The second day of the new year has a special meaning, it is usually a day of family reunion with relatives and friends, of course, only some of them.
This year was different and last year was different. Last year we celebrated this mid-winter day at the seaside, and this year we celebrated with a walk.
It was the first walk of the new year and for that, it has to be written down somewhere, and for me, the best is here, to share it with you!
The city where I live, Bucharest, is big and has everything. And better, and worse, and more beautiful but also uglier. Like all cities in the world, I guess.
Old and new neighborhoods, old downtown, ultra-crowded areas, suburbs, suburbs, and green spaces. I live in the suburbs next to the place with the largest green area, the green sector. That means lots of space with parks, lakes, and even forests.
For the first walk, we chose a park made on the remains of a forest, very close to the city center. On Kiselef Boulevard, a sort of Champs-Élysées of Bucharest.
This area is very well known to me because the high school I attended is nearby and very often, after school and frequently even during school, I spent a lot of time with my classmates in the park. You know, classmates, friends, girls, cigarettes, and alcohol, as diligent students!
The place is different now compared to when I was in high school, because it has been over 55 years since then. The park has been modified and redesigned.
New monuments have appeared, such as this dedicated to the Romanian army that fought in the two world wars.
Others have disappeared. There was no water in this little pool when I was a student. In the middle was a statue of a naked woman lying on the ground, a nymph. In the space next to the statue we played soccer. The statue has been moved to Herastrau Park, not far from here.
Our former playground has been transformed into something much more beautiful, a place for wild waterfowl to live.
The walk through the park wasn't a long one, just a bit around the wild duck spot. Then we headed out to the neighborhood streets.
More than a walk I wanted to go to a cafe, it's a favorite nearby. But I forgot that January 2 is a day off and no work, almost everything is closed. The deserted streets...
It was a gorgeous day that gave no hint of winter and so few people on the streets. There is an explanation, many people were away on vacation and others were tired after celebrating the New Year.
My wife and I wanted a cafe or a small restaurant where we could sit at a table...
Everything closed. We consoled ourselves with a walk in the deserted streets. We saw a place of contrasts. A new, modern building next to an abandoned building. This is in the center, less than 500 meters from the Romanian Government building.
In this building was a hospital that was moved from there in 1990. Since then the building has deteriorated.
The walk on the streets was not in vain, finally we found a good Samaritan who had the cafe open.
I was so surprised and happy that I forgot to take a picture of the entrance!
The coffee wasn't exactly the best but it was great that we were able to rest and talk about us and our plans for 2025. Over a coffee all dreams seem more real than ever!
We then came to the same conclusion, to this duality, that every beginning has an end, that every end has a beginning, and that every one way has a return, so we went back to where we left the car.
On the way back we passed by some buildings that I really like.
The community school, built in 1896, in Romanian neoclassical style.
An even older church, from 1787. I was more impressed by the fact that Constantin Brancusi, considered the first modern sculptor in the world, sang in the choir of this church.
The exit from the churchyard leads to another special building, a small palace.
This palace houses the Romanian Peasant Museum.
This is one of the most interesting museums in Bucharest, internationally recognized and sought after by foreign tourists.
Opposite the Roman Peasant Museum is another museum housed in a historical monument, the Geology Museum.
The circle closed. We reached the parking lot and the ride was over.
The first walk of the new year, which was also meant to celebrate my 71st birthday that day. I wanted a celebration for two, with just my wife... and I was mostly on the streets. It was a wonderful day and a wonderful celebration.
I always start with photos when I want to write a blog. Photos remind me of places, events, and feelings that turn into words...
Since we all love photography, let’s explore the captivating details captured in these photos.!
A wise saying goes that a photograph is worth a thousand words, but I don't think so.
It depends on the viewer.
Make a point of looking around and up and see what you can find to get shots of that otherwise you may miss.
This is one of the recommendations made by 