Ever since Oswaldo was invited to join the Institut International de Philosophie, we've known we would go to Bucharest for his September 11-15 conference
http://www.i-i-p.org/events_detail.php?id=63. Back then, was it February?, we also decided we'd spend some time getting to know the country, so, with a lot of patience and persistence, Oswaldo managed to get us business class tickets on miles if we stayed a little longer - until September 28. Then other trips and events intervened and suddenly I find myself exploring all things Romanian with less than two weeks to go. I've read William Blacker's "Along the Enchanted Way," which describes life in the rural north, and am perusing The Rough Guide to Romania, which promises 'wild landscapes,' 'folk culture,' and ancient castles.' I've subscribed to the informative daily "Romanian Insider"
http://www.romania-insider.com/?utm_source=Romania+Business+Insider+MAIN&utm_campaign=ed6f9a2584-15_august_20128_14_2012&utm_medium=email and discovered a witty Danish blogger, who writes weekly about life as an ex-pat there
http://www.romania-insider.com/bucharest-city-tales-the-biggest-differences-between-bucharest-and-copenhagen/63501/. We're now Facebook friends. I have also cooked a Romanian dish from the same magazine. Another friend has put me in touch with a most helpful Romanian philosopher living in the US, and finally a writer friend has introduced me to another Romanian writer. With all this input we're sure to have a great trip! In Bucharest we're staying at the Siqua Hotel - a venue chosen by the conference - and we've reserved 3 nights at the Danube Delta Resort - a place described as a Romanian Pantanal. The rest we'll make up as we go along.
