Cluj, ROMANIA – When I went to Cluj, the first thing I noticed wasn’t the buildings or the streets, it was the people. Everyone seemed so open and kind.
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There’s this calm energy everywhere, like people actually enjoy living together and sharing the city.
It felt different from other places I’ve been to, more welcoming and more human.
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Above, at left, is Uou Bistro, a small Cluj eatery specializing in dishes made entirely with eggs, from breakfast to dinner. At right: An old door in central Cluj, covered in graffiti and vines, has become a popular spot for locals and tourists to take photos. (Patri Stan/YJI)
At left, Sisters Café, a pet-friendly spot in Cluj known for its cozy design. At right, Mesopotamia Fast Food, a restaurant in downtown Cluj that features rotating portraits of artists on its walls. (Patri Stan/YJI)
One day I went to The Guild Hall with my friends, a board game café where you pay around $3 and can pick any game you want. We chose Mafia, but realized we didn’t have enough players. Then, a group of people our age saw us and came over, asking if they could join.
We ended up playing together for hours, laughing, arguing about who was lying, and just having a great time. It didn’t matter that we didn’t know each other – everyone was so friendly and easy to talk to.
At left: The Guild Hall: A board game café in Cluj where visitors can play hundreds of games and meet new people. At right, the Space Music Bar:, a lively karaoke spot in central Cluj where locals and travelers gather to sing. (Patri Stan/YJI)
That moment kind of summed up Cluj for me. It’s a city where people include you, where strangers become friends in a few minutes, and where you feel like you belong, even if you’re just visiting.
Patri Stan is a Junior Reporter with Youth Journalism International.
