Bucharest - 22rd May

We rise to breakfast in the Berthelot - we are greeted by Koala bears in the breakfast area.

We wander the city centre - revolution monument - impressive buildings  - statues of former kings on horse back - graffiti masquerading as art  - building murals and shop fronts.

Another warning that a person needs to be careful when criticising the pronunciation of migrant country fellows - Historic vs Istoric

Icons and shop fronts

The White Church - beautiful in its interior - its supervising orthodox priest? - intimidating! - we dared not photograph the interior for fear of impalement with his gardening utensils.

We look out our bedroom window - the facade of adjacent but decrepit building - we divert our attention to a neighbour.

We drop into a tourist bureau – “do you speak English” – “of course!” says Camelia with a look, tone and accent that it seems only a Romanian can exude  – “we wish to see the good and bad” sys we – she looks aghast – “ no - you don’t want to see the local peasant areas” says she – “yes” says I – the exchange goes through a number of iterations – we eventually compromise – a private tour - some palaces – some churches – a drive past some peasant accommodation – we agree!

Lunch at the hotel – interesting – a Romanian menu item listed as roast potatoes with sour cream? – exactly as described! – slices of roast potatoes and a dollop of sour cream! – no garnish! – no embellishments of any kind!– the epitome of “truth in advertising”!

Bernie engages the young Romanian waiter – he takes to Bernie’s education with reserved enthusiasm.

Bernie retires to sleep - I join the others on a walking tour of the city - walk-about tours - free - delightful,

Meet the guide.

Through walkways protected from the unruly behavior of the pigeons,

 Past impressive buildings

Into excellent parks.

Past a cabinet repair person's premises - al least I think it is a reasonable guess.

Another evening out – drinks in the cellar of the familiar Terminus just around the corner – the group adjourn to restaurants – some to Lebanese – some to Romanian – we chose Romanian – a vegetable soup – delightful – a jug of house red wine? – superior in all respects to the offerings of their Australian peers!