Romania: pleased to meet you Dracula and watch your bags...

Sunday May 13

The airport this morning from Kiev involved all of the aftermath of Eurovision. We left the event early and slept for 3 hours, so most people who came from the event today would have slept for less than 3 hours. In the airport line, two men in front of us are there, one covered in glitter who Dana thinks has a tic, but I think is recovering from amphetamines. His friend has a killer black eye. Glitter man asks for a drink of my water with wide eyes, I tell him he can keep it as it looks like he needs it more than me. Black eye man swears that 'a boxer' jumped him and that he got kicked out. This may be the truth or there might be a few holes in the story. On our plane, I'm sitting next to one of the Eurovision organisers who is exhausted and pleased that the whole ordeal is over. I leave him a biscuit on his tray for when he wakes up. The lady on my left tells me about how Bulgaria got so many votes because he is pro Russia and in interviews, that the Bulgarian performer said he would break the trophy in half if he won. For anyone who does not know, Russia was not able to perform in Eurovision this year as the Russian performer toured Crimea.  I was wondering why Bulgaria did so well in Eurovision, considering the performance was a bit ordinary.Boyfriends of the Netherlands performers sat behind Dana in the plane.

We arrive in Bucharest, Romania, delirious. Dad tells me before we arrive 'watch your bags in Romania'.

Our airbnb host Cristi and his girlfriend are nice, they are intelligent but are adults and only children who's parents seem to cook them for all the time and they play a lot of video games. Interesting that Cristi smokes inside the house even though the airbnb site advertises Cristi's house as being 'non smoking'. Cristi works in IT and is a film colourist artist and his girlfriend Maria translates Korean to Romanian. Dana and I have dinner at an Italian restaurant, which frankly gave total 'FU' service, which is fine. Not sure if this is because it is an upper market restaurant for the area or if the FU attitude is a bit more common.  We don't care too much as we saw food, we ate food.We are determined on just buying things for breakfast and then going to bed. As we walk through the street to find the mini mart (which had no breakfast things) an old man barked at us. We just thought he was drunk. Soon after I felt quick footsteps behind us. I told Dana I would move my bag in front of me and then turned around abruptly. The two guys behind us looked a bit startled and then gave Dana her phone, which they were indicating was stolen by the elderly man or dropped. Initially, we think this is an act of generosity, until they ask for money or at least a coca cola.  At first we think we should give them money but then realise that they probably stole the phone.  I knew they were going straight for my bag and I think they got shocked when the plan didn't work out, or maybe a security camera was nearby. We tell them no, we are not giving money and keep going. I later find out that Romania is one of the poorest countries in the EU and crimes against tourist are high. One person usually acts as the distraction while the other steal your stuff. It was amazing that in the space of about 20 seconds this could happen. They even managed to re set the phone and change the phone cover. It's very desperate and sad that this is to potentially get a bottle of Cocacola.  I read that people even dress up as policeman and ask for your passports. Needless to say that I am lucky that my wallet and two passports are still with me and we were much more aware of our stuff after that. It was a bit of an upsetting start to Romania, especially as there were so many spooky looking people staring on the way home as we briskly walked home. Cristi said that this is the first theft attempt he has heard of from a tourist in a very long and says he feels ashamed for his country. Dana and I discuss that we were easy targets and that everything is okay. I am preparing my advanced beginner kickboxing skills for  any similar encounter! I think thieves get you before them though, you don't really have time to prepare a rib kick.



Monday May 14

As always, sleep makes it better and we went on the most amazing free walking tour (but always pay tips).  I have done these tours in Barcelona in the past and I really recommend them. Our guide Monica was amazing, so incredibly intelligent, a great teacher, kind helpful and passionate about Romania. We learn about Romania's Communist history and continued struggle to be independent. We also learn about and see the  Parliament house that was built upon instruction of Romania's previous dictator, where about 55% of the building is underground and being used 'secretly'. This building costs millions of dollars each year for upkeep and only 30% of the rooms are used. The people who lived in the area of Parliament house were forced to move to the outer parts of Bucharest. There are now land disputes as it is unclear who owns property, the people or the Government. Cristi feels that things were better under Communist government, very interesting. This walking tour really restored my feelings about Romania after the previous night (not that it is fair to base everything off one negative experience anyway).

