2012-03-24 Wallachia!
No. Not simple onomatopoeia. Trebek, what is the capital province of Romania. My last stop here on my ten day trip. I leave tomorrow for home in Russia. What a trip it has been.
First off I would like to state that Bucharest is much like pie. Ugly on the outside and beautiful on the inside. Wait… that does not make any sense… I like the pie crust more… scratch all that. You get my point. This city is disgusting. It is gross, monochromatic, and communism’s success at its finest. However, stumbling upon the old town was an absolute delight. This small section of the capital is complete with churches, epic buildings, canals, a university, and as many cafes and restaurants as you can imagine stuffed into these small car-less streets. It is what I imagine Paris would be like, only nicer and much much cheaper.
Advertised as the second largest building in the world… after research I found that to be false. However Romania’s Parliament building is still the most expensive administrative building, largest civilian building and heaviest building in the world. Well done Ceasescu. Quick background information for y'all is that this dictator of Romania built this building in preparation for it to be used as a soviet-communist government executive building in his quest for world domination. It took almost 800 architects and used up 90% of the country’s GDP. Needless to say he was overthrown and killed.
I’ve now seen it and I am thoroughly bored. Moving on.
The hostel I am staying at is owned and run by a ridiculously hospitable Constantin and his mother. We arrived here at the hostel after a man named Ionut that I met in Brasov invited us to drive with him back to his home in Bucharest. Grabbing at the chance of a free ride instead of a stuffy train, we hopped in and made the two hour journey with him. Wonderful fellow. He even brought us out to a great restaurant in the old town named Caru Cu Bere.
One of my favourite parts of travelling is the food. I love trying out the new food. House, local, and chef specialities are my favourite, and this exchange rate has been beneficial. Every day I seem to have a meal better than the last. It has been superb. Today was a piping hot pot of Transylvanian Gulash and freshly cut French fries with freshly grated cheese on top. $10 in total, along with a beer, and live entertainment.
Sunset along the main street of… well I forget. It is in Romanian, all I know is that it was built to be a meter wider than the Champs Elysee. Guess who ordered that? Yes! You are right, the leader who was overthrown and executed on national television on Christmas eve!