#inromania

When I returned to Montreal from Romania, it was for the first time when I felt that I’m coming home. I admit that I missed the quiet and the universe that I have created over the last year, my new friends here, and the places that I haven’t discovered here yet.

I spent two months in Romania, and although it may seem like a long time, it passed as quickly as lightning. I arrived at my parent's home in Arad three weeks earlier than planned, surprising my family who needed several seconds to realize that it was really me.

My cousin, Mihaela, the only person who knew of my arrival plans, picked me up at the airport in Budapest. We then drove around Budapest to meet with Mark Griffiths, who once sent me a verse for a Jar full of Magic. I had never met Mark, but I wanted to keep my promise and to personally Spread the Magic in Budapest.

We met in a cafe, where we talked about things that people rarely discuss, we even shared a cheesecake while discussing chocolate.

Caught in the magic of the moment, we lost track of time and my cousin had to come and get me since she had been waiting for quite some time.

We then drove directly to Arad, pleased that we were able to find Mark and that we Spread the Magic in Budapest.

The stay with my parents was full of events and was an emotional roller coaster. I celebrated my birthday, my father’s birthday, my nephew’s name day on St. Andrew’s - many opportunities to share the magical chocolate cake. We hadn’t spent so much time together since I was 18 years old, and it was interesting to see myself as a child once again through their eyes.

I also baked for the family who gave me the cake recipe, both for my friend Mirela and her mother. It was the first time they tasted my version of the magical cake. They welcomed me just as I remembered they used to do when I was younger. Every time you set foot in their house, you are enchanted by the beauty found all around, the works that she brought to life over time (paintings, tapestries, macrame), and all kinds of artisanal objects, some bringing life and joy to every moment on a daily basis.  

We started talking and the memories came bubbling out. I found a picture of Mirela when she was a child, with her family and the magic cake - I was so happy, the photo brought me back to the moment when I first tasted the magic.

I always felt inspired by their universe of beauty and art, and by their spirit that was so vivid to my eyes.

I stayed for over a month with my family in Arad, I reconnected with people and places from my childhood and brought them all back to the present. 

I was pleasantly impressed by rediscovering Arad’s bohemian locales and events, to meet new people and to discover the curiosity the people around me had to taste the magical cake. It is magical because it brings me closer to the soul of the people, it makes me discover things through itself, and it constantly challenges and surprises me in new ways.

In the meantime, I was preparing for the baking marathon in Bucharest, where I was planning on baking for my friends for 10 days. It was challenging because I had to manage all the logistics: suppliers, storage, baking, delivery and all of the communication. I also had other friends I wanted to see, administrative issues to solve, and a few meetings that I had scheduled before my arrival.

I would have liked to see more people, but time did not permit it. I managed to get everything done and solve all the problems I had. It was an intense experience with very little sleep, but of course I discovered new things about the cake and about what I want to do going forward. 

I realized how much it mattered that I was transparent and I shared my baking process, which offered people the possibility to understand and trust my magic.

I was pleasantly surprised when a friend from Cluj asked me to bake for her 3 year old girl’s birthday. She wanted to offer her something special for her first contact with chocolate, and she thought that my magic chocolate cake would be the best option. I was flattered and, of course, I couldn’t refuse, so I sent the magic cake to Cluj with the help of another friend, who was going to visit them.

What can be more gratifying than to see people's joy?

I also realized that in a continuous baking rhythm I need help in the kitchen. And wouldn’t you know it, I thought of getting a robotic friend, the new KitchenAid stand mixer, which I ended up buying my first week back in Montreal. Even though I now have the help I need in the kitchen, I still have to wait for my work permit before I can start Spreading the Magic here in Montreal. Until then, I will be experimenting with new ideas in the kitchen using my new helper.

The last weeks in Romania were spent in Arad with my entire family including my husband, and I did not bake again until early January, for my father's name day, St. John. That was the last cake I baked in Romania.

The two months spent in Romania gave me the confidence to move forward with my plans, taught me to be patient and to persevere in always finding new ideas to spread the magic with my chocolate cake. And for that, and for being part of my cake story I thank you all, with all my heart!