Parliament house is on the far right.

This Monastery is as old as the city it self.

Learning about 'Vlad the impaler'  and Bram Stoker's story Dracula which stems from this is horrific and so interesting.

This monastery is so beautiful and peaceful, I love it.

Inside the monastery. I find  monasteries that are painted and not covered in gold more pleasing to the eye. I think because paintings to me tell more of a story and gold seems to be there to impress.

This one is for Ed. I love showing Ed photo's of interesting and sketchy construction sites and window cleaning all over the world (Ed is a high ropes window cleaner and absailer).

Monica encouraged us to come back to Romania in a few year times to provide moral support for the next election. We love you Monica.


I asked Cristi and his girlfriend if they were keen to have dinner together. Cristi suggested that we make dinner and he supply beer, well played Cristi. In all fairness, Cristi and Maria gave us some delicious Romanian food the following evening (made by Maria's Mum). Cristi got a bit grumpy with me because I started eating before Maria came to the table. Whoopsies, there's my Australian customs coming in: 'Oh please don't wait for me'. 'Are you sure?' 'Absolutely! ''Go for it' Rasa:' 'Nom Nom Nom'. Cristi dominated a lot of the conversation, which is fine. It's just interesting as so far (aside from Greece) the countries we have been  to stick a lot more to old fashioned gender stereotypes, which is not very familiar for me and Dana.  Cristi feels that Vlad the impaler was a good leader. In fairness, Vlad did eradicate most criminality, but it's because he impaled everyone.

Tuesday May 16

 Dana and I headed out for an 11 hour day of Castle tours and to the Town of Brasev.

We wanted to do this on our own but Transylvania is hours away. Sometimes if it's too hard to get around, it's better to bite the bullet and hop on a tour.

Peles castle in Transylvania is  the most beautiful castle I have ever seen. I love Transylvania, you truly believe that you are in a Grimms fairy tale. I just didn't believe that these kinds of places existed; only in movies. This castle actually has secret stairwells within the library. I just can't even fathom how people made these masterpieces. What is beautiful I think, is that even with modern technology, I just don't believe that you could make a place like this without potting in all of the manual, human labour. The fact that technology was so different then, makes it even more amazing to believe that these people could create a castle like this. See below photos of Peles castle. I don't have a fancy phone or phone camera. Even so, it's hard to explain breathtaking beauty with a photo, you really have to be there. By golly, I breathed it all in.








 






 
 

 And then we visited Dracula's home, Bran castle. Bran castle is not as beautiful as Peles but the story of Vlad the Implaler and Dracula are so fascinating that you have to go. See photos below of Bran castle. Dracula is camera shy and asked not to be photographed.

Will Rasa's weight be less than the bible? Probably not. I had a feeling I was a witch. Off to the stake I go!

 Some amour and weapon photos for my brother Vytas and Dad at Bran Castle:





 

The story of Dracula is only loosely based on Vlad the Impaler. However, I recommend reading up on both Vlad and Drac if you get a chance, fascinating stuff.

Then a delirious and cool little tour of Brasov. Some of the ground is yet to be paved as they have recently discovered that we are walking over a burial site! Also, even if you don't want to travel, you should come to Europe just for the hot chocolates alone. Trust me.










Wednesday May 17

I'm spending today writing while I wait to go to the airport to head to London tonight, and it is bliss. I'm so grateful to have the time and stamina to be able to do this. I am very grateful to have an opportunity to travel.


Dana has headed back home today. We have had such an amazing two weeks together and I am sad she is going, but she has a loving husband and catty waiting for her. Dana have been a bit of a power duo traveling together, we take turns propping up the other when under slept , a bit frustrated or a bit freaked out. I have not laughed this much in such a long time. I had so much tension leading up to this trip, about whether or not I should do it, and now I can just enjoy it. I thought I knew Dana well, but traveling together like this means you get to know each other on much deeper levels. thank you Dana, I'll miss you!

Now realising that someone has stolen both my bag tags..argh!! Really?!

Thank you Romania. Like Ukraine, your people are strong and I hold hope for you for the future.

Love Rasa