Blogs from Bucharest, Muntenia, Romania, Europe - page 7

Haystacks, grazing cows, organic corn, fruit trees. Fields against a backdrop of mountains. Horse carts share the road with cars and both have to watch out for cows on the side of the road. We ate fruit straight from the trees and drank milk right after it came from the cow. ... read more

I am heading north from Brasov, but I had to go south to Bucharest because that is how the trains run. I am only here for one day, but I'll probably come back again. This isn't the most beautiful city, with endless rows of concrete apartment blocks leftover from Ceaucescu's idea of urban planning. But there are many vibrant cafes, restaurants and shops to visit. The metro is modern, efficient, clean and spacious. The city is appealing despite the sprawling concrete. I am staying at Hello Hotel, which I really like for its clean interior design, wired internet, aircon and other modern conveniences, but the sign on the exterior doesn't have the last letter lit, which gives the wrong impression of the hotel. Something interesting--so many times I've walked into a restaurant or pub in Romania ... read more

Sunday 27th March 2011. Woke up at 6 am ( 5 am!! if we don't take into account the summer saving time change). Drove myself to Bucharest yyyeeeey !!! Got there in 1 piece yeeeey!!! Took part in a 6h CPE seminar. Loved every bit of it! Met interesting people. Completed several activities and tasks on CPE exam format, tips and strategies. Had a 20 min lunch break. Did some more pair work and studying. Received an attendance certificate. Took some pics to remember the day and the seminar. Thanked our tutor Ioana Serban and said our goodbyes. Drove myself home. 5 pm. Home safe and sound. In one piece. Yeeey!!! :) ... read more

The Palatul Parlamentului. The Palace of Parliament. After the pentagon, the largest administrative building in the world - using square footage for the measure. And the third largest in the world by cubic footage, right behind Cape Canaveral. Right here in Bucharest. And visible from the balcony of my apartment! In the 1984, the former Romanian dictator, Ceaşescu, had a vision of this immense Casa Poporului (House of the People). But at the time it was more popularly known as the Casa Nebunului (Madman’s House)! Ceaşescu had one fifth of the historic heart of old Bucharest razed, housing the former inhabitants of the district in tiny apartments that forced them to turn their dogs out on the street - a problem to this very day as packs of dogs still wander the streets. But the project ... read more

Cand am intrat astazi in Spitalul Sfantul Pantelimon am avut senzatia ca am intrat intr-o cladire care a fost bombardata in vreun razboi mondial si a fost lasata in paragina. Pe langa aspectul de bombardament al peretilor si tavanurilor cu tencuiala cazuta, am fost izbita de un miros puternic de urina si am avut instantaneu senzatia ca o sa vomit. Cuvantul igiena, asociat in mintea mea cu ideea de spital nu s-ar simti deloc in largul lui aici. Un jeg si o mizerie care colcaie nu poate fi descrisa suficient in cuvinte, de aceea am facut poze care vorbesc de la sine. Am urcat la etajul 5 incercand sa imi tin respiratia. Intreaga sectie pute a urina, deoarece sarmanii pacienti internati aici sunt majoritatea cu picioare si maine rupte, dizlocate si nu pot folosi cu ... read more