Romania’s Arch de Triumph

Our first stop of the day was to take photos of Romania’s Arch de Triumph (Arcul de Triumf), one looking very much like the one in Paris, complete with a roundabout. The arch was first erected in 1922 to celebrate the Romanian army’s vicotries in World War I and the Great Union in 1918. It was re–erected in 1936. Troops march under it on December 1, Romania’s National Day.

The Village Museum

Our next stop was a very interesting visit to the open–air Village Museum, which is a collection of old houses, farmsteads, windmills, watermills, and churches from Romania’s historical regions.

The Village Museum

Some of the old houses with thatched roofs.

The Village Museum

An unusual earth house built partly underground.

The Village Museum

Houses of unusual design. I have put my photos of the Village Museum on a slide show. Go to

http://www.peggysphotos.com/village–museum–bucharest/

(Slide Shows, Eastern Europe, Romania, “Village Musuem”).

Revolutionary Square

After visiting the Village Museum, we stopped at Revolutionary Square. It was where the communist dictator Ceausecu gave his last speech in front of a crowd so angry that he had to escape it by helicopter. The crowd was fired upon and many people died. The buildings in this photo include the old building of the feared Securitate, the communist secret police, and the former buildings of the Committee of the Communist Party. The white pillar is the Memorial of Rebirth.

Carol I National Defense University

Our last stop was at the Carol I National Defense University. This statue representing Romanian’s army, navy, and air force was in front of the university.

I have put my photos of our drive around Bucharest on a slide show. Go to

http://www.peggysphotos.com/bucharest–sights/

(Slide Shows, Eastern Europe, Romania, “Bucharest Sights”).

Palace of Parliament

This afternoon we had an optional tour to the Palace of Parliament which was ordered built by Ceausescu in 1984. He was removed from power before the building was finished and never governed from it. It is the second largest building in the world––the first is the Pentagon.

Palace of Parliament

The inside of the Palace of Parliament was luxurious, not at all what you would expect of a communist building.

Palace of Parliament

The staircases were also on the magnificent side.

I have put my photos of the Palace of Parliament on a slide show. Go to

http://www.peggysphotos.com/palace–of–parliament–bucharest/

(Slide Shows, Eastern Europe, Romania, “Palace of Parliament”).

Folklore Dinner and Show

Tonight we had an optional folkore dinner and show at this restaurant.

Folklore Dinner and Show

The restaurant was more like a wedding venue––very nicely set up.

Folklore Dinner and Show

The appetizers. I believe the middle appetizer was fried cheese and was very good.

Folklore Dinner and Show

The salad.

Folklore Dinner and Show

The main dish. I don’t know what it was.

Folklore Dinner and Show

The folklore band was very good. I put a movie of one of its selections under

Movies, Central/Eastern Movies–2, “Romanian Music at a Folklore Dinner,” page 2.

Folklore Dinner and Show

A close–up of the cimbalom player.

Folklore Dinner and Show

A close–up of the bass player.

Folklore Dinner and Show

Close–up of the violinist and the accordion player.

Folklore Dinner and Show

The 15–note can pan pipe player.

Folklore Dinner and Show

Folk dancers also performed during the show. I put a movie of one of their dances under

Movies, Central/Eastern Europe Movies–2, “Romanian Folk Dancers,” page 2.

Going Back to Our Hotel

The Intercontinental in the middle back of the photo and the huge mobile in the front of the photo.

Tomorrow we would leave Bucharest to go to Sinaia and Brasov.