My Romanian Birthday

Today is my birthday and I took the advice that I give so freely.  Always observe and recognize your birthday.  Wether you have a celebration, I've given my own party many times and I love doing so.  There is nothing wrong with giving yourself your own affair.  Be glad yet again that you are fortunate to have another birthday, some or not. Plan an outing or just stay home, bake a cake, call some friends, and light the candles, and remember to always celebrate the day you where born because everyone is special.  As Julia Childs says," a party without cake is just a meeting."  And no one wants a meeting on their birthday.

Taking my own instructions I began my day in Giurgiu, Romania.  Giurgiu is situated on the left banks of the Danube among mud-flaps and marches.  From here Stone, Judy, Barbara and I took a breathtaking drive through the Romanian countryside.  Standing on a small hill in the heart of Bucharest, stood the beautiful 17th-century Patriarchal Church.

Patriarchal Church

Patriarchal Church

Patriarchal Church

Patriarchal Church

Patriarchal Church

Partriarchal Church

Church

Patriarchal Church

Church

Patriarchal Church

Patriarchal Church

From here we stopped at the Village Museum in Bucharest.  The open air exhibition, along the shores of Lake Herastrau contains 272 authentic peasant farms and houses from all over Romania.  It's a piece of history beautifully preserved and considered one of the greatest outdoor museums in the Balkans.   As we meandered along we felt as though we were strolling in centuries past.

Village Museum

Roses at the village museum.

Village Museum

Village Museum

Village Museum

Village Museum

Our final outing for the day was Ceausescu's "House of the People," which was completed in 1989.   Nicolae Ceausescu was the communist dictator of Romania before his killing in 1989.  We stepped out on the balcony where Ceasescu planned to address his people had they not executed him first.  Instead the balcony was first used by Michael Jackson who declared to the adoring crowd below "I LOVE BUDAPEST!"  (Moments later Michael Jackson was forced to escape by private helicopter back to his Neverland Ranch.)

House Of The People

House Of The People

House Of The People

House Of The People

House Of The People

It is from this balcony where Michael Jackson said,"I love Budapest,"
Only he was in Bucharest.

For my birthday dinner we devoured Mediterranean food at Sharkia's in Bucharest.  It was Judy and Barbara's last night with us so I guess it was a birthday celebration and a farewell dinner combined.  I love Tabouleh and hadn't had it in a long time, actually the last time was when I was in Doha, Qatar visiting friends a year and a half ago.  In fact, I wanted it so bad I ordered two Tabouleh Salads along with my Kofta.

Tabouleh Salad

Kofta on Cinnamon Sticks

Before calling it a night we had a little photoshoot, so I'm adding my birthday pictures.

Stone-Me-Judy-Barbara

It crossed my mind to jump into the pool, didn't!

The Balkan Fearsome Foursome

Judy, always laughing.

Barbara fell off the bar stool.

Judy and I trying to compose ourselves.

I'm trying to straighten up.

Here we are cooperating for Stone.

Something has caught mine and Judy's eye, we are distracted.

Barbara fell off the bar stool AGAIN!!!

I don't know if she will make it.

Barbara, you have to turn around!

California meets Tennessee in Bucharest
Barbara-Me-Judy

Where are some fun places you have traveled to for your birthday?