Bucharest Day 3

and while some buildings are still in need of renovation, they have good bones. Many have already been restored (this one left hasn't)

There are some lovely old churches that survived Ceausescu

We were intrigued by this strange piece of pink "art" in Revolution Square, the place where Ceausescu was overthrown and the scene of significant political events since. Looking closer, the caption said "Chewing gum means the lack of respect and it parasites space". What the....?!

We spent a pleasant morning at the Art Gallery viewing old and more recent Romanian art. Some of the old stuff is impressive in both quantity and quality, mostly religious art from churches and monasteries. It was interesting to see the progression into more Western European style (Impressionists, Cubists)

The blood bank maybe?

General musings on Bucharest:
- friendly and spontaneously helpful people
- smoking in restaurants seems so strange to us now
- a city in transition but very safe and interesting
- Hotel Christina!!! Very central, suberb buffet breakfast, an adjustable bed, coffee machine in room, aforementioned disco shower, funky decor, welcome cheese and wine platters, staff who go way beyond helpfulness and a knockout massage chair (in the communal area). All for less than $100 per night

                                                 All in all, definitely worth a visit