Sunday 17 June 2012

Day Four - Bucharest

What an amazing, beautiful city. I don't mean to gush, but really it is lovely.

This post won't be about work, but more about the city itself. I like to think of Bucharest like a phoenix, rising out of the ashes. There are many old buildings, in state of disrepair, but residents are working hard to build a strong, vibrant city from it. There are many outdated features, the trams, for instance, remind me of shoe boxes. They are not new and fancy, as the ones you would find in Melbourne, but they do the same job and are very functional. The city is clean, street sweepers are seen throughout the day, washing out the gutters, and the footpaths are clear of any rubbish or filth.

The architecture. Wow. I don't know where to begin. Many buildings are expansive. Not just tall, but wide as well. The attention to detail is second-to-none. There is artwork everywhere. Old Roman-styled busts and structures and new innovative pieces that demand attention and discussion.

The gardens are lush and green. I actually struggled to get good pictures of the buildings, there are so many trees that live harmoniously within the city precinct. The flower beds are intricate, shaped and swirled into lawns, rather than following a straight line. This is truly a city of artisans and the creative.

It is interesting to see the old Bucharest and the new, side by side. One side of the road maybe rundown, requiring urgent attention, whereas the other side may be brand new - complete contrasts and quite dizzying in the effect.

There are many casinos now, placed in prime positions close to five star hotels. They bring in tourists and money to sustain growth and industry. Although gambling is not something I am personally interested in, you can see the difference it is making to the city, and it isn't negative.

I took many pictures today. I am not the photographer I would like to be, but I hope you see why so many people fall deeply in love with Romania.





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