Enjoying Bucharest

Two days ago I came to Bucharest to visit my friends and just chill until the 21st when I should fly to Sofia, Bulgaria. Usually time is passing really fast here, I have time just to say hi to my close friends and get ready to fly back to Cluj-Napoca. Not so much visiting, not so much enjoying the city-life.

I woke up on the first day in a warm, cosy house, but alone. My friend, Ella had gone to her job, so there I was wondering what to do with that beautiful day. Sure, my TO-DO LIST was full of tasks, but I had the feeling that that day should be about something more than just staying in front of the computer.

As beautiful as that day was, I had a late wake-up, so the clock was already passing to 1 pm when I thought about taking my bag and going somewhere. As fast as I could, I put some clothes on and ran to catch the tram. Destination?

„Dimitrie Gusti” National Village Museum

I took tram 44, changed to 41 and in 40 minutes there I was. The permanent exhibition covers a 140 000 square meter area having 360 monuments, 60.000 objects in the collection and over 250.000 documents regarding the village and its traditional life in the Archive.

The Museum is filled with traditional houses from all over Romania. As a Romanian I was so impressed about all its beauty, about each detail and how nicely they integrated the houses and churches together so you can have the best experience and truly feel the tradition and culture of each region.

It was almost 3 o'clock when I decided to take a break and enjoy my home-made lunch that I was carrying with me. Somewhere near the traditional houses from Drobrogea region, with a beautiful view of the Herastrau Lake I found THE PLACE to eat.

The beauty

What I really loved about the place, was more than how the energy of all the cultures living in the houses felt like, but the people. For more than one hour I talked with villagers coming to the museum to sell theirs artisanal products. From honey, syrups and Socata (summer romanian traditional drink), to all kinds of dolls, masks, paintings and clothes. I could see the difference of culture from region to region not just by looking at the architecture of the houses or how everything was organised inside, but also by looking at the difference of detail in the paintings or embroidery of traditional clothes.

To go or not to go?

I was born in a small city, growing up in my grandparents village house. I love our traditions and I am so curious to learn more and more about my origins. This place reminded me of my childhood and made me appreciate our culture more.

IF you love nature, you should go -It's a perfect place to retreat from the hot streets of the city and chill.

IF you want to know more about Romanian tradition, you should go. Not only you can feel it by walking inside the houses, but you can talk with people selling their artisanales. Of course, they don't know English so well, but you'll find another connection with them and talk without using any language at all.

IF you want to buy not so expensive gifts for your loved ones or just for you to remember your visit -this is the place. Each weekend people are coming here to share their finest pieces of their work with you.

IF you are a Romanian and want to know more about our origins.

After all, it's up to you if you'll like a place like this or not, but the experience lived here is wonderful.

TIPS

*Try not to go very early, so that all the houses will be open and be able to explore the insides.

*You can stop for a drink at the terrace inside the museum.

*Near the Museum, is Herastrau Park. If you have time, go for a walk there as well.

*You can check Hard Rock Cafe Bucharest which is near by.

*You'll see that there are many entries. Check the site before going so you can be sure that you are where you want to be.

*Ticket is 10 LEI (2,20 euro) for one entry.

*Pass for one week/person is 33 LEI (7,20 euro).

*Guided Tours-300 LEI (65 euro)

You can check more here: http://muzeul-satului.ro/en/

After I finished my visit, I turned left to Kiseleff street, I passed the Arch of Triumph and took a 30 minutes walk to Antipa Museum. Time was very nice outside, so I kept this Museum for my next trip to Bucharest and went to drink a warm water for hot days with Ella at the Peasant Museum terrace. Very nice place, by the way.