We went to Bucharest for work, but had a chance to enjoy some of the city. It was a fascinating place, with so much old and very recent history. There were too many stories to write here, we can regale you another time.
Great view from our hotel room at the Intercontinental Hotel - the tallest building in Bucharest, in the very center of the city
Looking down into the area below the hotel - the building to the right out of the shot is a theater, the statue is of musicians
We spent our Sunday at the
Village Museum, an open-air museum with houses from all over Romania. The homes were moved from their original locations in small cities and towns into the museum.
We happened to come upon a dance festival/celebration. There were about 5 groups dressed in traditional garb doing folk dancing. The steps definitely looked familiar :)
Spring! All the trees were blooming
Different homes in the background
Windmill
Most of the homes were side-by-side, from all over Romania
The museum is in the middle of a park, with a water barrier between the museum and the rest of the park.
This home was built into the ground for insulation and to keep a low profile. From a distance, the house would just look like a pile of straw
Church
Interesting woven fence
Enjoying the sun and blooming flowers
I took Jon down a path that ended in a fence with no door, but it was a beautiful walk with lots of flowers
"The first, wooden, triumphal arch was built hurriedly, after Romania gained its independence (1878), so that the victorious troops could march under it. Another temporary arch was built on the same site, in 1922, after World War I, which was demolished in 1935 to make way for the current triumphal arch, which was inaugurated in September 1936."
Most of the trip was spent at the office, since we both had to work during the weekdays. The office was in the west side of town sharing a parking lot with a big mall.
Lunch at the food court in the mall - surprisingly pretty
Monday night we went to a football (soccer) game. One of the Bucharest teams, Steaua, played a team from Northern Romania, Botoșani.
They were checking everyone who went into the stadium with a pat-down. They let me through (maybe because there weren't any female guards) and didn't check my bag... it would likely be the opposite in the US. I think I was one of about 4 women in the entire stadium.
Just a few police vehicles outside the stadium
Our tickets were for a box above the other seats. It was so strangely quiet in the room, the only redeeming factor was that you could buy beer here (and not in the rest of the stadium). Normally the owner would sit there, but he is in jail for corruption.
We moved to the main stands after the first half.
With our new football scarves
They announced that there were about 600 people there that night. The most crowded sections were on either side of the field, where the team's fans sat. At the end of the game (when Bucharest was way ahead), they chanted back and forth across the field. The translation was something like "Steaua for life, Steaua forever." In the above photo, you can see the barbed wire yellow barrier between the home and away fans.
Just some cables
This would not fly in Copenhagen. I thought this was funny, but then I found that most of the bike lane was covered in parked cars. The more we walked, the more we found that parking on the sidewalk was common / expected (at least in the center of the city).
Bench in Cișmigiu Gardens (park near the hotel)
Neat playground right outside the People's Palace
People's Palace
View from my temporary office - interesting apartment buildings across the street
Watching another football game at a bar with just a bit of Heineken
The streets were an interesting mix of beautiful Parisian-style buildings and communist era block apartments. Some were kept nicely, others were in total disrepair.
'Merica f yeah!
Our hotel
Meal with the coworkers, I had delicious stuffed cabbage, polenta and stewed cabbage, with roasted veggies
So many beautiful buildings around the city (I think most are government buildings)
Undeveloped plot in the old part of the city. It was definitely the most popular filled with restaurants and shops (this plot was the exception)
Last dinner in the city - most of the dishes are a la carte, as in, if you order a chicken breast, a plate is served with nothing but the chicken. Most order sides separately, everything is still very inexpensive (especially in comparison to Copenhagen).
Interesting (and odd) street performers
A hospital in the center near our hotel
On our last day we visited the
Parliament building, also known as the Palace of the People. The English wikipedia article is interesting partially because it only has information after the Romanian Revolution and does not in the least reflect the emotion and controversy contained in its walls. I am certainly not an expert, and I imagine it would be really difficult for a foreigner/tourist to truly understand the significance of the building. It was built by a dictator and is now occupied by parliament. It cost millions (billions?) to build and still costs millions to maintain every year. It hold world records for the second largest government building (the Pentagon is bigger), the heaviest building, and the most expensive administrative building. Everything about it is fascinating.
After an hour wait to get in - I took a ton of photos because we had to pay to get a "photography permit"
Famous dignitaries looking regal
The theater in the palace, still holds music events
The number of chandeliers was incredible. This was was particularly huge, something like 3000 crystals
This painting was controversial because it could represent communism or those blindly following a single leader - an interesting painting that hangs in the hallway that holds the press
Also in the hallway: traditional dresses
Amazing detail throughout the building
Most of the lights were off because of the huge amount of electricity it would take to actually light the whole building. Every time we walked into a room our host would turn on the lights so we could see then turn them off when we left. Sort of eerie.
All of the marble is from Romania, also, this is the longest hallway in the building (we never got to the other end)
I think this room holds translators when large events occur in the building
Always look up...
View from the roof - the street is supposed to look similar to the Champs-Élysées (there was some kind of car show in the front)
Another view
More empty rooms with marble and chandeliers. Many were pink because it is thought to be a neutral color.
Largest rug in the palace, made in Romania (amazingly huge)
This decoration in the floor (of course made of marble), is made to look like the building as seen from above, four interconnected corners
The room where the Prime-Minister hosts foreign dignitaries (also pink for neutrality)
Parliamentary room (translation booths along the side)
Another amazing chandelier in the room
Celebrating 10 years with NATO
Another version of the building's logo, this one is only found in the center rooms (hence the different shape).
The room in the center of the building
More amazing chandeliers (also off to save on electricity)
You think they'd notice if I borrow one?
A ballroom you can rent out for weddings and events
(no filter)
Another room for hosting political events and politicians
They are very proud of being part of the EU. Every time there is a Romanian flag, there is at least one EU flag (compare to the parliament in Berlin with 3 German flags and one EU flag).
The building is nearly as deep underground as it is above it. Most of the tunnels are off limits now, but they contain a variety of rooms including a nuclear bunker. You can watch Top Gear UK drive around in them.
Communist flag in the far back room
Trying to capture more of the city and variety of buildings from a taxi- some beautiful old buildings, some falling apart, and some block apartments
Not Route 66?
