Cyprus to Cluj Napoca Romania - June 11 & 12

Knowing David's desire to be with the locals coupled with his fiscal prudence, the public bus was the chosen mode of transport to the airport. The hotel staff rolled their eyes when asked where the bus stops (our hotel was the most elegant one in the area). It was only 95 degrees as we schlepped our bags five blocks to the bus stop. However, upon arriving there and not understanding Greek, we had no idea when the bus was leaving. Oy Vay! There are no accidents as the next bus that appeared within five minutes did go to the airport.

David sat in front and I was a few rows behind. At the next stop, a group of German tourists got on including a delightful two year old blond, blue-eyed, seat biting, yelling, slobering pacifer throwing young boy. He sat directly in front of David making faces, sticking our his tongue, and trying to bite him. What a wonderful, local experience.

We arrived in Cluj from Cyprus after a smooth flight and directed the taxi driver to our hotel. Upon arrival, I noticed that the hotel name was wrong. The driver went in to check and said, "It's okay. They've changed the name." The driver left, and we walked into the hotel with our bags. The room clerk said, "This is not your hotel." This begins our adventure in a country of surprises and contrasts. The correct hotel was really next door, so we walked over to discover a jewel where we have stayed for the past two nights. Photos of it are included below.

Our dinner in the B & B the first night was remarkable. You will see photos of it here. Meats from animal parts unknown, cheeses, eggplant, beef stew, polenta, delicious Romanian wine, and a cheesecake like dessert left us overfull. David described his stomach as filled with gurgling fat and didn't ear the entire long.

The next day, we went to confirm our rental car, and faced two hours of frustration. David said to keep calm as my blood pressure spiked, my stomach churned. I hate conflict and negotiation, and David loves it.

On day two in Cluj we walked all over town. Highlights included fresh, beautiful, radiant flower markets, the synagogue commemorating the deportation of over 16,000 Jews from Cluj to Aushweitz, monuments to the past, and interesing architecture including communist era residental housing and a refreshing Coke Light from McDonalds. Pooped after hours and hours of walking we returned to our B & B for an evening of Scrabble and left over food from the day before.

Today we leave soon in our rental car to the north west corner of Romania at the Hungarian border to begin exploring the area known as Maramures. Our travel book describes this area as one of the last places where rural European life remains intact. Even Romanians joke that nothing has changed there for 100 years. Stay tuned.

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