 | Bucharest. "Paris of the East". At least Ceausescu, Romania's megalomaniacal, publicly executed tyrant, thought so. Going so far as to dig a man-made Seine-type river to run through it and erect ridiculously supersiized civic palaces to suit his limitless ego. But to this visitor, Bucharest is more like the "East Village of the East". (the East Village of yore, it must be said) It's kind of wild and unincorporated, with an energy that's a little seductive. The kind of place where you end up drinking too much, smoking too much, writing an experimental novel and having a torrid afffair that ruins your life and leaves you penniless. And nobody judges you for your lapses. Fortunately, I wasn't there very long and was barely conscious due to jet lag. But further trips are planned. |
