Cranky Abroad IV
October 10th, 2007 at 4:05 am by CrankySo really, what is going on in the world that’s so important? Iran wants to go nuclear, politicians are crooked and Barbra Streisand still sucks. Oh yeah, and Fred Thompson was great at the debates, yes?
This lull in the news cycle presents a perfect opportunity to talk about me. You’re welcome.
The photos are actually hosted at Flickr to conserve precious 6MB bandwidth that we’re saving just in case Smantix comes out of retirement.
OK. Where did we leave off? Right the hotel.
The hotel is clean and formal. Like everything else, it is the differences you notice. For example, the music is Musak. We threw off the shackles of this aural oppression years ago. Believe me friends, you haven’t been through Hell until you hear the Bee Gee’s song, How Deep is Your Love played on pan pipes in a 30 minute loop.
Like most things around Romania, it doesn’t have the polish that the American counterparts have. And this isn’t necessary a bad thing. For example, at the Nashville Hilton this last summer, there was a Starbucks in the lobby. Convenient, familiar and branded. At the Hotel Europa, you have an urn of good, espresso-strength coffee made every morning. Sometimes that’s all you want.
This is one of the nicest hotel rooms at the fanciest hotel in Iasi (pronounced “Yash”).
Relatively Spartan, but that is something you get used to. This hotel does not have WiFi, but this is the exception, not the rule. I am currently using a cell-phone modem network which plugs into the USB port and works like a half-retarded DSL line.
Here is a street-level view of the place:
In Bucharest:
I’m told this is the largest block-sized building after the Pentagon. Ceaucscu’s office was in here. A modest cubicle if I understood my friend right.
An arch to some victory. This commemorates the battle in 1873 when six drunk Romanian soldiers stumbled into France. The French surrendered this momument in exchange for promises not to leer at their women. I was sleep deprived, so please cut me some slack on the facts – just like you might do for Dan Rather.
This is a monument to Vlad the Impaler. I think. It could be the front of the Prostate Institute too. Just not sure.
A very intelligent people, the Romanias have a zero tolerance policy for marching bands.
Marketing has a little way to go. This cell phone plan is a “kill deal”.
This one is not so bad. It is for a hardware store and there are different variations on the theme – depicting men painting and gardening under similar circumstances. Tell me what you think the message is. I was wrong. Click to embiggen
More to come. Got to get to work.
October 10th, 2007 at 4:30 am
Video: Fred Thompson?s first debate…
Oct. 9: Former Senator and current co-chair of the Thompson campaign team George Allen, speaks with …
October 10th, 2007 at 5:41 am
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October 10th, 2007 at 6:21 am
[...] Cranky Abroad IV RSS RSS 2.0 Organization Wednesday, October 10, 2007 Cranky Abroad IV So really, what is going on in the world that’s so important? Iran wants to go nuclear, politicians are crooked and Barbra Streisand still … [...]
October 10th, 2007 at 1:30 pm
That turd on a spike deserves comment. I just can’t think of anything to say…baffled by Europeans I guess.
October 10th, 2007 at 2:30 pm
[...] others share inspirational thoughts about their ventures to the land of Dracula’s Castle, leave it to Cranky to share some of his more humorous discoveries… This is a monument to Vlad the Impaler. I [...]
October 10th, 2007 at 5:04 pm
Michele,
At least that turd on a spike is a little more pleasant than when Vlad used to go around Romania impaling people.
There were turds on spikes back then too…I understand that upon being impaled, many an unfortunate Romanian released their bowels.
Then those who were impaled would remain on those spikes for several weeks. Can you imagine the stench and filth? Imagine Cleveland on a sweltering summer day and you might have the idea.
Of course here in the US, if the turd were impaled on a cross, it would be art funded by the federal government…
There, Michele. Did we do that turd justice?
October 11th, 2007 at 7:19 am
Then those who were impaled would remain on those spikes for several weeks. Can you imagine the stench and filth?
I imagine that will make you think twice about riding your horse 5km per hour in a 3km zone little Mr. Free Spirit.
October 11th, 2007 at 10:00 am
That was funny, Brian. Damn…it’s like you should be a blogger, or something….
October 11th, 2007 at 10:09 pm
Cranky-
You should take a picture of all the bars and scantily clad women you see and send them to the Iranian consulate’s email account. I’ll help out if you want. Enjoy!
-Caomhin
October 12th, 2007 at 5:46 am
And if you CC me on those photos I’ll send em on to … umm … some other Islamic theocracy like Dearborn or something.
October 12th, 2007 at 7:21 pm
Nigel – It’s funny you should say that. I am a something.
October 13th, 2007 at 12:02 am
Whoever thinks that Barbra “sucks” is an ass-hole idiot. Period.
October 13th, 2007 at 3:15 am
Readers please note, obscene and pointless comments are usually deleted before they see the light of day.
But Vince’s comment is priceless in that it may be from the world’s only hetro, male Streisand fan. Also, there is no denying that this impassionated defense of Ms. Streisand is … touching.
October 13th, 2007 at 8:18 am
Readers please note, obscene and pointless comments are usually deleted before they see the light of day.
No wonder you wingnut mother$%^#ers never print my brilliant $#^%ing comments. You’re all just too %$#^ing threatened by me and my joyless vagina.
Oh…and Babs does suck…but primarily because she’s just a pawn of the conservative media.