Comments on: Bucharest Notes – Awful, but less awful than expected

By: Samsoul75

Samsoul75 — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 12:04:20 +0000

I am amazed by the way you compare this town to Naples and as a port town, you “promptly flee for more agreable destinations”, because I feel exactly the opposite.
Those are really my favorite towns: Istanbul, Naples, Marseille, Barcelona, wow! What a shock. So much life, so many contrasts. Even Cork in Ireland is worth the stay.

By: Romer!can

Romer!can — Sat, 27 Dec 2008 22:32:04 +0000

Actually, if you only have 4 days in Romania, then do NOT stay in Bucharest… immediately board the nearest train for Brasov (and spend your time there before being forced back to Bucuresti just to catch your flight onward).

By: Elena

Elena — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 13:31:49 +0000

Even if it does sting , you’re right about most of the things mentioned above , but as you can find in every country, Bucharest has good and bad parts. To be honest , I wouldn’t recommend to any of my friends to visit Bucharest, unless they are interested in it’s history. But the rest of the country has magic and beauty. Just need a backpack , time and good will to discover it.

Cheers from Prague, Czech Republic

By: Ligia

Ligia — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 13:27:53 +0000

Heh, your post was catchy and fun, even if you probably came across with the worse things about Bucharest.
Well, not the worse (trust me), but you were unfortunate enough not seeing the good, yet little things.
Good luck on your future visit, hope your review will be better and you’ll really enjoy Bucharest. :)

By: leif

leif — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 17:35:32 +0000

OK, I regret nothing that i wrote above, but I’ve just received a report that three Buch people kindly helped a friend of mine as she limped out to the airport with too much luggage the other day, including one guy that *gave* her a bus ticket, because the ticket kiosk had closed for the night. Kudos to these and all the younger people of Bucharest that are bringing a more helpful, generous light to the big, bad city.

By: ipo

ipo — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 14:10:02 +0000

It’s strange to see your city through the eyes of a foreigner. I guess you’re pretty much right. BUT, let’s not miss Bucharest for Romania. There are nice places to go, but it’s a difficult task to find out about them. You might give it a try sometimes…
A Romanian reader.

By: Calin

Calin — Sat, 07 Jun 2008 20:30:51 +0000

All that has been said is true….But….Can you imagine what I , a Bucharest-born-raised-educated guy feel like when I travel to the west , or actually , pretty much any place excluding the ex-communist ,3rd world countries? I bet you can’t , and that’s the thing that makes me proud living in this city. Being used with this kind of life , I don’t take for granted what I see and explore in civilized ,rich countries , something that Romania will attempt to be in probably the next 50 years. Cheers!

By: andix

andix — Sat, 07 Jun 2008 07:24:56 +0000

I shouldn’t have read this. made me feel as bad as 9 months ago when I left the darn place. after living there for 13 years. and helplessly watching its decay. and getting kicked in the ass for each and every time I tried to ( TRIED TO ) talk some civic sense into anyone – be it authorities, press or the plain urban dweller.
my say? keep the place, kill the people. and Leif, readers commenting here actually do have a point – go see the surroundings, poor old Bucharest is a bit more than Magheru and Herastrau. try Sintesti, Glina, Vitan. or maybe take a walk even closer – Ferentari and Rahova. beautiful places. leave your watch and wallet at home though.

By: brexians

brexians — Thu, 29 May 2008 08:12:53 +0000

I totaly disagree!
Bucharest is the place to be.
but it is not the place for people with tourist attitude.
In your visit try to be simple and ordinary…
Like you are in London or Paris…
Bucharest is not the capital of one more BANANIA…
They have culture and pride the people of Bucharest, even if some times they are rude like the people in New York in Rome in Barcelona…
Please try to be there like Bucharest be your home town and you have hell a lot to see

21 museums
communist era buildings
parks
lakes
and many many more

have a nice day all
PS
i was working in Bucharest for 11 years as expat so I know..

By: ali

ali — Sun, 25 May 2008 18:47:53 +0000

ha ha I like your writing – I’ve been living in Bucharest for 2 years now and have a love it/hate it relationship. Yes.. the traffic’s terrible … people are rude…. it feels like I’ve entered a catwalk fashion show every time I enter my local coffee shop to grab a latte. But…. if you ever spend any time here and get to know Romanians you’ll see that once they grow to trust you (which is a big step) they will invite you into their home and lavish you with such huge amounts of delicious food and hopsitality that you won’t want to leave. Also – try looking up when you’re walking around – there are some beautiful old buildings that have remained intact despite the communist years.