Arriving in Bucharest Aug 2 and 3

August 2: We made it to Eastern Europe!! Our main purpose is to visit with Dorina Linga and her family in Moldova-- she was our international student two years ago. Our intent is to spend the first two weeks exploring on our own, then meet Dorina in Moldova on August 14th. We have packed one pack each, with a carry-on and limited what we brought to what we can comfortably carry with us. We flew from Seattle to Amsterdam via Delta. The flight was nine hours-- limited space and a crowded flight, but it was fine! While most of the flight was over clouds, we were able to see Greenland's rugged interior and coast. Lots of little "berglettes" in the waterways--and, of course, spectacular glaciers and rugged new glaciated alpine ridges and arettes. The approach to Amsterdam over the North Sea was clear-- saw lots of oil rigs and vessels, so thought of the gulf spill. Sure hope nothing like that happens here. Holland, from the plane, was very green and very organized-- definite town boundaries and lovely parcels of varying shades of green and brown--very geometrical and meticulous. Once we landed, we had 40 minutes to get off the plane, find our flight with Royal Dutch KLM. Fortunately, the airport was easily navigable and signs were clear. We hurried there and got right in line for security and walked onto the flight. Our seats were a bit jumbled, and we ended up sitting in different seats, but near each other. I sat next to a young mother and her son who were coming to visit family for two weeks. She is from Romania (Bucharest) and married a man from Holland-- her son was about six years old and very bright! He was working on a Lego set, which was also a game they played together. Enjoyable visit-- she warned us it was going to be hot! Dorina's brother's friend, Octavian Vataman, met us outside the airport--we came out to many people holding signs with names, but didn't see our names-- we recongized him from his photo and his friendly smile! Our back-up plan was to bring his photo up on the laptop and show it to the crowd!! Fortunately, it was a smaller airport and we only had one place to look. He was a great tour guide on the way to the hostel, pointing out historic buildings and monuments. Found the YMCA Hostel without too much trouble. Our kind hostess showed us a second floor room-- with an oscillating fan (thank goodness) and adjacent shower and bathroom-- down the hall. It was warm--about 95 degrees F. We walked around the neighborhood a bit; found a market and bought some fruit and cold drinks. Wonderful old buildings, walls with wrought iron gates and window guards-- took some pix for Paul, showing the fine ironwork. Finally showered and turned the fan on and slept.
Aug 3: I was up very early with a bit of a headache that clariton fixed quickly. We went out before the city really woke up-- and joined the workers walking to the center of the oldest part of Bucharest. Started out with coffee at a small outdoor cafe, then toured around the oldest center. Lots of restoration going on--and great architecture from the 1800's-- a mix of French influence, old Soviet block-style buildings and Turkish influence. Fascinating--we followed a walking tour of some of the oldest, most interesting buildings from one of our tour books, which took us right past our hostel! We ducked in for a break, then finished the tour. Streets are predictably narrow, drivers are fast and pedestrians are not always considered when careening around corners or coming down the streets--many are one-way. Boulevards are wider, with many roundabouts and other similar exchanges. We were warned to stay away from the many dogs in the streets-- not many of them, but we had to be careful where we stepped! There are many very small bakeries-- with a small storefront and beautiful displays of breads and rolls with one person at a window dispensing the goods; flower vendors line the streets downtown. Many walls around inner courtyards, some with very well-kept plants, most are fairly wild with native plants. Made our way back to the hostel, only getting confused once! By then our inner clocks caught up with us. After a short break in the courtyard in the back of the hostel, we gave in to a two-hour nap. The courtyard is a nice gathering place for folks here-- and the communal kitchen (but it's too hot in there!). There are two picnic tables, a TV set on a table and a couple of chairs under several large trees providing a much-needed shade. Met several folks here--most are younger people with packs--students on holiday. One young woman had been an exchange student in Los Angeles when she was sixteen. She saw her host family three years ago--and commented that they would not stay in a hostel--only five-star hotels!! We have found the language close enough to Spanish that we can figure out signs and basically understand most meaning of some conversations. No problems in buying products or getting directions, but most people speak English. Our hostel hosts have been very helpful. We have arranged for a bus trip to Golden Sands tomorrow morning, bus leaving at 6:00 am. We will take a taxi to the bus station. Had a bowl of peaches for dinner-- the heat has killed my appetite (which is a good thing!) and we are careful to drink lots of water. Again, it's 95 degrees F or so-- but the evening breeze was welcome.

These are some of the churches and buildings around Bucharest--




This shot shows the contrast between the older buildings and the newer construction in the background--also shows the narrow streets!