Five good reasons to love Bucharest

I must confess that the idea for this column belongs to a friend of mine, an American journalist who every now and then finds the time to come to Romania and enjoy the sights. I hope you’ll like it.

I guess all Bucharest born-and-bred readers of Ziarul Financiar are very well acquainted with our capital’s attractions. I will only refer to five of them.

1.The buildings. Many of the houses in Bucharest display exquisite architecture, a wide variety of styles and original details. It’s a pleasure to walk the streets of the city, where the old buildings are still standing and their walls are impregnated with history.

They have seen so many things, as silent witnesses of resounding events – big scandals, forbidden love affairs, political or jealousy murders, etc.

After all, the expression “Bucharest – little Paris” might have been a pompous cliche, but it was also well-deserved, if we look at the marvellous houses, some of them bearing a striking resemblance to miniature fairy-tale castles.

2. The parks. Whoever read Grigore Bajenaru’s “Cismigiu & Co.” knows what I’m talking about, and who hasn’t should get his hands on the book (although it has become very hard to find lately), because it’s worth it.

Cismigiu is not just a park. In my opinion, it is THE park (as far as Bucharest is concerned, because I couldn’t possibly say that it tops Central Park). Just try to get the feeling of the place and it will win you over instantly.

3. The people. Anyone who has doubts concerning our Latin origins should stop for a moment and observe Bucharest inhabitants – they are very communicative, know how to have fun and live life to the max.

If you ever get lost, have no fear – there will always be a kind passer-by to give you the right directions.

After the Revolution, plenty of bars and restaurants were opened and I can safely say that they can measure up to many glitzy establishments of this kind in the West. Perhaps the best thing about these bars is the crowd.

And let’s not forget the women – many foreigners even say that good-looking women are our best assets.

4. The dogs. Say what you may, but well-behaved dogs are a genuine cure for the blues and they make great pick-up pretexts: “Oh, miss, you have such a nice dog! Can I pet it?” Doesn’t matter if the nice little doggie is a Doberman if the owner is a “hot babe.”

Frankly, I understand why people buy dogs on the black market and then keep them locked in the house because the government does not allow them to have pets.

5. The cultural life. YES, we do have a cultural life, and NO, our capital’s name is not Budapest. In fact, actors tour a lot with the plays staged here in Bucharest and we never run short of art displays in galleries or museums. Romanian music is slowly coming to its senses after the half-century of hymns dedicated to communism.

So, dear readers, Bucharest is a city worth visiting, cherishing and remembering.