spectacular Ghent

This is beautiful and unique Belgium...to be more precise the old town of Gent.

The city started as a settlement at the confluence of the Rivers Scheldt and Lys and in the Middle Ages became one of the largest and richest cities of northern Europe. Today it is a busy city with a port and a university.

First time in Belgiu (hope it's not gonna be the last one) we tried all the good stuff that this nation offered to the world: chocolate, french fries, beer...and so on...

I'm not a beer drinker, but I had to ty the Cherry beer at the famous Beer House...and yeah, I loved it so much that I bought some for home too :)

in a boat trip, sightseein'

The Old Post Office seen from the Sint-Michielsbrug Bridge

Gent (Ghent), Belgium

The Gravensteen is a castle in Ghent originating from the Middle Ages. The name means "castle of the count" in Dutch

Historical centre of Ghent – from left to right:

Saint-Nicholas Church, Belfry, and Saint Bavo Cathedral

Köln

This was the first time I've actually visited Germany and I can say I loved it.

Cologne (German: Köln), is Germany's fourth-largest city (after Berlin, Hamburg and Munich), and is the largest city both in the German Federal State of North Rhine-Westphalia and within the Rhine-Ruhr Metropolitan Area, one of the major European metropolitan areas with more than ten million inhabitants. It is one of the oldest cities in Germany. The name is derived from that of the Roman settlement, Colonia Claudia Ara Agrippinensium.Cologne lies on the River Rhine. The city's famous Cologne Cathedral (Kölner Dom) is the seat of the Catholic Archbishop of Cologne. The cathedral was the first thing that overwhelmed me...it's huge and so beautiful!Officially it's called Hohe Domkirche St. Peter und Maria) is a Roman Catholic church in Koln.

Construction of Cologne Cathedral began in 1248 and took, with interruptions, until 1880 to complete. It is 144.5 metres long, 86.5 m wide and its towers are approximately 157 m tall.The cathedral is one of the world's largest churches and the largest Gothic church in Northern Europe. It is renowned as a monument of Christianity, of German Catholicism in particular, of Gothic architecture and of the continuing faith and perseverance of the people of the city in which it stands.

The beautiful historical old town of Köln (Cologne)

Rhine river, in the back -> Hohenzollern bridge (Hohenzollernbrücke)

Love padlocks on the Hohenzollern bridge.

A custom by which sweethearts affix padlocks to a fence or similar public fixture to symbolise their love (it started in the 80's), but in Köln started in 2008.

the Rhine in Köln (Cologne)

one of the old streets in Köln

.... definitely would go there again!!!

Vienna - the gate to Eastern Europe.

I couldn't wait to see Vienna again. I've been here for the first time when I was in the second year of highschool, that was the moment I fell in love with Austria and started to forget (for good) my birth country.

Vienna seen from one of the towers of the St. Stephen's Cathedral.

Yet another patchwork of architectural styles, but predominantly Gothic. None of the original construction remains—the oldest extant sections are the thirteenth century Giant Gate (Riesentor) and Towers of the Heathens (Heidentürme), both of which are Romanesque. The 448 ft South Tower (Südturm), often known by its Viennese diminutive Steffl (also a nickname for the entire cathedral), was finished in 1433. This is where the Pummerin, a huge bell cast from melted-down Turkish cannons, hangs. Steffl's intended twin, the North Tower (Nordturm), was never finished. In 1511, building in Gothic style ceased due to being out of fashion. Over fifty years later, in 1579, a Renaissance spire was added to the Nordturm to make it look less like the builders had stormed off the job. The main altar has a Baroque panel showing St. Stephen, Christianity’s first martyr. The organized tour is worth it, since some of the finest works of art in the cathedral can only be seen with a guide, such as Emperor Frederick III's red marble sepulchre and the immense Gothic carved Altar of Wiener Neustadt. The aborted North Tower has an observation deck with an amazing view of downtown Vienna. Nearby is the entrance to the catacombs, where legions of bishops and Habsburg body parts are buried (the intestines, specifically).

up - roof detail of the cathedral

down- Stephansplatz

The Stephansplatz is a square at the geographical centre of Vienna. It is named after its most prominent building, the Stephansdom, Vienna's cathedral and one of the tallest chriches in the world. Before the 20th century, a row of houses separated Stephansplatz from Stock-im-Eisen-Platz,but since their destruction, the name Stephansplatz started to be used for the wider area covering both. To the west and south, respectively, run the exclusive shopping streets Graben (literally "ditch") and Kärnten -is the german for Carinthia-. Opposite the Stephansdom is the Haas-Haus, a piece of striking modern architecture by Hans Hollein. Although public opinion was originally skeptical about the combination of the mediæval cathedral and the glass and steel building, it is now considered an example of how old and new architecture can mix harmoniously.

