Bucharest: The Petite Paris of Eastern Europe.

Garlic ropes for sale .75€

Visiting eastern Europe is something all Canadians should experience. From observations thus far, Romania may be the iconic example of eastern European culture. Before arriving at Bucharest, Romania’s capital city, we heard the usual rumours suggesting that the government was corrupt and the country was unsafe. Being aware of this made Canucks like Rob and Beth apprehensive when they first stepped off the train in Bucharest.

As they walked around the Gara de Nord and the surrounding neighbourhoods they saw an assortment of different activities and sites that suggested Romania, by north American standards, was a ‘have not state’. However, when looking with an open mind, they realized Bucharest contained a mix of cultural contrasts resulting from its peasant cultural history and the instability in economics created by changing government philosophies.

3. Peasant woman selling her harvest

2. Gypsy woman selling flowers

The fifteen minute walk to the pension at 5 Transylvania Street gave Rob and Beth an introduction to Bucharest’s ‘sector 1’ neighbourhood. After exiting the chaotic station and walking past the assertive taxi drivers, they followed the path down a pedestrian only street first passing by flower stands and street food vendors. Some flower shops were managed by legitimate Romanian proprietors while others by unregulated gypsy vendors that assertively tried to intercept prospective buyers with hand held bouquets of seasonal mums. Food vendors sold the traditional Mititei, or grilled meats and sausages, while other vendors sold baked goods of pastries and strudels out of tiny shop windows.

4. Same age different era

5.  Fixer upper? or Tear'er downer?

A couple blocks past the vendors the street was lined with a mix of structures ranging from meticulously kept majestic French style buildings to others that have eroded to little more than a pile of rubble and debris. As they walked on the incredibly uneven asphalt and partially dug up and sporadically repaired sidewalks, Rob and Beth observed the varietyof people that they passed - women in stylish European clothing complete with
black leather stiletto boots, elderly people pulling carts of foods bought at the nearby inexpensive market, mothers walking children, and sleeping homeless people, many believed to be substance abusers. At the first opportunity Beth encouraged Rob to place the ham and cheese sandwich received from the train on the ground by one sleeping young man. The fellow, who awoke, possibly startled by Rob towering over him, gratefully took up the sandwich and began eating before gesturing with a hand wave of gratitude.

7.  One of many city statues

6. Strays gathering

The traffic that passed consisted mostly of small economical vehicles like Fiat, Volkswagen, and Dacia; however there was the occasionalfast moving BMW, Mercedes, Porsche, and in one particular sighting, a Ferrari. Rob was careful to follow the traffic signals to avoid the aggressive maneuvers of the impatient Bucharest drivers. Beth trailed slightly behind, carefully negotiating her rolling suitcase around sidewalk obstacles of potholes, abandoned troughs made for laying cable, and frequent dog piles made by any one of Bucharest’s 150,000 stray dogs. These dogs, more commonly known as “community dogs” often roam in small packs and frequent most pedestrian areas.

8. Cat whisperer lures another in.

When they arrived at 5 Transylvania Street, Rob and Beth were greeted by their pension host and young entrepreneur Patricia, who, like many Romanians, was friendly and courteous. Patricia also works hard in her studies at medical school and hopes one day to leave Romania to seek a salary greater than 300€/month which is what the average Romanian makes. “Paris”, she says, “Because I love the language and all the women there are oh so beautiful.”

9. National Bank of Romania

With a welcoming house tour Patricia shared with her guests the features of her cozy home. She also made excellent recommendations for visiting places of interest to most travelers to Bucharest and surrounding area.

Posted with Blogsy