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Post by WillTravel on Aug 26, 2007 23:36:09 GMT -5
Yes, it really was 38C on Saturday. The amazing thing is that I actually had pretty good energy considering - better than I've had on some other days in cooler places. And you are right - I am not at all used to such weather.
One interesting point I noticed about the avant-garde exhibition. On the ground floor, there were posters by the British American Tobacco company saying in Romanian (and I think in English, but I'm not sure) how great it was, how it contributed to the state budget, how it employed people, etc. There was a video at the ground floor of the exhibit which was singing this company's praises. My guess as to what has happened is that this tobacco company supported the exhibition, but in return it got the right to promote its propaganda. Tobacco sales to emerging markets are a huge controversy, and this company is fighting back.
In many "First World" countries, governments no longer allow such sponsorships, but it's quite evident the Romanian government might be starved for cash.
I didn't mention the prices - for 15 Lei (less than 5 Euros), you could get a combined ticket to all three museums, including one I didn't see, the Gallery of Modern European Art.
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Post by pointofnoreturn on Aug 29, 2007 11:26:20 GMT -5
What a bargain re: combined ticket.
I'm just kicking myself for missing out on that fare quote that was posted on FlyerTalk a long time ago. I saw it but said to myself, "Why would I want to go to Romania anyways?" and I should have realized that I could have easily flew to a preferred destination from there....
I'll never forgive myself for this one LOL.
Are you back in B.C. now?
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Post by WillTravel on Aug 29, 2007 12:23:44 GMT -5
Yes, and we're going to Seattle this weekend for Bumbershoot.
It's really weird not to have a trip planned, considering I had 10 months to worry about this one.
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Post by WillTravel on Sept 6, 2007 22:33:02 GMT -5
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Post by me on Sept 6, 2007 22:46:27 GMT -5
nice pics! my complements to the photographer.
- d
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Post by Eagle on Sept 6, 2007 22:54:30 GMT -5
Yes, those are nice photos! Bucharest looks like a unique place, one that is probably "undiscovered" by western tourists so far. Did you have any difficulties with currency exchange or using ATM's? How about language difficulties?
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Post by WillTravel on Sept 7, 2007 1:29:40 GMT -5
Currency exchange - I just used an ATM. I had slight difficulties at first with the decimal point, but when I chose a preselected amount, that worked fine.
Language difficulties - the metro people and the bus driver did not speak English. Everyone else I talked to seemed to speak English. But I did not venture into the outskirts of the city. I was in the historical center and business district.
When I looked again at the photos (unfortunately some of the detail seems to be lost in the uploaded, reduced-size versions compared to my originals), I was surprised to see how nice Bucharest looks. I did not take any pictures of the stray dogs, garbage on the streets (not everywhere, but there was some), or the really run-down apartment buildings I saw while traveling into the city. I think if an area did not look that nice, I was sort of hesitant to pull out my camera. But I think you can see that the belle epoque style definitely is part of Bucharest's architectural heritage.
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Post by madamtrashheap on Sept 17, 2007 23:16:39 GMT -5
WT, welcome (belatedly) back and great to read about your latest trip!
Great photos of Bucaresti! I've been to Romania 3 times, but the last was back in 2000 so it's interesting to look for the changes (a few!) and the cranes along the skyline. Such an interesting country and I'm glad you got to visit, albeit briefly. And you're right about the government being "starved" of cash - EU membership will help but old habits die hard.
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Post by WillTravel on Sept 18, 2007 1:54:57 GMT -5
MHT, I'm sure there must have been lots of changes since 2000, because so much corporate stuff looks new. Sephora, KPMG, Ikea (this is less than 6 months old), etc. Not everything you see or learn while travel is elevated culture. I hope this doesn't offend anyone's sensibilities, but one funny thing I saw in Bucharest, which I have never seen anywhere else, was a large billboard advertising a hemorrhoid clinic, complete with phone number and web site. This was in the central business district. You can see all my online pictures from my travels here: tinyurl.com/23hy34 |
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