Checking in from Bucharest

Some quick pics

We departed the Danube port of Giurgiu at 8:30 aboard a Viking bus to Bucharest. This was our third visit here.

On our first in 2005 we joined in the wedding celebration of our Brilliant Exchange Student, Andreea, who spent 6 months with us back in the 1990’s. At that time Bucharest was trying mightily to recover from the devastation of 50 years under the communist yoke.

We returned 10 years ago in 2014, tacking on a quick visit after a Rick Steves tour of Greece. The changes then were remarkable.

Now, today, Bucharest is taking its place as one of the major world capitals. Many if not most of the classic fin de siécle buildings that helped it earn the title of “Little Paris” have been renovated.

While the official population of Bucharest is 2.2 million, we were told the unofficial count tops 3.5 million. And it seems they all own cars. Those who do not, and even many that do, utilize the public transport system, one of the largest in Europe. The Metro has five lines and is supplemented by a system of buses, trams, trolley buses, and light rail. There is also a private minibus system and 10,000 cabs, plus Uber. The National Railway system serves all major cites, as well as connections to Belgrade, Sofia, Kyiv, Thessaloniki, Vienna, Budapest, Istanbul, and Moscow.

The restored Village features exemplar houses and churches from ariund the country.

Check out the dovetail joints on the log church

We are now at the airport, waiting for our flight to Istanbul, then direct to Detroit on Turkish Air. The airport too has been improved, with a modern international terminal and all the typical conveniences that entails.

The 8th most populous city in Europe, it surpassed Budapest economically in 2017. It provides luxury hotels and fine dining that rival anything in Europe, or for that matter, in the world. The sophistication of the elite within its population at the end of the 19th century still echoes today. Well-dressed citizens, fantastic restaurants, public monuments, pedestrian areas, amazing architecture, both old and new, and tree-lined boulevards have helped the city rebound from the physical and financial devastation of the communist era.

But I am a bit biased. The city is deeply entwined with the love we feel from our Romania “family.” After our tour of the city highlights Andreea and her brilliant and talented husband Ricky joined us for drinks at the Marriott Hotel near the Palace of Justice.

We then joined them and their lovely family for a wonderful meal in their home, reminiscing about old times and catching up on changes.

They are calling our flight so have to cut this short.

More later, thanks so much for traveling along~!