12/03-01/04 The purpose of this 3 weeks in Romania was to spend time with Raluca, my new girlfriend. We spent most of the time in Iasi, her hometown. I fell in love with Iasi while I was there. Iasi's dramatic skyline features the neo-gothic Palace of Culture (my favorite building in Romania) and hills topped by monasteries. The center of town is dotted with early 20th century neo-classical structures including the university building, a hotel designed by Gustave Eiffel, and the theatre. The churches are what is special about Iasi, though. The Church of Three Hierarchs, Golia monastery (preferred by Peter the Great), Mitropolia cathedral, and Cetetuia monastery all stand out as architectural marvels. Mihai Eminescu's favotire part of town was the botanical garden of Copou, where he wrote many of his poems. It is the
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