Romania: Discovering Bucharest

Bucharest is Romania's biggest city and its capital. The city has around 2 million inhabitants and has also been called "little Paris".

So far we've wondered around in the Old town as well as in the city centre. To me Bucharest seems like a typical big city with a speedy traffic and with a lot of high buildings. The old town has some beautiful architecture and cosy streets to walk in or sit at by cafes or restaurants. The Boulevard street is one of them. There you can easily walk around, "shop til' you drop" and enjoy the huge fountains.

I can't claim this is a place I'd like to stay in for a long time, though, but there are things you shoudn't miss if you are here: for example those famous green parks that are defintitively worth visiting since they form a peaceful and natural oasis in the middle of the busy city life. The Peoples' Palace is said to be the world's second biggest building after Pentagon and should be experienced from the inside by guides (for a little entrance fee). And make sure you don't miss to visit the caste of Dracula (named "Bran") ... that lies outside of Bucharest. Just don't forget to bring a cross and some garlic :)

The hostel owner told me a little about the mentality of the people in Romania and Bucharest.
He claims that the Bucharest people don't care much about being friendly or pollite to others. The corruption is invisible but do exists clearly, especially among business owners. These are things people struggle with in their daily life. Not that it's as serious anymore as it is in some other countries.

So is it true then that the Bucharest people behave like this? I'm still trying to figure out. I might have to admit that I haven't seen many smiles here today yet... But on the other hand, we got some nice service today at a beautiful restaurant. And when we were lost in the streets of Old town a young girl helped us very pollitely with a weak but brave English!

Not many speak English here. But that's a different story. Younger people speak either English or French. The older speak Russian or French.