Kere's Landsphere: January 2007

Congratulations Romania!

So, as of January 2007, Romania is a part of the EU. Yay, Romania! Actually, a friend here stumped me by asking what's so good about being in the EU anyway. I am no economist, so I really can't say. But I guess it means no tariffs and easier import/export possibilities. But most importantly, Romanian college students can work in English pubs now - legally! (Not that anyone really seemed to care before, tho.)

Yay, Romania!

I must say, one of the best things about being in Moldova is going to Romania. While the two countries may share a similar cultural legacy that goes back to the Roman times (unless you ask a Russian speaker, that is, in which case the thousands of years of shared heritage will be immediately dismissed) Moldova lacks almost all the qualities that make Romania such an amazing place to travel. Romania is dotted with palaces and castles that are rich in beauty and heritage. Romania has the Transylvania mountains in the north, with its opportunities for cheap and quality skiing and legends of vampires and werewolves. Romania has a very convenient and comprehensive rail service. When I can, I get away to experience Romania!

I share with you some pictures of one of my favorite places, the mountain resort of Sinaia. Sinaia boasts two palaces (one just wasn't enough!), spectacular mountain views, awesome skiing, and a great network of hotels and restaurants suited to every budget. It's not a bustling place, but after a day of skiing - or of just relaxing in the summer months - Sinaia offers serene quiet perched atop the mountains. And what's more, there is a special train that leaves Bucharest, Romania frequently and takes only an hour. In fact, as there are overnight trains between Chisinau and Bucharest, one could even take a weekend ski excursion from Moldova.

Go explore Romania!

The Transylvanian Mountains of Romania

Sinaia, Romania

Peles Castle, Sinaia

Statues at the Peles Castle

My ex, Varvara, skiing on her first day!

London Food

Alright, this is going to sound strange since England is generally disparaged for its generally bland foodstuffs, but I love London food! Maybe it's because the food in Moldova is that much more bland, but I spent nearly the whole time I was in London eating. I scoured the city looking for fish-n-chips (not so prolific anymore with the decline in cod populations) and when I finally got some ate the whole mass so fast I burned the roof of my mouth.

This time in London I learned two new joys. First, the fact that London grocery stores sell lots of food at reduced price in the evenings, and second the beauty of meat pies. And when you get a meat pie for reduced price at Sainsbury's, sweet as!

And of course, there's Chinatown. While Soho may be gone, Chinatown has sprawled. Roast duck soup, dim sum, ho fun noodles, its all so frikkin good.

Finally, I'd like to tip my hat to Camden Market. Camden has exploded in recent years (Cyberdog being my new favorite store in the world) and with it have come a slew of identical Chinese food stalls. After 5 or 6 in the evening, they reduce their prices and you can buy big aluminum trays of food for 2 pounds. You can't do better than that in London!

Then of course there's the ubiquitous Indian food, Jamaican patties, and full English fry up breakfasts. Maybe the food in England still retains some of its heritage of blandness, but the legacy of imperialism has at least allowed for a wide variety of tastes from around the globe.

And let's not forget, whatever you eat, you can always wash it down with pint after pint of BEER! Ah, London Beer...

Pies! Meat Pies!

Ducks!

Dim Sum

Camden Market

Matt eatin cheap in Camden

Matt at a club on NYE

London at Night

One of the best things about London is going out at night. It's one of those truly metropolitan cities of the 21st century that never sleeps. Nothing better than going to a pub til 11:00 (or later, if there's a "lock in" like my brother and I experienced Christmas Eve) and then finding a flier to get you into an all-night club. You drink til the wee hours, and then if you're lucky find a kebab shop that's still open on your way home. Class!

But even if you aren't a nightlife person, the pretty twinkly lights cast upon the river Thames will make you want to explore well past dusk.

Parliament at Night

Tower Bridge

St Paul's and the Thames

The London Eye

London!

London

I spent the holidays with my brother in London. This is my umpteenth trip to London, and every time I visit London starts to feel more and more like home. In point of fact I lived in England for a year or so as a little baby. Maybe that is why I feel such a feeling of homeliness for the city.

But there is also the simple fact: London is probably the greatest city on Earth. London has managed to maintain its historical legacy intact, to cherish it and hold it out proudly for all to come and see, but has also fully embraced the present. Thus, it is vitally modern and historically preserved at once. The building of the mayor’s office, with it’s glass and steel curvature, rising from the banks of the Thames next door to the Tower Bridge; the colossal London Eye towering across from Big Ben; these are examples of the way that London has kept the pace of modernity while holding true to its timely legacy. What keeps London vital is that it keeps growing, keeps changing and keeps bettering itself, but does so conscious of how every change will interact and harmonize with what is already there. There have been some unfortunate sacrifices along the way. Soho is basically gone. The “Girls Girls Girls” sign has been removed. Worst of all, the Intrepid Fox - Soho’s best pub with its metal posters and Tankqirlesque waitresses, what should have been an homage to punk eternal, has closed. But despite this, London has become even more navigable, enjoyable, and livable.

One of my favorite things to do in London, if anyone wants pointers, is to walk the south bank of the Thames from the Tower Bridge to the London Eye. It’s a beautiful walk, offering views of nearly all the historical sights along the Thames along the way. After crossing the Tower Bridge and passing the HMS Belfast, the walk takes you over the London Bridge and descends into a back street, where tourists may enjoy the London Dungeon but where I just like strolling past the churches and shops. The walk takes you out to the Thames again, near a pub sponsored by Young’s that I tend to stop at because of the good ales. Next, you find yourself at a modern looking footbridge that stems out from the Tate Modern and finishes at the St Paul’s Cathedral. The Tate Modern has a great collection, including some permanent pieces by Monet, Lichtenstein, Pollock, and the likes, and showcases very nice rotating exhibits of installation works as well – including one that always occupies the space of the museum’s five-floor high gallery space. After a quick jaunt across the bridge to the St. Paul’s Cathedral and back, you wind down the Thames embankment to the London Eye. I’ve never been inside myself. I don’t really like it. But, it’s part of London and here to stay I figure. There, you can cross the bridge to Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament. From there, it’s a quick walk to Trafalgar Square (no feeding the pigeons anymore, tho - bird flu) where you can also visit the National Gallery. This probably remains my favorite museum in London, despite how much I like the Tate Modern. There are some works there I consider my best friends in London, and always make a point of dropping in to say hi to them whenever I am in town. After that, for even more excitement, go around the back and walk to Leicester Square, and finally walk a little bit more and you find yourself in China Town – home of some of the best roast duck you can find anywhere. I recommend Wang Kei. It’s cheap and delicious!

London is what all cities should aspire to be. More, it’s what all people should aspire to be. It keeps striving to better itself, it embraces modernity and change, but still clings to and cherishes the icons of its past. Thus, it remains livable, positive, polite, and aesthetic. We could all be as London.