In Hot Water

Now that we had a full day in Bucharest, Romania it was time to show them the full extent of our powers.

We of course had to check out what culinary delights may be waiting for us at a Romanian McDonald's.

In the middle of this roundabout where a statue of Lenin once stood is now the Monument of the Anti-Communist Fight ("Wings"). I recognize the style of the big building behind it as being Soviet. During the dark times it was the headquarters of the Romanian Communist Party's official newspaper, and now is called House of the Free Press and is home to many different newspapers. According to infallible Wikipedia it was the tallest building in Bucharest from 1956 and 2007.

We visited Therme Bucharest, which is Europe's largest thermal spa and wellness and relaxation centre. There was a lot going on in this place.

Ern reviewed the literature before entering.

It was like a thermal theme park essentially. There were water slides and big pools to hang out in, in addition to the typical sauna type stuff.

We got yelled at for having our phones in the pool, so this is the only shot of that we have.

There was some stuff for the big man to get excited about as well.

I don't know that we could find a food delivery app that would accept American credit cards. Anyway I went out into the wilderness and acquired pizzas for my people.

Hai, Romania!

We'd squeezed the last drops out of the Meunier grapes of France and it was time for additional adventures.

Boarding was a little bit unpleasant and involved waiting in very long lines. We flew out of Paris Beauvais Airport.

If your airport doesn't have jet bridges, just know that I am judging you. Sometimes quite loudly.

A lot of European airlines have this extra little seatbelt that they want you to attach to an adult's belt and wrap around a squirmy little person. It goes about as well as you might expect.

Calabria is where my Italian headquarters is located.

That's a cutie potato man right there.

We landed in Bucharest, the capital of Romania!

My first look at the Romanian language was so fun. It was both foreign and familiar at the same time.

We set up our Romanian headquarters. Every globetrotter worth his salt needs a Romanian headquarters.

My Italian is trash but even then I could hear some similarities out in the streets. Good evening in Italian is Buonasera and in Romanian Bună seara.

"The history of Bucharest in the building on Stavropoleos street.

With a history of over 130 years behind it, Caru' cu bere was and still is a symbol of the historical center of Bucharest, being the favorite meeting place for both Bucharest residents and foreign tourists, whether we are talking about simple people or by personalities such as I.L. Caragiale, George Coşbuc, the Crown Prince of Japan or The Rolling Stones."

In classic European fashion this meal took almost 2 hours to complete, so we took turns going on Ernie adventures. If it's fast enough for The Rolling Stones, it's fast enough for Lydia.

I had no choice but to order the

"House Specialty

Very slowly roasted pork knuckle with braised sour cabbage, polenta, horseradish and a chili pepper. Please let your server know if you would like your knuckle served off the bone. For two hungry people or one fat boy named John."

I appreciated that they signaled that I was the most Romanian dude in the joint by sticking a little flag in my food.

Ernie was really rapping with this street accordion player.

I was tempted to dress Ernie up like a little Romanian boy but I was restrained.

Saw an ad cheering on the Romanian olympic team.

Hai, România!