Joanne Kuzma trip to India 2009

Saturday arrive in Bucharest in the late afternoon and immediately went to Golden Tulip Hotel followed by a dinner and folklore show at a local restaurant. Sunday took a tour of Bucharest (founded in 1459 by prince Vlad). Visited the Open Air Village Museum (showcases traditional Romanian village life with houses, churches and other old buildings), the Palace of Parliament (the second largest administration building in the world after the Pentagon, 1,100 rooms, cost of $1 billion).. Later drive to Sinaia. Monday visited Brasov (the 'Crown City' of Transylvania) with a visit to the imposing Black Church, the S. Nicholas Orthodox Church, the 15th century town hall and the Frist Romanian School Museum Later visited Dracula Castle in Bran (built in 14th century to protect the borders between Transylvania and Wallachia).

Palace of Parliament

Open Air Village

Sled at village

Village scene

Typical old school room

Bran Castle

Old woman selling honey at Bran Castle

Tuesday visited the Sinaia Monastery and a very beautiful Peles Castle (the summer residence of King Carl I and the former Romanian Royal Family). . In the afternoon drove to Sibiu. Wednesday sightseeing included a visit of Sibiu (very nice city), including The Grand Square, Lesser Square, Evangelical cathedral, the baroque church, the Liar's bridge and the Bruckenthal Art Museum which holds some of Romania;s greatest art treasures (I don't know much about art, so was a bit dull). In the afternoon visited the Glass Icon Museum (not terribly exciting) in the nearby village of Sibiel . In We also had lunch at a local farmhouse.

Sinaia Monestery	Icon in church	Worshipers with candles	Peles Castle	Evangelical Church
					Lunch at local farmhouse
Typical farmers lunch (rolled cabbage)

Thursday Travel to Sighisoara, visiting the Biertan Fortified Church en route, for a tour including the Clock Tower museum and the house where Dracula was born in 1431. Saw the Clock Tower and climbed to the top, Armour Room, Torture Room.

Friday morning drive to Bucovina (Moldova region) where they have many painted monasteries. Deive through Bicaz Canyon and visit Varatec Monastery en route to Raduti. On the way, out coach broke down, but VJV was very good in getting it repaired rather quickly. Saturday visited a local black pottery workshop where we got to try our own pottery. Also visited Sucevita Monastery (well-preserved walls and defensive towers), Voronet Monastery (the Sistine Chapel of Eastern Europe) famous for its blue color used by artists on the frescoes, and Moldovita Monastery.

Lutheran Church (1490)

Headstones in church (14-16th century)

Rustic WC

House where Vlad Dracula was born

View of Sigisora from tower

Bicaz Canyon

Joanne making pottery

Craft person at shop

Monastery