Apartments by the Parliament
by gosiaPL
These apartment buildings are right in front of the Parliament House across the street, and they also have the narrow arch details. Together they form quite an impressive "little neighbourhood" ;-)
Nothing special, really, but I took this pic for another example of the Romanian arches 'borrowed' by Soviet-style architecture.
Ceasucescu had them built for party members and ministers so that they would always be at hand whenever he needed them.
Gypsies (a.k.a. tzigani)
by josephescu
Former servants and agriculture workers for the Romanian landowners, gypsies have been recognised civil rights in the 1920’s, to be soon afterwards persecuted by the Nazis in the 1940’s and to have their savings (materialised in small golden coins) confiscated by the communists in the 1950’s and 60’s.
Land expropriation meant gypsies had much less working opportunities in the countryside, so they flew to the cities. Nowadays, gypsies account for a fairly large proportion of Bucharest inhabitants. They usually live in the ill-famed suburbs in southern part of the city (Rahova, Ferentari) and North to Gara de Nord in Basarab – Crangasi neighbourhoods. The can also be found living in central areas, especially in the historic centre, where they moved once owners were forced to leave their homes in the 1950’s. Despite of prejudices, they are usually friendly and open. However, be aware that buying something on the streets when (insistently) offered a product or service usually leads to either being robbed or tricked.
Sic transit gloria mundi
by Andraf
While taking a stroll through the Mogosoaia garden I came upon two statues lying behind the old kitchen wall. One was the statue of Lenin and the other that of Petru Groza, the communist prime minister of the 1945 government. The statues were brought here after the 1989 revolution. The statue of Lenin used to sit in front of the Press House in Piata Presei Libere (Free Press Square).
Edgar's Pub
by Andraf
This bar has a great location right downtown Bucharest, near University Square (Piata Universitatii). The bar has an upstairs room and a cellar (sometimes reserved for private parties). They have a good selection of beers and cocktails and they also serve food, which is rather decent for a bar. The service is usually quick and friendly. They fill up quickly but in general we've been able to find a table. It's the kind of place where people come to catch up with their friends - that meaning I wouldn't come here for their music or looking for some wild party experience. My only complaint with them is that the place is very smoky - but that is true for almost every bar in Bucharest so I'm not holding that against them. Open until 2.00 AM on weekdays and 3.00 AM on weekends.
Otopeni Airport - Bucharest
by edvin_br
Otopeni is Bucharest's International airport. I been there a few times anbd every times its just getting better. The airport is modern and very effective. It has a completely new departures hall and also the arrivels hall had big renovations at the last years. There is a big parking space that costs about 20000 lei for half hour and 40000 for an hour. It is situted 18 km from Bucharests center on Bucharest-Ploiesti highway. there is an agip gas station just near it and also the Sky Gate hotel.
There are a lot of destenations that arrive and go out from Otopeni:
-Almost all european capitals + other cities especially in Germany and Italy.
-The Middle east.
-Flights to America and Asia are more rare but you can use also connecting flifhts for it.
When you arrive to Otopeni it will take you around 20-30 to get out to the Main hall where you find a small bar, information desk, ATM, public Phone (telecard can be boght in the information desk), exchange, city shuttle and a lot of rent a car companies including Hertz, Avis, Europcar and more.
To get to the city you can use Taxi (set the price at the beginning and that let the driver ripp you of, pay no more then 15 dollars). You also can use the bus or the city shuttle that are much more cheaper.
When you will leave Bucharest it will be, how can i say... a bit dull... the check in is going pretty fast but the Duty Free is small and overpriced with no interesting stuff to buy.
I hope that you will have the luck (like me) to fly over Bucharest by night... you will have am amazing view of all the city lighted up.