The town of Moigrad is located about 12 miles from Zalau, the principal city of Salaj County. Moigrad stretches along the main road leading from the Zalau-Jibou-Cluj provincial road to Porolissum. The town was first settled in the 13th or 14th century, although most buildings, including the Eastern Orthodox church, are quite recent. The 500 or so residents of Moigrad invest much time on their family farms - either in their backyard or in the neighboring fields. Many families work from their homes, specializing in a particular activity, such as carpentry, or offering services. Farmers are generally self-sufficient, but offer certain specialty goods, like pork, to their neighbors. In addition to the elementary school, Orthodox church and church of Jehova's Witnesses, there are two bars, three very small grocery shops (two of which are part of the bars).

During the 2004 season, the core team resided at Porolissum, ca. 1.5 km above Moigrad. In the 1980s, the Zalau County Museum constructed two buildings on site that serve as living and work space. The buildings have a small kitchen facility that we used to prepare our meals. Teresa Tamba, a native of Moigrad and outstanding cook, prepared elaborate lunches each day.

There is something special about Moigrad. It is unlike other towns in the region. Some say it has to do with Magura Hill - an old volcano. Whatever the reason and despite it's apparent simplicity, there is something about the people and the landscape. Perhaps it is the simple way of life and sense of community.

Once you begin to interact with the Moigradians, you are adopted by them. We work with some residents, make purchases from others and, whenever possible, just stop to chat. We had offers to participate in school activities, to see what an Orthodox mass is like and to witness certain agricultural activities, like beekeeping. We have become regulars at Otilia's bar - the liveliest place in town afterhours.

On weekends or on afternoons, we sometimes go hiking around town and around Porolissum. The hills, forests and fields offer pleasant surprises at every turn. One day, our friends took us on an expedition to see a cave where a monk lived a couple of centuries ago; another day we hiked nearly 10 km towards Jibou. Some of us went for the exercise, some went for the view; we all went for the wild strawberries...