"It starts in Linz"

Linz is the third largest city in Austria with 188,968 inhabitants, is the capital of the federal province of Upper Austria and forms the heart of Austria´s second strongest economic region. Linz is by the Danube (Donau) river. The tourist slogan of the city is "In Linz beginnt's" ("It starts in Linz"). It was the first time I've seen this city and although is not as almost fairy tale like quality of Salzburg, I loved it anyway! Check it out for yourselves!

Cathedral of the Virgin Mary (Mariendom), Linz, Austria

Linz is an industrial city (with huge steel and chemical works) which was bombed during World War II - and was one of the few cities of Nazi-Germany that escaped total destruction. While Linz does indeed have a sizable "Altstadt" (old town) it may be disappointing to those tourists familiar with the charm of Graz or Salzburg. Linz is primarily a student and industrial town.While industry in Linz is still financially important, it is slowly diversifying by helping small companies and encouraging tourism. The city gets a lot of international media attention because of its annual Ars Electronica Festival - an international festival for Electronic Art. It also hosts the "Klangwolke" ("sound-cloud"); a big cultural Open-Air spectacle with modern and traditional music and a massive light show, which is held in September. Linz has become the "European Capital of Culture" in 2009, by virtue of an independent cultural development and an innovative culture and art scene.

between Buda and Pesta

All packin' is done, route is clear, car tank is gas full, we're exited...

Ready?Set? Go!!!!!!!!!!!!

Our trip to UK started today, the 10th of august. We left Romania without looking back. I was so eager to see new things, to meet new people, to enjoy the last month of summer far away from this surrogate of country...

We couldn't drive through Hungary without saying hello to Budapest, especially by night, when everything is lightened up so nice and the Danube looks so good sparkling...

back on track!!

Hey, everybody!!!

It's true that I haven't posted smth since...well... :O ...but I am trying as much as I can to enjoy summer...I've been visiting, most of all, my family and relatives...cause only during this season I can see and spend time with the ones I share the same blood. I had to make a deal with myself to read at least 1000 book pages, quest that I am proudly to say I've accomplished already. I'll tell you about these books soon and I'll try to catch up by posting some pics and stuff that I did in the past weeks. Hope you'll enjoy it and I am waiting for comments and thoughts you'll might get while reading this blog.

In a few days I'll be leaving the country for a trip to Belgium, then to UK, where I'm going to stay until the end of august. I don't know yet if I'm gonna be able to post smth during those days, but you'll definitely see the news after I'll get back in september. Plus with the first month of the fall, not only the work at the Theatre will start again, but my brother is going to get married. He's gonna come from Norway to marry his sweetheart in Romania along with all the friends and family who will be able to come and celebrate his union. My mom's crazy already with all sorts of details and she's driving me crazy too...anyhow...I wasn't a big wedding lover till now...but I have to be honest...I don't think I'm gonna be either from now on...It's just at least here, it's like a fuckin' business, or a freakin' way to expose all the wealth one has in front of the others. I hate that. I don't believe in church or religion, but after all a wedding should be a celebration of love, not a pain in the ass. Anyhow...i'm waiting for your opinion on that.

Hey don't forget to enjoy the last month of summer, wear lots of sunscreen, drink water, tell the one next to you you still love him/her and don't mind the so called "important" but stupid people (who, by the way, are a lot)!!!

Green waters

Just some chillin'...water, sun, music, good company...that is what I call a good summer feeling!

Childhood memories

I love to visit my grandparents, back to the village where me, my sis, my bro and lots of cousins used to spend many of our summers... I'll never forget those times :)) A lot of joy and laughts come into my mind eachtime I remember those years...But now they seam so far away...

So, for that reason, I like to see each corner of their farm, each animal they raise, the crops, everything that mooves...Everything has a bit of ancient magic in it. All this refills me with loads of good energy!

This time I tied a strong friendship with a young and new cohabitant of my summer childhood realms. Ohh...I had a great time playing with this cute puppy!! :)

A real unleashed beast!!!

August