Some Craiovan Gems

WHile in Craiova in recent days we had an opportunity to look around the city and, contrary to expectations, we discovered a lovely environment in some places. When I say contrary to expectations I'll confess that I had premonitions of Craiova being an industrial city, which it certainly was in the past. However, I now gather that many former industries have closed down and that the economy is being rejuvenated.

Anyway, as dusk was gathering we strolled through the old city to find it rejuvenated and pedestrianised - an altogether pleasing experience. And the city centre also hosts some majestic old buildings that add to the city' image. Let's have a quick look:

An elegant new shopping centre.

And the following day another stroll revealed some gorgeous parks which even had the appeal of some of London's great parks - lovely trees - especially in Autumn colours, winding paths, elegant bridges, lakes, flower beds, vistas and even sculptures. Again I'll share my images with you.

An outdoor theatre.

An Emu? Certainly not a ostrich because that was in the next enclosure.

A second park with fancy ornamental flower beds aand even white swans.

So, although some parts of Romanian cities can be quite grim, others are rather fetching or entertaining.

Rail to Craiova

A couple of days ago, we took a quick rail trip trip (just one night our destination) to Craiova in western Romania. In many respects it's a nice city, though like most it has its fair share of derelict factories, crumbling low income apartments - Chateaux Stalin as I call them - and horrendous traffic jams as many two-car families navigate their cities looking for non-existent parking spaces on often narrow roads with few roundabouts or traffic lights. I've had many more pleasant trips on dodgem cars and have witnessed a few accidents here. Private citizens often seem to lack empathy or consideration for their fellow citizens as they scramble for advantage! As we shall see in a minute this results in piles of rubbish lying about, graffiti on walls, and broken infrastructure like pot-holed roads, cracked pavements, and bits falling off buildings!

Here comes our short (5-car) train backing into Bucharest's station.

Typical urban scenery - Chateaux Stalin!

A railway grave-yard: the Romanians seem reluctant to demolish or recycle useless buildings or artefacts.

It was a dull day, but a brighter horizon towards Bulgaria beckoned.

The line was used by countless goods trains - which slowed our journey and perhaps led few people to take the train. Since Bucharest has 2.5 million poeple and Craiova about 300,000, I thought that lots of people would be making the trip.

Getting brighter! Bu the power station did not add much to the scenery across the flat Danubian plain.

They must have had a good harvest this year because train-loads of wheat passed by.

And then came an oil-field!

More discarded railway stock.

This, believe it or not is a platform - and one still in use. I how many times someone sues the government when they trip over and break an arm or leg!

Not the best view of rubbish strewn alongside the track, but you'll get my earlier point.

AS

Romanian Lectures

The main reason for coming to Romania was that my colleague, Ioan Ianos (or John Ianos), wanted me to deliver some cutting edge presentations about the future to staff, professional institutes, academies (including economics), students, and even the mayor of Cravat. So, I managed to give 8 presentations in 10 days to all of the above, as well as hold discussions with various academics here. In the process, I got to see a lot more of Bucharest and, for the first time visit such interesting places as Constanta and Craiova. All in all, it's been a busy time and my hosts have been very generous as I have only had to pay for the occasional meal and a few presents!

Here I am waxing lyrical to students, first in Constanta and then Craiova. By the way, the students seemed to understand what I was saying, but that was because my slides had been translated into Romanian, while I read from the English version in my hands. By the way, the ad for me and my colleague from Curtin University in WA, Roy Jones, was plastered on a door at Ovidius (Ovid) University in Constanta. Needing a bit of exercise, I did tend to fling my arms around!

AS

Road to Constanta

On Tuesday and Wednesday this week I and my Australian colleague Roy Jones travelled the 250 km to the port of Constanta (named I gather after the Roman Emperor Constantine or his wife) in the Black Sea and then back. The trip was by car ... possibly somewhat dodgy given Romanian driving skills, though I had every confidence in our own driver! I've always wanted to sea the Black See (excuse the pun) having reached as close as Istanbul, and now was the chance.

As expeceted, the journey was mostly flat as we approached and paralleled the Danube flood plain, and we crossed some of the best agricultural land I've ever seen - jet black rich soils and many huge fields stretching towards the horizon. On the downside, the landscape was marred by lots of electricity pylons! All the views shown here are looking more or less south on a cloudy day.

The roads and railways were often straight and fairly boring, with some moments of excitement as we crossed the massive Danube itself and saw one of Romania's few nuclear power stations (alas no picture).

At last a gently undulating section south of the Danube, before a glimpse of a more conventional power station adjacent to Constanta.

 In some ways, our first introduction to the city resembled my Vladivostok experience two months ago - huge and not overly attractive port installations and surrounding locations.

But then it got much better as we approached the truly historic core, which has interesting Greek and Roman remains, not to forget subsequent incursions by Ottomans and other nations.

A Roman inscription

A statue to Ovidius (or Ovid to the English) a famous Roman writer who was exiled here by a disgruntled Emperor.

The city is now seas-side resort ... but only seriously in the 4 months of summer ... and so has lots of sandy beaches and places to park yachts or motor boats.

Street names give away its heritage and, at some time the sewer covers were elegantly replaced!

The orthodox cathedral, and some ancient remains.

The city is fond of statues to famous people whwo shaped its history, though I'm not sure who this first guy is - although I reckon he must have been exempt feeling cold!

I gather that this dude played a major role in harbour construction

 The casino.

 An early lighthouse

My companions in the deserted lower town - out of season and shops migrated to indoor shopping centres - as in many other places.

And a redntition of Romulus and Remus - heaven knows why here!

AS