Bucharest

They say the best way to visit a place is to see it through the eyes of a local. A school friend of mine, Sharon Bey (now Beacom) and husband Mark, has been living in Bucharest for approximately the last 7 years. They live in sector one, a lovely part of the city, to the north and directly across the street from the Herastrau Park. This location is convenient because most everything is within walking distance or at least a short taxi ride. We had secure underground parking for the Suzuki and a extremely comfortable bed on which to lay our head. During our week stay in Bucharest we visited many of the local eating and drinking establishments, took walks in the park, visited the old city and took the 'Hop on Hop off' bus which took us to places like the Romanian Arc de Triumph, the People's Palace and several museums. We happened to take this tour on the hottest day of our stay, with temperatures into the 40's we fried like eggs sitting up on top of the open air bus.

What a great stay in Bucharest, Sharon and Mark were such gracious hosts, we had to tare ourselves away. It was great to reconnect with old friends, let's not wait so long next time!

For lunch, Sharon and I get ready to chow down on an awesome salad made by her housekeeper, Katy. Yummy, and healthy too!

Jump on, jump off buses are a great way to see cities and Bucharest is no different. We took an afternoon with Sharon and Mark to see the historical sites. Downfall...the temp was at least 40 degrees sitting on top of the bus.

Wearing our earphones we headed out and...wait a minute is that the Arch d Triumph in the background? No just a good replica...doesn't every city have one?

The Peoples Palace, the second largest building in the world next to the Pentagon. It was built by ex-president Nicplae Ceauseccu, starting in 1984, for the rest of the story you had better google it. Wow.

Bucharest has many beautiful facades of old buildings but I'm not to sure why they would do this...besides the fact that KFC chicken is pretty popular here.

Come on, more sights around town. A tribute to Michael Jackson even after he called Bucharest...Budapest during a concert.

Caru'cu Bere restaurant in old town Bucharest. We were served a great pork knuckle with all the fixings while Romanian folk dancers kicked up their heals. In all its grandeur, the hall was once a boarding house serving drinks and food and as far as we're concerned, still doing a great job of it today.

Here's looking up your kilt!

Downtown, July 1st, a big tribute to Canada Day!

Who's this little cutie? Sharon and I let the boys head home, after dinner, and we took in a cocktail and a dance at Il Locale in sector 1. That's us rubbing elbows with the who's who from around town.

What? Fireworks just for the visiting Canadians?

Here we are at the largest beer hall in Eastern Europe, that seats over 1000 people...

And the sausage tray wasn't so bad either! The four of us couldn't finish it off. You might think we are doing a lot of eating and drinking, but...

I joined Sharon for a Pilates class. After not being too active lately I was a little sore the next day to say the least.