Sibiu
Dave's thoughts about it
You should read Dave's thoughts about Sibiu as he wrote them. I love it. Still telegraphic style but he puts lots of details this time. You'll find my comments in this bolded red color characters.
Got into Sibiu in early afternoon. Looked around for a room. Everything full. Starting to look bad. I told him there is a good camp on the edge of the city but seems he forgot it.
Spun a little north of the center. Found a lonely little kiosk with 3-4 guys hanging around. I pulled up and asked if anyone speaks English. Flo (can't pronounce his real name) - and I suppose is Florin - says "yes". Soon he and his friend George and I go looking for a room for me (George does not speak English). They were both raised in Romanian orphanages. Flo now lives in Holland and was back to visit Romania on holiday.
We find me a room - above (and part of) a strip joint. And the decorations show it (red overhead lamp, mirror over bed, etc). But it's clean and cheap and near the city center. It's a B&B called "Pensiunea Melody" (about 35EUR/50$ a night).
I checked in, met Bobby and Roxane, who work there, had coffee with them, then I had Flo take me to the beautiful city center with 3 "piata's" - squares - and bought pizza and beer for all three of us. Very enjoyable. Then, after Flo showed me what he thought was the best place for me to eat tonight, and this Internet Cafe, he ran into friends he had not seen for 3 years, excused himself.
I am on my own again. Perfect. Hung out a couple more hours walking around the "Piata's", then back to my room and to bed. I did have to shower without hot water this morning. No big deal. They said that would not happen again. Are you sure?!
I have had an enjoyable lazy day today. Went to an open air market, had a banana and orange for breakfast. I have not liked the bread here much so far, at least not the sliced kind they serve with most meals. No taste. Then today I purchased 2 different rolls at a kiosk at the open air market. WONDERFUL! I'll go back for more tomorrow and the next day.
Stopped at a Vodaphone office today. Result? They could not help. Looks like all I will be able to do with my phone now is short text messages.
Sibiu is a wonderful little town (Hmmm! One of the first ten Romanian larger cities!) with an almost magical town center. I wonder why it seems to be undiscovered by those of us from places like the US.
Plan on hanging out here today and tomorrow, then back on the bike.
And he continues next day:
I spent the following day at Astra Museum. Great! Being a "motorhead", I particularly enjoyed all the old technology they had on display... the wooden "ring and pinion" gearing they used to incorporate humans, water, and horses to power grinding wheels for the mills. Plus, all the other interesting things they had on display in order to depict life in those times. It really is a wonderful effort and a real tribute to the folks who thought it up and made it happen. And it is free.
For anyone who visits Sibiu, I think Astra Museum is a must for her/his agenda.
It was very easy to get there also (Just take bus #1 to the end of its line). While I consider myself a basically honest person, I even rode the bus there and back, for free, because I just couldn't figure out how to pay and no one asked me to.
Well, my fault, Dave. I forgot to tell you how to proceed with Romanian cities common transportation. There is a kiosk in (almost) every bus station where you can buy bus tickets. Once in the bus, search for a device fixed on the bars/walls. Best to just look what the other people do. Kind of "do it yourself".
Sibiu is very easy to get around. If you ever get lost all you have to do is look up, find the Ramada Hotel (one of the tallest buildings near the city center), orient yourself so you can see the "Ramada" vertically, twice, then walk away and you can't help but end up in one of the piata's.
I was able to cash some travelers checks today, no problem. And I purchased some clear plastic sheeting and some line in case I get caught in another one of your damn rainstorms!
I had tried to give Dave some advice on preparation for the Romania mountains bad weather, but he told me bad weather is not a problem for him. He can face it. So, I shut my mouth because I thought he's much more experienced then me. Maybe. But he didn't know what I meant by rough weather. Unfortunately he found out in his own way and quickly learnt his lesson.
BTW... I think that maybe there are only three Romanians that don't smoke... Of course, I have not seen them yet!
Oopsy oops!! Romanian reality! Almost.
Well, this will be my 3rd and last night here in Sibiu. Going to "head out" in the morning. Had a great relaxing time here. Sibiu is as cosmopolitan as any town of its kind in Western Europe and I've been to a few over the years in my travels. Loved it here.
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