2 nights in Bucharest

On Easter Sunday we were up early for a 5:30 am taxi to the airport. We said goodbye to my Mum at the airport, as she had to fly home and go back to school. My Dad and I flew to Bucharest, about an hour flight. We were picked up by the brother-in-law of my Dad's colleague. He took us to our hostel, which was a bit of a shock. Well actually the whole city was a bit. It looked as if everything had just been let to fall apart. The first day was cloudy, which didn't make things better. The next day when the sun came out it did look a bit better.

First day in Bucharest:

First experience walking around Bucharest and I was already scared of the wild dogs that roam the streets

Romanian National Gallery

Our first stop was the Romanian National Gallery. Practically got a personal tour from the many security guards, "here is a very famous Romanian artist." We tried to skip some paintings, and got told we missed them ... I think they needed a few more visitors. 

The heaviest building in the world: the communist-era parliament building

Enjoying a lovely dinner

One of the best restaurants of the whole trip - the Bistro Atheneu. We went there both evenings we were in Bucharest and had some really good Romanian food. Well, actually I had pasta the first night. The second night we even managed to sit outside on their terrace. 

Day two:

Walking in the sun past the Canadian Embassy! Not the nicest looking building...

We walked out of the city centre to the Romanian Village Museum, luckily enjoying some sunshine on the way! The museum consisted of old village buildings (houses, churches, work buildings) from villages all over Romania. It was nice to walk around and see, though unfortunately on Mondays the individual buildings were not open. Plus there were tons of school groups.

Home Sweet Home

An early water wheel powered washing machine! For carpets to be left for hours to wash.

Next we went down to the Lipscani district, which is one area of Bucharest that has been nicely restored (or still is being worked on). We went inside the old orthodox church and spent a little while watching the people in their personal devotion (including a lot of crossing themselves and kissing the pictures).

Old Court Church of Bucharest

We went up to the train station to check where we would be leaving from early the next morning. See our train? The 5:45 am IR72 to Budapest Keleti.