After a cancelled Dubai flight, I found myself exploring Bucharest. Here’s how my time in Romania’s capital helped me embrace the beauty of unplanned travel.
Exploring feels great
I woke up feeling a bit more optimistic. I decided I will definitely give Bucharest a chance before I take my final decision on what I am going to do with my journey. I had a little sleep, but I am eager to spend the whole day exploring by foot, because this is what I enjoy most. I headed over to the Metro and soon after found myself in Piata Victoriei. I started my exploration there.
The architecture and atmosphere surprised me – Bucharest feels quite different then Bulgaria even though I was just about 70 kilometres away from my home country. Some things were similar, however, such as the impatience in drivers when you are crossing on a zebra crossing and they are pushing to drive through just behind you back foot.
I found Bucharest having a very relaxed vibe going on about it – plenty of cafes with tables outside and people having a chilled morning chatting with friends. Most people were smoking and this is sadly another parallel I draw with Bulgaria. Seems like coffee is a culture in this Eastern European capital and people are enjoying it at any time of the day.
Most of the landmarks I wanted to see were quite close to each other and considering I was in no rush to chase a plane back home, I started exploring following my instincts. If I street would interest me – I would follow it; if I saw a church that I like – I would go and explore the art on its walls.
I found many hidden gems – from colourful cafes with décor that sparks your imagination to small streets with old-school arts and crafts shops.
The Churches
I have never been to a city or town with so many churches! Beautiful buildings with stunning piece-of-art decorations from old and more modern times. Some of them were busing with people, others were quiet and peaceful. Walking by I could hear the priests singing and I could see people doing the crucifix motion across their chest that is required prior entering the church and before exiting. I am not religious myself, but my nan would have wanted me to go to at least one of the churches.
I did so and I discovered that from the inside they look even more magnificent and colourful – with big icons, coloured-glass windows and gold all over.
Booking something special to treat myself
It’s so hot, though, so I am now sitting on a bench near the fountains and I am enjoying the breeze. I am not going back home. I am not giving up on this adventure – seeing the world is far too exciting!
However, I decided to treat myself and I booked a fancy hotel with SPA and a pool in Dalaman. I deserve a wellness holiday after all.
Men staring at women
A downside I would mention as a woman is the way men stare at women here. I have never been to a place where men would just stop and stare at women. It feels uncomfortable and wrong. This is something that surprised me and made me feel weird.
On a different note, a young man ran after me when I was going back to the Metro and stopped me from going in the station. He explained to me that I made him a big impression and he wanted to hang out, but this was not something I would feel comfortable with while travelling solo. Or after a 25.50 km walk in the 40C heat.
The traffic lights problem
It takes ages to cross the street here! It takes like 5 minutes to wait for the green light for pedestrians. In the hot weather, you can see people (including myself) hiding in the shade near traffic lights and just waiting for ages to cross the road.
Cheapest place I have been so far
Bucharest is the cheapest place I have been to so far. Transport, food and souvenirs all cost a very reasonable amount of money. Also, shops like Mega (you can find them anywhere in Bucharest) offer a wide variety of food and drinks at good prices. I got my favourite “sarmi” (stuffed cabbage leaves) and sweet macaroni (pasta with feta, milk and sugar) from a Mega shop for dinner and I was delighted.
I had Bulgarian Salad for lunch in a restaurant – but I have never had this salad in my 24 years in Bulgaria… I don’t know who they took the recipe from, but they were lied to.
Bucharest has so much to offer
Bucharest is a very beautiful city! It’s walkable, has a reliable public transport system and offers established landmarks and hidden gems alike. It’s not too busy or touristy, so if you visit, you would have plenty of time and space to explore. Prices are cheap and people are helpful.
The more I sit in my hotel chair eating my “sarmichki”, the more I am thinking that Bucharest is a hidden gem people don’t speak enough about. So here I am – spreading the word. Visit Bucharest!
