overall impressions of Bucharest

Van 0907-Bucharest-July2009

So, the Bucharest Experience is behind us, we are safe & sound back in Belgium. What are our overall experiences?

First of all, it still is a very poor country. We have read in the newspapers that people don't get paid anymore due to the global crisis, and the population starts throwing eggs and other projectiles to their politicians. They mean business. They are a proud folk, and they still dress up as nice as they can, but if you look closer, the dresses are inappropriate, too old, or too big, or too black for the heat of the summer. The people keeps its head up high, but social unrest is clearly boiling under the surface.

Second, the actual generation still lives in the past, where the state was supposed to do everything for them. Slowly slowly it is improving, and you see individuals pop up, who take initiative, but there's still a long way - and many more generations - to go, I'm afraid.

Third, it's a lovely country, if you can live with the inconveniences. The hotel we stayed in was absolutely acceptable: reasonable prices because not in the centre of the city (in the citycentre, prices reach Western European levels without the adequate service), good food, acceptable service (if you can live with the initial coldness of the staff, fortunately that warms up if they get to know you a little bit better). The pool was absolutely lovely. Our complaints were quickly dealt with. Public transport is abundant, although you won't always find a seat. Lots and lots of things to see. And very remarquable, almost no gypsies during this trip, they must hide them somewhere hehehe!

So, you might see us back there :-) We can live with the inconveniences, and we appreciate the bonuses :-) HL didn't exchange our remaining money, he clearly plans to go back there :-)

Just a short memo ... one of the guys told us that the dead still get a coin on their tongue, to pay for the ferry to the here-after ... woohoo!!!! The Myth of the Styx lives forever :-)

And while it was so hot & dry during our stay in Bucharest, when we returned to Belgium and Gent, we were welcomed by a cooling drizzle :-) Welcome back to Belgium, rain land by excellence, naturally airconned country  :-)

wet hugs,

PB

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