May 17

Today we had a tour of Bucharest and then were delivered to the ship for our cruise up the Danube.
The first shots are of the lobby of the Marriott where we have stayed for the past 2 days. Marble everywhere and poverty just around the corner.
We toured the Parliamentary Palace ( I did not go ) and then to a church which was the headquarters of the Romanian faith. Beautiful church but we were not permitted to take photos of the ceremony inside bacause it was being filmed and flashes would interfere. Some did anyway.
Then we passed by the Free Press Building where a statue of Stalin once stood but was pulled down during the revolution. Next the Police headquarters wher I would have been arrested and never to be seen again if I had taken this photo some 20 years ago.
Romania has a stray dog problem. Thousands of them roaming the streets and countryside in search of food. They all know the bus drivers will give them cookies at the rest stops. Finally we arrived at the boat and were able to unpack for 8 days.


Local Blood Bank ?????