Wrappin' up the 'Rest

As we made our way back into Bucharest, Mizz S and I (two of the least "let's go paaarty" girls around) made a deal that we were, absolutely, without a doubt, come hell or high water, going to go out on Friday night. We did something decidedly out of character and headed for a stereotypically American, corny place: The Hardrock Cafe. As it was on a lake and in an area we thought was up-and-coming, we thought there'd be some party fun. We were not quite right, but at least we got a pic or two hamming it up.

I said "Rock fists!" but she heard, "Hang ten!"

Then we headed to the Old Town and its cafes and bars and Durex Men.

Such baby faces.

The next morning we hardly had an early flight, at noon. We flew out of the smaller airport servicing Bucharest (not OTP) and the scene was more Soviet bus station than airport, but the service on WizzAir was fab, along with the nice shiny Airbus.

My verdict on Romania: I would ABSOLUTELY love to visit again for at least two weeks solid; food is great, people are friendly, prices are cheap, landscapes are gorgeous. A+++++

Off to Venice which, we were told, is the easy way to Slovenia.

To Brazov!

Not quite 24 hours in Brazov, Romania is far far too little time. And now I just have a hankering to come back in the winter to eat big meals, and be surrounded by hills covered in snow, and kind of get lost in the romance of Transylvania. Still, Brazov in the summer is damn nice.

These outdoor shade coverings (which were everywhere) inspired me and Mizz S's favorite new toast, "To Brazov! PROBABLY the best city in the world!"

This photo was inspired by a dreadfully incompetent good samaritan "photographer" that couldn't take a decent photo to save his life. Here, Mizz S recreates his photog skillz. Yes, I am wearing running shoes. We'd left our luggage in Bucharest and I opted for the comfy and versatile and reflective and vampire-evading shoes.

REVISED (short-term) ITINERARY:
-Aug 13: Fly to Venice, overnight
-Aug 14: get to Slovenia somehow- most likely along the coast
-Aug 15/16: get to Croatia somehow- most definitely along the coast as well as Plitvice Lakes
-Aug 22: fly from Dubrovnik to Istanbul, with lots of bumming around Turkey, and a must-see of Derinkuyu
-Aug 28: USA, USA, USA!

Sleeps, eats and drinks in Transylvania

On August 11th, Mizz S and I traveled from Bucharest to Brazov, in the heart of Transylvania. Everyone we spoke to in Bucharest seemed to be of a differing opinion as to the best way to get there: bus versus train. We were told the bus was faster, was slower, was tighter, was better, was cheaper, was less frustrating, was more frustrating. Conversely we heard all the same things about the train- although most everyone agreed the bus was faster, so ding-ding, it was the winner.

If the taxi hadn't dropped us off at the bus station, I'm not sure I would have identified it as a bus station. More like 'large passenger van' station. But no worries, we queued up and we jumped on the first transpo to Brasov. Then the fighting started. Something about too many seats sold, the bus wasn't the direct one, there were cries of discrimination, and one passenger stormed off. The bus was the 11:15, and the 18-pax van got on the road with 21 passengers and some luggage about 11:40.

The drive took over three hours which, although cramped, was really quite decent overall. The temperatures cooled as we climbed altitude, the bus driver only smoked a couple of cigarettes to Mizz S's delight, and I sat across the aisle from a man about my age named Dragush- a very smart, quite pleasant man who deals in carbon trading. We had a varied conversation about politics, urban development, Romania under communism, rock climbing, and Vlad the Impaler. I will be none too surprised to see him on CNN one day running for the Romanian presidency.

But, back to Transylvania.....

First, our delightful little room at Casa Rozelor.

And for food, well boy howdy, I think Romanian food is where it's at. The first day I had deer with a wild berry sauce (not quite picture worthy tho) and Mizz S had something called like "Auntie's Delight" which included sausage and short ribs and fresh pastrami. We also had a delish bottle of Romanian red.

And while I did not have the "Pork filled with goat's delights" I will be dreaming of it until I can find a way to make it.

For a hearty lunch the next day (today), I had Bulz which is a feta-filled ball of polenta, pan fried and served as you can see with egg and pork. We also had sauteed cabbage and beets with horseradish. These people are not joking with food that sticks to your ribs (any Barcelona weight loss is gone, for the record).

For our return trip to Bucharest, we opted for the train- not quite sure of what we'd get, but pleasantly surprised with our second class seats, and the trip only took 3 hours as well. And, joy of joys, one of the food vendors walking the aisle was selling fresh berries in a pretty little handmade basket.

It's pronounced Byu-charest.

After a not-too-early flight where Expedia unexpectedly put us in business class on Tarom Air out of Barcelona, Mizz S and I arrived in Bucharest with nary a moment of research prior. Would it be hot? (Yes! 34 celsius.) What's the food? (Cabbage!) What are the chances of cute guys? (Hey, not too shabby.)

We checked in to the Moxa Boutique Hotel and ventured downtown for din-din and a look see. Tomorrow we've got a more in-depth mosy of old towne Bucharest in our sights before we venture off for a few days into the countryside.

Sausage and cabbage and polenta and a dry riesling. Yummo.

I do believe this is an orthodox church, right in old town.

Kind Carol I is a night owl.