Another day of loving Bucharest

This will be a shorter missive today you’ll be pleased to hear…I’ve just spent an hour working out how to get the Bulgaria selection up on Facebook…a few false starts but there is no limit to my talents!!

Last night after my update I set off to a traditional Romanian Restaurant, a really beautiful building/ beer hall, full of murals and atmosphere. Very touristy but also full of Romanians, the place buzzed. However I hadn’t booked and therefore I had to sit in the cellar area (which was lovely) but it was also the smoking area. Yes they still smoke in restaurants here. I came out smelling like a campfire. I even contemplated having to change my clothes, it was a close call but it’s only been 5 days so on balance I decided not to!!!

I sat next to a mother and 2 daughters who were chatting away in Romanian so we didn’t converse until right near leaving time and they wanted something that was on my table. They asked in English with clear Aussie accents. They had moved to Australia when the girls were 3yrs…lived in Brisbane and go back regularly to ensure the girls keep up their Romanian language skills. Amazing cos there really aren’t too many Aussie’s here. Lots in Turkey but Romania isn’t on the ‘must do’ list in Australia yet. It will be when I start blabbing about it!!!

So off I went this morning. fortunately I was pretty smart off the mark and got to the (in)famous Palace of Parliament in time for the first tour (you can only go in as part of a tour) at 10. Thank god I did. When the tour was finished 1hr 45 later the entrance was just jam packed and people were being sent away for a couple of hours before they could be included in a tour. You have to surrender your passport to get in and are forbidden to stray from the group at all.

It is a massive emblem of Ceausescu’s megalomania but despite yourself you can’t help but be overawed and, reluctantly, hugely impressed. Just designing it is a mind blowing thought. It is truly incredible and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

I got out and I have to say it is quite tiring walking to it then through it but, glutton for punishment that I am, I was determined to go to the Contemporary Art Gallery on the absolute opposite side of this massive building. So off I chooffed on the stumpy and getting stumpier little legs. Ham and Az had affirmed that this was a fabulous gallery so I was determined. I finally got there and guess what?? IT’S FUCKING MONDAY….AAAAAGH!!!!!!! How am I supposed to remember what day it is??? I suspect that that was the death knell for this gallery but we’ll see.

Then I had to plod back thinking I’ll go here and there on the way back in the name of efficiency. But my camera ran out of battery…this is a minor disaster for the traveller but I have to admit it gave me a good excuse to ‘have’ to go and charge the batteries. I left it at the hotel charging and went to have lunch. It had (blast!!) to be a long lunch to allow for charging. It was a welcome break in the midst of sightseeing! I then only had time for a few more little excursions and then back here for my evening break to send my email before dinner which has become my routine. Time for a glass or two of wine, the purchase of which is figured into my routine.

I’ve sorted a schedule for my little tour into Transylvania which commences on Wednesday and starts with Brasov for 2 nights.

So..time to forage.