of my summers. And for the years that my parents would be to busy to go camping for three days I would hide with my cousin and make fake tales made of thistle and chicken feathers an throw them after the tourist that will hurry to get to the fair. First, lets begin with some specific data. The Gaina Mountain ( the chicken mountain in translation) is situated on the central of the Occidentals Carpathians, at the convergence of five counties and has a height of 1486 meters and has the best view in the Ardeal area of the Apuseni mountains. The best part of the mountain is the legend that started the tradition. The ardeleni, ancient shepherds had a gathering spot, on the top of the mountain, at the end of each summer, where they will praise their fruitful summer and they would make the business transactions between each other. Of course, the business transaction around 500 years ago did not contain in trading only fruits and goats, but also in preparing arranged marriages. This is the reason that it is also called the Fair of Girls. There the girls ready to be married showed up early and boasted with their wealth, beauty and skills. But fortunately now days the tradition has changed here and there and now the only thing you can trade and praise on the mountain is good time and memories for a lifetime. You can get there by car, or my favorite way by foot. Each way you decide to take will get you an immense satisfaction of interaction with pure tradition of the ardeal people. Once you got to the top you get amazed by the view that summaries all Romania has best. Endless hills covered by dark-green forests, mountains wrapped in clouds, valleys furrowed by mountain rivers and if you are luck you might even spot a rabbit or a lost deer. There you will find yourself surrounded by hundreds of tents and you will hear for the first time the sound of "cimpoaie", a traditional musical instrument. The best part of all, on the peak, is the appearance and the disappearance of the sun. Your eyes will get glued to the colorful pallet of the sky until the cold and fresh air will give you chills to the bones. When your attention is not stolen by the souvenir stalls, by the peasants dressed in sheepskin coats, or by the cooked pies and traditional brandy you sit down and relax on your blanket, guarded by the stone carved cross that mark the heights, and you listen to the local bands that compete in dance and folklore songs. During the nights you get amazed by the fireworks that light up the sky for more than half an hour.
The Gaina Mountain... If you ever have the chance to go there, take my advice and do it. It is an experience that you will always want to repeat. Even now, when the chills of my childhood had disappeared into the daily routine of the city life, each year I cross on the calendar the weekend of camping on top of Gaina mountain. This tradition will be one those that I will keep and promote for the rest of my days.
More Info !
