Saturday, November 3, 2012

Arriving in a BUSY household 9-14-12

The minute we exited OTP airport in Bucharest and found Alina waiting for us, all the months of planning for this day were worth it. 

Louis and I took overnight flights from Dulles through Munich to Bucharest on Lufthansa. Even as relatively short people (5'8" and 5'5"), we found the legroom and seat recline on the new AirBus 330 to be HORRIBLE, so we'll try to find another carrier next time.  

Soon after we arrived at the Vernon's apartment near Bucharest's version of Central Park, called Herastrau, Christie (9) and Andrei (7) arrived from school to join little George (2) and his nannie, Christina.

Here's a link to information on the park, so you can see more of what makes it possible for a family of five to live in an apartment with three young children.
Herastrau Park


.
Chuck reads Georgie's new book to Andrei, Christie, and George.
Alina has to come see, too.
Louie cooks while Alina checks CVV's math homeowork.

This family eats the healthiest food imaginable...YEAH!

George likes yoghurt.
Andrei has a few teeth missing!



Beautiful autumn Saturday at Brancovan Palace at Mogosoaia 9-15-12

After a leisurely breakfast, the seven of us drove about 15 minutes to a lovely palace outside Bucharest. A perfect afternoon. That evening we four adults went to dinner at a hip, elegant restaurant downtown--Collage.

Here's a link to the palace web site:
http://palatebrancovenesti.ro/en/

Louis was taking the photo.
Entrance away from the river/lake
Front entrance on the water side
Lovingly prepared wholesome picnic food





Doves awaiting release for one of the many wedding parties in the park

















Palace of the Parliament 9-16-12

Chuck kept George while Alina, Christie, Andrei, Louis, and I visited the huge Palace of the Parliament, advertised as the largest civilian building in the world (second only to the Pentagon, I'm told). Built during the  CeauČ™escu regimeit is also called the Peoples' House. It was a cloudy day, but lots of interesting sights and facts--fun to see things through the eyes of a boy 7 and a girl 9. 





Preparations for a rock concert in the square in front of the Palace





Lunch at Caru' cu Bere restaurant downtown Bucharest

Street view of entrance




Interior of the traditional Romanian restaurant

Interior stairway

Chamber music at lunchtime (beautiful musicians, too)

Stavropoleos Monastery downtown Bucharest




We stumbled upon this beautiful monastery from the early 18th century while having lunch at Caru' cu Bere restaurant in downtown Bucharest. It's on a small street, with nuns attending the candles and shrine. It was one of those finds that can't be anticipated or overestimated. 
A splendid afternoon.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stavropoleos_Monastery





The tower is from modern times, but it fits its setting and is a beautiful addition to the site.




Rose of Sharon hedge, Louie's favorite flower.


After school and weekday evenings with the Vernons

Christina serves healthy snacks
Georgie and Louie horsing around


Andrei at basketball practice



Andrei is going to be a competitive athlete.
Chuck treats Andrei to ice cream after basketball practice











Typical after school snacks

Chuck, Andrei, Christie relax before bedtime

Dinner at Trattoria Il Calcio and Dueling Violins Concert at Radio Romania Auditorium

Christie & Scottie await Alina's arrival after work


Louie studies the menu.

Homework, then dinner and music.



Hard at work, enjoying Louie's fountain pen
Alina and Christie with completed homework!
Work is over for today!

Christie & Scottie at the violin concert, a Stradivarius vs a Guarnarius with a pianist. It was fabulous.
Tickets were about $4.50 USD

Romanian Peasant Museum

Beautiful brick craftsmanship

Museum of the Romanian Peasant

www.muzeultaranuluiroman.ro/ 

We took a bus to this quiet, interesting, colorful museum about half way between the apartment and downtown. A delightful lunch on the covered back porch overlooking a typical wooden Romanian church brought here from the countryside was a fine way to start.




Louie loved his chicken and I my beetroot soup. YUM!









Traditional wooden church--our lunchtime view.
There's also an example inside the museum.



St. George is everywhere here, just as he is in England.

Traditional display of icon paintings.