Romanian Big Issue Sellers
Luke,
Thank you for your erudite reply. Were you amongst the bunch of Brits unsuccessfully touting the big issue in Cluj-Napoca (capital of Transylvania) in May 2003 when wifey and I passed through on our Pan this year? On second thoughts I doubt it. According to your profile you have a shiny new Adventure, no favourite rides, and, lo and behold, no occupation. It must have been somebody else!!! By the way, what are the qualifications for senior member? Glib one liners or advancing years!
On a serious note Juliet and I had a fantastic time in Romania earlier this year. We had initially decided to check out Bulgaria and duly headed south east through France, Belgium, Germany, Austria, Slovenia (beautiful country, Lake Bled not to be missed), Croatia(long flat quiet roads), Serbia Montenegro(intimidating after being stopped by the feds for the umpteenth time at night on blind bends). Eventually arrived in Bulgaria at a time that was too late for common sense and which would have had the mother-in-law on the warpath if only she had known. After unsuccessfully trying to break the wife's spine on a Bulgarian crevace, pothole to us in the West, we arrived in Sophia with a cracked top box, on which she had fortunatley landed and no place to stay. An hours tootling around eventually led to a police escort to a truckers stop complete with working girls. Honest food, hardworking blokes and a hint of pathos.
Had a couple of days tootling about and decided the four legged roadkill was a bit too much. Each squashed paw reminded us too much of our Border Collies back home. Headed down through Greece and caught a ferry to Kephalonia. Played my mandolin and visited the gaffe that daughter honeymooned in last year. Juliet and I had a chinwag, decided we had come so far and decided to bite the bullet and give Romania a try and Bulgaria a second look. Glad we did!! Bulgaria on re entry proved to be less intimidating than the first visit. A change of mindset helped in coping with the general decay and appreciating the unspoilt areas. Worked our way up the Black Sea coast and crossed the border at Ruges into Romania. Felt the change in outlook between the two countries immediately at the border crossing. Bulgarian side were jobsworths with unkempt uniforms, facilities and attitude. On the Romania side somebody had lobbed a few bob at the place, sent the staff on a hospitality course, and generally tidied the place up. The Romanian border guards even welcomed us into their country with genuine sincerity. Headed into Dante's roadgoing inferno. Let nobody try to persuade you that the roads up to and around Bucharest resemble ........roads!! Particularly on a Friday evening at 32 degrees C. I'm not even going to try and describe the experience. Anybody want to know? Go do it!
Eventually ended up in Transylvania visiting Sibui, Sigisoara, Brasov, Cluj-Napoca, Brasov, the Trans Faragassan highway and the Apuseni mountains. What was it like? Imagine the Scottish Highlands, the Lake District, the Yorkshire Dales and Dartmoor rolled into one with medieval towns and villages, storks nesting in chimneys, horses and carts roaming the highways, friendly people and incredible value for money. We are going back but this time on an 1150GS. The Pan did all we asked of it and more but I will definitely feel safer on a two wheeled HumVee (Hummer or whatever).
"What do you call"being stuck in a rut"..............an open ended grave!"